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EXHIBIT 99.3
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.
PIPELINKS, INC.
1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN
IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the
"OPTION AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of ____________________ , 19__,
by and between PipeLinks, Inc. and __________________ (the "OPTIONEE").
The Company has granted to the Optionee pursuant to the PipeLinks, Inc.
1997 Stock Option Plan (the "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 ____________, 19__.
(b) "NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES" means ____________ shares
of Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.
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(c) "EXERCISE PRICE" means $____ per share of Stock, as
adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.
(d) "INITIAL EXERCISE DATE" means the later of the Date
of Option Grant or the date the Optionee's Service commences.
(e) "INITIAL VESTING DATE" means the date occurring one
(1) year after (check one):
[ ] the Date of Option Grant.
[ ] _____________ , 19__.
(f) "VESTED RATIO" means, on any relevant date, the
ratio determined as follows:
Vested Ratio
------------
Prior to Initial Vesting Date 0
On Initial Vesting Date, provided the Optionee's 1/4
Service has not terminated prior to such date
Plus
For each full month of the Optionee's continuous Service 1/48
from the Initial Vesting Date until the Vested Ratio equals 1/1,
an additional
(g) "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE" means the date ten (10)
years after the Date of Option Grant.
(h) "COMPANY" means PipeLinks, Inc., a California
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(i) "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. Furthermore,
the
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Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group shall not be deemed to
have terminated if the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or other
bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided, however, that if
any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day of such
leave the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless the
Optionee's right to return to Service with the Participating Company Group is
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. The Optionee's 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 and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the
context clearly requires otherwise.
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, (b) the Optionee is an Insider and, under
certain circumstances, exercises the Option within six (6) months of the Date of
Option Grant (if a class of equity security of the Company is registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act), or (c) 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
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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. 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.
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
form of escrow 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 agreement.
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
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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), or (iv) 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
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.
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 would
constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
laws or other law
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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 Change in 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
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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.
(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'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 one
(1) month after the Optionee's termination of Service.
(c) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's
Service with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason, except
Disability or death, 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 one (1) month (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 ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS 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.
7.3 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 one (1) month 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.
7.4 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.
8. CHANGE IN 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 "CHANGE IN 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 CHANGE IN CONTROL ON OPTION. In the event of a
Change in 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. For purposes of this Section 8.2, the Option
shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Option confers
the right to purchase in accordance with its terms and conditions, for each
share of Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control,
the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) to which
a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was
entitled. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of
the date of the Change in Control to the extent that the Option is neither
assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the
Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior
to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change
in 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
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Ownership Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Change in
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.
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. If the Optionee is
an Employee, the Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise
provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating
Company and the Optionee, the Optionee's employment is "at will" and is for no
specified term. 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,
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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.
11.3 EXERCISE OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The Company
may exercise the Unvested Share Repurchase Option by written notice 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 FOR 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 the written
notice to the Optionee 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 the 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
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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 right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 12 (the "RIGHT OF FIRST
REFUSAL").
12.2 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. Prior to any proposed transfer
of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver 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
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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.
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.
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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 Change in 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.
13.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW. To ensure that shares subject to
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option 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 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, 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.
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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 and the
Right of First Refusal with the same force and effect as the shares subject to
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right of First Refusal 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 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 "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."
15.3 "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
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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.
17. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES.
No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold,
exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee
or agent of the Optionee), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed
of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the
provisions of this Option Agreement and, except pursuant to an Ownership Change
Event, until the date on which such shares become Vested Shares, and any such
attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to
transfer on its books any shares which will have been transferred in violation
of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as
owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay
dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred.
18. 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.
19. 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 Change in 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 or is required to enable the Option to
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qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to this Option
Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
20. NOTICES.
Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this
Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such
notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office,
by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the
other party at the address shown below that party's signature or at such other
address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.
21. 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.
22. 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.
PIPELINKS, INC.
By:
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Title:
---------------------------------
Address:
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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
Date:
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Optionee Address:
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Optionee:
----------------
Date:
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IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION
EXERCISE NOTICE
PipeLinks, Inc.
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Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Exercise of Option. I was granted a nonstatutory stock option (the
"OPTION") to purchase shares of the common stock of PipeLinks, Inc. (the
"COMPANY") on ___________________, 19___, pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock
Option Plan (the "PLAN") and pursuant to the Immediately Exercisable
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated __________________, 19___ (the "OPTION
AGREEMENT"). 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 authorize payroll withholding and otherwise
will make adequate provision for foreign, federal and state tax withholding
obligations of the Company, 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.
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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:
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My Social Security Number is:
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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.
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I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of
the PipeLinks, Inc. 1997 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.
PIPELINKS, INC.
By:
--------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
Dated:
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