EX-4.10
3
exhibit_4-10.htm
EXHIBIT 4.10
Exhibit 4.10
CYBER-ARK SOFTWARE LTD.
________________________________________________
2014 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
_________________________________________________
__________________________________
Adopted: June 10, 2014
__________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENT
________________________________________________
CYBER-ARK SOFTWARE LTD.
2014 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
_________________________________________________
Unless otherwise defined, terms used herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in Section 2 hereof.
1.1. Purpose. The purpose of this 2014 Share Incentive Plan (as amended, this “Plan”) is to afford an incentive to Service Providers of Cyber-Ark Software Ltd., an Israeli company (together with any successor corporation thereto, the “Company”), or any Affiliate of the Company, which now exists or hereafter is organized or acquired by the Company or its Affiliates, to continue as Service Providers, to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates and to promote the success of the Company's business, by providing such Service Providers with opportunities to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by the issuance of Shares or restricted Shares (“Restricted Shares”) of the Company, and by the grant of options to purchase Shares (“Options”), Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) and other Share-based Awards pursuant to Sections 11 through 13 of this Plan.
1.2. Types of Awards. This Plan is intended to enable the Company to issue Awards under various tax regimes, including:
(i) pursuant and subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance (or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted statute, as amended from time to time), and all regulations and interpretations adopted by any competent authority, including the Israeli Income Tax Authority (the “ITA”), including the Income Tax Rules (Tax Benefits in Stock Issuance to Employees) 5763-2003 or such other rules so adopted from time to time (the “Rules”) (such Awards that are intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualify as such under Section 102 of the Ordinance and the Rules, “102 Awards”);
(ii) pursuant to Section 3(9) of the Ordinance or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted statute, as amended from time to time (such Awards, “3(9) Awards”);
(iii) Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted United States federal tax statute, as amended from time to time, to be granted to Employees who are deemed to be residents of the United States, for purposes of taxation, or are otherwise subject to U.S. Federal income tax (such Awards that are intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, “Incentive Stock Options”); and
(iv) Awards not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which do not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to be granted to Service Providers who are deemed to be residents of the United States for purposes of taxation, or are otherwise subject to U.S. Federal income tax (“Nonqualified Stock Options”).
- 1 -
In addition to the issuance of Awards under the relevant tax regimes in the United States of America and the State of Israel, and without derogating from the generality of Section 25, this Plan contemplates issuances to Grantees in other jurisdictions or under other tax regimes with respect to which the Committee is empowered, but is not required, to make the requisite adjustments in this Plan and set forth the relevant conditions in an appendix to this Plan or in the Company’s agreement with the Grantee in order to comply with the requirements of such other tax regimes.
1.3. Company Status. This Plan contemplates the issuance of Awards by the Company, both as a private and public company.
1.4. Construction. To the extent any provision herein conflicts with the conditions of any relevant tax law, rule or regulation which are relied upon for tax relief in respect of a particular Award to a Grantee, the Committee is empowered, but is not required, hereunder to determine that the provisions of such law, rule or regulation shall prevail over those of this Plan and to interpret and enforce such prevailing provisions.
2.1. Terms Generally. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, (i) the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular; (ii) any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms; (iii) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth therein or herein), (iv) references to any law, constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule or ordinance, including any section or other part thereof shall refer to it as amended from time to time and shall include any successor thereof, (v) reference to a “company” or “entity” shall include a, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof, and reference to a “person” shall mean any of the foregoing or an individual, (vi) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Plan in its entirety, and not to any particular provision hereof, (vii) all references herein to Sections shall be construed to refer to Sections to this Plan; (viii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; and (ix) use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive.
2.2. Defined Terms. The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section 2:
2.3. “Affiliate” shall mean either: (i) with respect to any person, any other person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person (with the term “control” or “controlled by” within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act), including, without limitation, any Parent or Subsidiary, or (ii) for the purpose of 102 Awards, solely an “employing company” within the meaning and subject to the conditions of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.
2.4. “Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, rule, regulation, statute, pronouncement, policy, interpretation, judgment, order or decree of any federal, provincial, state or local governmental, regulatory or adjudicative authority or agency, of any jurisdiction, and the rules and regulations of any stock exchange, over-the-counter market or trading system on which the Company's shares are then traded or listed.
- 2 -
2.5. “Award” shall mean any Option, Restricted Share, RSUs or any other Share-based award granted under this Plan.
2.6. “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7. “Change in Board Event” shall mean any time at which individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.
2.8. “Code” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended.
2.9. “Committee” shall mean a committee established or appointed by the Board to administer this Plan, subject to Section 3.1.
2.10. “Companies Law” shall mean the Israel Companies Law, 5759-1999, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
2.11. “Controlling Shareholder” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 32(9) of the Ordinance.
2.12. “Disability” shall mean (i) the inability of a Grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity or to perform the major duties of the Grantee’s position with the Company or its Affiliates by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, as determined by a qualified doctor acceptable to the Company, that can be expected to last or has already lasted for a continuous period of which can be expected to result in death or which has already lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, (ii) if applicable, a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code or Section 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, as amended from time to time, or (iii) as defined in a policy of the Company that the Committee deems applicable to this Plan, or that makes reference to this Plan, for purposes of this definition.
2.13. “employee” shall mean any person treated as an employee (including an officer or a director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of the Company or any of its Affiliates (and in the case of 102 Awards, subject to Section 9.3 or in the case of Incentive Stock Options, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code); provided, however, that neither service as a director nor payment of a director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of this Plan. The Company shall determine in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of a person’s rights, if any, under this Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination.
- 3 -
2.14. “employment”, “employed” and words of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the employment of employees or to the services of any other Service Provider, as the case may be.
2.15. “exercise” “exercised” and words of similar import, when referring to an Award that does not require exercise or that is settled upon vesting (such as may be the case with RSUs or Restricted Shares, if so determined in their terms), shall be deemed to refer to the vesting of such an Award (regardless of whether or not the wording included reference to vesting of such an Awards explicitly).
2.16. “Exercise Period” shall mean the period, commencing on the date of grant of an Award, during which an Award shall be exercisable, subject to any vesting provisions thereof (including any acceleration thereof, if any) and subject to the termination provisions hereof.
2.17. “Exercise Price” shall mean the exercise price for each Share covered by an Option or the purchase price for each Share covered by any other Award.
2.18. “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of a Share or other property as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, with full authority to determine the method for making such determination and which determination shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, and shall be made after such consultations with outside legal, accounting and other experts as and if the Committee deems advisable; provided, however, that, if applicable, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined (a) with respect to Non-Qualified Stock Options, in a manner that satisfies the applicable requirements of, and subject to the applicable exemption from, Section 409A of the Code, if applicable, (b) with respect to Incentive Stock Options, in a manner that satisfies the applicable requirements of and subject to Section 422 of the Code, if applicable, and (c) with respect to 102 Awards in accordance with the Section 102, if applicable.
2.19. “Grantee” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award(s) under this Plan.
2.20. “IPO” shall mean the closing of an initial public offering of the Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act or equivalent law in another jurisdiction as a result of which the Shares become listed on one or more nationally recognized securities exchange(s).
2.21. “Ordinance” shall mean the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (New Version) 1961, and the regulations and rules (including the Rules) promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
2.22. “Parent” shall mean any company (other than the Company), which now exists or is hereafter organized, (i) in an unbroken chain of companies ending with the Company if, at the time of granting an Award, each of the companies (other than the Company) owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain, or (ii) if applicable and for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, that is a “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.23. “Prior Plan” shall mean each of the Company’s 2001 Section 102 Stock Option Plan, 2001 Stock Option Plan and 2011 Share Incentive Plan, in each case, as amended.
- 4 -
2.24. “Retirement” shall mean a Xxxxxxx's retirement pursuant to Applicable Law or in accordance with the terms of any tax-qualified retirement plan maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates in which the Grantee participates or is subject to.
2.25. “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.26. “Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
2.27. “Service Provider” shall mean an Employee, director, officer, consultant, advisor and any other person or entity who provides services to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Service Providers shall include prospective Service Providers to whom Awards are granted in connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, provided however that such employment or service shall have actually commenced.
2.28. “Shares” shall mean Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.01, of the Company (as adjusted for stock split, reverse stock split, bonus shares, combination or other recapitalization events), or shares of such other class of shares of the Company as shall be designated by the Board in respect of the relevant Award(s). “Shares” include any securities or property issued or distributed with respect thereto.
2.29. “Subsidiary” shall mean any company (other than the Company), which now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Company, (i) in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company if, at the time of granting an Award, each of the companies other than the last company in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain, or (ii) if applicable and for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, that is a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.30. “Ten Percent Shareholder” shall mean a Grantee who, at the time an Option is granted to the Grantee, owns shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.31. “Trustee” shall mean the trustee appointed by the Committee to hold the Awards (and, in relation with 102 Awards, approved by the ITA), if so appointed.
- 5 -
2.32. Other Defined Terms. The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Sections set forth below:
|
Term
|
Section
|
|
102 Awards
|
1.2(i)
|
|
102 Capital Gains Track Awards
|
9.1
|
|
102 Non-Trustee Awards
|
9.2
|
|
102 Ordinary Income Track Awards
|
9.1
|
|
102 Trustee Awards
|
9.1
|
|
3(9) Awards
|
1.2(ii)
|
|
Award Agreement
|
6
|
|
Cause
|
6.6.4.4
|
|
Company
|
1.1
|
|
Effective Date
|
24.1
|
|
Election
|
9.2
|
|
Eligible 102 Grantees
|
9.3.1
|
|
Incentive Stock Options
|
1.2(iii)
|
|
ISO Share Issuance Limit
|
5
|
|
ITA
|
1.1(i)
|
|
Market Stand-Off
|
17.1
|
|
Market Stand-Off Period
|
17.1
|
|
Nonqualified Stock Options
|
1.2(iv)
|
|
Plan
|
1.1
|
|
Recapitalization
|
14.1
|
|
Required Holding Period
|
9.5
|
|
Restricted Period
|
11.2
|
|
Restricted Share Agreement
|
11
|
|
Restricted Share Unit Agreement
|
12
|
|
Restricted Shares
|
1.1
|
|
RSUs
|
1.1
|
|
Rules
|
1.1(i)
|
|
Securities
|
17.1
|
|
Successor Corporation
|
14.2.1
|
|
Withholding Obligations
|
18.4
|
3.1. To the extent permitted under Applicable Law, the Articles of Association and any other governing document of the Company, this Plan shall be administered by the Committee. In the event that the Board does not appoint or establish a committee to administer this Plan, this Plan shall be administered by the Board. In the event that an action necessary for the administration of this Plan is required under Applicable Law to be taken by the Board without the right of delegation, or if such action or power was explicitly reserved by the Board in appointing, establishing and empowering the Committee, then such action shall be so taken by the Board. In any such event, all references herein to the Committee shall be construed as references to the Board. Even if such a Committee was appointed or established, the Board may take any actions that are stated to be vested in the Committee, and shall not be restricted or limited from exercising all rights, powers and authorities under this Plan or Applicable Law.
- 6 -
3.2. The Board shall appoint the members of the Committee, may from time to time remove members from, or add members to, the Committee, and shall fill vacancies in the Committee, however caused, provided that the composition of the Committee shall at all times be in compliance with any mandatory requirements of Applicable Law, the Articles of Association and any other governing document of the Company. The Committee may select one of its members as its Chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it shall determine. The Committee may appoint a Secretary, who shall keep records of its meetings, and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable and subject to mandatory requirements of Applicable Law.
3.3. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, any mandatory provisions of Applicable Law and any provisions of any Company policy required under mandatory provisions of Applicable Law, and in addition to the Committee's powers contained elsewhere in this Plan, the Committee shall have full authority, in its discretion, from time to time and at any time, to determine any of the following, or to recommend to the Board any of the following if it is not authorized to take such action according to Applicable Law:
(i) eligible Grantees,
(ii) grants of Awards and setting the terms and provisions of Award Agreements (which need not be identical) and any other agreements or instruments under which Awards are made, including, but not limited to, the number of Shares underlying each Award and the class of Shares underlying each Award (if more than one class was designated by the Board),
(iii) the time or times at which Awards shall be granted,
(iv) the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any Shares acquired upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting thereof, including, without limitation, (1) designating Awards under Section 1.2; (2) the vesting schedule, the acceleration thereof and terms and conditions upon which Awards may be exercised or become vested, (3) the Exercise Price, (4) the time of the expiration of the Awards, (5) the effect of the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and (6) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Award or the Shares not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan,
(v) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any Award or the vesting thereof, including with respect to the period following a Grantee’s termination of employment or other service,
(vi) the interpretation of this Plan and any Award Agreement and the meaning, interpretation and applicability of terms referred to in Applicable Laws,
(vii) policies, guidelines, rules and regulations relating to and for carrying out this Plan, and any amendment, supplement or rescission thereof, as it may deem appropriate,
(viii) to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, this Plan, including, without limitation, as it deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax regime or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens or residents may be granted Awards,
(ix) the Fair Market Value of the Shares or other property,
- 7 -
(x) the tax track (capital gains, ordinary income track or any other track available under the Section 102 of the Ordinance) for the purpose of 102 Awards,
(xi) the authorization and approval of conversion, substitution, cancellation or suspension under and in accordance with this Plan of any or all Awards or Shares,
(xii) the amendment, modification, waiver or supplement of the terms of each outstanding Award (with the consent of the applicable Grantee, if such amendments refers to the increase of the Exercise Price of Awards or reduction of the number of Shared underlying an Award (but, in each case, other than as a result of an adjustment or exercise of rights in accordance with Section 14)) unless otherwise provided under the terms of this Plan,
(xiii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Applicable Law, to grant to a Grantee, who is the holder of an outstanding Award, in exchange for the cancellation of such Award, a new Award having an Exercise Price lower than that provided in the Award so canceled and containing such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe in accordance with the provisions of this Plan or to set a new Exercise Price for the same Award lower than that previously provided in the Award,
(xiv) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or any Award Agreement and all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to this Plan or any Award as it may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan or Applicable Law,
(xv) to designate any of the Company’s officer or other persons to manage the day to day administration of the Awards granted under the Plan (such designation shall initially include the Company’s finance, legal and human resources departments and the Representative(s) pursuant to Section 3.7) or authorize any of them to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Committee herein;
(xvi) to determine that Awards, Shares issuable upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting of Awards and/or any securities issued or distributed with respect thereto, shall be allocated or issued to, or held by, the Representative in trust for the benefit of the Grantees; and
(xvii) any other matter which is necessary or desirable for, or incidental to, the administration of this Plan and any Award thereunder.
3.4. The authority granted hereunder includes the authority to modify Awards to eligible individuals who are foreign nationals or are individuals who are employed outside Israel to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom, in order to effectuate the purposes of this Plan but without amending this Plan.
3.5. The Board and the Committee shall be free at all times to make such determinations and take such actions as they deem fit. The Board and the Committee need not take the same action or determination with respect to all Awards, with respect to certain types of Awards, with respect to all Service Providers or any certain type of Service Providers and actions and determinations may differ as among the Grantees, and as between the Grantees and any other holders of securities of the Company.
- 8 -
3.6. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the Committee, the Board and the Company under this Plan shall be final and binding on all Grantees (whether before or after the issuance of Shares pursuant to Awards), unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Board or the Company, respectively. The Committee shall have the authority (but not the obligation) to determine the interpretation and applicability of Applicable Laws to any Grantee or any Awards. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be liable to any Grantee for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted hereunder.
3.7. Any officer or authorized manager of the Company or other persons designated by the Company from time to time (including, without limitation, the Trustee) (any such person, the “Representative”) shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided such Representative has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election. The Representative shall not be liable to any Grantee for any action taken, omission or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted hereunder.
Awards may be granted to Service Providers of the Company or any Affiliate thereof, taking into account (at the Committee’s full discretion), the qualification under each tax regime pursuant to which such Awards are granted, subject to the limitation on the granting of Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 8.1. A person who has been granted an Award hereunder may be granted additional Awards, if the Committee shall so determine, subject to the limitations herein. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section 4 shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.
Awards may differ in number of Shares covered thereby, the terms and conditions applying to them or on the Grantees or in any other respect (including, that there should not be any expectation (and it is hereby disclaimed) that a certain treatment, interpretation or position granted to one shall be applied to the other, regardless of whether or not the facts or circumstances are the same or similar).
5.1. The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards under this Plan (the “Pool”) shall be the sum of (a) 422,000 Shares, plus (b) an increase of 1,220,054 Shares as of January 1, 2015, plus (c) on January 1 of each calendar year commencing in 2016, a number of Shares equal to the lesser of: (i) an amount determined by the Board, if so determined prior to the January 1 of the calendar year in which the increase will occur, (ii) 4% of the total number of Shares outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, and (iii) 4,000,000 Shares; in all events subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.1. The Board may, at its discretion, reduce the number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan at any time (provided that such reduction does not adversely impact then outstanding Awards).
5.2. Any Shares (a) underlying an Award granted hereunder or an award granted under any Prior Plan (in an amount not to exceed 4,472,001 Shares under the Prior Plans) that has expired, or was cancelled, terminated, forfeited, repurchased or settled in cash in lieu of issuance of Shares, for any reason without having been exercised; (b) tendered to pay the Exercise Price of an Award (or the exercise price or other purchase price of any option or other award under the Prior Plans), or withholding tax obligations with respect to an Award (or any awards under the Prior Plans); or (c) subject to an Award (or any award under the Prior Plans) that are not delivered to a Grantee because such Shares are withheld to pay the Exercise Price of such Award (or of any award under the Prior Plans), or withholding tax obligations with respect to such Award (or such other award) shall automatically, and without any further action on the part of the Company or any Grantee, again be available for grant of Awards and Shares issued upon exercise of (if applicable) vesting thereof for the purposes of this Plan (unless this Plan shall have been terminated) or unless the Board determines otherwise. Such Shares may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury shares (dormant shares) or Shares otherwise that shall have been or may be repurchased by the Company (to the extent permitted pursuant to the Companies Law).
- 9 -
5.3. Any Shares under the Pool that are not subject to outstanding or exercised Awards at the termination of this Plan shall cease to be reserved for the purpose of this Plan.
5.4. The total number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan shall be the number of Shares determined in accordance with the Section 5.1, as adjusted in accordance with Section 5.2.
5.5. From and after the Effective Date, no further grants or awards shall be made under the Prior Plans; however, grants or awards made under the Prior Plans before the Effective Date shall continue in effect in accordance with their terms.
Each Award granted pursuant to this Plan shall be evidenced by a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Grantee or a written or electronic notice delivered by the Company (the “Award Agreement”), in substantially such form or forms and containing such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall from time to time approve. The Award Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following general terms and conditions and the provisions of this Plan (except for any provisions applying to Awards under different tax regimes), unless otherwise specifically provided in such Award Agreement, or the terms referred to in other Sections of this Plan applying to Awards under such applicable tax regimes, or terms prescribed by Applicable Law. Award Agreements need not be in the same form and may differ in the terms and conditions included therein.
6.1. Number of Shares. Each Award Agreement shall state the number of Shares covered by the Award.
6.2. Type of Award. Each Award Agreement may state the type of Award granted thereunder, provided that the tax treatment of any Award, whether or not stated in the Award Agreement, shall be as determined in accordance with Applicable Law.
6.3. Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement shall state the Exercise Price, if applicable. Unless otherwise set forth in this Plan, an Exercise Price of an Award of less than the par value of the Shares shall comply with Section 304 of the Companies Law, 1999, as amended. Subject to Section 3 and to the foregoing and Sections 7.2 and 8.2, the Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of any outstanding Award, on terms and subject to such conditions as it deems advisable. The Exercise Price shall also be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14 hereof.
- 10 -
6.4. Manner of Exercise. An Award may be exercised, as to any or all Shares as to which the Award has become exercisable, by: (a) written notice delivered in person or by mail (or such other methods of delivery prescribed by the Company) to the Representative, and in the absence thereof to the Secretary and the VP Finance and Accounting of the Company or to such other person as determined by the Committee, or in any other manner as the Committee shall prescribe from time to time, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Award is being exercised (which may be equal to or lower than the aggregate number of Shares underlying Options that have become exercisable at such time, subject to the last sentence of this Section); and (b) payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for such Shares in the manner specified in the following sentence. The Exercise Price shall be paid in full with respect to each Share, either in (i) cash, (ii) if the Company’s shares are listed for trading on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market, and if the Committee so determines, all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company, the Representative and/or to the Trustee, as applicable, (iii) if the Company’s shares are listed for trading on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market, and if the Committee so determines, all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to pledge Shares to a securities broker or lender approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company, the Representative and/or Trustee, as applicable, or (iv) in such other manner as the Committee shall determine, which may include procedures for cashless exercise.
6.5. Term and Vesting of Awards.
6.5.1. Each Award Agreement shall provide the vesting schedule for the Award as determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the vesting schedule and accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Award at such time and under such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Unless otherwise resolved by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, and subject to Sections 6.6 and 6.7 hereof, Awards shall vest and become exercisable under the following schedule: twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares covered by the Award, on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date determine by the Committee (and in the absence of such determination, of date on which such Award was granted), and six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) of the Shares covered by the Award at the end of each subsequent three-month period thereafter over the course of the following three (3) years; provided that the Grantee remains continuously as a Service Provider of the Company or its Affiliates throughout such vesting dates.
6.5.2. The Award Agreement may contain performance goals and measurements (which, in case of 102 Awards, shall, if then required, be subject to obtaining a specific tax ruling or determination from the ITA), and the provisions with respect to any Award need not be the same as the provisions with respect to any other Award. Such performance goals may include, but are not limited to, sales, earnings before interest and taxes, return on investment, earnings per share, any combination of the foregoing or rate of growth of any of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may adjust performance goals pursuant to Awards previously granted to take into account changes in law and accounting and tax rules and to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the inclusion or the exclusion of the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances.
6.5.3. The Exercise Period of an Award will be ten (10) years from the date of grant of the Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, but subject to the vesting provisions described above and the early termination provisions set forth in Sections 6.6 and 6.7 hereof. At the expiration of the Exercise Period, any Award, or any part thereof, that has not been exercised within the term of the Award and the Shares covered thereby not paid for in accordance with this Plan and the Award Agreement shall terminate and become null and void, and all interests and rights of the Grantee in and to the same shall expire.
- 11 -
6.6. Termination.
6.6.1. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, and subject to Section 6.7 hereof, an Award may not be exercised unless the Grantee is then a Service Provider of the Company or an Affiliate thereof or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, a company or a parent or subsidiary company of such company issuing or assuming the Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, and unless the Grantee has remained continuously so employed since the date of grant of the Award and throughout the vesting dates.
6.6.2. In the event that the employment or service of a Grantee shall terminate (other than by reason of death, Disability or Retirement), all Awards of such Grantee that are unvested at the time of such termination shall terminate on the date of such termination, and all Awards of such Grantee that are vested and exercisable at the time of such termination may be exercised within up to three (3) months after the date of such termination (or such different period as the Committee shall prescribe), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Award’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement or pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that if the Company (or its Affiliate, when applicable) shall terminate the Grantee’s employment or service for Cause (as defined below) or if at any time during the Exercise Period (whether prior to and after termination of employment or service, and whether or not the Grantee’s employment or service is terminated by either party as a result thereof), facts or circumstances arise or are discovered with respect to the Grantee that would have constituted Cause, all Awards theretofore granted to such Grantee (whether vested or not) shall, to the extent not theretofore exercised, terminate on the date of such termination (or on such subsequent date on which such facts or circumstances arise or are discovered, as the case may be) unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
6.6.3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee, in its absolute discretion, may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine appropriate, extend the periods for which Awards held by any Grantee may continue to vest and be exercisable; it being clarified that such Awards may lose their entitlement to certain tax benefits under Applicable Law as a result of the modification of such Awards and/or in the event that the Award is exercised beyond the later of: (i) three (3) months after the date of termination of the employment or service relationship; or (ii) the applicable period under Section 6.7 below with respect to a termination of the employment or service relationship because of the death, Disability or Retirement of Grantee.
6.6.4. For purposes of this Plan:
6.6.4.1. a termination of employment or service of a Grantee shall not be deemed to occur (except to the extent required by the Code with respect to the Incentive Stock Option status of an Option) in case of (i) a transition or transfer of a Grantee among the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) a change in the capacity in which the Grantee is employed or renders service to the Company or any of its Affiliates or a change in the identity of the employing or engagement entity among the Company and its Affiliates, provided, in case of (i) and (ii) above, that the Grantee has remained continuously employed by and/or in the service of the Company and its Affiliates since the date of grant of the Award and throughout the vesting period or (iii) if the Grantee takes any unpaid leave as set forth in Section 6.8(i) below.
- 12 -
6.6.4.2. An entity or an Affiliate thereof assuming an Award or issuing in substitution thereof in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies or in a Change in Control in accordance with Section 14 shall be deemed as an Affiliate of the Company for purposes of this Section 6.6, unless the Committee determines otherwise.
6.6.4.3. In the case of a Grantee whose principal employer or service recipient is an Affiliate of the Company, the Grantee’s employment shall also be deemed terminated for purposes of this Section 6.6 as of the date on which such principal employer or service recipient ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company.
6.6.4.4. The term “Cause” shall mean (irrespective of, and in addition to, any definition included in any other agreement or instrument applicable to the Grantee, and unless otherwise determined by the Committee) any of the following: (i) any theft, fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, falsification of any documents or records of the Company or any of its Affiliates, felony or similar act by the Grantee (whether or not related to the Grantee’s relationship with the Company); (ii) an act of moral turpitude by the Grantee, or any act that causes significant injury to, or is otherwise adversely affecting, the reputation, business, assets, operations or business relationship of the Company (and its Affiliate, when applicable); (iii) any breach by the Grantee of any material agreement with or of any material duty of the Grantee to the Company or any Affiliate thereof (including breach of confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-use non-competition or non-solicitation covenants towards the Company or any of its Affiliates) or failure to abide by code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); or (iv) any act which constitutes a breach of a Grantee’s fiduciary duty towards the Company or its Affiliate, including disclosure of confidential or proprietary information thereof or acceptance or solicitation to receive unauthorized or undisclosed benefits, irrespective of their nature, or funds, or promises to receive either, from individuals, consultants or corporate entities that the Company or its Affiliate does business with; (v) the Grantee’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction, or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, the improper use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information); or (vi) any circumstances that constitute grounds for termination for cause under the Grantee’s employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliate, to the extent applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the determination as to whether a termination is for Cause for purposes of this Plan, shall be made in good faith by the Committee and shall be final and binding on the Grantee.
6.7. Death, Disability or Retirement of Grantee.
6.7.1. If a Grantee shall die while employed by, or performing service for, the Company or its Affiliates, or within the three (3) month period (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date of termination of such Grantee's employment or service (or within such different period as the Committee may have provided pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof), or if the Grantee's employment or service shall terminate by reason of Disability, all Awards theretofore granted to such Grantee may (to the extent otherwise vested and exercisable and unless earlier terminated in accordance with their terms) be exercised by the Grantee or by the Grantee's estate or by a person who acquired the legal right to exercise such Awards by bequest or inheritance, or by a person who acquired the legal right to exercise such Awards in accordance with Applicable Law in the case of Disability of the Grantee, as the case may be, at any time within one (1) year (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the death or Disability of the Grantee (or such different period as the Committee shall prescribe), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Award’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement or pursuant to this Plan. In the event that an Award granted hereunder shall be exercised as set forth above by any person other than the Grantee, written notice of such exercise shall be accompanied by a certified copy of letters testamentary or proof satisfactory to the Committee of the right of such person to exercise such Award.
- 13 -
6.7.2. In the event that the employment or service of a Grantee shall terminate on account of such Xxxxxxx's Retirement, all Awards of such Grantee that are exercisable at the time of such Retirement may, unless earlier terminated in accordance with their terms, be exercised at any time within the three (3) month period after the date of such Retirement (or such different period as the Committee shall prescribe).
6.8. Suspension of Vesting. Unless the Committee provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall be not suspended during unpaid leave of absence.
6.9. Voting Proxy. Until immediately after the listing for trading on a stock exchange or market or trading system of the Company’s (or the Successor Corporation’s) shares, the Shares subject to an Award or to be issued pursuant to an Award or any other Securities, shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, be subject to an irrevocable proxy and power of attorney by the Grantee, the Representative or the Trustee (if so requested by the Company), as the case may be, to the Company, which shall designate such person or persons (with a right of substitution) from time to time as determined by the Committee (and in the absence of such determination, the CEO or Chairman of the Board, ex officio). Each of the Trustee and the Representative is deemed to be instructed by the Grantee to sign such proxy, as requested by the Company. The proxy shall entitle the holder thereof to receive notices, vote and take such other actions in respect of the Shares or other Securities. Any person holding or exercising such voting proxies shall do so solely in his capacity as the proxy holder and not individually. All Awards granted hereunder shall be conditioned upon the execution of such irrevocable proxy in substantially the form prescribed by the Committee from time to time. So long as any such Shares are subject to such irrevocable proxy and power of attorney or held by a the Representative or the Trustee (and unless a proxy was given by them as aforesaid), (i) in any shareholders meeting or written consent in lieu thereof, such Shares shall be voted by the proxy holder (or the Trustee or Representative, as applicable),unless directed otherwise by the Board, in the same proportion as the result of the vote at the shareholders’ meeting (or written consent in lieu thereof) in respect of which the Shares are being voted (whether an extraordinary or annual meeting, and whether of the share capital as one class or of any class thereof), and (ii) or in any act or consent of shareholders under the Company’s Articles of Association or otherwise, such Shares shall be cast by the proxy holder (or the Trustee or Representative, as applicable), unless directed otherwise by the Board, in the same proportion as the result of the shareholders’ act or consent. The provisions of this Section shall apply to the Grantee and to any purchaser, assignee or transferee of any Shares.
6.10. Other Provisions. The Award Agreement evidencing Awards under this Plan shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as the Committee may determine, at or after the date of grant, including provisions in connection with the restrictions on transferring the Awards or Shares covered by such Awards, which shall be binding upon the Grantees and any purchaser, assignee or transferee of any Awards, and other terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. Awards shall be subject to any other governing documents of the Company, all policies, manuals and internal regulations adopted by the Company from time to time, in each case, as may be amended from time to time, including any provisions included therein concerning restrictions or limitations on exercise of Awards (such as, but not limited to, lock up/market stand-off), any provisions concerning restrictions on the use of inside information and other provisions deemed by the Company to be appropriate. Each Grantee shall promptly execute (and authorizes any person designated by the Company to so execute) such separate agreement(s) or confirmations as may be requested by the Company relating to matters set forth in this Section 16.26.10. The execution of such separate agreement(s) may be a condition by the Company to grant or exercise of any Award.
- 14 -
Options granted pursuant to this Section 7 are intended to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof and other provisions of this Plan, except for any provisions of this Plan applying to Awards under different tax laws or regulations. In the event of any inconsistency or contradictions between the provisions of this Section 7 and the other terms of this Plan with respect to Nonqualified Stock Options, this Section 7 shall prevail.
7.1. Certain Limitations on Eligibility for Nonqualified Stock Options. Nonqualified Stock Options may not be granted to a Service Provider who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for purposes of taxation or who is otherwise subject to United States federal income tax unless the Shares underlying such Options constitute “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code or unless such Options comply with the payment requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
7.2. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of a Nonqualified Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option unless the Committee specifically indicates that the Option will have a lower Exercise Price and, the Option complies with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonqualified Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that complies with Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations or any successor guidance.
Options granted pursuant to this Section 8 are intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options and shall be granted subject to the following special terms and conditions, the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof and other provisions of this Plan, except for any provisions of this Plan applying to Awards under different tax laws or regulations. In the event of any inconsistency or contradictions between the provisions of this Section 8 and the other terms of this Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options, this Section 8 shall prevail.
8.1. Eligibility for Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company, or to Employees of a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, determined as of the date of grant of such Options. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences employment, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 8.2.
8.2. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option or such other price as may be determined pursuant to the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that complies with the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
- 15 -
8.3. Date of Grant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted under this Plan after 10 years from the date this Plan is adopted, or the date this Plan is approved by the shareholders, whichever is earlier.
8.4. Exercise Period. No Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Award, subject to Section 8.6. No Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective Employee may become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences employment.
8.5. $100,000 Per Year Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and all other “incentive stock option” plans of the Company, or of any Parent or Subsidiary, become exercisable for the first time by each Grantee during any calendar year shall not exceed one hundred thousand United States dollars ($100,000) with respect to such Grantee. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which such Incentive Stock Options and any other such incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by any Grantee during any calendar year exceeds one hundred thousand United States dollars ($100,000), such options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. The foregoing shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 8.5, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Awards as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonqualified Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 8.5, the Grantee may designate which portion of such Option the Grantee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Grantee shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion may be issued upon the exercise of the Option.
8.6. Ten Percent Shareholder. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, (i) the Exercise Price shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) the Exercise Period shall not exceed five (5) years from the effective date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
8.7. Payment of Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Stock Option shall state each alternative method by which the Exercise Price thereof may be paid.
8.8. Leave of Absence. Notwithstanding Section 6.8, a Grantee’s employment shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Grantee takes any leave as set forth in Section 6.8(i); provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds three (3) months, on the day that is six (6) months following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Grantee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and instead shall be treated thereafter as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Grantee’s right to return to employment is guaranteed by statute or contract.
8.9. Exercise Following Termination for Disability. Notwithstanding anything else in this Plan to the contrary, Incentive Stock Options that are not exercised within three (3) months following termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company or its Parent or Subsidiary or a corporation issuing or assuming an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, or within one year in case of termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company or its Parent or Subsidiary due to a Disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), shall be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options.
- 16 -
8.10. Adjustments to Incentive Stock Options. Any Awards Agreement providing for the grant of Incentive Stock Options shall indicate that adjustments made pursuant to this Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options could constitute a “modification” of such Incentive Stock Options (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or could cause adverse tax consequences for the holder of such Incentive Stock Options and that the holder should consult with his or her tax advisor regarding the consequences of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Incentive Stock Option.
8.11. Notice to Company of Disqualifying Disposition. Each Grantee who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Grantee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Shares received pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options. A “Disqualifying Disposition” is any disposition (including any sale) of such Shares before the later of (i) two years after the date the Grantee was granted the Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) one year after the date the Grantee acquired Shares by exercising the Incentive Stock Option. If the Grantee dies before such Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no disposition of the Shares will be deemed a Disqualifying Disposition.
Awards granted pursuant to this Section 9 are intended to constitute 102 Awards and shall be granted subject to the following special terms and conditions, the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof and other provisions of this Plan, except for any provisions of this Plan applying to Awards under different tax laws or regulations. In the event of any inconsistency or contradictions between the provisions of this Section 9 and the other terms of this Plan, this Section 9 shall prevail.
9.1. Tracks. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 9 are intended to be granted pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance pursuant to either (i) Section 102(b)(2) or Section 102(b)(3) thereof, as applicable, under the capital gain track (“102 Capital Gain Track Awards”), or (ii) Section 102(b)(1) thereof under the ordinary income track (“102 Ordinary Income Track Awards”, and together with 102 Capital Gain Track Awards, “102 Trustee Awards”). 102 Trustee Awards shall be granted subject to the special terms and conditions contained in this Section 9, the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof and other provisions of this Plan, except for any provisions of this Plan applying to Options under different tax laws or regulations.
9.2. Election of Track. Subject to Applicable Law, the Company may grant only one type of 102 Trustee Awards at any given time to all Grantees who are to be granted 102 Trustee Awards pursuant to this Plan, and shall file an election with the ITA regarding the type of 102 Trustee Awards it elects to grant before the date of grant of any 102 Trustee Awards (the “Election”). Such Election shall also apply to any other securities, including bonus shares, received by any Grantee as a result of holding the 102 Trustee Awards. The Company may change the type of 102 Trustee Awards that it elects to grant only after the expiration of at least twelve (12) months from the end of the year in which the first grant was made in accordance with the previous Election, or as otherwise provided by Applicable Law. Any Election shall not prevent the Company from granting Awards, pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Ordinance without a Trustee (“102 Non-Trustee Awards”).
- 17 -
9.3. Eligibility for Awards.
9.3.1. Subject to Applicable Law, 102 Awards may only be granted to an "employee" within the meaning of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance (which as of the date of the adoption of this Plan means (i) individuals employed by an Israeli company being the Company or any of its Affiliates, and (ii) individuals who are serving and are engaged personally (and not through an entity) as “office holders” by such an Israeli company), but may not be granted to a Controlling Shareholder (“Eligible 102 Grantees”). Eligible 102 Grantees may receive only 102 Awards, which may either be granted to a Trustee or granted under Section 102 of the Ordinance without a Trustee.
9.4. 102 Award Grant Date.
9.4.1. Each 102 Award will be deemed granted on the date determined by the Committee, subject to Section 9.4.2, provided that (i) the Grantee has signed all documents required by the Company or pursuant to Applicable Law, and (ii) with respect to 102 Trustee Award, the Company has provided all applicable documents to the Trustee in accordance with the guidelines published by the ITA.
9.4.2. Unless otherwise permitted by the Ordinance, any grants of 102 Trustee Awards that are made on or after the date of the adoption of this Plan or an amendment to this Plan, as the case may be, that may become effective only at the expiration of thirty (30) days after the filing of this Plan or any amendment thereof (as the case may be) with the ITA in accordance with the Ordinance shall be conditional upon the expiration of such 30-day period, such condition shall be read and is incorporated by reference into any corporate resolutions approving such grants and into any Award Agreement evidencing such grants (whether or not explicitly referring to such condition), and the date of grant shall be at the expiration of such 30-day period, whether or not the date of grant indicated therein corresponds with this Section. In the case of any contradiction, this provision and the date of grant determined pursuant hereto shall supersede and be deemed to amend any date of grant indicating in any corporate resolution or Award Agreement.
9.5. 102 Trustee Awards.
9.5.1. Each 102 Trustee Award, each Share issued pursuant to the exercise of any 102 Trustee Award, and any rights granted thereunder, including bonus shares, shall be issued to and registered in the name of the Trustee and shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Grantee for the requisite period prescribed by the Ordinance or such longer period as set by the Committee (the “Required Holding Period”). In the event that the requirements under Section 102 of the Ordinance to qualify an Award as a 102 Trustee Award are not met, then the Award may be treated as a 102 Non-Trustee Award or 3(9) Award, all in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance. After expiration of the Required Holding Period, the Trustee may release such 102 Trustee Awards and any such Shares, provided that (i) the Trustee has received an acknowledgment from the ITA that the Grantee has paid any applicable taxes due pursuant to the Ordinance, or (ii) the Trustee and/or the Company and/or its Affiliate withholds all applicable taxes and compulsory payments due pursuant to the Ordinance arising from the 102 Trustee Awards and/or any Shares issued upon exercise or (if applicable) vesting of such 102 Trustee Awards. The Trustee shall not release any 102 Trustee Awards or Shares issued upon exercise or (if applicable) vesting thereof prior to the payment in full of the Grantee’s tax and compulsory payments arising from such 102 Trustee Awards and/or Shares or the withholding referred to in (ii) above.
- 18 -
9.5.2. Each 102 Trustee Award shall be subject to the relevant terms of the Ordinance, the Rules and any determinations, rulings or approvals issued by the ITA, which shall be deemed an integral part of the 102 Trustee Awards and shall prevail over any term contained in this Plan or Award Agreement that is not consistent therewith. Any provision of the Ordinance, the Rules and any determinations, rulings or approvals by the ITA not expressly specified in this Plan or Award Agreement that are necessary to receive or maintain any tax benefit pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance shall be binding on the Grantee. The Grantee granted a 102 Trustee Awards shall comply with the Ordinance and the terms and conditions of the trust agreement entered into between the Company and the Trustee. The Grantee shall execute (and authorizes any person designated by the Company to so execute) any and all documents that the Company and/or its Affiliates and/or the Trustee determine from time to time to be necessary in order to comply with the Ordinance and the Rules.
9.5.3. During the Required Holding Period, the Grantee shall not release from trust or sell, assign, transfer or give as collateral, the Shares issuable upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting of a 102 Trustee Awards and/or any securities issued or distributed with respect thereto, until the expiration of the Required Holding Period. Notwithstanding the above, if any such sale, release or other action occurs during the Required Holding Period it may result in adverse tax consequences to the Grantee under Section 102 of the Ordinance and the Rules, which shall apply to and shall be borne solely by such Grantee. Subject to the foregoing, the Trustee may, pursuant to a written request from the Grantee, but subject to the terms of this Plan, release and transfer such Shares to a designated third party, provided that both of the following conditions have been fulfilled prior to such release or transfer: (i) payment has been made to the ITA of all taxes and compulsory payments required to be paid upon the release and transfer of the Shares, and confirmation of such payment has been received by the Trustee and the Company, and (ii) the Trustee has received written confirmation from the Company that all requirements for such release and transfer have been fulfilled according to the terms of the Company’s corporate documents, any agreement governing the Shares, this Plan, the Award Agreement and any Applicable Law.
9.5.4. If a 102 Trustee Award is exercised or (if applicable) vested, the Shares issued upon such exercise or (if applicable) vesting shall be issued in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Grantee.
9.5.5. Upon or after receipt of a 102 Trustee Award, if required, the Grantee may be required to sign an undertaking to release the Trustee from any liability with respect to any action or decision duly taken and executed in good faith by the Trustee in relation to this Plan, or any 102 Trustee Awards or Share granted to such Grantee thereunder.
9.6. 102 Non-Trustee Awards. The foregoing provisions of this Section 9 relating to 102 Trustee Awards shall not apply with respect to 102 Non-Trustee Awards, which shall, however, be subject to the relevant provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance and the applicable Rules. The Committee may determine that 102 Non-Trustee Awards, the Shares issuable upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting of a 102 Non-Trustee Awards and/or any securities issued or distributed with respect thereto, shall be allocated or issued to, or held by, the Trustee or the Representative, who shall hold such 102 Non-Trustee Awards and all accrued rights thereon (if any), in trust for the benefit of the Grantee and/or the Company, as the case may be, until the full payment of tax arising from the 102 Non-Trustee Awards, the exercise thereof, the Shares issuable upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting of a 102 Non-Trustee Awards and/or any securities issued or distributed with respect thereto. Alternatively, if no trust is implemented with respect to 102 Non-Trustee Awards, then the Grantee, at the request of the Company or any of its Affiliates or the Representative, shall extend to the Company, its Affiliates or the Representative a security or guarantee for due and timely payment of all taxes and other compulsory payments due at the time of sale of Shares, to the satisfaction of each of the Company, its Affiliates or the Representative.
- 19 -
9.7. Israeli Index Base for 102 Awards. Each 102 Award will be subject to the Israeli index base of the Value of Benefit, as defined in Section 102(a) of the Ordinance, as determined by the Committee in its discretion, pursuant to the Rules, from time to time. The Committee may amend (which may have a retroactive effect) the Israeli index base, pursuant to the Ordinance, without the Grantee’s consent.
9.8. Written Grantee Undertaking. To the extent and with respect to any 102 Trustee Award, and as required by Section 102 of the Ordinance and the Rules, by virtue of the receipt of such Award, the Grantee is deemed to have undertaken and confirm in writing the following (and such undertaking is deemed incorporated into any documents signed by the Grantee in connection with the employment or service of the Grantee and/or the grant of such Award). The following written undertaking shall be deemed to apply and relate to all 102 Awards granted to the Grantee, whether under this Plan or other plans maintained by the Company, and whether prior to or after the date hereof.
9.8.1. The Grantee shall comply with all terms and conditions set forth in Section 102 of the Ordinance with regard to the “Capital Gain Track” or the “Ordinary Income Track”, as applicable, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time;
9.8.2. The Grantee is familiar with, and understands the provisions of, Section 102 of the Ordinance in general, and the tax arrangement under the “Capital Gain Track” or the “Ordinary Income Track” in particular, and its tax consequences; the Grantee agrees that the 102 Awards and Shares that may be issued upon exercise or (if applicable) vesting of the 102 Awards (or otherwise in relation to the 102 Awards), will be held by a trustee appointed pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance for at least the duration of the Holding Period (as such term is defined in Section 102) under the "Capital Gain Track" or the “Ordinary Income Track”, as applicable. The Grantee understands that any release of such Awards or Shares from trust, or any sale of the Share prior to the termination of the Holding Period, as defined above, will result in taxation at marginal tax rate, in addition to deductions of appropriate social security, health tax contributions or other compulsory payments; and
9.8.3. The Grantee agrees to the trust deed signed between the Company, his employing company and the trustee appointed pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance.
Awards granted pursuant to this Section 10 are intended to constitute 3(9) Awards and shall be granted subject to the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof and other provisions of this Plan, except for any provisions of this Plan applying to Awards under different tax laws or regulations. In the event of any inconsistency or contradictions between the provisions of this Section 10 and the other terms of this Plan, this Section 10 shall prevail.
10.1. To the extent deemed by the Committee to be advisable or if required by Applicable Law, the 3(9) Awards and/or any shares or other securities issued or distributed with respect thereto granted pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated or issued to, or held by, the Trustee or the Representative who shall hold the same and all accrued rights thereon (if any), in trust for the benefit of the Grantee and/or the Company, as the case may be, until the full payment of tax arising from the 3(9) Awards, the exercise thereof, Shares issuable upon the exercise or (if applicable) vesting thereof and/or any securities issued or distributed with respect thereto. , pursuant to the Company's instructions from time to time as set forth in a trust agreement, which will have been entered into between the Company and the Trustee. If determined by the Board or the Committee, and subject to such trust agreement, the Trustee or the Representative shall be responsible for withholding any taxes to which a Grantee may become liable upon issuance of Shares, whether due to the exercise or (if applicable) vesting of Awards. Alternatively, if no trust is implemented with respect to 3(9) Awards, then the Grantee, at the request of the Company or any of its Affiliates or the Representative, shall extend to the Company, its Affiliates or the Representative a security or guarantee for due and timely payment of all taxes and other compulsory payments due at the time of exercise of Awards and sale of Shares, to the satisfaction of each of the Company, its Affiliates or the Representative.
- 20 -
10.2. Shares pursuant to a 3(9) Award shall not be issued, unless the Grantee delivers to the Company payment in cash or by bank check or such other form acceptable to the Committee of all withholding taxes due, if any, on account of the Grantee acquired Shares under the Award or gives other assurance satisfactory to the Committee of the payment of those withholding taxes.
The Committee may award Restricted Shares to any eligible Grantee, including under Section 102 of the Ordinance. Each Award of Restricted Shares under this Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the Grantee (the “Restricted Share Agreement”), in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. The Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of this Plan, which in the case of Restricted Shares granted under Section 102 of the Ordinance shall include Section 9 hereof, and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with this Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Shares Agreements entered into under this Plan need not be identical. The Restricted Share Agreement shall comply with and be subject to Section 6, with the necessary changes, and the following terms and conditions, unless otherwise specifically provided in such Agreement and not inconsistent with this Plan, or Applicable Law:
11.1. Purchase Price. Section 6.4 shall not apply. Each Restricted Share Agreement shall state an amount of Exercise Price to be paid by the Grantee, if any, in consideration for the issuance of the Restricted Shares and the terms of payment thereof, which may include, payment in cash or, subject to the Committee’s approval, by issuance of promissory notes or other evidence of indebtedness on such terms and conditions as determined by it.
11.2. Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution (in which case they shall be transferred subject to all restrictions then or thereafter applicable thereto), until such Restricted Shares shall have vested (the period from the date on which the Award is granted until the date of vesting of the Restricted Share thereunder being referred to herein as the “Restricted Period”). The Committee may also impose such additional or alternative restrictions and conditions on the Restricted Shares, as it deems appropriate, including the satisfaction of performance criteria. Such performance criteria may include, but are not limited to, sales, earnings before interest and taxes, return on investment, earnings per share, any combination of the foregoing or rate of growth of any of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee or pursuant to the provisions of any Company policy required under mandatory provisions of Applicable Law. Certificates for shares issued pursuant to Restricted Share Awards, if issued, shall bear an appropriate legend referring to such restrictions, and any attempt to dispose of any such shares in contravention of such restrictions shall be null and void and without effect. Such certificates may, if so determined by the Committee, be held in escrow by an escrow agent appointed by the Committee, or, if a Restricted Share Award is made pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance, by the Trustee. In determining the Restricted Period of an Award the Committee may provide that the foregoing restrictions shall lapse with respect to specified percentages of the awarded Restricted Shares on successive anniversaries of the date of such Award. To the extent required by the Ordinance or the ITA, the Restricted Shares issued pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance shall be issued to the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance and the Restricted Shares shall be held for the benefit of the Grantee for at least the Required Holding Period.
- 21 -
11.3. Forfeiture; Repurchase. Subject to such exceptions as may be determined by the Committee, if the Grantee's continuous employment with or service to the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall terminate for any reason prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period of an Award or prior to the timely payment in full of the Exercise Price of any Restricted Shares, any Shares remaining subject to vesting or with respect to which the purchase price has not been paid in full, shall thereupon be forfeited, transferred to, and redeemed, repurchased or cancelled by, as the case may be, in any manner as set forth in Section 6.6.2(i) through (v), subject to Applicable Laws and the Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such Restricted Shares.
11.4. Ownership. During the Restricted Period the Grantee shall possess all incidents of ownership of such Restricted Shares, subject to Section 6.9 and Section 11.2, including the right to vote and receive dividends with respect to such Shares and with respect to 102 Awards, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 and the Rules. All securities, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Shares as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the restrictions applicable to the original Award.
An RSU is an Award covering a number of Shares that is settled, if vested and (if applicable) exercised, by issuance of those Shares. An RSU may be awarded to any eligible Grantee, including under Section 102 of the Ordinance, provided that, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, a ruling is obtained from the ITA to grant RSUs as 102 Trustee Awards. The Award Agreement relating to the grant of RSUs under this Plan (the “Restricted Share Unit Agreement”), shall be in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. The RSUs shall be subject to all applicable terms of this Plan, which in the case of RSUs granted under Section 102 of the Ordinance shall include Section 9 hereof, and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with this Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Share Unit Agreements entered into under this Plan need not be identical. RSUs may be granted in consideration of a reduction in the recipient’s other compensation.
12.1. Exercise Price. No payment of Exercise Price shall be required as consideration for RSUs, unless included in the Award Agreement or as required by Applicable Law (including, Section 304 of the Companies Law, 1999, as amended), and Section 6.4 shall apply, if applicable.
12.2. Shareholders’ Rights. The Grantee shall not possess or own any ownership rights in the Shares underlying the RSUs and no rights as a shareholder shall exist prior to the actual issuance of Shares in the name of the Grantee. No rights as a shareholder shall exist prior to the actual issuance of Shares in the name of the Trustee, in case of 102 Trustee Awards.
12.3. Settlements of Awards. Settlement of vested RSUs shall be made in the form of Shares. Distribution to a Grantee of an amount (or amounts) from settlement of vested RSUs can be deferred to a date after settlement as determined by the Committee and is further subject to the provisions of Section 18. The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents. Until the grant of RSUs is settled, the number of Shares underlying such RSUs shall be subject to adjustment pursuant hereto.
- 22 -
12.4. Section 409A Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any RSUs granted under this Plan that are not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such restrictions or other provisions so that such RSUs will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, if applicable to the Company. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Committee and contained in the Restricted Share Unit Agreement evidencing such RSU. For example, such restrictions may include a requirement that any Shares that are to be issued in a year following the year in which the RSU vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed, pre-determined schedule.
13.1. The Committee may grant other Awards under this Plan pursuant to which Shares (which may, but need not, be Restricted Shares pursuant to Section 11 hereof), cash (in settlement of Share-based Awards) or a combination thereof, are or may in the future be acquired or received, or Awards denominated in stock units, including units valued on the basis of measures other than market value.
13.2. The Committee may also grant stock appreciation rights without the grant of an accompanying option, which rights shall permit the Grantees to receive, at the time of any exercise of such rights, cash equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the Shares in respect to which the right is so exercised exceed the exercise price thereof. The exercise price of any such stock appreciation right granted to a Grantee who is subject to U.S. federal income tax shall be determined in compliance with Section 7.2.
13.3. Such other Share-based Awards as set forth above may be granted alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any Award of any type granted under this Plan.
14.1. General. In the event of a division or subdivision of the outstanding share capital of the Company, any distribution of bonus shares (stock split), consolidation or combination of share capital of the Company (reverse stock split), reclassification with respect to the Shares or any similar recapitalization events (each, a "Recapitalization"), a merger (including, a reverse merger and a reverse triangular merger), consolidation, amalgamation or like transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, a reorganization (which may include a combination or exchange of shares, spin-off or other corporate divestiture or division, or other similar occurrences, the Committee shall have the authority to make, without the need for a consent of any holder of an Award, such adjustments as determined by the Committee to be appropriate, in its discretion, in order to adjust (i) the number and class of shares reserved and available for grants of Awards, (ii) the number and class of shares covered by outstanding Awards, (iii) the Exercise Price per share covered by any Award, (iv) the terms and conditions concerning vesting and exercisability and the term and duration of the outstanding Awards, and (v) any other terms of the Award that in the opinion of the Committee should be adjusted. Any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as determined by the Committee, and in the absence of such determination shall be rounded to the nearest whole share, and the Company shall have no obligation to make any cash or other payment with respect to such fractional shares. No adjustment shall be made by reason of the distribution of subscription rights or rights offering to outstanding shares or other issuance of shares by the Company, unless the Committee determines otherwise. The adjustments determined pursuant to this Section 14.1 (including a determination that no adjustment is to be made) shall be final, binding and conclusive.
- 23 -
14.2. Change in Control. In the event of (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or a sale (including an exchange) of all or substantially all of the shares of the Company, to any person, or a purchase by a shareholder of the Company or by an Affiliate of such shareholder, of all or substantially all the shares of the Company held by all or substantially all other shareholders or by other shareholders who are not Affiliated with such acquiring party; (ii) a merger (including, a reverse merger and a reverse triangular merger), consolidation, amalgamation or like transaction of the Company with or into another corporation; (iii) a scheme of arrangement for the purpose of effecting such sale, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other transaction; (iv) Change in Board Event, (v) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (vi) such other transaction or set of circumstances that is determined by the Board (being the Incumbent Board in case of a Change in Board Event), in its discretion, to be a transaction subject to the provisions of this Section 14.2; excluding any of the above transactions in clauses (i) through (v) if the Board (being the Incumbent Board in case of a Change in Board Event) determines that such transaction should be excluded from the definition hereof and the applicability of this Section 14.2 (any of such transactions, a “Change in Control”), then, without derogating from the general authority and power of the Board or the Committee under this Plan, without the Grantee’s consent and action and without any prior notice requirement:
14.2.1. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, any Award then outstanding shall be assumed or be substituted by the Company, or by the successor corporation in such Change in Control or by any Affiliate thereof, as determined by the Committee in its discretion (the “Successor Corporation”), under terms as determined by the Committee or the terms of this Plan applied by the Successor Corporation to such assumed or substituted Awards.
For the purposes of this Section 14.2.1, the Award shall be considered assumed or substituted if, following a Change in Control, the Award confers on the holder thereof the right to purchase or receive, for each Share underlying an Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, either (i) the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property, or any combination thereof) distributed to or received by holders of Shares in the Change in Control for each Share held on the effective date of the Change in Control (and if holders were offered a choice or several types of consideration, the type of consideration as determined by the Committee), or (ii) regardless of the consideration received by the holders of Shares in the Change in Control, solely shares or any type of awards (or their equivalent) of the Successor Corporation at a value to be determined by the Committee in its discretion, or a certain type of consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property, or any combination thereof) as determined by the Committee. Any of the above consideration referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) may be subject to vesting, expiration and other terms as determined by the Committee in its discretion and may differ from the vesting, expiration and other terms applying on the Awards immediately prior to the Change in Control. The foregoing shall not limit the Committee's authority to determine, in its sole discretion, that in lieu of such assumption or substitution of Awards for Awards of the Successor Corporation, such Award will be substituted for any other type of asset or property, including as set forth in Section 14.2.2 hereunder.
14.2.2. Regardless of whether or not Awards are assumed or substituted the Committee may (but shall not be obligated to), in its sole discretion:
14.2.2.1. provide for the Grantee to have the right to exercise the Award or otherwise for the acceleration of vesting of the Award in respect of all or part of the Shares covered by the Award which would not otherwise be exercisable or vested, under such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, and the cancellation of all unexercised (whether vested or unvested) Awards upon or immediately prior to the closing of the Change in Control; and/or
- 24 -
14.2.2.2. provide for the cancellation of each outstanding and unexercised Awards at or immediately prior to the closing of such Change in Control, and payment to the Grantee of an amount in cash, shares of the Company, the acquirer or of a corporation or other business entity which is a party to the Change in Control or other property, as determined by the Committee to be fair in the circumstances, and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have full authority to select the method for determining the payment (being the Black-Scholes model or any other method). The Committee’s determination may further provide that payment shall be set to zero if the value of the Shares is determined to be less than the Exercise Price or in respect of Shares covered by the Award which would not otherwise be exercisable or vested, or that payment may be made only in excess of the Exercise Price.
14.2.3. The Committee may determine that any payments made in respect of Awards shall be made or delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Shares in connection with the Change in Control is made or delayed as a result of escrows, indemnification, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies; and the terms and conditions applying to the payment made to the Grantees, including participation in escrow, indemnification, releases, earn-outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
14.2.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that upon completion of such Change in Control the terms of any Award shall be otherwise amended, modified or terminated, as the Committee shall deem in good faith to be appropriate and without any liability to the Company or its Affiliates and to their respective officers, directors, employees and representatives, and the respective successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, in connection with the method of treatment or chosen course of action permitted hereunder.
14.2.5. Neither the authorities and powers of the Committee under this Section 14.2, nor the exercise or implementation thereof, shall (i) be restricted or limited in any way by any adverse consequences (tax or otherwise) that may result to any holder of an Award, and (ii) as, inter alia, being a feature of the Award upon its grant, be deemed to constitute a change or an amendment of the rights of such holder under this Plan, nor shall any such adverse consequences (as well as any adverse tax consequences that may result from any tax ruling or other approval or determination of any relevant tax authority) be deemed to constitute a change or an amendment of the rights of such holder under this Plan, and may be effected without consent of any Grantee and without any liability to the Company or its Affiliates and to their respective its officers, directors, employees and representatives and the respective successors and assigns of any of the foregoing. The Committee need not take the same action with respect to all Awards or with respect to all Service Providers. The Committee may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award. The Committee may determine an amount or type of consideration to be received or distributed in a Change in Control which may differ as among the Grantees, and as between the Grantees and any other holders of shares of the Company.
14.2.6. The Committee’s determinations pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conclusive and binding on all Grantees.
- 25 -
14.2.7. If determined by the Committee, the Grantees shall be subject to the definitive agreement(s) in connection with the Change in Control as applying to holders of Shares including, such terms, conditions, representations, undertakings, liabilities, limitations, releases, indemnities, participating in transaction expenses and escrow arrangement, in each case as determined by the Committee. Each Grantee shall execute (and authorizes any person designated by the Company to so execute) such separate agreement(s) or instruments as may be requested by the Company, the Successor Corporation or the acquiror in connection with such in such Change in Control and in the form required by them. The execution of such separate agreement(s) may be a condition to the receipt of assumed or substituted Awards, payment in lieu of the Award or the exercise of any Award.
14.3. Reservation of Rights. Except as expressly provided in this Section 14 (if any), the Grantee of an Award hereunder shall have no rights by reason of any Recapitalization of shares of any class, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any class, or any dissolution, liquidation, reorganization (which may include a combination or exchange of shares, spin-off or other corporate divestiture or division, or other similar occurrences) or Change in Control. Any issue by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number, type or price of shares subject to an Award. The grant of an Award pursuant to this Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structures or to merge or to consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate or sell, or transfer all or part of its business or assets or engage in any similar transactions.
- 26 -
15.1. All Awards granted under this Plan by their terms shall not be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or under this Plan, provided that with respect to Shares issued upon exercise or (if applicable) the vesting of Awards the restrictions on transfer shall be the restrictions referred to in Section 16 (Conditions upon Issuance of Shares) hereof. Subject to the above provisions, the terms of such Award, this Plan and any applicable Award Agreement shall be binding upon the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of such Xxxxxxx. Awards may be exercised or otherwise realized, during the lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee or by his guardian or legal representative, to the extent provided for herein. Any transfer of an Award not permitted hereunder (including transfers pursuant to any decree of divorce, dissolution or separate maintenance, any property settlement, any separation agreement or any other agreement with a spouse) and any grant of any interest in any Award to, or creation in any way of any direct or indirect interest in any Award by, any party other than the Grantee shall be null and void and shall not confer upon any party or person, other than the Grantee, any rights. A Grantee may file with the Committee a written designation of a beneficiary, who shall be permitted to exercise such Xxxxxxx’s Award or to whom any benefit under this Plan is to be paid, in each case, in the event of the Grantee’s death before he or she fully exercises his or her Award or receives any or all of such benefit, on such form as may be prescribed by the Committee and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Grantee, the executor or administrator of the Grantee's estate shall be deemed to be the Grantee's beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the request of the Grantee and subject to Applicable Law the Committee, at its sole discretion, may permit the Grantee to transfer the Award to a trust whose beneficiaries are the Grantee and/or the Grantee’s immediate family members (all or several of them).
15.2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, no Incentive Stock Option may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or in accordance with a beneficiary designation pursuant to Section 15.1. Further, all Incentive Stock Options granted to a Grantee shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Grantee.
15.3. As long as the Shares are held by the Trustee or the Representative in favor of the Grantee, all rights possessed by the Grantee over the Shares are personal, and may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, other than by will or laws of descent and distribution.
15.4. The provisions of this Section 15 shall apply to the Grantee and to any purchaser, assignee or transferee of any Shares.
16.1. Legal Compliance. The grant of Awards and the issuance of Shares upon exercise or settlement of Awards shall be subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws as determined by the Company, including, applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities. The Company shall have no obligations to issue Shares pursuant to the exercise or settlement of an Award and Awards may not be exercised or settled, if the issuance of Shares upon exercise or settlement would constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws as determined by the Company, including, 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 Shares may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act or equivalent laws of other applicable jurisdictions shall at the time of exercise or settlement of the Award be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Award, or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or equivalent laws of other applicable jurisdictions. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, if any, deemed by the Company to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, and the inability to issue Shares hereunder due to non-compliance with any Company policies with respect to the sale of Shares, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority or compliance shall not have been obtained or achieved. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award 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, including to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, all in form and content specified by the Company.
- 27 -
16.2. Provisions Governing Shares. Shares issued pursuant to an Award shall be subject to the Articles of Association of the Company, any limitation, restriction or obligation included in any shareholders agreement applicable to all or substantially all of the holders of shares (regardless of whether or not the Grantee is a formal party to such shareholders agreement), any other governing documents of the Company, all policies, manuals and internal regulations adopted by the Company from time to time, in each case, as may be amended from time to time, including any provisions included therein concerning restrictions or limitations on disposition of Shares (such as, but not limited to, right of first refusal and lock up/market stand-off) or grant of any rights with respect thereto, forced sale and bring along provisions, any provisions concerning restrictions on the use of inside information and other provisions deemed by the Company to be appropriate in order to ensure compliance with Applicable Laws. Each Grantee shall execute (and authorizes any person designated by the Company to so execute) such separate agreement(s) as may be requested by the Company relating to matters set forth in this Section 16.2. The execution of such separate agreement(s) may be a condition by the Company to the grant and/or exercise of any Award.
16.3. Forced Sale. In the event the that Board approves a Change in Control effected by way of a forced or compulsory sale (whether pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association or pursuant to Section 341 of the Companies Law), then, without derogating from such provisions and in addition thereto, the Grantee shall be obligated, and shall be deemed to have agreed to the offer to effect the Change in Control on the terms approved by the Board (and the Shares held by or for the benefit of the Grantee shall be included in the shares of the Company approving the terms of such Change in Control for the purpose of satisfying the required majority), and shall sell all of the Shares held by or for the benefit of the Grantee on the terms and conditions applying to the holders of Shares, in accordance with the instructions then issued by the Board, whose determination shall be final. No Grantee shall contest, bring any claims or demands, or exercise any appraisal rights related to any of the foregoing. The proxy pursuant to Section 6.9 includes an authorization of the holder of such proxy to sign, by and on behalf of any Grantee, such documents and agreements as are required to affect the sale of Shares in connection with such Change in Control.
16.4. Share Transfer Rstrictions. Any transfer or other disposition of Shares or any interest therein is subject to the prior approval of the Committee, which, if granted (without any obligation to do so), may be subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions, as it deems appropriate. The terms, conditions and restrictions of any approval may differ from one Grantee to another, and need not be the same. Any transfer or otherwise grant of any interest in any Shares to any third party that does not comply with this Section shall be null and void and shall not confer upon any person, other than the Grantee, any rights. This Section 16.4 shall terminate immediately after the IPO. This Section shall apply in addition to any other limitation, restriction and/or condition in this Plan (including, without limitation, after the application of Section 16), any Award Agreement, shareholders agreement, Company’s Articles of Association or other instrument between the Grantee and the Company or by which the Grantee is bound. This Section shall not apply to a transfer of Shares in a sale of all or substantially all of the shares of the Company which was approved by the Board or pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association or upon a Change in Control.
- 28 -
17.1. In connection with any underwritten public offering of equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act or equivalent law in another jurisdiction, the Grantee shall not directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters, (i) lend, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Shares or other Awards, any securities of the Company (whether or not such Shares were acquired under this Plan), or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable (directly or indirectly) for Shares or securities of the Company and any other shares or securities issued or distributed in respect thereto or in substitution thereof (collectively, “Securities”), or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Securities, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i) or (ii) is to be settled by delivery of Securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing provisions of this Section 17.1 shall not apply to the sale of any shares to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement. Such restrictions (the “Market Stand-Off”) shall be in effect for such period of time (the “Market Stand-Off Period”): (A) following the first public filing of the registration statement relating to the underwritten public offering until the extirpation of 180 days following the effective date of such registration statement relating to the IPO or 90 days following the effective date of such registration statement relating to any other public offering, in each case, provided, however, that if (1) during the last 17 days of the initial Market Stand-Off Period, the Company releases earnings results or announces material news or a material event or (2) prior to the expiration of the initial Market Stand-Off Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 15-day period following the last day of the initial Market Stand-Off Period, then in each case the Market Stand-Off Period will be automatically extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the announcement of the material news or material event; or (B) such other period as shall be requested by the Company or the underwriters. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the underwriter(s) and the Company agree on a termination date of the Market Stand-Off Period in the event of failure to consummate a certain public offering, then such termination shall apply also to the Market Stand-Off Period hereunder with respect to that particular public offering.
17.2. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding share capital of the Company, the distribution of any securities (whether or not of the Company), whether as bonus shares or otherwise, and whether as dividend or otherwise, a recapitalization, a reorganization (which may include a combination or exchange of shares or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities without receipt of consideration), a consolidation, a spin-off or other corporate divestiture or division, a reclassification or other similar occurrence, any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into which such Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to the Market Stand-Off.
- 29 -
17.3. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this Plan until the end of the applicable Market Stand-Off period.
17.4. The underwriters in connection with a registration statement so filed are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 17 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto. Without derogating from the provisions of this Section 17 and their applicability to the Grantees, each Grantee shall execute (and authorizes any person designated by the Company to so execute) such separate agreement(s) as may be requested by the Company or the underwriters in connection with such registration statement and in the form required by them, relating to Market Stand-Off (which need not be identical to the provisions of this Section 17, and may include such additional provisions and restrictions as the underwriters deem advisable) or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. The execution of such separate agreement(s) may be a condition by the Company to the exercise of any Award.
17.5. Without derogating from the above provisions of this Section 17 or elsewhere in this Plan, the provisions of this Section 17 shall apply to the Grantee and the Grantee’s heirs, legal representatives, successors, assigns, and to any purchaser, assignee or transferee of any Awards or Shares.
18.1. TAX LIABILITY. ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER ANY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH MAY ARISE FROM THE GRANT OF ANY AWARDS OR THE EXERCISE THEREOF, THE SALE OR DISPOSITION OF ANY SHARES GRANTED HEREUNDER OR ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OR (IF APPLICABLE) THE VESTING OF ANY AWARD, THE ASSUMPTION, SUBSTITUTION, CANCELLATION OR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF AWARDS OR FROM ANY OTHER ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY TAXES AND COMPULSORY PAYMENTS, SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY OR HEALTH TAX PAYABLE BY THE GRANTEE OR THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION THEREWITH) SHALL BE BORNE AND PAID SOLELY BY THE GRANTEE, AND THE GRANTEE SHALL INDEMNIFY THE COMPANY, ITS AFFILIATES, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE, AND SHALL HOLD THEM HARMLESS AGAINST AND FROM ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SUCH TAX OR PAYMENT OR ANY PENALTY, INTEREST OR INDEXATION THEREON. EACH GRANTEE AGREES TO, AND UNDERTAKES TO COMPLY WITH, ANY RULING, SETTLEMENT, CLOSING AGREEMENT OR OTHER SIMILAR AGREEMENT OR ARRANGEMENT WITH ANY TAX AUTHORITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE COMPANY.
18.2. NO TAX ADVICE. THE GRANTEE IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF RECEIVING, EXERCISING OR DISPOSING OF AWARDS HEREUNDER. THE COMPANY DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE THE GRANTEE ON SUCH MATTERS, WHICH SHALL REMAIN SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GRANTEE, AND NO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY, ITS AFFILIATES, THE TRUSTEE OR THE REPRESENTATIVE AND ANY PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PLAN SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE TAX ADVICE TO THE GRANTEE.
- 30 -
18.3. TAX TREATMENT. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE OR ASSUME ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY AWARD SHALL QUALIFY WITH ANY PARTICULAR TAX REGIME OR RULES APPLYING TO PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT, OR BENEFIT FROM ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT OR TAX ADVANTAGE OF ANY TYPE AND THE COMPANY SHALL BEAR NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH ANY AWARD IS EVENTUALLY TREATED FOR TAX PURPOSES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE AWARD WAS GRANTED OR WAS INTENDED TO QUALIFY UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX REGIME OR TREATMENT. THIS PROVISION SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY TYPE OF AWARDS OR TAX QUALIFICATION INDICATED IN ANY CORPORATE RESOLUTION OR AWARD AGREEMENT, WHICH SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICABLE LAW. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE AND SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY ACTION IN ORDER TO QUALIFY THE AWARD WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT. NO INDICATION IN ANY DOCUMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY AWARD IS INTENDED TO QUALIFY FOR ANY TAX TREATMENT SHALL IMPLY SUCH AN UNDERTAKING. NO ASSURANCE IS MADE BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES THAT ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT ON THE DATE OF GRANT WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST OR THAT THE AWARD WOULD QUALIFY AT THE TIME OF GRANT, EXERCISE OR DISPOSITION THEREOF WITH ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT. THE COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION OF ANY NATURE IN THE EVENT THAT AN AWARD DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT, REGARDLESS WHETHER THE COMPANY COULD HAVE OR SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ANY ACTION TO CAUSE SUCH QUALIFICATION TO BE MET AND SUCH QUALIFICATION REMAINS AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE RISK OF THE GRANTEE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE OR ASSUME ANY LIABILITY TO CONTEST A DETERMINATION OR INTERPRETATION (WHETHER WRITTEN OR UNWRITTEN) OF ANY TAX AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF THE QUALIFICATION UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX REGIME OR RULES APPLYING TO PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT. IF THE AWARDS DO NOT QUALIFY UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT IT COULD RESULT IN ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE GRANTEE.
18.4. If the Company shall so require, as a condition of exercise of an Award, the release of Shares by the Trustee or the Representative (as applicable) or the expiration of the Required Holding Period, the Grantee will, no later than the date of such occurrence, pay to the Company (or the Trustee, or the Representative, as applicable) or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company, the Representative and the Trustee (if applicable) regarding payment of any applicable taxes and compulsory payments of any kind required by Applicable Law to be withheld or paid. The Company, any Affiliate thereof, the Trustee or the Representative (as applicable) may take such action as it may deem necessary or appropriate, in its discretion, for the purpose of or in connection with withholding of any taxes and compulsory payments which the Trustee, the Company or any Affiliate thereof, or the Representative (as applicable) is required by any Applicable Law to withhold in connection with any Awards (collectively, “Withholding Obligations”). Such actions may include (i) requiring a Grantee to remit in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy such Withholding Obligations and any other taxes and compulsory payments, payable by the Company any Affiliate thereof, the Trustee and the Representative (as applicable) in connection with the Award or the exercise or (if applicable) the vesting thereof; (ii) deducting (or authorizing to deduct) an amount sufficient to satisfy such Withholding Obligations from any compensation otherwise payable to a Grantee by the Company or its Affiliate, whether or not under the Plan; (iii) allowing the Grantees to provide Shares to the Company, the Trustee or the Representative (as applicable), in an amount that at such time, reflects a value sufficient to satisfy such Withholding Obligations; (iv) withholding Shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise of an Award sufficient to satisfy such Withholding Obligations; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. The Company shall not be obligated to allow the exercise of any Award by or on behalf of a Grantee until all tax consequences arising from the exercise of such Award are resolved in a manner acceptable to the Company.
- 31 -
18.5. Each Grantee shall notify the Company in writing promptly and in any event within ten (10) days after the date on which such Grantee first obtains knowledge of any tax bureau inquiry, audit, assertion, determination, investigation, or question relating in any manner to the Awards granted or received hereunder or Shares issued thereunder and shall continuously inform the Company of any developments, proceedings, discussions and negotiations relating to such matter, and shall allow the Company and its representatives to participate in any proceedings and discussions concerning such matters. Upon request, a Grantee shall provide to the Company any information or document relating to any matter described in the preceding sentence, which the Company, in its discretion, requires.
18.6. For the purpose hereof “tax(es)” means (a) all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all income, capital gains, transfer, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, national security, health tax, wealth surtax, stamp, registration and estimated taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments and charges of any similar kind whatsoever (including under Section 280G of the Code), (b) all interest, indexation differentials, penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority in connection with any item described in clause (a), (c) any transferee or successor liability in respect of any items described in clauses (a) or (b) payable by reason of contract, assumption, transferee liability, successor liability, operation of Applicable Law, or as a result of any express or implied obligation to assume Taxes or to indemnify any other person, and (d) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) or (b) payable as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group for any taxable period, including under U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof of any analogous or similar provision under Law) or otherwise.
18.7. If a Grantee makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to an Award as of the date of transfer of Shares rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Grantee would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, such Grantee shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company upon or prior to the filing such election with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate thereof shall have any liability or responsibility relating to or arising out of the filing or not filing of any such election or any defects in its construction.
19.1. Subject to Section 11.4, a Grantee shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to any Shares covered by an Award until the Grantee shall have exercised the Award, paid the Exercise Price therefor and becomes the record holder of the subject Shares. In the case of 102 Awards or 3(9) Awards (if such Awards are being held by a Trustee), the Trustee shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Shares covered by such Award until the Trustee becomes the record holder for such Shares for the Grantee’s benefit, and the Grantee shall not be deemed to be a shareholder and shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Shares covered by the Award until the date of the release of such Shares from the Trustee to the Grantee and the transfer of record ownership of such Shares to the Grantee (provided however that the Grantee shall be entitled to receive from the Trustee any cash dividend or distribution made on account of the Shares held by the Trustee for such Xxxxxxx’s benefit, subject to any tax withholding and compulsory payment). No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distribution of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date on which the Grantee or Trustee (as applicable) becomes the record holder of the Shares covered by an Award, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.
- 32 -
19.2. With respect to all Awards issued in the form of Shares hereunder or upon the exercise or (if applicable) the vesting of Awards hereunder, any and all voting rights attached to such Shares shall be subject to Section 6.9, and the Grantee shall be entitled to receive dividends distributed with respect to such Shares, subject to the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association, as amended from time to time, and subject to any Applicable Law.
19.3. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, register or qualify the sale of Shares under any applicable securities law or any other Applicable Law.
By granting the Awards, the Company is not, and shall not be deemed as, making any representation or warranties to the Grantee regarding the Company, its business affairs, its prospects or the future value of its Shares. The Company shall not be required to provide to any Grantee any information, documents or material in connection with the Grantee’s considering an exercise of an Award. To the extent that any information, documents or materials are provided, the Company shall have no liability with respect thereto. Any decision by a Grantee to exercise an Award shall solely be at the risk of the Grantee.
Nothing in this Plan, any Award Agreement or in any Award granted or agreement entered into pursuant hereto shall confer upon any Grantee the right to be (or be treated as) an employee of, or continue in the employ of, or be in the service of the Company or any Affiliate thereof as a Service Provider or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in this Plan or such agreement, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate to terminate such Grantee's employment or service (including, any right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to immediately cease the Grantee’s employment or service or to shorten all or part of the notice period, regardless of whether notice of termination was given by the Company or its Affiliates or by the Grantee). Awards granted under this Plan shall not be affected by any change in duties or position of a Grantee, subject to Sections 6.6 through 6.8. No Grantee shall be entitled to claim and the Grantee hereby waives any claim against the Company or any Affiliate thereof that he or she was prevented from continuing to vest Awards as of the date of termination of his or her employment with, or services to, the Company or any Affiliate thereof. No Grantee shall be entitled to any compensation in respect of the Awards which would have vested had such Xxxxxxx’s employment or engagement with the Company (or any Affiliate thereof) not been terminated.
Awards may be granted pursuant to this Plan from time to time within a period of ten (10) years from the Effective Date, which period may be extended from time to time by the Board. From and after such date (as extended) no grants of Awards may be made and this Plan shall continue to be in full force and effect with respect to Awards or Shares issued thereunder that remain outstanding.
- 33 -
23.1. The Board at any time and from time to time may suspend, terminate, modify or amend this Plan, whether retroactively or prospectively. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section shall be binding upon all Grantees and all Awards, whether granted prior to or after the date of such amendment, and without the need to obtain the consent of any Grantee. No termination or amendment of this Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Board.
23.2. Subject to changes in Applicable Law that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, there shall be (i) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under this Plan as Incentive Stock Options (except by operation of the provisions of Section 14.1), (ii) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (iii) no other amendment of this Plan that would require approval of the Company’s shareholders under any Applicable Law. With respect to Incentive Stock Option, unless not permitted by Applicable Law, if the grant of an Award is subject to approval by shareholders, the date of grant of the Award shall be determined as if the Award had not been subject to such approval, and failure to obtain approval by the shareholders shall not in any way derogate from the valid and binding effect of any grant of an Award, which is not an Incentive Stock Option.
23.3. The Board or the Committee at any time and from time to time may modify or amend any Award theretofore granted, including any Award Agreement, whether retroactively or prospectively.
24.1. This Plan shall take effect upon its adoption by the Board (the “Effective Date”).
24.2. Solely with respect to grants of Incentive Stock Options, this Plan shall also be subject to shareholders’ approval, within one year of the Effective Date, by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at a meeting or a written consent of shareholders (however, if the grant of an Award is subject to approval by shareholders, the date of grant of the Award shall be determined as if the Award had not been subject to such approval). Failure to obtain such approval by the shareholders within such period shall not in any way derogate from the valid and binding effect of any grant of an Award, except that any Options previously granted under this Plan shall not qualify as Incentive Stock Options but, rather, shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options. Upon approval of this Plan by the shareholders of the Company as set forth above, all Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully effective as if the shareholders of the Company had approved this Plan on the Effective Date.
24.3. 102 Awards are conditional upon the filing with or approval by the ITA, if required, as set forth in Section 9.4. Failure to so file or obtain such approval shall not in any way derogate from the valid and binding effect of any grant of an Award, which is not a 102 Award.
25.1. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms and conditions of this Plan may be supplemented or amended with respect to a particular country or tax regime by means of an appendix to this Plan, and to the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in any appendix conflict with any provisions of this Plan, the provisions of such appendix shall govern. Terms and conditions set forth in such appendix shall apply only to Awards granted to Grantees under the jurisdiction of the specific country or such other tax regime that is the subject of such appendix, and solely for as long as such Awards and/or Grantees remain subject to such jurisdiction or regime, to the extent required under the same. The adoption of any such appendix shall be subject to the approval of the Board or the Committee, and if determined by the Committee to be required in connection with the application of certain tax treatment, pursuant to applicable stock exchange rules or regulations or otherwise, then also the approval of the shareholders of the Company at the required majority.
- 34 -
25.2. This Section 25.2 shall only apply to Awards granted to Grantees who are subject to United States Federal income tax.
25.2.1. It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall be deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A unless and to the extent that the Committee specifically determines otherwise as provided in paragraph 25.2.2, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted and administered accordingly.
25.2.2. The terms and conditions governing any Awards that the Committee determines will be subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for payment or elective or mandatory deferral of the payment or delivery of Shares or cash pursuant thereto, and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Change in Control, shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall be intended to comply in all respects with Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of such Awards shall be interpreted and administered accordingly.
25.2.3. The Committee shall not extend the period to exercise an Option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan to the extent that such extension would cause the Option or stock appreciation right to become subject to Code Section 409A.
25.2.4. The Company shall have complete discretion to interpret and construe the Plan and any Award Agreement in any manner that establishes an exemption from (or compliance with) the requirements of Code Section 409A. If for any reason, such as imprecision in drafting, any provision of the Plan and/or any Award Agreement does not accurately reflect its intended establishment of an exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted by the Company in a manner consistent with such intent, as determined in the discretion of the Company. If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 25.2.4, any provision of the Plan or any such agreement would cause a Grantee to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall reform such provision in a manner intended to avoid the incurrence by such Grantee of any such additional tax or interest; provided that the Company shall maintain, to the extent reasonably practicable, the original intent and economic benefit to the Grantee of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.
25.2.5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14 to the contrary, (1) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 14 to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (2) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 14 to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards either (A) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; and (3) in any event, neither the Committee nor the Board shall have any authority to make any adjustments, substitutions or changes pursuant to Section 14 to the extent the existence of such authority would cause an Award that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code at the grant date thereof to be subject to Section 409A of the Code.
- 35 -
25.2.6. If any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the provisions of Section 14.2 shall be applicable to such Award only to the extent specifically provided in the Award Agreement and permitted pursuant to paragraph 25.2.2.
25.2.7. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, any Award Agreement, or any other written document establishing the terms and conditions of an Award, if any Grantee is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as of the date of his or her “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code), then, to the extent required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2) (or any successor provision), any payment made to such Grantee on account of his or her separation from service shall not be made before a date that is six months after the date of his or her separation from service. The Committee may elect any of the methods of applying this rule that are permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2)(ii) (or any successor provision).
25.2.8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 25.2 to the contrary, although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Code Section 409A or any other provision of federal, state, local, or non-United States law. The Company shall not be liable to any Grantee for any tax, interest, or penalties the Grantee might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.
This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Israel, except with respect to matters that are subject to tax and securities laws, regulations and rules of any specific jurisdiction, which shall be governed by the respective laws, regulations and rules of such jurisdiction. Certain definitions, which refer to laws other than the laws of such jurisdiction, shall be construed in accordance with such other laws. The competent courts located in Tel-Aviv-Jaffa, Israel shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Plan and any Award granted hereunder. By signing any Award Agreement or any other agreement relating to an Award, each Grantee irrevocably submits to such exclusive jurisdiction.
The adoption of this Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power or authority of the Company to adopt such other or additional incentive or other compensation arrangements of whatever nature as the Company may deem necessary or desirable or preclude or limit the continuation of any other plan, practice or arrangement for the payment of compensation or fringe benefits to employees generally, or to any class or group of employees, which the Company or any Affiliate thereof now has lawfully put into effect, including any retirement, pension, savings and stock purchase plan, insurance, death and disability benefits and executive short-term or long-term incentive plans.
28.1. Survival. The Grantee shall be bound by and the Shares issued upon exercise or (if applicable) the vesting of any Awards granted hereunder shall remain subject to this Plan after the exercise or (if applicable) the vesting of Awards, in accordance with the terms of this Plan, whether or not the Grantee is then or at any time thereafter employed or engaged by the Company or any of its Affiliates.
- 36 -
28.2. Additional Terms. Each Award awarded under this Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
28.3. Fractional Shares. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise or vesting of any Award and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share, with in any Share remaining at the last vesting date due to such rounding to be issued upon exercise at such last vesting date.
28.4. Severability. If any provision of this Plan, any Award Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with an Award shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction. In addition, if any particular provision contained in this Plan, any Award Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with an Award shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographic scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed by limiting and reducing such provision as to such characteristic so that the provision is enforceable to fullest extent compatible with Applicable Law as it shall then appear.
28.5. Captions and Titles. The use of captions and titles in this Plan or any Award Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with an Award is for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Plan or such agreement.
28.6. Non-certificated Shares. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may nevertheless be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law or the rules of any stock exchange.
- 37 -
