EXHIBIT 10.27
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED
WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE
ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE
OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF
THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE
SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
THE SECURITY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT
AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF.
NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
XXXXXXXXXXX.XXX
IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the
"OPTION AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of _________, by and between
XXXXXXXXXXX.XXX and ______________ (the "OPTIONEE").
The Company has granted to the Optionee pursuant to the Xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") (formerly the Public Online Communications
Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan) an option to purchase certain shares of
Stock, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Option Agreement (the
"OPTION"). The Option shall in all respects be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan. Whenever used
herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth
below:
(a) "DATE OF OPTION GRANT" means ___________.
(b) "NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES" means __________ shares
of Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.
(c) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
(d) "EXERCISE PRICE" means $__________ per share of
Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.
(e) "INITIAL EXERCISE DATE" means the Date of Option
Grant.
(f) "INITIAL VESTING DATE" means (check one):
X the Date of Option Grant.
---
--- ___________, 199 , the date the
Optionee's Service commenced.
(g) "VESTED RATIO" means, on any relevant date, the
ratio determined as follows:
Vested Ratio
------------
Prior to Initial Vesting Date 0
On Initial Vesting Date 100%
(h) "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE" means the date ten (10)
years after the Date of Option Grant.
(i) "COMPANY" means Xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx, a Delaware
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(j) "DISABILITY" means the inability of the Optionee,
in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform
the major duties of the Optionee's position with the Participating Company Group
because of the sickness or injury of the Optionee.
(k) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
(l) "SERVICE" means the Optionee's employment or
service with the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an
Employee, a Director or a Consultant. The Optionee's Service shall not be deemed
to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the
Optionee renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the
Participating Company for which the Optionee renders such Service, provided that
there is no interruption or termination of the Optionee's Service. The
Optionee's
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Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination
of Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee performs Service
ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company,
in its sole discretion, shall determine whether the Optionee's Service has
terminated and the effective date of such termination.
1.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the
context, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the
singular, and the term "or" shall include the conjunctive as well as the
disjunctive.
2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.
2.1 TAX STATUS OF OPTION. This Option is intended to be a
Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option
within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
2.2 ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE. If the Optionee
exercises this Option to purchase shares of Stock that are both nontransferable
and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the Optionee understands that
the Optionee should consult with the Optionee's tax advisor regarding the
advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under
Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days
after the date on which the Optionee exercises the Option. Shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture if, for example, (a) they are unvested and are subject to a right of
the Company to repurchase such shares at the Optionee's original purchase price
if the Optionee's Service terminates, or (b) the Optionee is subject to a
restriction on transfer to comply with "Pooling-of-Interests Accounting" rules.
Failure to file an election under Section 83(b), if appropriate, may result in
adverse tax consequences to the Optionee. The Optionee acknowledges that the
Optionee has been advised to consult with a tax advisor prior to the exercise of
the Option regarding the tax consequences to the Optionee of the exercise of the
Option. AN ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE
DATE ON WHICH THE OPTIONEE PURCHASES SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE
EXTENDED. THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b)
ELECTION IS THE OPTIONEE'S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF THE OPTIONEE REQUESTS
THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.
3. ADMINISTRATION. All questions of interpretation concerning this
Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board, including any duly appointed
Committee of the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and
binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the
responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the
officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation,
or election.
4. Exercise of the Option.
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4.1 RIGHT TO EXERCISE. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Exercise Date and prior
to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to
exceed the Number of Option Shares less the number of shares previously acquired
upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Optionee's agreement that any shares
purchased upon exercise are subject to the Company's repurchase rights set forth
in Section 11 and Section 12.
4.2 METHOD OF EXERCISE. Exercise of the Option shall be by
written notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the
Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being
exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Optionee's
investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the
Optionee and must be delivered in person, by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other
means as the Company may permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
or other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to
the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by (i) full
payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being
purchased and (ii) an executed copy, if required herein, of the then current
forms of escrow and security agreement referenced below. The Option shall be
deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice, the
aggregate Exercise Price, and, if required by the Company, such executed
agreements.
4.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.
(a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as
otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number
of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in
cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of whole
shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined
by the Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable
to such stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with
an underwriter for the Company) not less than the aggregate Exercise Price,
(iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(c), (iv) in the
Company's sole discretion at the time the Option is exercised, by the Optionee's
promissory note for the aggregate Exercise Price, or (v) by any combination of
the foregoing.
(b) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to
the extent such tender of Stock would constitute a violation of the provisions
of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company's
stock. The Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of
Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Optionee for more than
six (6) months or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(c) CASHLESS EXERCISE. A "CASHLESS EXERCISE" means
the assignment in a form acceptable to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or
loan with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the
exercise of the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the
Company (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the
provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of
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Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all
times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to decline to
approve or terminate any such program or procedure.
(d) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note
shall be permitted if an exercise of the Option using a promissory note would be
a violation of any law. The promissory note permitted in clause (iv) of Section
4.3(a) shall be a full recourse note in a form satisfactory to the Company, with
principal payable no more than four (4) years after the date the Option is
exercised. Interest on the principal balance of the promissory note shall be
payable in annual installments at the minimum interest rate necessary to avoid
imputed interest pursuant to all applicable sections of the Code. Such recourse
promissory note shall be secured by the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the
then current form of security agreement as approved by the Company. At any time
the Company is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System or any other governmental entity affecting the
extension of credit in connection with the Company's securities, any promissory
note shall comply with such applicable regulations, and the Optionee shall pay
the unpaid principal and accrued interest, if any, to the extent necessary to
comply with such applicable regulations. Except as the Company in its sole
discretion shall determine, the Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal balance
of the promissory note and any accrued interest thereon upon termination of the
Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group for any reason, with or
without cause.
4.4 TAX WITHHOLDING. At the time the Option is exercised, in
whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the
Optionee hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts
payable to the Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for
(including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the
Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise
in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations
arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the
transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the
imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Optionee is cautioned that
the Option is not exercisable unless the tax withholding obligations of the
Participating Company Group are satisfied. Accordingly, the Optionee may not be
able to exercise the Option when desired even though the Option is vested, and
the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares or
release such shares from any escrow provided for herein.
4.5 CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION. Except in the event the Exercise
Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as
to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the
Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.
4.6 RESTRICTIONS ON GRANT OF THE OPTION AND ISSUANCE OF
SHARES. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon
exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable
requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities.
The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise
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would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock
exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition,
the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the
Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the
opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of
the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS
CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS
ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION
WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to
obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any,
deemed by the Company's legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the
exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any
qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with
any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with
respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
4.7 FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Company shall not be required to
issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.
5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION. The Option may be exercised during
the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the
Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by
the Optionee's legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under
the deceased Optionee's will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution.
6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION. The Option shall terminate and may no
longer be exercised on the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b)
the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee's
Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Transfer of Control to the extent
provided in Section 8.
7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
7.1 OPTION EXERCISABILITY.
(a) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group is terminated because of the Disability of the
Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or
the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the
expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
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(b) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group is terminated because of the death of the Optionee,
the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the
Optionee's legal representative, or other person who acquired the right to
exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death) at any time prior to the
expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The
Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the
Optionee dies within thirty (30) days after the Optionee's termination of
Service other than a Termination for Cause (as defined below).
(c) TERMINATION AFTER TRANSFER OF CONTROL. If the
Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated because of
a Termination After Transfer of Control (as defined below), (i) the Option, to
the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's
Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian
or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of six (6) months
after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no
later than the Option Expiration Date, and (ii) the Option shall become
immediately vested in full and the Vested Ratio shall be deemed to be 1/1 as of
the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated. The Company makes no
representation as to the tax consequences if the Option is exercised more than
three (3) months after the date on which the Optionee's Service as an Employee
terminated. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax advisor as
to the tax consequences to the Optionee of any such delayed exercise.
(d) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's
Service with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason, except
Disability, death, or Termination After Transfer of Control, the Option, to the
extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee within thirty
(30) days (or such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in
its sole discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated,
but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
7.2 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
(a) "TERMINATION AFTER TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall
mean either of the following events occurring within twelve (12) months after a
Transfer of Control (as defined in Section 8.1(b) below):
(i) termination by the Participating Company
Group of the Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group for any
reason other than a Termination For Cause; or
(ii) the Optionee's resignation from Service
with the Participating Company Group within a reasonable period of time
following any Constructive Termination (as defined below).
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Termination After Transfer
of Control shall not include any termination of the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group which
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(1) is a Termination For Cause; (2) is a result of the Optionee's death or
Disability; (3) is a result of the Optionee's voluntary termination of
Service other than upon Constructive Termination (as defined below); or (4)
occurs prior to the effectiveness of a Transfer of Control.
(b) "TERMINATION FOR CAUSE" shall mean termination by
the Participating Company Group of the Optionee's Service with the Participating
Company Group for any of the following reasons: (i) theft, dishonesty, or
falsification of any Participating Company records; (ii) improper use or
disclosure of a Participating Company's confidential or proprietary information;
(iii) any action by the Optionee which has a detrimental effect on a
Participating Company's reputation or business; (iv) the Optionee's failure or
inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from
the Participating Company Group of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such
failure or inability; (v) any material breach by the Optionee of any employment
agreement between the Optionee and the Participating Company Group, which breach
is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vi) the Optionee's
conviction of any criminal act which impairs the Optionee's ability to perform
his or her duties with the Participating Company Group.
(c) "CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION" shall mean any one or
more of the following:
(i) without the Optionee's express written
consent, the assignment to the Optionee of any duties, or any limitation of the
Optionee's responsibilities, substantially inconsistent with the Optionee's
positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the Participating Company
Group immediately prior to the date of the Transfer of Control;
(ii) without the Optionee's express written
consent, the relocation of the principal place of the Optionee's employment to a
location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the Optionee's principal place
of employment immediately prior to the date of the Transfer of Control, or the
imposition of travel requirements substantially more demanding of the Optionee
than such travel requirements existing immediately prior to the date of the
Transfer of Control;
(iii) any failure by the Participating
Company Group to pay, or any material reduction by the Participating Company
Group of, (1) the Optionee's base salary in effect immediately prior to the date
of the Transfer of Control (unless reductions comparable in amount and duration
are concurrently made for all other employees of the Participating Company Group
with responsibilities, organizational level and title comparable to the
Optionee's), or (2) the Optionee's bonus compensation, if any, in effect
immediately prior to the date of the Transfer of Control (subject to applicable
performance requirements with respect to the actual amount of bonus compensation
earned by the Optionee); or
(iv) any failure by the Participating
Company Group to (1) continue to provide the Optionee with the opportunity to
participate, on terms no less favorable than those in effect for the benefit of
any employee group which customarily includes a person holding the employment
position or a comparable position with the Participating Company Group then held
by the Optionee, in any benefit or compensation plans and programs, including,
but not limited to, the Participating Company Group's life, disability, health,
dental,
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medical, savings, profit sharing, stock purchase and retirement plans, if
any, in which the Optionee was participating immediately prior to the date of
the Transfer of Control, or their equivalent, or (2) provide the Optionee
with all other fringe benefits (or their equivalent) from time to time in
effect for the benefit of any employee group which customarily includes a
person holding the employment position or a comparable position with the
Participating Company Group then held by the Optionee.
7.3 ADDITIONAL LIMITATION ON OPTION EXERCISE. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 7.1, the Option may not be exercised after the
Optionee's termination of Service to the extent that the shares to be acquired
upon exercise of the Option would be subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option as provided in Section 11. Except as the Company and the Optionee
otherwise agree, exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 7.1 following
termination of the Optionee's Service may not be made by delivery of a
promissory note as provided in Section 4.3(a).
7.4 EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods
set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the
Option shall remain exercisable until three (3) months after the date the
Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any
event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
7.5 EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 7.1 of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would
subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option
shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day
following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no
longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day
after the Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration
Date.
7.6 LEAVE OF ABSENCE. For purposes of Section 7.1, the
Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group shall not be deemed to
terminate if the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona
fide leave of absence approved by the Company of ninety (90) days or less. In
the event of a leave of absence in excess of ninety (90) days, the Optionee's
Service shall be deemed to terminate on the ninety-first (91st) day of such
leave unless the Optionee's right to reemployment with the Participating Company
Group remains guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise designated by the Company (or required by law), a leave of
absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining the
Optionee's Vested Ratio.
8. TRANSFER OF CONTROL.
8.1 DEFINITIONS.
(a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to
have occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:
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(i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange
in a single or series of related transactions by the shareholders of the Company
of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;
(ii) a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is a party; or
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the
Company.
(b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership
Change Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION") wherein the shareholders of the Company immediately before the
Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest
resulting from ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which,
as a result of the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee
Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one or more
subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to determine whether
multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock of the Company or multiple
Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
8.2 EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTION. In the event of a
Transfer of Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing
corporation or parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "ACQUIRING
CORPORATION"), may either assume the Company's rights and obligations under the
Option or substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option for the
Acquiring Corporation's stock. The Option shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding effective as of the date of the Transfer of Control to the extent
that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring
Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised as of the
date of the Transfer of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option prior to the Transfer of Control and any
consideration received pursuant to the Transfer of Control with respect to such
shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option
Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. Furthermore, notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the Option
immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i)
constituting a Transfer of Control is the surviving or continuing corporation
and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%)
of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another
corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group
within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the
provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not terminate unless
the Board otherwise provides in its sole discretion.
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9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of any
stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of
shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of
the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for,
converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership
Change Event) shares of another corporation (the "NEW SHARES"), the Board may
unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New
Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the
Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined
by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall
be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the Board,
and in no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the
par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments
determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 shall be final, binding and
conclusive.
10. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT. The Optionee shall
have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option
until the date of the issuance of a certificate for the shares for which the
Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of
the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No
adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which
the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as
provided in Section 9. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the
Optionee any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or
interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to
terminate the Optionee's Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may
be, at any time.
11. UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION.
11.1 GRANT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. In the event
the Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated for
any reason or no reason, with or without cause, or, if the Optionee, the
Optionee's legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option attempts to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of (other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) any
shares acquired upon exercise of the Option which exceed the Vested Shares as
defined in Section 11.2 below (the "UNVESTED SHARES"), the Company shall have
the right to repurchase the Unvested Shares under the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the "UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE
OPTION").
11.2 VESTED SHARES AND UNVESTED SHARES DEFINED. The "VESTED
SHARES" shall mean, on any given date, a number of shares of Stock equal to the
Number of Option Shares multiplied by the Vested Ratio determined as of such
date and rounded down to the nearest whole share. On such given date, the
"UNVESTED SHARES" shall mean the number of shares of Stock acquired upon
exercise of the Option which exceed the Vested Shares determined as of such
date.
11
11.3 EXERCISE OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The Company
may exercise the Unvested Share Repurchase Option by written notice delivered
personally or forwarded by first class mail to the Optionee within sixty (60)
days after (a) termination of the Optionee's Service (or exercise of the Option,
if later) or (b) the Company has received notice of the attempted disposition of
Unvested Shares. If the Company fails to give notice within such sixty (60) day
period, the Unvested Share Repurchase Option shall terminate unless the Company
and the Optionee have extended the time for the exercise of the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option. The Unvested Share Repurchase Option must be exercised, if at
all, for all of the Unvested Shares, except as the Company and the Optionee
otherwise agree.
11.4 PAYMENT OF SHARES AND RETURN OF SHARES TO COMPANY. The
purchase price per share being repurchased by the Company shall be an amount
equal to the Optionee's original cost per share, as adjusted pursuant to Section
9 (the "REPURCHASE PRICE"). The Company shall pay the aggregate Repurchase Price
to the Optionee in cash within thirty (30) days after the date of personal
delivery or mailing of the written notice of the Company's exercise of the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of
any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company shall be treated
as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any
accrued interest canceled. The shares being repurchased shall be delivered to
the Company by the Optionee at the same time as the delivery of the Repurchase
Price to the Optionee.
11.5 ASSIGNMENT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The
Company shall have the right to assign the Unvested Share Repurchase Option at
any time, whether or not such option is then exercisable, to one or more persons
as may be selected by the Company.
11.6 OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT. Upon the occurrence of an
Ownership Change Event, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or
other property to which Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's
ownership of Unvested Shares shall be immediately subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option and included in the terms "Stock" and "Unvested Shares" for
all purposes of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option with the same force and
effect as the Unvested Shares immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event.
While the aggregate Repurchase Price shall remain the same after such Ownership
Change Event, the Repurchase Price per Unvested Share upon exercise of the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option following such Ownership Change Event shall be
adjusted as appropriate. For purposes of determining the Vested Ratio following
an Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any
corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is
rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before
and after the Ownership Change Event.
12. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
12.1 GRANT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as provided in
Section 12.7 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee's legal
representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option
proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any Vested
Shares (the "TRANSFER SHARES") to any person or entity, including, without
limitation, any shareholder of the Participating Company Group, the Company
shall have the
12
right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the "RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL").
12.2 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. Prior to any proposed
transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall give a written notice (the
"TRANSFER NOTICE") to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer,
including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed
transferee (the "PROPOSED TRANSFEREE") and, if the transfer is voluntary, the
proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the
bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or
involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair
Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith.
If the Optionee proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one
Proposed Transferee, the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for
the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be
signed by both the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a
binding commitment of the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer
of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of
First Refusal.
12.3 BONA FIDE TRANSFER. If the Company determines that the
information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to
establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company
shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee's failure to comply with
the procedure described in this Section 12, and the Optionee shall have no right
to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure
described in this Section 12. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer
the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
12.4 EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company
determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the
right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as
the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the
terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice
of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date
the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company's exercise or
failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed
transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company's right to
exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer
described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer
Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee
with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the
Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall
thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms
set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the
Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered
by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer
Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the
Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present
value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as
reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing,
cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company
shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid
principal and any accrued interest canceled.
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12.5 FAILURE TO EXERCISE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the
Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser
extent as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period
specified in Section 12.4 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the
Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described
in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90)
days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall
have the right to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed
Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the
Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described
in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of
the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and
has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. 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 by the Optionee with the
procedure described in this Section 12.
12.6 TRANSFEREES OF TRANSFER SHARES. All transferees of the
Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be
required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form
satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such
Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions
of this Option Agreement, including this Section 12 providing for the Right of
First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the
provisions of this Section 12 are met.
12.7 TRANSFERS NOT SUBJECT TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The
Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in
connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received
pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating
Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal
unless the provisions of Section 12.9 below result in a termination of the Right
of First Refusal.
12.8 ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Company shall
have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not
there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected
by the Company.
12.9 EARLY TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The other
provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of
a Transfer of Control, unless the Acquiring Corporation assumes the Company's
rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially
equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation's stock for the Option, or (b)
the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of
First Refusal. A "PUBLIC MARKET" shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is
listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange
Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices
therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.
13. ESCROW.
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13.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW. To ensure that shares subject to
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option or the Right of First Refusal or securing
any promissory note will be available for repurchase, the Company may require
the Optionee to deposit the certificate evidencing the shares which the Optionee
purchases upon exercise of the Option with an agent designated by the Company
under the terms and conditions of escrow and security agreements approved by the
Company. If the Company does not require such deposit as a condition of exercise
of the Option, the Company reserves the right at any time to require the
Optionee to so deposit the certificate in escrow. Upon the occurrence of an
Ownership Change Event or a change, as described in Section 9, in the character
or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which
is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, any and all new,
substituted or additional securities or other property to which the Optionee is
entitled by reason of the Optionee's ownership of shares of Stock acquired upon
exercise of the Option that remain, following such Ownership Change Event or
change described in Section 9, subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option,
the Right of First Refusal or any security interest held by the Company shall be
immediately subject to the escrow to the same extent as such shares of Stock
immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the expenses of the
escrow.
13.2 DELIVERY OF SHARES TO OPTIONEE. As soon as practicable
after the expiration of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right of
First Refusal and after full repayment of any promissory note secured by the
shares or other property in escrow, but not more frequently than twice each
calendar year, the escrow agent shall deliver to the Optionee the shares and any
other property no longer subject to such restrictions and no longer securing any
promissory note.
13.3 NOTICES AND PAYMENTS. In the event the shares and any
other property held in escrow are subject to the Company's exercise of the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option or the Right of First Refusal, the notices
required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent, and any
payment required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent.
Within thirty (30) days after payment by the Company, the escrow agent shall
deliver the shares and any other property which the Company has purchased to the
Company and shall deliver the payment received from the Company to the Optionee.
14. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT. If, from time to
time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in
Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the
corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option
Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional
securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's
ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be
immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First
Refusal, and any security interest held by the Company with the same force and
effect as the shares subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right
of First Refusal and such security interest immediately before such event.
15. LEGENDS. The Company may at any time place legends referencing the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal, and any applicable
federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates
representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement.
The Optionee shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the
Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the
Option in
15
the possession of the Optionee in order to carry out the provisions of this
Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such
certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
15.1 "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE
SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES
AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY
TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT."
15.2 Any legend required to be placed thereon by the
Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California.
15.3 "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT
TO AN UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS
ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED
HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."
15.4 "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT
TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE
SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR
SUCH HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."
16. PUBLIC OFFERING. The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of
any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering
of stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement
filed under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to
sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale
of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to
acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the
effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the
underwriter for such public offering; provided, however, that such period of
time shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of
the registration statement to be filed in connection with such public offering.
The foregoing limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public
offering under the Securities Act. The Optionee shall be subject to this Section
provided and only if the officers and directors of the Company are also subject
to similar arrangements.
16
17. BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth
herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.
18. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan
or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section
8.2 in connection with a Transfer of Control, no such termination or amendment
may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the
consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is necessary to
comply with any applicable law or government regulation. No amendment or
addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
19. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. This Option Agreement and the Plan constitute
the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and the Participating
Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein
and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or
warranties among the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect
to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or
therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of this
Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in
full force and effect.
20. APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws
of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between
California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State
of California.
XXXXXXXXXXX.XXX
By:
-------------------------------------
XxxxxxxXxxx.xxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
The Optionee represents that the Optionee is familiar with the terms
and provisions of this Option Agreement, including the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option set forth in Section 11 and the Right of First Refusal set forth in
Section 12, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and
provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive
and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions
arising under this Option Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Plan.
OPTIONEE
17
Date:
--------------------- ----------------------------------
18
Optionee: ________________
Date:________________
IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION
EXERCISE NOTICE
XxxxxxxXxxx.xxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. I was granted anonstatutory stock option (the
"OPTION") to purchase shares of the common stock of XxxxxxxXxxx.xxx (the
"COMPANY") on ___________________, 19___, pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock
Option Plan (the "PLAN") and pursuant to the Immediately Exercisable
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated __________________, 19___ (the "OPTION
AGREEMENT"). The Grant Number of the Option is _____________. I hereby elect to
exercise the Option as to a total of __________________ shares of the common
stock of the Company (the "SHARES"), of which ________________ are Vested Shares
and ______________ are Unvested Shares as determined in accordance with the
Option Agreement.
2. PAYMENTS. Enclosed herewith is full payment in the aggregate amount
of $_____________ (representing $_______ per share) for the Shares in the manner
set forth in the Option Agreement. I will make adequate provision for foreign,
federal and state tax withholdings, if any.
3. BINDING EFFECT. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in
accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the
Option Agreement, including the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right
of First Refusal set forth therein, to all of which I hereby expressly assent.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the my heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns. I agree to deposit the
certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares, along with a blank stock
assignment separate from certificate executed by me, with an escrow agent
designated by the Company, to be held by such escrow agent pursuant to the
Company's standard Joint Escrow Instructions, an executed copy of which I have
delivered herewith.
4. TRANSFER. I am aware that Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities
Act, which permits limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic
offering, is not currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any
event, is available only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that
any sale of the Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be
made in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule
and that a copy of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request.
My address of record is:
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
My Social Security Number is:
-------------------------------------------------
5. ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE. I understand and
acknowledge that if I am exercising the Option to purchase Unvested Shares
(i.e., shares that remain subject to the Company's Unvested Share Repurchase
Option), that I should consult with my tax advisor regarding the advisability of
filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under Section 83(b) of the
Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which
I exercise the Option.
I acknowledge that I have been advised to consult with a tax advisor
prior to the exercise of the Option regarding the tax consequences to me of
exercising the Option. AN ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30
DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH I PURCHASE SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE
EXTENDED. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS MY
SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF I REQUEST THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO
FILE SUCH ELECTION ON MY BEHALF.
2
I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of
the XxxxxxxXxxx.xxx 1996 Stock Option Plan and my Option Agreement, copies of
which I have received and carefully read and understand.
Very truly yours,
------------------------------------
(Signature)
------------------------------------
(Optionee's Name Printed)
Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.
XXXXXXXXXXX.XXX
By:
---------------------------
Title:
------------------------
Dated:
-------------------------
3
