EXHIBIT 10
NON-INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made March 17,1999, between INFONOW CORPORATION (hereinafter
referred to as the "Company"), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (hereinafter referred to
as "Employee").
WHEREAS, Employee is an important and valuable employee with recognized
experience, and the Company deems it to be in its interest and in the interest
of its shareholders to secure the services of Employee for the Company or such
of its subsidiary companies as may be designated by the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company, as an incentive to Employee to remain in the
employment of the Company or its subsidiaries and to increase his proprietary
interest in the Company, desires to enter into this Agreement with him
containing the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and to grant him an
option to purchase shares of the Common Stock of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. In consideration of the foregoing, the Company hereby
grants to Employee the right and option (hereinafter referred to as "the
option") to purchase 1,819 shares of the Company's Common Stock ("Shares"). The
option shall terminate on March 17, 2009, and, accordingly may not be exercised
after that date. The purchase price to be paid for such Common Shares upon
exercise to the option shall be $3.97 per share. That figure represents the fair
market value of the Shares on the date of this Agreement. This option is granted
pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 1990
Stock Option Plan, Amended and Restated as of January 23, 1998, a copy of which
has been furnished to Employee.
2. Method of Exercising Option. The option may be exercised, in whole at
any time or in part from time to time, by giving to the Company notice in
writing to that effect. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt by it of
notice of exercise of the option and upon due satisfaction of all conditions
pertaining to the option as set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall cause
certificates for the number of Shares with respect to which the option is
exercised to be issued in the name of Employee, or his executors,
administrators, or other legal representatives, heirs, legatees, next of kin, or
distributes, and to be delivered to Employee or his executors, administrators,
or other legal representatives, heirs, legatees, next of kin, or distributes.
Payment of the purchase price for the shares with respect to which the option is
exercised shall be made to the Company upon delivery of such stock, together
with revenue stamps or checks in an amount sufficient to pay any stock transfer
taxes required on such delivery. The Company shall give the person or persons
entitled to the same at least five (5) day's notice of the time and place for
delivery and for the payment of such purchase price.
3. Conditions of Option. The option is subject to the following additional
conditions:
(a) The option herein granted to Employee shall not be transferable by
Employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall
be exercisable, during his lifetime, only by him.
(b) The option may be exercised by Employee only while he is in the
continuous employ of the Company or of a subsidiary of the Company, or on the
last day of the month next following the month in which employee ceases to be so
employed (but not later than its specified expiration date), but only to the
extent that Employee had the right to exercise such option at the date of such
termination.
(c) In the event that Employee becomes disabled (within the meaning of
Section 22 (e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor section), the
option may be exercised by the Employee to the extent that it was exercisable on
the date he ceased to be employed by the Company or any subsidiary on the last
day of the 12th month from the date optionee (employee) ceases to be an employee
from the date of termination of employment (but not later than its specified
expiration date).
(d) In the event of the Employee's death while so employed or within the
period referred to in subparagraph (b) above, or the twelve (12) month period
referred to in subparagraph (c) above, then such option may be exercised to the
extent it was exercisable on the date of cessation of employment, by his
executors, administrators, or other legal representatives, heirs, legatees, next
of kin, or distributes within one (1) year, but no later that one (1) year,
after the date of at his death (but no later than the specified expiration
date).
4. Representation as to Investment. The exercise of such option and the
delivery of the Shares subject to it will be contingent upon the Company being
furnished by the Employee, his legal representatives, or other persons entitled
to exercise such option with a statement in writing that at the time of such
exercise it is his or their intention to acquire the Shares being purchased
solely for investment purposes and not with a view to distribution.
5. Notices. Any notice to be given by Employee as required by this
Agreement shall be sent to the Company at its principal executive offices and
any notice from the Company to Employee shall be sent to Employee at his address
as it appears on the Company's books and records. Either party may change the
address to which notices are to be sent by informing the other party in writing
of the new address.
6. Restriction against Assignment. Except as otherwise expressly provided
above, Employee agrees on behalf of himself and of his executors and
administrators, heirs, legatees, distributes, and any other person or persons
claiming any benefits under him by virtue of this Agreement, that this Agreement
and the rights, interest, and benefits under it shall not be assigned,
transferred, pledged, or hypothecated in any way by Employee or any executor,
administrator, heir, legatee, distributes, or other person claiming under
Employee by virtue of this Agreement. Such rights, interest, or benefits shall
not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Any attempted
assignment, transfer, pledge or hypothecation, or other disposition of this
Agreement or of such rights, interests, and benefits contrary to the preceding
provisions, or the levy of any attachment or similar process thereupon, shall be
null and void and without effect.
7. Notification of Inquiries and Agreements. Optionee shall notify the
Company in writing within 10 days after the date the Optionee (i) first obtains
knowledge of any Internal Revenue Service inquiry, audit, assertion,
determination, investigation, or question relating in any way to the value of
Stock purchased pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) includes or agrees (including
with limitation, in any settlement, closing, or other similar agreement) to
include in gross income with respect to Stock or purchased pursuant to this
Agreement (A) any amount in excess of the amount reported on Form W-2 or 1099 to
such Optionee by the Company, or (B) if no such Form is received, any amount; or
(iii) exercises, sells, disposes of, or otherwise transfers an Option acquired
pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request, Optionee shall provide to the Company
any information or document relating to any event described in the preceding
sentence which the Company (in its sole discretion) requires in order to
calculate and substantiate any change in the Company's tax liability as a result
of such event.
8. Tax Withholding. Optionee understands that the company may take such
steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes
or funds which the Company is required by any law or regulation of any
governmental authority, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign, to
withhold in connection with any Option or any disposition of stock purchased
pursuant to an Option (collectively, "Withholding Obligations"). Such steps may
include, by way of example only and not limitation, (i) requiring Optionee to
remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy such Withholding
Obligations; (ii) allowing Optionee to tender to the Company shares of Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value of which at the tender date the Committee
determines to be sufficient to satisfy such Withholding Obligations; (iii)
withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of an
Option and which have a Fair Market Value at the exercise date sufficient to
satisfy such Withholding Obligation; (iv) withholding from the Optionee's
regular pay; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. Optionee understands that
the Company may refuse to issue Stock to Optionee until Optionee satisfies such
Withholding Obligations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in
its corporate name by its duly authorized corporate officers, and Employee has
hereunto set his hand and seal, as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: INFONOW CORPORATION
BY: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx BY: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-------------------------- ----------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Secretary President
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Employee
