Exhibit 10.4

AUTOBYTEL INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
Restricted Stock Award Agreement
 
This Restricted Stock Award Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into effective as
of the Award Date set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (“Award
Date”) by and between Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and
the person set forth as Participant on the signature page hereto
(“Participant”).
 
This Agreement and the shares of restricted stock granted hereby are subject to
the provisions of the Autobytel Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”).  In
the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement,
the Plan shall control.  Capitalized terms used but not defined in this
Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan.  For
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “Cause” and “Good Reason” shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in that certain Severance Benefits Agreement dated
September 17, 2010, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated November 30, 2012, by
and between the Company and Participant (“Severance Agreement”).
 
1.           Award of Restricted Stock.  Company hereby awards to Participant
the number of shares of common stock of Company, par value $0.001 per share, set
forth on the signature page to this Agreement (“Restricted Shares”), subject to
the Forfeiture Restrictions set forth herein.
 
2.           Forfeiture Restrictions Lapse Schedule.  All Restricted Shares
awarded pursuant to this Agreement are subject to forfeiture back to the Company
and cancellation upon the earlier of (such earliest date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”) (i) termination or other cessation of
Participant’s employment with Company for any reason (including by reason of
Participant’s death or disability, and whether termination is by Company or
Participant); (ii) March 31, 2018; (iii) the occurrence of any other event of
forfeiture as provided in Section 3 (the foregoing events of forfeiture being
referred to herein as the “Forfeiture Restrictions”), subject to the Forfeiture
Restrictions lapsing as follows and subject to the acceleration of the lapsing
of the Forfeiture Restrictions as provided in Section 3):
 
(i)           The Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to fifty percent (50%) of
the Restricted Shares shall lapse if any time prior to the Termination Date the
weighted average closing price of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq
Capital Market (or if not then traded on the such market or exchange, the
principal market or exchange on which Company’s common stock is then traded) for
the preceding thirty (30) trading days is at or above Thirty Dollars ($30.00)
per share (adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits
or combinations of Company’s common stock occurring after the Award Date) (such
per share price, as adjusted (if applicable) being referred to herein as the
“First Tier Price” and the Restricted Shares subject to this clause (i) being
referred to herein as the “First Tier Restricted Shares”).
 
(ii)           The Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to all Restricted Shares
that remain subject to Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse if any time prior to
the Termination Date the weighted average closing price of Company’s common
stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market (or if not then traded on the such market or
exchange, the principal market or exchange on which Company’s common stock is
then traded) for the preceding thirty (30) trading days is at or above
Forty-Five Dollars ($45.00) per share (adjusted for any stock splits, stock
dividends, reverse stock splits or combinations of Company’s common stock
occurring after the Award Date) (such per share price, as adjusted (if
applicable) being referred to herein as the “Second Tier Price” and the
Restricted Shares subject to this clause (ii) being referred to herein as the
“Second Tier Restricted Shares”).
 
3.           Effect of Certain Events on Forfeiture Restrictions.
 
(a)           Termination of Employment By Company Without Cause Or By
Participant With Good Reason.  In the event Participant’s employment with
Company is terminated by Company without Cause or by Participant for Good
Reason, the Forfeiture Restrictions on the First Tier Restricted Shares or
Second Tier Restricted Shares, as applicable, that shall not have lapsed prior
to such termination of employment shall lapse if the conditions to lapsing set
forth in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 2, as applicable, are satisfied at any
time on or before ninety (90) days after the date of termination of employment.

 
 

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(b)           Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Control, the
effect of the Change in Control on the Restricted Shares shall be determined by
the applicable provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, Article 11
of the Plan), provided that to the extent the Restricted Shares are assumed or
substituted by the successor company in connection with the Change in Control
(or the Restricted Shares are continued by Company if it is the ultimate parent
entity after the Change in Control), the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse in
accordance with clause (i) of Section 11.2(a) of the Plan if within twenty-four
(24) months following the date of the Change in Control Participant’s employment
is terminated by Company or a Subsidiary (or the successor company or a
subsidiary or parent thereof) without Cause or by Participant for Good
Reason.  The Restricted Shares shall not be deemed assumed or substituted by a
successor company (or continued by Company if it is the ultimate parent entity
after the Change in Control) for purposes of Section 11.2(a) of the Plan if the
Restricted Shares are not assumed, substituted or continued with equity
securities of the successor company or Company, as applicable, that are
publicly-traded and listed on an exchange in the United States and that have
voting, dividend and other rights, preferences and privileges substantially
equivalent to the Restricted Shares.  If the Restricted Shares are not deemed
assumed, substituted or continued for purposes of Section 11.2(a) of the Plan,
the Restricted Shares shall be deemed not assumed, substituted or continued and
shall be governed by Section 11.2(b) of the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 3(b), if the Change in Control is a Business
Combination and the per share consideration payable or to be delivered by the
acquiring person or entity with respect to Company’s outstanding shares of
common stock in connection with the Change in Control transaction (i) is not at
least equal to the First Tier Price, then all Restricted Shares shall be
forfeited and cancelled effective as of the closing of the Change in Control
transaction; (ii) is equal to or greater than the First Tier Price, but not at
least equal to the Second Tier Price, then the Forfeiture Restrictions with
respect to the First Tier Restricted Shares shall lapse as of the closing of the
Change in Control transaction, and the balance of the Restricted Shares shall be
forfeited and cancelled effective as of the closing of the Change in Control
transaction; and (iii) is at least equal to the Second Tier Price, then the
Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to all Restricted Shares that remain
subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions as of the closing of the Change in
Control transaction shall lapse as of the closing of the Change in Control
transaction.
 
(c)           Forfeiture upon Engaging in Detrimental Activities.  If, at any
time while any Restricted Shares remain subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions
or within the twelve (12) months after (i) the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse as
to any Restricted Shares; or (ii) the effective date of any termination of
Participant’s employment by Company or by Participant for any reason,
Participant engages in, or is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion
to have engaged in, any (i) material breach of any non-competition,
non-solicitation, non-disclosure or settlement or release covenant or agreement
with Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) activities during the course of
Participant’s employment with Company or any Subsidiary constituting fraud,
embezzlement, theft or dishonesty; or (iii) activity that is otherwise in
conflict with, or adverse or detrimental to the interests of Company or any
Subsidiary, then (x) Restricted Shares still subject to Forfeiture Restrictions
shall be forfeited effective as of the date on which Participant engaged in or
engages in that activity or conduct, unless terminated sooner pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement; (y) Restricted Shares for which the Forfeiture
Restrictions have lapsed but that are still in the possession of or control of
Participant shall be forfeited and returned to Company effective as of the date
on which Participant engaged in or engages in that activity or conduct, unless
terminated sooner pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; and (z) the
amount of any proceeds realized by Participant from any sale or other transfer
of Restricted Shares as to which the Forfeiture Restrictions had lapsed shall be
forfeited by Participant and shall be paid by Participant to Company, and
recoverable by Company, within sixty (60) days following such termination date
of the Restricted Shares.  For purposes of the foregoing, the following will be
deemed to be activities in conflict with or adverse or detrimental to the
interests of Company or any Subsidiary:  (i) Participant’s conviction of, or
pleading guilty or nolo contendre to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
or any felony, the underlying events of which related to Participant’s
employment with Company; (ii) knowingly engaged or aided in any act or
transaction by Company or a Subsidiary that results in the imposition of
criminal, civil or administrative penalties against Company or any Subsidiary;
or (iii) misconduct during the course of Participant’s employment by Company or
any Subsidiary that results in an accounting restatement by Company due to
material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable
securities laws, whether such restatement occurs during or after Participant’s
employment by Company or any Subsidiary.
 
(d)           Reversion of Forfeited Shares to Plan.  Any Restricted Shares that
are forfeited shall be cancelled and revert to the Plan and shall again be
available for Awards under the Plan.
 
4.           Restrictive Legend.  Until Forfeiture Restrictions lapse, all book
entry accounts (or if applicable, certificates) representing the Restricted
Shares shall bear the following legend in addition to all other legends
applicable to shares of Company’s common stock:
 
 
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The shares represented by this Advice [or Certificate, if applicable] are
subject to forfeiture to and recoupment by Autobytel Inc. and may not be sold or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to the provisions of the 2014 Equity
Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement by and between Autobytel Inc.
and William Ferriolo dated as of April 23, 2015.
 
As Forfeiture Restrictions lapse and Participant has made arrangements
satisfactory to Company to satisfy applicable tax-withholding obligations,
Company shall cause the foregoing restrictive legend to be removed with respect
to Restricted Shares that are no longer subject to the Forfeiture
Restrictions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant agrees that Company
may impose, and Participant agrees to be bound by, Company policies and
procedures with respect to the ownership, timing and manner of resales of shares
of Company's securities, including without limitation, (i) restrictions on
insider trading; (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the
timing and manner of sales by officers, directors and affiliates of Company
following a public offering of Company's securities; (iii) stock ownership or
holding requirements applicable to officers and/or directors of Company; and
(iv) the required use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales.
 
5.           Section 83(b) Election Notice. If Participant elects under Internal
Revenue Code Section 83(b) to be taxed immediately on the Restricted Shares
rather than as the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse, Participant must notify
Company of the election within ten (10) days of filing that election with the
Internal Revenue Service.
 
6.           Miscellaneous.
 
(a)           Nontransferability of Restricted Shares.  The Restricted Shares
shall be nontransferable or assignable except to the extent expressly provided
in the Plan.  This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
 
(b)           Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such provision shall (i) be deemed limited to the extent
that such court of competent jurisdiction deems it lawful, valid and/or
enforceable and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect, and (ii)
not affect any other provision of this Agreement or part thereof, each of which
shall remain in full force and effect.
 
(c)           Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Venue.  This Agreement shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
other than its conflict of laws principles.  The parties agree that in the event
that any suit or proceeding is brought in connection with this Agreement, such
suit or proceeding shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in
New Castle County, Delaware, and the parties shall submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of such courts and waive any and all jurisdictional, venue and
inconvenient forum objections to such courts.
 
(d)           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
 
(e)           Notices.  All notices required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently made or given if hand delivered or
mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid.  Notice by mail shall
be deemed delivered on the date on which it is postmarked.
 
Notices to Company should be addressed to:
 
Autobytel Inc.
18872 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 200
Irvine, CA  92612-1400
Attention:  General Counsel
 
Notice to Participant should be addressed to Participant at Participant’s
address as it appears on Company’s records.

 
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Company or Participant may by writing to the other party designate a different
address for notices.  If the receiving party consents in advance, notice may be
transmitted and received via telecopy or via such other electronic transmission
mechanism as may be available to the parties.  Such notices shall be deemed
delivered when received.
 
(f)           Agreement Not an Employment Contract.  This Agreement is not an
employment or service contract, and nothing in this Agreement or in the granting
of the Restricted Shares shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any
obligation on Participant’s part to continue as an employee of Company or any
Subsidiary or on the part of Company or any Subsidiary to continue Participant’s
employment or service as an Employee.
 
(g)           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original Agreement but all of
which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement binding on
the parties hereto.  The signature of any party hereto to any counterpart hereof
shall be deemed a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart
hereof.
 
(h)           Administration.  The Committee shall have the power to interpret
the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan and this Agreement as are consistent
with the Plan and to interpret or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and
all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee (including
determinations as to the calculation, satisfaction or achievement of
performance-based vesting requirements, if any, to which the Restricted Shares
are subject) shall be final and binding upon Participant, Company and all other
interested persons.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for
any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to
the Plan or this Agreement.
 
(j)           Entire Agreement; Modification.  This Agreement and the Plan
contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter contained herein and may not be modified except as provided in the Plan
or in a written document signed by each of the parties hereto and may be
rescinded only by a written agreement signed by both parties.
 
Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the
Award Date.
 
 

   Award Date:      April 23, 2015           Number of Restricted Shares:  
100,000   

 

 

“Company” Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation      
 
 
    By:    /s/ Glenn E. Fuller        
Glenn E. Fuller, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal
and Administrative Officer and Secretary
     
 
 
  “Participant”     /s/ William Ferriolo        William Ferriolo