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EXHIBIT 4.5
MATHSOFT, INC.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
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MathSoft, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), hereby
grants this ___ day of _______ 19__ to __________ (the "Optionee"), an option to
purchase a maximum of _____ shares of its Common Stock, $.01 par value, at the
price of $_____ per share, on the following terms and conditions:
1. GRANT UNDER 1996 NON-QUALIFIED, NON-OFFICER STOCK OPTION PLAN. This
option is granted pursuant to and is governed by the Company's 1996
Non-Qualified, Non-Officer Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and, unless the
context otherwise requires, terms used herein shall have the same meaning as in
the Plan. Determinations made in connection with this option pursuant to the
Plan shall be governed by the Plan as it exists on this date.
2. GRANT AS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION; OTHER OPTIONS. This option is
intended to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a non-qualified stock
option. This option is in addition to any other options heretofore or hereafter
granted to the Optionee by the Company, but a duplicate original of this
instrument shall not effect the grant of another option.
3. VESTING OF OPTION IF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP CONTINUES. If the
Optionee has continued to serve the Company or any Related Corporation in the
capacity of an employee or consultant (such service is described herein as
maintaining or being involved in a "Business Relationship with the Company") on
the following dates, the Optionee may exercise this option for the number of
shares of Common Stock set opposite the applicable date at any time on or after
such date:
The foregoing rights are cumulative and, while the Optionee continues to
maintain a Business Relationship with the Company, may be exercised up to and
including the date which is ___ (___) years from the date this option is
granted. All of the foregoing rights are subject to Sections 4 and 5, as
appropriate, if the Optionee ceases to maintain a Business Relationship with the
Company, dies or becomes disabled while involved in a Business Relationship with
the Company.
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4. TERMINATION OF THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. If the Optionee's Business
Relationship with the Company is terminated, other by reason of death or
disability as defined in Article 5, no further installments of this option shall
become exercisable and this option shall terminate after the passage of ninety
(90) days. In such a case, the Optionee's only rights hereunder shall be those
which are properly exercised before the termination of this option.
5. DEATH; DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Business Relationship is
terminated by reason of death, this option may be exercised, to the extent of
the number of shares with respect to which the Optionee could have exercised it
on the date of his death, by his estate, personal representative or beneficiary
to whom this option has been assigned pursuant to Article 10, at any time within
180 days after the date of death, but no later than the scheduled expiration
date. If the Optionee's Business Relationship is terminated by reason of his
disability (as defined in the Plan), this option may be exercised, to the extent
of the number of shares with respect to which he could have exercised it on the
date of the termination of his Business Relationship, at any time within 180
days after such termination, but not later than the scheduled expiration date.
At the expiration of such 180-day period or the scheduled expiration date,
whichever is the earlier, this option shall terminate and the only rights
hereunder shall be those as to which the option was properly exercised before
such termination.
6. PARTIAL EXERCISE. Exercise of this option up to the extent above
stated may be made in part at any time and from time to time within the above
limits, except that this option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share
unless such exercise is with respect to the final installment of stock subject
to this option and a fractional share (or cash in lieu thereof) must be issued
to permit the Optionee to exercise completely such final installment. Any
fractional share with respect to which an installment of this option cannot be
exercised because of the limitation contained in the preceding sentence shall
remain subject to this option and shall be available for later purchase by the
Optionee in accordance with the terms hereof.
7. PAYMENT OF PRICE. The option price is payable in United States
dollars and may be paid in cash or by check, or any combination of the
foregoing, equal in amount to the option price.
8. AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. By acceptance of this option,
the Optionee agrees that a purchase of shares under this option will not be made
with a view to their distribution, as that term is used in the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, unless in the opinion of counsel to the Company such
distribution is in compliance with or exempt from the registration and
prospectus requirements of that Act, and the Optionee agrees to sign a
certificate to such effect at the time of exercising this option and agrees that
the certificate for the shares so purchased may be inscribed with a legend to
ensure compliance with the Securities Act of 1933.
9. METHOD OF EXERCISING OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, this option may be exercised by written notice to the Company,
at the principal executive office of the Company, or to such transfer agent as
the Company shall designate. Such notice shall state the election to exercise
this option and the number of shares in respect of which it is being exercised
and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising this option. Such
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notice shall be accompanied by payment of the full purchase price of such
shares, and the Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates
representing such shares as soon as practicable after the notice shall be
received. The certificate or certificates for the shares as to which this
option shall have been so exercised shall be registered in the name of the
person or persons so exercising this option (or, if this option shall be
exercised by the Optionee and if the Optionee shall so request in the notice
exercising this option, shall be registered in the name of the Optionee and
another person jointly, with right of survivorship) and shall be delivered as
provided above to or upon the written order of the person or persons exercising
this option. In the event this option shall be exercised, pursuant to Article 5
hereof, by any person or persons other than the Optionee, such notice shall be
accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to
exercise this option. All shares that shall be purchased upon the exercise of
this option as provided herein shall be fully paid and non-assessable.
10. OPTION NOT TRANSFERABLE. This option is not transferable or
assignable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the
Optionee's lifetime only the Optionee can exercise this option.
11. NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION. The grant and acceptance of this
option imposes no obligation on the Optionee to exercise it.
12. NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. The Company and
any Related Corporation (as defined in the Plan) are not by the Plan or this
option obligated to continue to maintain a Business Relationship with the
Optionee.
13. NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER UNTIL EXERCISE. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to this Agreement until a
stock certificate therefor has been issued to the Optionee and is fully paid
for. Except as is expressly provided in the Plan with respect to certain changes
in the capitalization of the Company, no adjustment shall be made for dividends
or similar rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock
certificate is issued.
14. CAPITAL CHANGES AND BUSINESS SUCCESSIONS. It is the purpose of this
option to encourage the Optionee to work for the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders. Since, for example, that might require the issuance of a
stock dividend or a merger with another corporation, the purpose of this option
would not be served if such a stock dividend, merger or similar occurrence would
cause the Optionee's rights hereunder to be diluted or terminated and thus be
contrary to the Optionee's interest. The Plan contains extensive provisions
designed to preserve options at full value in a number of contingencies.
Therefore, provisions in the Plan for adjustment with respect to stock subject
to options and the related provisions with respect to successors to the business
of the Company are hereby made applicable hereunder and are incorporated herein
by reference. In particular, without affecting the generality of the foregoing,
it is understood that for the purposes of Articles 3 through 5 hereof, both
inclusive, maintenance of a Business Relationship by the Company includes
maintenance of a Business Relationship by a Related Corporation as defined in
the Plan.
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15. WITHHOLDING TAXES. If the Company or any Related Corporation
in its discretion determines that it is obligated to withhold any tax in
connection with the exercise of this option, the vesting or transfer of the
shares acquired on the exercise of this option, or the making of a distribution
or other payment with respect to the shares, the Optionee hereby agrees that the
Company or any Related Corporation may withhold from the Optionee's remuneration
the appropriate amount of tax. At the discretion of the Company or Related
Corporation, the amount required to be withheld may be withheld in cash from
such wages or other remuneration or in kind from the Common Stock or other
property otherwise deliverable to the Optionee on exercise of this option. The
Optionee further agrees that, if the Company or Related Corporation does not
withhold an amount from the Optionee's wages or other remuneration sufficient to
satisfy the withholding obligation of the Company or Related Corporation, the
Optionee will make reimbursement on demand, in cash, for the amount
underwithheld.
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed given when sent by certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address set forth below. The addresses
for such notices may be changed from time to time by written notice given in the
manner provided for herein.
(b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION. This Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof,
and supersedes all proposals, written or oral, and all other communications
between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. This
Agreement may be modified, amended or rescinded only by a written agreement
executed by both parties.
(c) SEVERABILITY. The invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect the
validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.
(d) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10
hereof.
(e) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
without giving effect to the principles of the conflicts of laws thereof. The
preceding choice of law provision shall apply to all claims, under any theory
whatsoever, arising out of the relationship of the parties contemplated herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Optionee have caused this
instrument to be executed, and the Optionee whose signature appears below
acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and acceptance of an original copy of
this Agreement.
OPTIONEE MATHSOFT, INC.
_____________________________ By:____________________________________
Signature of Optionee Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Vice President of Finance, Chief
Financial Officer