<PAGE>
FORM 8-B
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN SUCCESSOR ISSUERS
Filed Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 94-3165290
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(State of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3875 Hopyard Road, Suite 375, Pleasanton, California 94588
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
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Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK ($0.001 PAR VALUE)
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(Title of class)
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Item 1. General Information
-------------------
(a) The registrant,YES! Entertainment Corporation (the "Company"
or the "Registrant"), was incorporated in Delaware on August 6, 1996.
(b) The Company's fiscal year ends on December 31.
Item 2. Transaction of Succession
-------------------------
(a) The predecessor to the Company was YES! Entertainment
Corporation, a California corporation ("YES! California"). YES! California had
Common Stock registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").
(b) On October 25, 1996, YES! California merged into the Company
to effect a reincorporation into Delaware. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger of YES! Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, and YES!
Entertainment Corporation, a California corporation, each share of YES!
California's Common Stock, no par value, was automatically converted into one
share of the Company's Common Stock, $0.001 par value, on the effective date of
the merger. Each stock certificate representing issued and outstanding shares of
YES! California's Common Stock, from the date of the merger, represents the same
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Item 3. Securities to be Registered
---------------------------
The Company currently has 48,000,000 shares of authorized Common
Stock, of which 14,013,670 shares issued and were outstanding as of October 25,
1996. None of such issued and outstanding shares were held in treasury as of
October 25, 1996.
Item 4. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered
-------------------------------------------------------
The Company's security to be registered hereunder is its Common
Stock. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 48,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
$0.001 par value.
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject
to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock,
holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In
the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of
Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment
of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding Preferred
Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to
convert their Common Stock into any other securities. There are no redemption
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or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding
shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board
of Directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to
issue up to 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix
the designations, powers, preferences and rights (including, without limitation,
dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and
liquidation preferences) and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereof, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the Common Stock.
The Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, can issue Preferred Stock
with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting
power and other rights of the holders of Common Stock. Preferred Stock could
thus be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in
control of the Company or make removal of management more difficult.
Additionally, the issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of decreasing
the market price of the Common stock. At present, there are no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, from which the
Company has not opted out in its Certificate of Incorporation, restricts certain
"business combinations" with "interested stockholders" for three years following
the date that a person or entity becomes an interested stockholder, unless the
Board of Directors approves the business combination and/or certain other
requirements are met.
Item 5. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(a) Financial Statements
--------------------
Not applicable. The capital structure and balance sheet of
the Registrant immediately after the merger were
substantially the same as those of YES! California.
(b) Exhibits
--------
(i) Proxy Statement or Prospectus. Not applicable. The
capital structure and balance sheet of the Company
immediately after the merger were substantially the
same as those of YES! California.
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<PAGE>
(ii) Other Exhibits.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------ -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger.
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of
Registrant.
3.2 Bylaws of Registrant.
4.1 Fourth Article of the Certificate of
Incorporation of Registrant (included in
Exhibit 3.1).
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
Dated: October 31, 1996
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
By: /s/ BRUCE D. BOWER
-------------------------------
Bruce D. Bower
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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<PAGE>
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger.
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
3.2 Bylaws of Registrant.
4.1 Fourth Article of the Certificate of
Incorporation (included in Exhibit 3.1).
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
OF YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION,
A DELAWARE CORPORATION,
AND
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION,
A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of September 24, 1996 (the
"Agreement") is between YES! Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("YES! Delaware"), and YES! Entertainment Corporation, a California corporation
("YES! California"). YES! Delaware and YES! California are sometimes referred
to herein as the "Constituent Corporations."
RECITALS
A. YES! Delaware is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has an authorized capital of 50,000,000
shares, $0.001 par value, of which 48,000,000 shares are designated "Common
Stock," and 2,000,000 shares are designated "Preferred Stock." The Preferred
Stock of YES! Delaware is undesignated as to series, rights, preferences,
privileges or restrictions. As of September 24, 1996, 100 shares of Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, all of which are held by YES! California, and
no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
B. YES! California is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of California and has an authorized capital of 202,000,000
shares, no par value, of which 200,000,000 are designated "Common Stock," and
2,000,000 shares are designated "Preferred Stock." The Preferred Stock of YES!
California is undesignated as to series, rights, preferences, privileges or
restrictions. As of September 24, 1996, 14,004,159 shares of Common Stock
were issued and outstanding, and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and
outstanding.
C. The Board of Directors of YES! California has determined that, for the
purpose of effecting the reincorporation of YES! California in the State of
Delaware, it is advisable and in the best interests of YES! California and its
shareholders that YES! California merge with and into YES! Delaware upon the
terms and conditions herein provided.
D. The respective Boards of Directors of YES! Delaware and YES! California
have approved this Agreement and have directed that this Agreement be submitted
to a vote of their respective shareholders and executed by the undersigned
officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set
forth herein, YES! Delaware and YES! California hereby agree, subject to the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:
I
MERGER
1.1 Merger. In accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the
Delaware General Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law,
YES! California shall be merged with and into YES! Delaware (the "Merger"), the
separate existence of YES! California shall cease and YES! Delaware shall
survive the Merger and shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware, and YES! Delaware shall be, and is herein sometimes referred to as,
the "Surviving Corporation," and the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be
YES! Entertainment Corporation.
<PAGE>
1.2 Filing and Effectiveness. The Merger shall become effective when the
following actions shall have been completed:
(a) This Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted and
approved by the shareholders of each Constituent Corporation in accordance
with the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the
California General Corporation Law;
(b) All of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Merger
specified in this Agreement shall have been satisfied or duly waived by the
party entitled to satisfaction thereof;
(c) An executed Certificate of Merger or an executed, acknowledged
and certified counterpart of this Agreement meeting the requirements of the
Delaware General Corporation Law shall have been filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware; and
(d) An executed Certificate of Merger or an executed counterpart of
this Agreement meeting the requirements of the California General
Corporation Law shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of California.
The date and time when the Merger shall become effective, as aforesaid, is
herein called the "Effective Date of the Merger."
1.3 Effect of the Merger. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the
separate existence of YES! California shall cease and YES! Delaware, as the
Surviving Corporation, (i) shall continue to possess all of its assets, rights,
powers and property as constituted immediately prior to the Effective Date of
the Merger, (ii) shall be subject to all actions previously taken by its and
YES! California's Boards of Directors, (iii) shall succeed, without other
transfer, to all of the assets, rights, powers and property of YES! California
in the manner as more fully set forth in Section 259 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, (iv) shall continue to be subject to all of its debts,
liabilities and obligations as constituted immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger, and (v) shall succeed, without other transfer, to all of the
debts, liabilities and obligations of YES! California in the same manner as if
YES! Delaware had itself incurred them, all as more fully provided under the
applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the California
General Corporation Law.
II
CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
2.1 Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of YES!
Delaware as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger
shall continue in full force and effect as the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the provisions
thereof and applicable law.
2.2 Bylaws. The Bylaws of YES! Delaware as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Date of the Merger shall continue in full force and effect as the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the
provisions thereof and applicable law.
2.3 Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of YES! California
immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall be the directors and
officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors shall
have been duly elected and qualified or until as otherwise provided by law, or
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or the Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation.
III
MANNER OF CONVERSION OF STOCK
3.1 YES! California Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger,
each share of YES! California Common Stock, no par value, issued and outstanding
immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
by the Constituent Corporations, the holder of such shares or any other person,
be changed and converted into and exchanged for one fully paid and nonassessable
share of Common Stock, $.001 par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
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<PAGE>
3.2 YES! California Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Upon the Effective
Date of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall assume and continue the
stock option plans (including without limitation the 1992 Stock Option Plan, the
1995 Stock Option Plan and the 1995 Directors Stock Option Plan) and all other
employee benefit plans (including without limitation the 401(k) Matching Plan,
the Profit Sharing Plan and the Executive Profit Sharing Plan) of YES!
California. Each outstanding and unexercised option or other right to purchase
or security convertible into YES! California Common Stock shall become an option
or right to purchase or a security convertible into the Surviving Corporation's
Common Stock on the basis of one share of the Surviving Corporation's Common
Stock for each share of YES! California Common Stock issuable pursuant to any
such option, stock purchase right or convertible security, on the same terms and
conditions and at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price
applicable to any such YES! California option, stock purchase right or
convertible security at the Effective Date of the Merger. There are no options,
purchase rights for or securities convertible into Preferred Stock of YES!
California.
A number of shares of the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock shall be
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options, stock purchase rights or
convertible securities equal to the number of shares of YES! California Common
Stock so reserved immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger.
3.3 YES! Delaware Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger,
each share of Common Stock, $.001 par value, of YES! Delaware issued and
outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action by YES! Delaware, the holder of such shares or any other person, be
cancelled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares.
3.4 Exchange of Certificates. After the Effective Date of the Merger, each
holder of an outstanding certificate representing shares of YES! California
Common Stock may, at such stockholder's option, surrender the same for
cancellation to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as exchange agent
(the "Exchange Agent"), and each such holder shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock into which such holders'
shares of YES! California Common Stock were converted as herein provided. Unless
and until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate theretofore representing
shares of YES! California Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to
represent the number of whole shares of the Surviving Corporation's Common Stock
into which such shares of YES! California Common Stock were converted in the
Merger.
The registered owner on the books and records of the Surviving Corporation
or the Exchange Agent of any shares of stock represented by such outstanding
certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been surrendered for
transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted for to the Surviving Corporation
or the Exchange Agent, have and be entitled to exercise any voting and other
rights with respect to and to receive dividends and other distributions upon the
shares of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation represented by such
outstanding certificate as provided above.
Each certificate representing Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation so
issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any, with respect to the
restrictions on transferability as the certificates of YES! California so
converted and given in exchange therefor, unless otherwise determined by the
Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with applicable
laws.
If any certificate for shares of YES! Delaware stock is to be issued in a
name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor
is registered, it shall be a condition of issuance thereof that the certificate
so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for
transfer, that such transfer otherwise be proper and that the person requesting
such transfer pay to YES! Delaware or the Exchange Agent any transfer or other
taxes payable by reason of the issuance of such new certificate in a name other
than that of the registered holder of the certificate surrendered or establish
to the satisfaction of YES! Delaware that such tax has been paid or is not
payable.
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<PAGE>
IV
GENERAL
4.1 Covenants of YES! Delaware. YES! Delaware covenants and agrees that it
will, on or before the Effective Date of the Merger:
(a) Qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in the State of
California and in connection therewith irrevocably appoint an agent for
service of process as required under the provisions of Section 2105 of the
California General Corporation Law;
(b) File any and all documents with the California Franchise Tax
Board necessary for the assumption by YES! Delaware of all of the franchise
tax liabilities of YES! California; and
(c) Take such other actions as may be required by the California
General Corporation Law.
4.2 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by YES!
Delaware or by its successors or assigns, there shall be executed and delivered
on behalf of YES! California such deeds and other instruments, and there shall
be taken or caused to be taken by YES! Delaware and YES! California such further
and other actions, as shall be appropriate or necessary in order to vest or
perfect in or conform of record or otherwise by YES! Delaware the title to and
possession of all the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of YES! California and otherwise to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of YES!
Delaware are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of YES! California or
otherwise to take any and all such action and to execute and deliver any and all
such deeds and other instruments.
4.3 Abandonment. At any time before the filing of this Agreement with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, this Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason whatsoever by the Board of
Directors of either YES! California or YES! Delaware, or both, notwithstanding
the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of YES! California or by the
sole stockholder of YES! Delaware, or by both.
4.4 Amendment. The Boards of Directors of the Constituent Corporations may
amend this Agreement at any time prior to the filing of this Agreement (or
certificate in lieu thereof) with the Secretaries of State of the States of
California and Delaware, provided that an amendment made subsequent to the
adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of either Constituent Corporation
shall not: (1) alter or change the amount or kind of shares, securities, cash,
property and/or rights to be received in exchange for or on conversion of all or
any of the shares of any class or series thereof of such Constituent
Corporation, (2) alter or change any term of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation to be effected by the Merger, or (3) alter or change
any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such alteration or change
would adversely affect the holders of any class of shares or series thereof of
such Constituent Corporation.
4.5 Registered Office. The registered office of the Surviving Corporation
in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange
Street, in the City of Wilmington, Delaware 19801, County of New Castle, and The
Corporation Trust Company is the registered agent of the Surviving Corporation
at such address.
4.6 Agreement. Executed copies of this Agreement will be on file at the
principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 3875 Hopyard Road,
Suite 375, Pleasanton, California 94588 and copies thereof will be furnished to
any shareholder of either Constituent Corporation, upon request and without
cost.
4.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware and, so far as applicable, the merger provisions of the
California General Corporation Law.
4.8 Counterparts. In order to facilitate the filing and recording of this
Agreement, the same may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one
and the same instrument.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement, having first been approved by
resolutions of the Boards of Directors of YES! Delaware and YES! California, is
hereby executed on behalf of each of such two corporations and attested by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ DONALD D. KINGSBOROUGH
---------------------------
Donald D. Kingsborough
President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ BRUCE D. BOWER
- -----------------------------
Bruce D. Bower
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
a California corporation
By: /s/ DONALD D. KINGSBOROUGH
---------------------------
Donald D. Kingsborough
President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ BRUCE D. BOWER
- -----------------------------
Bruce D. Bower
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is YES! Entertainment Corporation (the
"Corporation").
SECOND: The address of the Corporation's registered office in the State of
Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, zip code 19801. The name of its
registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.
FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be
designated respectively Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The total
number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation has
authority to issue is Fifty Million (50,000,000), consisting of Forty-
Eight Million (48,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value
(the "Common Stock"), and Two Million (2,000,000) shares of Preferred
Stock, $0.001 par value (the "Preferred Stock").
The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized subject to
limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions the
designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, of each such series of Preferred
Stock, including without limitation authority to fix by resolution or
resolutions, the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights,
voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund
provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences
of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of
shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or
any of the foregoing.
The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not
above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease
(but not below the number of shares of any such series then
outstanding) the number of shares of any series, the number of which
was fixed by it, subsequent to the issue of shares of such series then
outstanding, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in the
resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of
shares of such series. If the number of shares of any series is so
decreased, then the
<PAGE>
shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they
had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the
number of shares of such series.
FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:
Debra B. Rosler
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
SIXTH: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
SEVENTH: The election of directors need not be by written ballot unless a
stockholder demands election by written ballot at a meeting of
stockholders and before voting begins or unless the Bylaws of the
Corporation shall so provide.
EIGHTH: The number of directors which constitute the whole Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall be designated in the Bylaws of the
Corporation.
NINTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the
laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly
authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the
Corporation.
TENTH: To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, no director of the
Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director.
Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption of
any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with
this Article, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article in
respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim
that, but for this Article, would accrue or arise, prior to such
amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
ELEVENTH: At the election of directors of the Corporation, each holder of stock
of any class or series shall be entitled to one vote for each share
held. No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any
election of directors.
TWELFTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of
Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Corporation may
be kept (subject to any provision contained in the laws of the State
of Delaware) outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places
as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in
the Bylaws of the Corporation.
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<PAGE>
THIRTEENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or
repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the
laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred herein are
granted subject to this reservation.
The undersigned incorporator hereby acknowledges that the foregoing
Certificate of Incorporation is his act and deed and that the facts stated
herein are true.
Dated: August 6, 1996
/s/ Debra B. Rosler
--------------------------------
Debra B. Rosler
Incorporator
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
YES! ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be fixed in the
certificate of incorporation of the corporation.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate
offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do
business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside
the State of Delaware designated by the board of directors. In the absence of
any such designation, stockholders' meetings shall be held at the principal
executive office of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date
and at a time designated by the board of directors. In the absence of such
designation, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third
Wednesday of May in each fiscal year at such time as the Board shall determine.
However, if such day falls on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at
the same time and place on the next succeeding full business day. At the
meeting, directors shall be elected, and any other proper business may be
transacted.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or by the president.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors or the chairman of the board or the president, then the
request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general
nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered
personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile
transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president or
the secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause
notice to be promptly given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these bylaws, that a meeting will
be held at-the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, so
long as that time is not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days after
the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty (20) days
after receipt of the request, then the person or persons requesting the meeting
may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3
shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of
stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
<PAGE>
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All notices of meetings of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise
given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor
more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall
specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a
special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted (no
business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in
the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the board of directors, at
the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the stockholders
(but any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action). The
notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the
name of any nominee or nominees who, at the time of the notice the board intends
to present for election.
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given either
personally or by first-class mail or by telegraphic or other written
communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent postage prepaid
and shall be addressed to the stockholder at the address of that stockholder
appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the stockholder to the
corporation for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been
given at such time as it is delivered personally or deposited in the mail or
sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
stockholders' meeting, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any
transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.
2.6 ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS
To be properly brought before an annual meeting or special meeting,
nominations for the election of directors or other business must be (a)
specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at
the direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before
the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or (c) otherwise
properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder.
2.7 QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at all meetings of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by
statute or by the certificate of incorporation. The stockholders present at a
duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do
business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than
adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to
constitute a quorum.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, the affirmative vote of
holders of a the majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the laws of the
State of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a
different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern
and control the decision of the question.
If a quorum be initially present, the stockholders may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken is approved by a
majority of the stockholders initially constituting the quorum.
2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When any meeting of stockholders, either annual or special, is
adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned
meeting if the time and place are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any
business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting,
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a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall
be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws,
subject to the provisions of 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners,
and to voting trusts and other voting arrangements).
Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or
bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital
stock held by such stockholder.
2.10 NO STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
No action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, in a
consent in writing.
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any
meeting or to vote thereat or entitled to give consent to corporate action
without a meeting, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before
the date of any such meeting and in such event only stockholders of record on
the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote, notwithstanding any
transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the record
date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next
preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close
of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting
unless the board of directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting,
but the board of directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is
adjourned for more than thirty (30) days from the date set for the original
meeting.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Section
8.1 of these bylaws.
2.12 PROXIES
Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter,
shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents
authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary
of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three
(3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy
shall be deemed signed if the stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether
by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, telefacsimile or
otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder's attorney-in-fact. The
revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be
governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware (relating to the irrevocability of proxies).
2.13 ORGANIZATION
The president, or in the absence of the president, the chairman of the
board, or in the absence of the chairman, any executive officer of the
corporation, shall call the meeting of the stockholders to order, and shall act
as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the president, the chairman of
the board, and all of the executive officers, the stockholders shall appoint a
chairman for such meeting. The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall
determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting, including
such matters as the regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of
business. The secretary of
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the corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but
in the absence of the secretary at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman
of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation
shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.
Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least
ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the
meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting
during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is
present.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware
and to any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws
relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the
outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed
and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the
board of directors.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors shall consist of five (5) members. The number
of directors may be changed by an amendment to this bylaw, duly adopted by the
board of directors or by the stockholders, or by a duly adopted amendment to the
certificate of incorporation.
3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, directors shall be
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next
annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected or appointed to
fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which
elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the
chairman of the board, the president, the secretary or the board of directors,
unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become
effective. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the
board of directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation
becomes effective.
Vacancies in the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the
remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director; provided, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote
of the stockholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at
which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a
majority of the required quorum). Each director so elected shall hold office
until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until a successor has been
elected and qualified.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these
bylaws:
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(1) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the
stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a
majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director.
(2) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or
series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of
the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of
such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors
elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole
remaining director so elected.
If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the
corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with
the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply
to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided
in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created
directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of
the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then
the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders
holding at least ten (10) percent of the total number of the shares at the time
outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an
election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships,
or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid,
which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to meetings of stockholders) as far as
applicable.
3.5 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors
may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
3.6 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place
within or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated from time to
time by resolution of the board. In the absence of such a designation, regular
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Special meetings of the board may be held at any place within or outside the
State of Delaware that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if
not stated in the notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive
office of the corporation.
Any meeting of the board, regular or special, may be held by
conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all
directors participating in the meeting can hear one another; and all such
directors shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
3.7 FIRST MEETINGS
The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be
held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at
the annual meeting. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the
time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or
in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the
stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the
board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all
of the directors.
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3.8 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice
if the times of such meetings are fixed by the board of directors. If any
regular meeting day shall fall on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be
held at the same time and place on the next succeeding full business day.
3.9 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes
may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, the
secretary or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
3.10 QUORUM
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section
3.12 of these bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the
directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be
regarded as the act of the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the
certificate of incorporation and applicable law.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to
transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action
taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that
meeting.
3.11 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director (i) who signs a
waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the
minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the
meeting other than for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the
meeting of the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed
with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A waiver
of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the
board of directors.
3.12 ADJOURNMENT
A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a
quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
3.13 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not
be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours.
If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of
the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned
meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.9 of these bylaws, to
the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.14 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
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Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors
may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the board
individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by
written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the
board of directors. Such written consent and any counterparts thereof shall be
filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
3.15 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if
any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or
determined by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 3.15 shall not
be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other
capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation
for those services.
3.16 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS
The corporation may lend money or property to, or guarantee the
obligations of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the
corporation or its parent or any subsidiary, whether or not a director of the
corporation or its parent or any subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the
directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to
benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or
without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of
directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of
stock of the corporation. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.
3.17 SOLE DIRECTOR PROVIDED BY CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
In the event only one director is required by these bylaws or the
certificate of incorporation, then any reference herein to notices, waivers,
consents, meetings or other actions by a majority or quorum of the directors
shall be deemed to refer to such notice, waiver, etc., by such sole director,
who shall have all the rights and duties and shall be entitled to exercise all
of the powers and shall assume all the responsibilities otherwise herein
described as given to the board of directors.
3.18 NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS; STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock
having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation,
nominations for the election of directors may be made by the board of directors
or any nominating committee appointed by the board of directors or by any
stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. However, a
stockholder generally entitled to vote in the election of directors may nominate
one or more persons for election as directors at a meeting only if written
notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations has
been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage
prepaid, to the secretary of the corporation not later than (i) with respect to
an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, 60 days in advance
of such meeting and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special
meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on
the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first
given to stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth the following
information: (a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the
nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation
that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled
to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder, each
nominee or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant
to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d)
such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as
would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the
proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been
nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the board of directors of the
corporation; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the
corporation if so elected. At the request of the board of directors any person
nominated by the board of directors for election as a director shall furnish to
the secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in a
stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person
shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated
in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. A majority of the board of
directors may reject any nomination by a stockholder not timely made or
otherwise not in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.18. If a majority
of the board
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of directors reasonably determines that the information provided in a
stockholder's notice does not satisfy the informational requirements of this
Section 3.18 in any material respect, the secretary of the corporation shall
promptly notify such stockholder of the deficiency in writing. The stockholder
shall have an opportunity to cure the deficiency by providing additional
information to the secretary within such period of time, not to exceed ten (10)
days from the date such deficiency notice is given to the stockholder, as a
majority of the board of directors shall reasonably determine. If the deficiency
is not cured within such period, or if a majority of the board of directors
reasonably determines that the additional information provided by the
stockholder, together with the information previously provided, does not satisfy
the requirements of this Section 3.18 in any material respect, then a majority
of the board of directors may reject such stockholder's nomination. The
secretary of the corporation shall notify a stockholder in writing whether the
stockholder's nomination has been made in accordance with the time and
information requirements of this Section 3.18.
At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be
conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) by or at the
direction of the chairman of the meeting or (ii) by any stockholder of the
corporation who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
3.18. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not less than 60 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the
date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder
to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth
day following the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date of the
annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A stockholder's
notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the annual meeting the following information: (a) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b)
the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of the
stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the
corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (d) any material
direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise of the stockholder or its
affiliates or associates in such business. The board of directors may reject
any stockholder proposal not timely made in accordance with this Section 3.18.
If the board of directors determines that the information provided in a
stockholder's notice does not satisfy the informational requirements hereof, the
secretary of the corporation shall promptly notify such stockholder of the
deficiency in the notice. The stockholder shall then have an opportunity to
cure the deficiency by providing additional information to the secretary within
such period of time, not to exceed ten days from the date such deficiency notice
is given to the stockholder, as the board of directors shall determine. If the
deficiency is not cured within such period, or if the board of directors
determines that the additional information provided by the stockholder, together
with the information previously provided, does not satisfy the requirements of
this Section 3.18, then the board of directors may reject such stockholder's
proposal. The secretary of the corporation shall notify a stockholder in
writing whether the stockholder's proposal has been made in accordance with the
time and information requirements hereof.
This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or
disapproval at an annual meeting of reports of officers, directors and
committees of the board of directors, but in connection therewith no new
business shall be acted upon at any such meeting unless stated, filed and
received as herein provided. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the
contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in
accordance with procedures set forth in this Section 3.18.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate one (1) or more committees, each
consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The
board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any
committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee.
The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote
of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any committee, to the
extent provided in the resolution of the board, shall have all the authority of
the board, but no such committee shall have the power and authority to (i) amend
the certificate of incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent
authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares
of stock adopted by the board
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of directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, fix the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such
shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of
assets of the corporation or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares
for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any
other class or classes of stock of the corporation), (ii) adopt an agreement of
merger or consolidation under Sections 251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware (relating to mergers and consolidations of domestic and foreign
corporations), (iii) recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange
of all or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, (iv)
recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation
of a dissolution or (v) amend the bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the
board resolution establishing the committee, the bylaws or the certificate of
incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or
authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt
a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to mergers of parent and subsidiary
corporations).
4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws: Section
3.6 (place of meetings; meetings by telephone), Section 3.8 (regular meetings),
Section 3.9 (special meetings; notice), Section 3.10 (quorum), Section 3.11
(waiver of notice), Section 3.12 (adjournment), Section 3.13 (notice of
adjournment) and Section 3.14 (board action by written consent without meeting),
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute
the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members;
provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be
determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of
the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by
resolution of the board of directors, and that notice of special meetings of
committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the
right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt
rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions
of these bylaws.
4.3 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report
the same to the board of directors when required.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The corporate officers of the corporation shall be a president, a
secretary, and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the
discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board, one or more vice
presidents (however denominated), one or more assistant secretaries, and such
other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The corporate officers of the corporation, except such officers as may
be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of
these bylaws, shall be chosen by the board, subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment, and shall hold their respective
offices for such terms as the board of directors may from time to time
determine.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or may empower the president to
appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require,
each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform
such duties as are
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provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time
determine, and, in the case of an officer chosen by the president, by the
president.
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the
board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in
case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom
such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors, and, in the
case of an officer chosen by the president, by the president.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal,
disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her
by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is
no president, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief executive
officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in
Section 5.7 of these bylaws.
5.7 PRESIDENT
Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the
board of directors to the chairman of the board, if there be such an officer,
the president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall,
subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision,
direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. The
president shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence
or nonexistence of a chairman of the board, at all meetings of the board of
directors. The president shall have the general powers and duties of management
usually vested in the office of president of a corporation, and shall have such
other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these
bylaws.
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if
any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not
ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all
the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and
be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. The vice presidents
shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time
may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of directors, these bylaws,
the president or the chairman of the board.
5.9 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of
directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of
directors, committees of directors and stockholders. The minutes shall show the
time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how
authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors'
meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at
stockholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
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The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's
transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of
directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of
all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by
each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number
and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or
by these bylaws. The secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be
adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.
5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be
kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital,
retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other
valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such
depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse
the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall
render to the president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of
all of his transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial
condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.
5.11 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
In addition to the foregoing powers, authority and duties, all
officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and powers
and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as
may be designated from time to time by the board of directors.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
AND OTHER AGENTS
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner
permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as the same now exists or
may hereafter be amended, indemnify any person against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit, or proceeding in which such person was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a
"director" or "officer" of the corporation shall mean any person (i) who is or
was a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a
director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the
corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation.
The corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer
in connection with an action, suit, or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by
such director or officer only if the initiation of such action, suit, or
proceeding (or part thereof) by the director or officer was authorized by the
board of Directors of the corporation.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article
shall not adversely affect any right or protection
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hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the
time of such repeal or modification.
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
The corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent and in the
manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as the same now
exists or may hereafter be amended, to indemnify any person (other than
directors and officers) against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or
proceeding, in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of
the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.2, an "employee" or "agent" of
the corporation (other than a director or officer) shall mean any person (i) who
is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an
employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the
corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation.
6.3 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE
The corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorney's fees)
incurred by a director or officer of the corporation entitled to indemnification
hereunder in defending any action, suit or proceeding referred to in this
Section 6.1 in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that payment
of expenses incurred by a director or officer of the corporation in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon
receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts
advanced if it should ultimately be determined that the director or officer is
not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.1 or otherwise.
6.4 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE
The rights conferred on any person by this Article shall not be
exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, provision of the corporation's Certificate of Incorporation,
these bylaws, agreement, vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
6.5 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation may 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 or her and incurred
by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her
against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER
The corporation shall keep either at its principal executive office or
at the office of its transfer agent or registrar (if either be appointed), as
determined by resolution of the board of directors, a record of its stockholders
listing the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of
shares held by each stockholder.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent,
shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the
right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. In every
instance where an attorney or other agent
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is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be
accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the
attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under
oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware
or at its principal place of business.
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation's stock
ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose
reasonably related to his or her position as a director.
7.3 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting of the
stockholders a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the
corporation.
7.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the
chief financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this
corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the
president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on
behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any
other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The
authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by
any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed
by such person having the authority.
7.5 CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS
The original or a copy of these bylaws, as amended or otherwise
altered to date, certified by the secretary, shall be kept at the corporation's
principal executive office and shall be open to inspection by the stockholders
of the corporation, at all reasonable times during office hours.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the
stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful
action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall
not be more than sixty (60) days before any such action. In that case, only
stockholders of record at the close of business on the date so fixed are
entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to
exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any
shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed, except as
otherwise provided in the Code.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, then the
record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the board adopts the applicable
resolution.
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by
resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other
orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are
issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so
authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED
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The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws,
may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.4 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates,
provided that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by
resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of
its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply
to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to
the corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board
of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and, upon
request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a
certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the chairman or
vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or vice-president, and
by the chief financial officer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of
such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate
form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In
case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer,
transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued
by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer,
transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Certificates for shares shall be of such form and device as the board
of directors may designate and shall state the name of the record holder of the
shares represented thereby; its number; date of issuance; the number of shares
for which it is issued; a summary statement or reference to the powers,
designations, preferences or other special rights of such stock and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights,
if any; a statement or summary of liens, if any; a conspicuous notice of
restrictions upon transfer or registration of transfer, if any; a statement as
to any applicable voting trust agreement; and, if the shares be assessable, or,
if assessments are collectible by personal action, a plain statement of such
facts.
Upon surrender to the secretary or transfer agent of the corporation
of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of
succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the
corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel
the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as
partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be
paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to
represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the
corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount
of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be
stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the
corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class,
but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid
thereon.
8.5 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock
or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the
preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of
each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware (relating to transfers of stock, stock certificates and
undercertificated stock), in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set
forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to
represent such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will
furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the
designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
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8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.6, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and canceled at the same time. The board of
directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other
security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of replacement
certificates on such terms and conditions as the board may require; the board
may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other
adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that
may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the
alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the
replacement certificate.
8.7 TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer agents or
transfer clerks, and one or more registrars, each of which shall be an
incorporated bank or trust company -- either domestic or foreign, who shall be
appointed at such times and places as the requirements of the corporation may
necessitate and the board of directors may designate.
8.8 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules
of construction, and definitions in the Code shall govern the construction of
these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular
number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the
term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted,
amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however,
that the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power
to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power
has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of
the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
Whenever an amendment or new bylaw is adopted, it shall be copied in
the book of bylaws with the original bylaws, in the appropriate place. If any
bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal with the date of the meeting at which the
repeal was enacted or the filing of the operative written consent(s) shall be
stated in said book.
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