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EXHIBIT 99.4
NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
SPECIAL NON-OFFICER STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
RECITALS
A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the purpose of providing
additional incentive to selected Employees, consultants and other independent
advisors to continue in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary).
B. Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a
Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is
intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the
Corporation's grant of an option to Optionee.
C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning
assigned to them in the attached Appendix.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee,
as of the Grant Date, an option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares
specified in the Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time
to time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.
2. OPTION TERM. This option shall have a term of ten (10)
years measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of
business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with
Paragraph 5 or 6.
3. LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY. During the lifetime of the
Optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be
assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of inheritance
following the Optionee's death.
4. DATES OF EXERCISE. This option shall become exercisable for
the Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice.
As the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments
shall accumulate and the option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated
installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the option term
under Paragraph 5 or 6.
5. CESSATION OF SERVICE. The option term specified in
Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this option shall cease to be outstanding)
prior to the Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become
applicable:
(a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason
(other than death, Permanent Disability or Misconduct) while this
option is outstanding, then
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Optionee shall have a period of three (3) months (commencing
with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to
exercise this option, but in no event shall this option be
exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
(b) Should Optionee die while this option is outstanding, then
the personal representative of Optionee's estate or the person or
persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee's
will or in accordance with the laws of inheritance shall have the
right to exercise this option. Such right shall lapse, and this
option shall cease to be outstanding, upon the earlier of (A) the
expiration of the twelve (12)-month period measured from the date
of Optionee's death or (B) the Expiration Date.
(c) Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Permanent
Disability while this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall
have a period of twelve (12) months (commencing with the date of
such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option. In
no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the
Expiration Date.
(d) Should Optionee's Service be terminated for Misconduct, then
this option shall terminate immediately and cease to remain
outstanding.
(e) During the applicable post-Service exercise period, the
option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
number of shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of
Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the
applicable exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of
the option term, the option shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding for any otherwise exercisable shares for which the
option has not been exercised. However, the option shall,
immediately upon Optionee's cessation of Service for any reason,
terminate and cease to be outstanding with respect to any and all
option shares for which the option is not otherwise at the time
exercisable.
6. SPECIAL ACCELERATION OF OPTION.
(a) This option, to the extent outstanding at the time of a
Corporate Transaction but not otherwise fully exercisable, shall automatically
accelerate so that this option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of
the Corporate Transaction, become exercisable with respect to the total number
of shares of Common Stock at the time subject to that option and may be
exercised for all or any portion of those shares as fully-vested shares.
However, an outstanding option under the Plan shall NOT so accelerate if and to
the extent: (i) such option is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, to
be assumed by the successor corporation or parent thereof or (ii) such option is
to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which
preserves the option spread existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction
(the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Option Shares for which the option
is not otherwise at that time exercisable over the aggregate Exercise Price
payable for those Option Shares) and
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provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same exercise schedule
applicable to such option.
(b) Immediately following the Corporate Transaction, this
option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed
by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with the
Corporate Transaction.
(c) If this option is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after
such Corporate Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which
would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of the Corporate
Transaction had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate
Transaction, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise
Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same.
(d) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of
the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its
capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or
sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
7. ADJUSTMENT IN OPTION SHARES. Should any change be made to the Common
Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the
outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation's receipt of
consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to (i) the total number
and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price in
order to reflect such change and thereby preclude any dilution or enlargement of
benefits hereunder.
8. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. The holder of this option shall not have any
shareholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall
have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record
of the purchased shares.
9. MANNER OF EXERCISING OPTION.
(a) In order to exercise this option with respect to all or
any part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable,
Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the
following actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Notice of Exercise
for the Option Shares for which the option is exercised.
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares
in one or more of the following forms:
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(A) cash or check made payable to the Corporation;
(B) shares of Common Stock held by Optionee (or any other
person or persons exercising the option) for the requisite period
necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for
financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the
Exercise Date; or
(C) through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant
to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the
option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (I) to a
Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale
of the purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the
sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to
cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares
plus all applicable Federal, state and local income and employment
taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such
exercise and (II) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for
the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to
complete the sale transaction.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is
utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the
Exercise Price must accompany the Notice of Exercise delivered to
the Corporation in connection with the option exercise.
(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that
the person or persons exercising the option (if other than Optionee)
have the right to exercise this option.
(iv) Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or
Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the
satisfaction of all Federal, state and local income and employment
tax withholding requirements applicable to the option exercise.
(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the
Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other
person or persons exercising this option) a certificate for the
purchased Option Shares, with the appropriate legends affixed
thereto.
(c) In no event may this option be exercised for any
fractional shares.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
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(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option
Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and
Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all
applicable regulations of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if
applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of
such exercise and issuance.
(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from
any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option
shall relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance
or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been
obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all
such approvals.
11. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except to the extent otherwise provided in
Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and
Optionee, Optionee's assigns and the legal representatives, heirs and legatees
of Optionee's estate.
12. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the
Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed
to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be
given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at
the address indicated below Optionee's signature line on the Grant Notice. All
notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the
U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.
13. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are
made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and
subject to the terms of the Plan. All decisions of the Plan Administrator with
respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall
be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.
14. GOVERNING LAW. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without
resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules.
15. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The following provisions shall apply upon the
Optionee's commencement of an authorized leave of absence:
(a) The exercise schedule in effect under the Grant Notice
shall be frozen as of the first day of the authorized leave, and the option
shall not become exercisable for any additional installments of the Option
Shares during the period Optionee remains on such leave.
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(b) Should Optionee resume active Employee status within sixty
(60) days after the start date of the authorized leave, Optionee shall, for
purposes of the exercise schedule set forth in the Grant Notice, receive Service
credit for the entire period of such leave. If Optionee does not resume active
Employee status within such sixty (60)-day period, then no Service credit shall
be given for the period of the leave.
(c) In no event shall this option become exercisable for any
additional Option Shares or otherwise remain outstanding if Optionee does not
resume Employee status prior to the Expiration Date of the option term.
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EXHIBIT I
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
I hereby notify Network Appliance, Inc. (the "Corporation") that I elect
to purchase shares of the Corporation's Common Stock (the "Purchased Shares") at
the option exercise price of $ per share (the "Exercise Price") pursuant to that
certain option (the "Option") granted to me under the Corporation's Special
Non-Officer Stock Option Plan on , 199 .
Concurrently with the delivery of this Exercise Notice to the
Corporation, I shall hereby pay to the Corporation the Exercise Price for the
Purchased Shares in accordance with the provisions of my agreement with the
Corporation (or other documents) evidencing the Option and shall deliver
whatever additional documents may be required by such agreement as a condition
for exercise. Alternatively, I may utilize the special broker-dealer sale and
remittance procedure specified in my agreement to effect payment of the Exercise
Price.
, 199
Date
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Optionee
Address:
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Print name in exact manner
it is to appear on the
stock certificate:
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Address to which certificate
is to be sent, if different
from address above:
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Social Security Number:
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Employee Number:
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APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the
Agreement:
A. AGREEMENT shall mean this Special Non-Officer Stock Option
Agreement.
B. BOARD shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
C. CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
D. COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
E. CORPORATE TRANSACTION shall mean either of the following
shareholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:
(i) a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
the Corporation's outstanding securities are transferred to a person
or persons different from the persons holding those securities
immediately prior to such transaction, or
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Corporation's assets in complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.
F. CORPORATION shall mean Network Appliance, Inc., a California
corporation.
G. EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.
H. EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the option shall have
been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.
I. EXERCISE PRICE shall mean the exercise price per share as
specified in the Grant Notice.
J. EXPIRATION DATE shall mean the date on which the option expires
as specified in the Grant Notice.
K. FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
shall determined in accordance with the following provisions:
- If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
selling price per share of
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Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is reported by
the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq
National Market or any successor system. If there is no closing
selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the
Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
preceding date for which such quotation exists.
- If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any national
securities exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on
that exchange, as such price is officially quoted in the composite
tape of transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing
selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the
Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
preceding date for which such quotation exists.
X. XXXXX DATE shall mean the date of grant of the option as
specified in the Grant Notice.
X. XXXXX NOTICE shall mean the Notice of Grant of Special
Non-Officer Stock Option accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee
has been informed of the basic terms of the option evidenced hereby.
N. MISCONDUCT shall mean the commission of any act of fraud,
embezzlement or dishonesty by Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by
Optionee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by Optionee adversely
affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed
to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of
Optionee or any other individual in the Service of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary).
O. NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy
the requirements of Code Section 422.
P. NOTICE OF EXERCISE shall mean the notice of exercise in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit I.
Q. OPTION SHARES shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the option as specified in the Grant Notice.
R. OPTIONEE shall mean the person to whom the option is granted as
specified in the Grant Notice.
S. PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken
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chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock
possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
T. PERMANENT DISABILITY shall mean the inability of Optionee to
engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death
or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12)
months or more.
U. PLAN shall mean the Corporation's Special Non-Officer Stock
Option Plan.
V. PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the committee of one or more Board
members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
W. SERVICE shall mean the Optionee's performance of services for the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee or a
consultant or independent advisor.
X. SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the
unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
in one of the other corporations in such chain.
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