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EXHIBIT 99.4
THE OPTION GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON THE
EXERCISE THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT
REQUIRED.
SENTIENT NETWORKS, INC. 0000 XXXXX XXXX:
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
SECTION 1. GRANT OF OPTION.
(a) OPTION. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of
Stock Option Grant and this Agreement, the Company grants to the Optionee on the
Date of Grant the option to purchase at the Exercise Price the number of Shares
set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. The Exercise Price is agreed to
be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant (110%
of Fair Market Value if Section 3(b) of the Plan applies). This option is
intended to be an ISO or a Nonstatutory Option, as provided in the Notice of
Stock Option Grant.
(b) STOCK PLAN AND DEFINED TERMS. This option is granted pursuant to
the Plan, a copy of which the Optionee acknowledges having received. The
provisions of the Plan are incorporated into this Agreement by this reference.
Capitalized terms are defined in Section 14 of this Agreement.
SECTION 2. RIGHT TO EXERCISE.
(a) EXERCISABILITY. Subject to Subsections (b) and (c) below and the
other conditions set forth in this Agreement, all or part of this option may be
exercised prior to its expiration at the time or times set forth in the Notice
of Stock Option Grant. Shares purchased by exercising this option may be subject
to the Right of Repurchase under Section 7.
(b) $100,000 LIMITATION. If this Option is designated as an ISO in
the Notice of Stock Option Grant, then the Optionee's right to exercise this
option shall be deferred to the extent (and only to the extent) that this option
otherwise would not be treated as an ISO by reason of the $100,000 annual
limitation under Section 422(d) of the Code, except that:
(i) The Optionee's right to exercise this option shall not be
deferred with respect to that portion of the Shares subject to this
option whose Fair Market Value as of the Date of Grant exceeds $500,000;
and
(ii) The Optionee's right to exercise this option shall no
longer be deferred in the event that (A) a Change in Control occurs, (B)
this option is not assumed
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by the surviving corporation or its parent and (C) the surviving
corporation or its parent does not substitute its own option for this
option.
(c) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. Any other provision of this Agreement
notwithstanding, no portion of this option shall be exercisable at any time
prior to the approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders.
SECTION 3. NO TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF OPTION.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option and
the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall not be sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not
be subject to sale under execution, attachment, levy or similar process.
SECTION 4. EXERCISE PROCEDURES.
(a) NOTICE OF EXERCISE. The Optionee or the Optionee's
representative may exercise this option by giving written notice to the Company
pursuant to Section 13(c). The notice shall specify the election to exercise
this option, the number of Shares for which it is being exercised and the form
of payment. The notice shall be signed by the person exercising this option. In
the event that this option is being exercised by the representative of the
Optionee, the notice shall be accompanied by proof (satisfactory to the Company)
of the representative's right to exercise this option. The Optionee or the
Optionee's representative shall deliver to the Company, at the time of giving
the notice, payment in a form permissible under Section 5 for the full amount of
the Purchase Price.
(b) ISSUANCE OF SHARES. After receiving a proper notice of exercise,
the Company shall cause to be issued a certificate or certificates for the
Shares as to which this option has been exercised, registered in the name of the
person exercising this option (or in the names of such person and his or her
spouse as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship).
The Company shall cause such certificate or certificates to be deposited in
escrow or delivered to or upon the order of the person exercising this option.
(c) WITHHOLDING TAXES. In the event that the Company determines that
it is required to withhold any tax as a result of the exercise of this option,
the Optionee, as a condition to the exercise of this option, shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Company to enable it to satisfy all withholding
requirements. The Optionee shall also make arrangements satisfactory to the
Company to enable it to satisfy any withholding requirements that may arise in
connection with the vesting or disposition of Shares purchased by exercising
this option.
SECTION 5. PAYMENT FOR STOCK.
(a) CASH. All or part of the Purchase Price may be paid in cash or
cash equivalents.
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(b) SURRENDER OF STOCK. All or part of the Purchase Price may be
paid by the surrender of Shares in good form for transfer. Such Shares must have
a fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on the date of
exercise of this option which, together with any amount paid in another form
permissible under this Section 5, is equal to the Purchase Price. The Optionee
shall not surrender Shares in payment of the Exercise Price if such surrender
would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense with respect to the
option for financial reporting purposes.
(c) EXERCISE/SALE. If Stock is publicly traded, all or part of the
Purchase Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form
prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker
approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales
proceeds to the Company.
(d) EXERCISE/PLEDGE. If Stock is publicly traded, all or part of the
Purchase Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form
prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to pledge Shares to a
securities broker or lender approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and
to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company.
SECTION 6. TERM AND EXPIRATION.
(a) BASIC TERM. This option shall in any event expire on the
expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, which date is 10
years after the Date of Grant (five years after the Date of Grant if this option
is designated as an ISO in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and Section 3(b) of
the Plan applies).
(b) TERMINATION OF SERVICE (EXCEPT BY DEATH). If the Optionee's
Service terminates for any reason other than death, then this option shall
expire on the earliest of the following occasions:
(i) The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (a)
above;
(ii) The date three months after the termination of the
Optionee's Service for any reason other than Disability; or
(iii) The date six months after the termination of the
Optionee's Service by reason of Disability.
The Optionee may exercise all or part of this option at any time before its
expiration under the preceding sentence, but only to the extent that this option
had become exercisable before the Optionee's Service terminated. When the
Optionee's Service terminates, this option shall expire immediately with respect
to the number of Shares for which this option is not yet exercisable and with
respect to any Restricted Shares. In the event that the Optionee dies after
termination of Service but before the expiration of this option, all or part of
this option may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the executors or
administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired this
option directly from the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or
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inheritance, but only to the extent that this option had become exercisable
before the Optionee's Service terminated.
(c) DEATH OF THE OPTIONEE. If the Optionee dies while in Service,
then this option shall expire on the earlier of the following dates:
(i) The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (a)
above; or
(ii) The date 12 months after the Optionee's death.
All or part of this option may be exercised at any time before its expiration
under the preceding sentence by the executors or administrators of the
Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired this option directly from
the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or inheritance, but only to the
extent that this option had become exercisable before the Optionee's death. When
the Optionee dies, this option shall expire immediately with respect to the
number of Shares for which this option is not yet exercisable and with respect
to any Restricted Shares.
(d) LEAVES OF ABSENCE. For any purpose under this Agreement, Service
shall be deemed to continue while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of
absence, if such leave was approved by the Company in writing and if continued
crediting of Service for such purpose is expressly required by the terms of such
leave or by applicable law (as determined by the Company).
(e) NOTICE CONCERNING ISO TREATMENT. If this option is designated as
an ISO in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, it ceases to qualify for favorable
tax treatment as an ISO to the extent it is exercised (i) more than three months
after the date the Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than
death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code), (ii) more than 12 months after the date the Optionee ceases to be an
Employee by reason of such permanent and total disability or (iii) after the
Optionee has been on a leave of absence for more than 90 days, unless the
Optionee's reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or by contract.
SECTION 7. RIGHT OF REPURCHASE.
(a) SCOPE OF REPURCHASE RIGHT. Unless they have become vested in
accordance with the Notice of Stock Option Grant and Subsection (c) below, the
Shares acquired under this Agreement initially shall be Restricted Shares and
shall be subject to a right (but not an obligation) of repurchase by the
Company. The Optionee shall not transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose
of any Restricted Shares, except as provided in the following sentence. The
Optionee may transfer Restricted Shares (i) by beneficiary designation, will or
intestate succession or (ii) to the Optionee's spouse, children or grandchildren
or to a trust established by the Optionee for the benefit of the Optionee or the
Optionee's spouse, children or grandchildren, provided in either case that the
Transferee agrees in writing on a form prescribed by the Company to be bound by
all provisions of this Agreement. If the Optionee transfers any Restricted
Shares, then this Section 7 shall apply to the Transferee to the same extent as
to the Optionee.
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(b) CONDITION PRECEDENT TO EXERCISE. The Right of Repurchase shall
be exercisable only during the 60-day period next following the later of:
(i) The date when the Optionee's Service terminates for any
reason, with or without Cause, including (without limitation) death or
disability; or
(ii) The date when this option was exercised by the Optionee,
the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or any person
who has acquired this option directly from the Optionee by bequest,
inheritance or beneficiary designation.
(c) LAPSE OF REPURCHASE RIGHT. The Right of Repurchase shall lapse
with respect to the Shares subject to this option in accordance with the vesting
schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. The Right of Repurchase
shall lapse and all of the remaining Restricted Shares shall become vested if
(i) the Company is subject to a Change in Control and (ii) the Right of
Repurchase is not assigned to the entity that employs the Optionee immediately
after the Change in Control or to its parent or subsidiary. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, effective October 1, 1998, in the event that the Right of Repurchase
is assigned to the entity that employs the Optionee immediately after the Change
in Control or to its parent or subsidiary and the Optionee experiences an
Involuntary Termination within twelve months following a Change in Control, the
Right of Repurchase shall lapse and an additional number of Restricted Shares
shall become vested as if the Optionee provided an additional eighteen (18)
months of Service.
(d) REPURCHASE COST. If the Company exercises the Right of
Repurchase, it shall pay the Optionee an amount equal to the Exercise Price for
each of the Restricted Shares being repurchased.
(e) EXERCISE OF REPURCHASE RIGHT. The Right of Repurchase shall be
exercisable only by written notice delivered to the Optionee prior to the
expiration of the 60-day period specified in Subsection (b) above. The notice
shall set forth the date on which the repurchase is to be effected. Such date
shall not be more than 30 days after the date of the notice. The certificate(s)
representing the Restricted Shares to be repurchased shall, prior to the close
of business on the date specified for the repurchase, be delivered to the
Company properly endorsed for transfer. The Company shall, concurrently with the
receipt of such certificate(s), pay to the Optionee the purchase price
determined according to Subsection (d) above. Payment shall be made in cash or
cash equivalents or by canceling indebtedness to the Company incurred by the
Optionee in the purchase of the Restricted Shares. The Right of Repurchase shall
terminate with respect to any Restricted Shares for which it has not been timely
exercised pursuant to this Subsection (e).
(f) ADDITIONAL SHARES OR SUBSTITUTED SECURITIES. In the event of the
declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend
payable in a form other than stock, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in
conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the
Company's outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new,
substituted or additional securities or other property (including money paid
other than as an ordinary cash dividend) which are by reason of such transaction
distributed with respect to any Restricted Shares or into which such Restricted
Shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to the Right of
Repurchase. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such
securities or property shall be made to the number and/or class of the
Restricted Shares. Appropriate adjustments shall also, after each such
transaction, be made to the price per share to be paid upon the exercise of the
Right of Repurchase in order to reflect any change in the Company's outstanding
securities effected without receipt of consideration
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therefor; provided, however, that the aggregate purchase price payable for the
Restricted Shares shall remain the same.
(g) TERMINATION OF RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. If the Company makes
available, at the time and place and in the amount and form provided in this
Agreement, the consideration for the Restricted Shares to be repurchased in
accordance with this Section 7, then after such time the person from whom such
Restricted Shares are to be repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a
holder of such Restricted Shares (other than the right to receive payment of
such consideration in accordance with this Agreement). Such Restricted Shares
shall be deemed to have been repurchased in accordance with the applicable
provisions hereof, whether or not the certificate(s) therefor have been
delivered as required by this Agreement.
(h) ESCROW. Upon issuance, the certificates for Restricted Shares
shall be deposited in escrow with the Company to be held in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. Any new, substituted or additional securities or
other property described in Subsection (f) above shall immediately be delivered
to the Company to be held in escrow, but only to the extent the Shares are at
the time Restricted Shares. All regular cash dividends on Restricted Shares (or
other securities at the time held in escrow) shall be paid directly to the
Optionee and shall not be held in escrow. Restricted Shares, together with any
other assets or securities held in escrow hereunder, shall be (i) surrendered to
the Company for repurchase and cancellation upon the Company's exercise of its
Right of Repurchase or Right of First Refusal or (ii) released to the Optionee
upon the Optionee's request to the extent the Shares are no longer Restricted
Shares (but not more frequently than once every six months). In any event, all
Shares which have vested (and any other vested assets and securities
attributable thereto) shall be released within 60 days after the earlier of (i)
the Optionee's cessation of Service or (ii) the lapse of the Right of First
Refusal.
SECTION 8. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
(a) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. In the event that the Optionee proposes
to sell, pledge or otherwise transfer to a third party any Shares acquired under
this Agreement, or any interest in such Shares, the Company shall have the Right
of First Refusal with respect to all (and not less than all) of such Shares. If
the Optionee desires to transfer Shares acquired under this Agreement, the
Optionee shall give a written Transfer Notice to the Company describing fully
the proposed transfer, including the number of Shares proposed to be
transferred, the proposed transfer price, the name and address of the proposed
Transferee and proof satisfactory to the Company that the proposed sale or
transfer will not violate any applicable federal or state securities laws. The
Transfer Notice shall be signed both by the Optionee and by the proposed
Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of both parties to the
transfer of the Shares. The Company shall have the right to purchase all, and
not less than all, of the Shares on the terms of the proposal described in the
Transfer Notice (subject, however, to any change in such terms permitted under
Subsection (b) below) by delivery of a notice of exercise of the Right of First
Refusal within 30 days after the date when the Transfer Notice was received by
the Company. The Company's rights under this Subsection (a) shall be freely
assignable, in whole or in part.
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(b) TRANSFER OF SHARES. If the Company fails to exercise its Right
of First Refusal within 30 days after the date when it received the Transfer
Notice, the Optionee may, not later than 90 days following receipt of the
Transfer Notice by the Company, conclude a transfer of the Shares subject to the
Transfer Notice on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice,
provided that any such sale is made in compliance with applicable federal and
state securities laws and not in violation of any other contractual restrictions
to which the Optionee is bound. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions
different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent
proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again be subject to the Right of First
Refusal and shall require compliance with the procedure described in Subsection
(a) above. If the Company exercises its Right of First Refusal, the parties
shall consummate the sale of the Shares on the terms set forth in the Transfer
Notice within 60 days after the date when the Company received the Transfer
Notice (or within such longer period as may have been specified in the Transfer
Notice); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provided that
payment for the Shares was to be made in a form other than cash or cash
equivalents paid at the time of transfer, the Company shall have the option of
paying for the Shares with cash or cash equivalents equal to the present value
of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice.
(c) ADDITIONAL SHARES OR SUBSTITUTED SECURITIES. In the event of the
declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend
payable in a form other than stock, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in
conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the
Company's outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new,
substituted or additional securities or other property (including money paid
other than as an ordinary cash dividend) which are by reason of such transaction
distributed with respect to any Shares subject to this Section 8 or into which
such Shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to this
Section 8. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such
securities or property shall be made to the number and/or class of the Shares
subject to this Section 8.
(d) TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Any other provision of
this Section 8 notwithstanding, in the event that the Stock is readily tradable
on an established securities market when the Optionee desires to transfer
Shares, the Company shall have no Right of First Refusal, and the Optionee shall
have no obligation to comply with the procedures prescribed by Subsections (a)
and (b) above.
(e) PERMITTED TRANSFERS. This Section 8 shall not apply to (i) a
transfer by beneficiary designation, will or intestate succession or (ii) a
transfer to the Optionee's spouse, children or to a trust established by the
Optionee for the benefit of the Optionee or the Optionee's spouse, children or
grandchildren, provided in either case that the Transferee agrees in writing on
a form prescribed by the Company to be bound by all provisions of this
Agreement. If the Optionee transfers any Shares acquired under this Agreement,
either under this Subsection (e) or after the Company has failed to exercise the
Right of First Refusal, then this Section 8 shall apply to the Transferee to the
same extent as to the Optionee.
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(f) TERMINATION OF RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. If the Company makes
available, at the time and place and in the amount and form provided in this
Agreement, the consideration for the Shares to be purchased in accordance with
this Section 8, then after such time the person from whom such Shares are to be
purchased shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such Shares (other than
the right to receive payment of such consideration in accordance with this
Agreement). Such Shares shall be deemed to have been purchased in accordance
with the applicable provisions hereof, whether or not the certificate(s)
therefor have been delivered as required by this Agreement.
SECTION 9. LEGALITY OF INITIAL ISSUANCE.
No Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this option unless
and until the Company has determined that:
(a) It and the Optionee have taken any actions required to register
the Shares under the Securities Act or to perfect an exemption from the
registration requirements thereof;
(b) Any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange on
which Stock is listed has been satisfied; and
(c) Any other applicable provision of state or federal law has been
satisfied.
SECTION 10. NO REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, register or
qualify the sale of Shares under the Securities Act or any other applicable law.
The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to
cause the sale of Shares under this Agreement to comply with any law.
SECTION 11. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.
(a) SECURITIES LAW RESTRICTIONS. Regardless of whether the offering
and sale of Shares under the Plan have been registered under the Securities Act
or have been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state, the
Company at its discretion may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other
transfer of such Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock
certificates or the imposition of stop-transfer instructions) if, in the
judgment of the Company, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order
to achieve compliance with the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state
or any other law.
(b) MARKET STAND-OFF. In connection with any underwritten public
offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective
registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company's
initial public offering, the Optionee shall not directly or indirectly sell,
make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, offer, grant or sell any
option or other contract for the purchase of, purchase any option or other
contract for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer for value
(including entering into any swap or similar agreement that transfers, in whole
or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Company's securities,
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whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of
Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise) or agree to engage in any of
the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Shares acquired under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters.
Such restriction (the "Market Stand-Off") shall be in effect for such period of
time following the date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be
requested by the Company or such underwriters. In no event, however, shall such
period exceed 180 days. The Market Stand-Off shall in any event terminate two
years after the date of the Company's initial public offering. In the event of
the declaration of a stock dividend, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in
conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the
Company's outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new,
substituted or additional securities which are by reason of such transaction
distributed with respect to any Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into
which such Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to
the Market Stand-Off. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company may
impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this
Agreement until the end of the applicable stand-off period. The Company's
underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this
Subsection (b). This Subsection (b) shall not apply to Shares registered in the
public offering under the Securities Act, and the Optionee shall be subject to
this Subsection (b) only if the directors and officers of the Company are
subject to similar arrangements.
(c) INVESTMENT INTENT AT GRANT. The Optionee represents and agrees
that the Shares to be acquired upon exercising this option will be acquired for
investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof.
(d) INVESTMENT INTENT AT EXERCISE. In the event that the sale of
Shares under the Plan is not registered under the Securities Act but an
exemption is available which requires an investment representation or other
representation, the Optionee shall represent and agree at the time of exercise
that the Shares being acquired upon exercising this option are being acquired
for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof, and
shall make such other representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by
the Company and its counsel.
(e) LEGENDS. All certificates evidencing Shares purchased under this
Agreement shall bear the following legend:
"THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED,
ENCUMBERED OR IN ANY MANNER DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
TERMS OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED
HOLDER OF THE SHARES (OR THE PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE SHARES).
SUCH AGREEMENT GRANTS TO THE COMPANY CERTAIN RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL
UPON AN ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THE SHARES AND CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS
UPON TERMINATION OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY. THE SECRETARY OF THE
COMPANY WILL UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
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FURNISH A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE."
All certificates evidencing Shares purchased under this Agreement in an
unregistered transaction shall bear the following legend (and such other
restrictive legends as are required or deemed advisable under the provisions of
any applicable law):
"THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER
SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS
COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED."
(f) REMOVAL OF LEGENDS. If, in the opinion of the Company and its
counsel, any legend placed on a stock certificate representing Shares sold under
this Agreement is no longer required, the holder of such certificate shall be
entitled to exchange such certificate for a certificate representing the same
number of Shares but without such legend.
(g) ADMINISTRATION. Any determination by the Company and its counsel
in connection with any of the matters set forth in this Section 11 shall be
conclusive and binding on the Optionee and all other persons.
SECTION 12. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.
In the event of any transaction described in Section 8(a) of the
Plan, the terms of this option (including, without limitation, the number and
kind of Shares subject to this option and the Exercise Price) shall be adjusted
as set forth in Section 8(a) of the Plan. In the event that the Company is a
party to a merger or consolidation, this option shall be subject to the
agreement of merger or consolidation, as provided in Section 8(b) of the Plan.
SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Neither the Optionee nor the Optionee's
representative shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares
subject to this option until the Optionee or the Optionee's representative
becomes entitled to receive such Shares by filing a notice of exercise and
paying the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 4 and 5.
(b) NO RETENTION RIGHTS. Nothing in this option or in the Plan shall
confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of
specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights
of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Optionee)
or of the Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to
terminate his or her Service at any time and for any reason, with or without
Cause.
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(c) NOTICE. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall
be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon
deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail,
with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its
principal executive office and to the Optionee at the address that he or she
most recently provided to the Company.
(d) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Notice of Stock Option Grant, this
Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire contract between the parties hereto
with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede any other agreements,
representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express
or implied) which relate to the subject matter hereof.
(e) CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, as such laws
are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State.
SECTION 14. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
(b) "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company, as constituted from time to time or, if a Committee has been appointed,
such Committee.
(c) "CAUSE" shall mean (i) the unauthorized use or disclosure of the
confidential information or trade secrets of the Company, which use causes
material harm to the Company, (ii) conviction of a felony under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof, (iii) gross negligence or (iv) repeated
failure to perform lawful assigned duties for 30 days after receiving written
notification from the Company.
(d) "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean:
(i) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Company with or into another entity or any other corporate
reorganization, if more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
continuing or surviving entity's securities outstanding immediately
after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by
persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to
such merger, consolidation or other reorganization; or
(ii) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its
sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create
a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by
the persons who held the Company's securities immediately before such
transaction.
(e) "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f) "COMMITTEE" shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors, as
described in Section 2 of the Plan.
(g) "COMPANY" shall mean Sentient Networks, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
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(h) "CONSULTANT" shall mean an individual who performs bona fide
services for the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary as a consultant or advisor,
excluding Employees and Outside Directors.
(i) "DATE OF GRANT" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of
Stock Option Grant, which date shall be the later of (i) the date on which the
Board of Directors resolved to grant this option or (ii) the first day of the
Optionee's Service.
(j) "DISABILITY" shall mean that the Optionee is unable to engage in
any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment.
(k) "EMPLOYEE" shall mean any individual who is a common-law
employee of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.
(l) "EXERCISE PRICE" shall mean the amount for which one Share may
be purchased upon exercise of this option, as specified in the Notice of Stock
Option Grant.
(m) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean the fair market value of a Share,
as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith. Such determination shall
be conclusive and binding on all persons.
(n) "INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION" shall mean the termination of the
Optionee's Service which occurs by reason of: (i) an involuntary dismissal or
discharge by the Company for reasons other than for Cause; or (ii) voluntary
resignation following (A) a change in the Optionee's position with the Company
(or Parent or Subsidiary employing the Optionee) which materially reduces the
Optionee's level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in the Optionee's level of
compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and participation in
corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen
percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of the workplace of the Optionee by more than
50 miles away from the workplace designated by the Company on the Optionee's
initial date of Service.
(o) "ISO" shall mean an employee incentive stock option described in
Section 422(b) of the Code.
(p) "NONSTATUTORY OPTION" shall mean a stock option not described in
Sections 422(b) or 423(b) of the Code.
(q) "NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT" shall mean the document so
entitled to which this Agreement is attached.
(r) "OPTIONEE" shall mean the individual named in the Notice of
Stock Option Grant.
(s) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" shall mean a member of the Board of Directors
who is not an Employee.
(t) "PARENT" shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the
corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.
(u) "PLAN" shall mean the Sentient Networks, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan,
as in effect on the Date of Grant.
(v) "PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean the Exercise Price multiplied by the
number of Shares with respect to which this option is being exercised.
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(w) "RESTRICTED SHARE" shall mean a Share that is subject to the
Right of Repurchase.
(x) "RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL" shall mean the Company's right of first
refusal described in Section 8.
(y) "RIGHT OF REPURCHASE" shall mean the Company's right of
repurchase described in Section 7.
(z) "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(aa) "SERVICE" shall mean service as an Employee, Outside Director
or Consultant.
(bb) "SHARE" shall mean one share of Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 8 of the Plan (if applicable).
(cc) "STOCK" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company, with a par
value of $.001 per Share.
(dd) "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if
each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain
owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
(ee) "TRANSFEREE" shall mean any person to whom the Optionee has
directly or indirectly transferred any Share acquired under this Agreement.
(ff) "TRANSFER NOTICE" shall mean the notice of a proposed transfer
of Shares described in Section 8.
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