Exhibit 10.8

GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 


	 	
                         
 	
                         
 




 

 








TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
      Page
 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
                        SECTION 1.
 	
                         
 	
                        INTRODUCTION
 	
       
 	
      1
 
	
      SECTION 2.
 	
       
 	
                        DEFINITIONS
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Affiliate”
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Award”
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Award Agreement”
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Board”
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Cashless Exercise”
 	
                         
 	
                        1
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Cause”
 	
                         
 	
                        2
 
	
                        (g)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Change in Control”
 	
                         
 	
                        2
 
	
                        (h)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Committee”
 	
                         
 	
                        2
 
	
                        (i)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Common Stock”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (j)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Company”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (k)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Consultant”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (l)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Director”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (m)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Disability”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (n)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Employee”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (o)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Exchange Act”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (p)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Exercise Price”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (q)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Fair Market Value”
 	
                         
 	
                        3
 
	
                        (r)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Fiscal Year”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (s)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Key Service Provider”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (t)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Non-Employee Director”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (u)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Option”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (v)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Optionee”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (w)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Parent”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (x)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Participant”
 	
                         
 	
                        4
 
	
                        (y)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Plan”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (z)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Re-Price”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (aa)
 	
                         
 	
                        “SAR Agreement”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (bb)
 	
                         
 	
                        “SEC”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (cc)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Securities Act”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (dd)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Service”
 	
                         
 	
  5
 




 

 

 


	 	
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
      Page
 
	
      (ee)
 	
       
 	
                        “Share”
 	
       
 	
      5
 
	
                        (ff)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (gg)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Grant”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (hh)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Grant Agreement”
 	
                         
 	
                        5
 
	
                        (ii)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Option Agreement”
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (jj)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Unit”
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (kk)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Stock Unit Agreement”
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (ll)
 	
                         
 	
                        “Subsidiary”
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        SECTION 3.
 	
                         
 	
                        ADMINISTRATION
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Committee Composition
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Authority of the Committee
 	
                         
 	
                        6
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Indemnification
 	
                         
 	
                        7
 
	
                        SECTION 4.
 	
                         
 	
                        GENERAL
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        General Eligibility
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Restrictions on Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Beneficiaries
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Performance Conditions
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        No Rights as a Stockholder
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        Termination of Service
 	
                         
 	
                        8
 
	
                        SECTION 5.
 	
                         
 	
                        SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Basic Limitation
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Additional Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Dividend Equivalents
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Share Limits
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (i)     Limits on Options
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (ii)    Limits on SARs
 	
                         
 	
                        9
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (iii)   Limits on Stock Grants and Stock Units
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                        SECTION 6.
 	
                         
 	
                        TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Stock Option Agreement
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Number of Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Exercise Price
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Exercisability and Term
 	
                         
 	
  10
 




 

 


	 	
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
      Page
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        Payment for Option Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (i)     Surrender of Stock
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (ii)    Cashless Exercise
 	
                         
 	
                        10
 
	
                         
 	
                         
 	
      (iii)   Other Forms of Payment
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        Modifications or Assumption of Options
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        (g)
 	
                         
 	
                        Assignment or Transfer of Options
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        SECTION 7.
 	
                         
 	
                        TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        SAR Agreement
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Number of Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        11
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Exercise Price
 	
                         
 	
                        12
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Exercisability and Term
 	
                         
 	
                        12
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        Exercise of SARs
 	
                         
 	
                        12
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        Modification or Assumption of SARs
 	
                         
 	
                        12
 
	
                        (g)
 	
                         
 	
                        Assignment or Transfer of SARs
 	
                         
 	
                        12
 
	
                        SECTION 8.
 	
                         
 	
                        TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STOCK GRANTS
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Time, Amount and Form of Awards
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Stock Grant Agreement
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Payment for Stock Grants
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Vesting Conditions
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        Assignment or Transfer of Stock Grants
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        Voting and Dividend Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        13
 
	
                        (g)
 	
                         
 	
                        Modification or Assumption of Stock Grants
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        SECTION 9.
 	
                         
 	
                        TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK UNITS
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Stock Unit Agreement
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Number of Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Payment for Awards
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (d)
 	
                         
 	
                        Vesting Conditions
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (e)
 	
                         
 	
                        Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (f)
 	
                         
 	
                        Voting and Dividend Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        14
 
	
                        (g)
 	
                         
 	
                        Creditors’ Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        15
 
	
                        (h)
 	
                         
 	
                        Modification or Assumption of Stock Units
 	
                         
 	
  15
 




 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
       
 	
      Page
 
	
                        (i)
 	
                         
 	
                        Assignment or Transfer of Stock Units
 	
                         
 	
                        15
 
	
                        SECTION 10.
 	
                         
 	
                        PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION
 	
                         
 	
                        15
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Adjustments
 	
                         
 	
                        15
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Participant Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Fractional Shares
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        SECTION 11.
 	
                         
 	
                        EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Change in Control
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Acceleration
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Dissolution
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        SECTION 12.
 	
                         
 	
                        LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Participant Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        16
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Stockholders’ Rights
 	
                         
 	
                        17
 
	
                        (c)
 	
                         
 	
                        Regulatory Requirements
 	
                         
 	
                        17
 
	
                        SECTION 13.
 	
                         
 	
                        TAXES
 	
                         
 	
                        17
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        General
 	
                         
 	
                        17
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Share Withholding
 	
                         
 	
                        17
 
	
                        SECTION 14.
 	
                         
 	
                        DURATION AND AMENDMENTS
 	
                         
 	
                        18
 
	
                        (a)
 	
                         
 	
                        Term of the Plan
 	
                         
 	
                        18
 
	
                        (b)
 	
                         
 	
                        Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan
 	
                         
 	
  18
 




 

 

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GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION.

On October 31, 2007 the Board adopted this Global Ship Lease, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which shall become effective upon its approval by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”).

The purpose of this Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by offering Key Service Providers the opportunity to share in such long-term success by acquiring a proprietary interest in the Company.

The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for discretionary long-term incentive Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Grants and Stock Units.

The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (except its choice-of-law provisions). Capitalized terms shall have the meaning provided in Section 2 unless otherwise provided in this Plan or any related Award Agreement.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) “Affiliate”  means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.

(b) “Award”  means an Option, SAR, Stock Grant or Stock Unit.

(c) “Award Agreement”  means any Stock Option Agreement, SAR Agreement, Stock Grant Agreement or Stock Unit Agreement.

(d) “Board”  means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(e) “Cashless Exercise”  means, to the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides and as permitted by applicable law, a program approved by the Committee in which payment of the aggregate Exercise Price and/or satisfaction of any applicable tax or withholding obligations may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares subject to an Option and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company.

(f) “Cause”  means, except as may otherwise be provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, (i) Participant’s willful failure to perform his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or material violation of a written Company policy; (ii) Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or any other willful misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to 

 

 








the Company; (iii) unauthorized use or disclosure by Participant of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company; or (iv) Participant’s willful breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company. The determination as to whether a Participant is being terminated for Cause shall be made in good faith by the Committee and shall be conclusive and binding on the Participant. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate a Participant’s Service at any time as provided in Section 12(a), and the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any Subsidiary, Parent, Affiliate, or any successor thereto, if appropriate.

(g) “Change in Control”  means the consummation of any of the following transactions:

(i) The sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

(ii) The merger of the Company with or into another corporation in which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company are transferred to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction; or

(iii) The acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders which the Board does not recommend such stockholders accept.

A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transactions.

(h) “Committee”  means a committee described in Section 3.

(i) “Common Stock”  means the Company’s common stock.

(j) “Company”  means Global Ship Lease, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation.

(k) “Consultant”  means an individual who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee, Director or Non-Employee Director. For clarity, the term “Consultant” also means those members of the board of directors of a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate that are not Employees.

(l) “Director”  means a member of the Board who is also an Employee.

 

 

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(m) “Disability”  means that the Participant is classified as disabled under the long-term disability policy of the Company or, if no such policy applies, the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

(n) “Employee”  means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

(o) “Exchange Act”  means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(p) “Exercise Price”  means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which a Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.

(q) “Fair Market Value”  means the market price of a Share as determined in good faith by the Committee. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. The Fair Market Value shall be determined by the following:

(i)   If the Shares are admitted to trading on any established national stock exchange or market system on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing sales price for such Shares as quoted on such national exchange or system on such date; or

(ii)  if the Shares are admitted to quotation on any established national stock quotation system or are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the mean between the bid and asked prices of the Shares reported for such date. 

In each case, the applicable price shall be the price reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; provided, however, that if there is no such reported price for the Shares for the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the price reported on the last preceding date for which such price exists. If neither (i) or (ii) are applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.

(r) “Fiscal Year”  means the Company’s fiscal year.

(s) “Key Service Provider”  means an Employee, Director, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who has been selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.

(t) “Non-Employee Director”  means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

 

 

3

 








(u) “Option”  means a stock option granted under the Plan entitling the Optionee to purchase Shares.

(v) “Optionee”  means an individual, estate or other entity that holds an Option.

(w) “Parent”  means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.

(x) “Participant”  means an individual or estate or other entity that holds an Award.

(y) “Plan”  means this Global Ship Lease, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan as it may be amended from time to time.

(z) “Re-Price”  means that the Company has lowered or reduced the Exercise Price of outstanding Options and/or outstanding SARs for any Participant(s) in a manner described by Item 402(d)(2)(viii) of SEC Regulation S-K (or its successor provision).

(aa) “SAR Agreement”  means the agreement described in Section 7 evidencing a Stock Appreciation Right.

(bb) “SEC”  means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(cc) “Securities Act”  means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(dd) “Service”  means service as an Employee, Director, Non-Employee Director or Consultant. A Participant’s Service does not terminate if he or she is an Employee and goes on a bona fide leave of absence that was approved by the Company in writing and the terms of the leave provide for continued service crediting, or when continued service crediting is required by applicable law. Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to active work. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant’s Service will not terminate merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant provides service to the Company, a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, or a transfer between entities (the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate); provided that there
is no interruption or other termination of Service.

(ee) “Share”  means one share of Common Stock.

(ff) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR”  means a stock appreciation right awarded under the Plan.

(gg) “Stock Grant”  means Shares awarded under the Plan.

 

 

4

 








(hh) “Stock Grant Agreement”  means the agreement described in Section 8 evidencing a Stock Grant.

(ii) “Stock Option Agreement”  means the agreement described in Section 6 evidencing an Option.

(jj) “Stock Unit”  means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Share awarded under the Plan.

(kk) “Stock Unit Agreement”  means the agreement described in Section 9 evidencing a Stock Unit. 

(ll) “Subsidiary”  means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.

(mm) “UK Stock Option Agreement”  means the stock option agreement described in Addendum A.

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Committee Composition. The Board or a Committee appointed by the Board shall administer the Plan. Members of any such Committee shall serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time. The Board may also at any time terminate the functions of the Committee and reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to the Committee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall administer the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors.

The Board and any Committee appointed to administer the plan is referred to herein as the “Committee”.

(b) Authority of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full authority, in its sole discretion, to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Such actions shall include:



	
                         
 	
                        (i)
 	
                        selecting Key Service Providers who are to receive Awards under the Plan;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (ii)
 	
                        determining the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (iii)
 	
                        amending any outstanding Awards;
 




 

 

5

 










	
                         
 	
                        (iv)
 	
                        accelerating the vesting, or extending the post-termination exercise term, of Awards at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (v)
 	
                        interpreting the Plan and any Award Agreement;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (vi)
 	
                        correcting any defect, supplying any omission or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (vii)
 	
                        adopting such rules or guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan;
 






	
                         
 	
                        (viii)
 	
                        making all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan; and
 






	
                         
 	
                        (ix)
 	
                        adopting such plans or subplans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to provide for the participation by employees of the Company, its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates who reside outside of the U.S., which plans and/or subplans shall be attached hereto as Appendices.
 




The Committee’s determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.

(c) Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each member of the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and (ii) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same
before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

SECTION 4. GENERAL.

(a) General Eligibility. Only Employees, Directors, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

(b) Restrictions on Shares. Any Shares issued pursuant to an Award shall be subject to such rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion. Such restrictions shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally and shall also comply to the extent necessary with applicable law. In no event shall the Company be required to issue fractional Shares under this Plan.

 

 

6

 









(c) Beneficiaries. Unless stated otherwise in an Award Agreement and then only to the extent permitted by applicable law, a Participant may designate one or more beneficiaries with respect to an Award by timely filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Participant’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, then after a Participant’s death any vested Award(s) shall be transferred or distributed to the Participant’s estate.

(d) Performance Conditions. The Committee may, in its discretion, include performance conditions in an Award.

(e) No Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant, or a transferee of a Participant, shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Stock covered by an Award until such person has satisfied all of the terms and conditions to receive such Common Stock, has satisfied any applicable withholding or tax obligations relating to the Award and the Shares have been issued (as evidenced by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).

(f) Termination of Service. Unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, the following rules shall govern the vesting, exercisability and term of outstanding Awards held by a Participant in the event of termination of such Participant’s Service (in all cases subject to the maximum term of the Option and/or SAR as applicable): (i) upon termination of Service for any reason, all unvested portions of any outstanding Awards shall be immediately forfeited without consideration and the vested portions of any outstanding Stock Units shall be settled upon termination; (ii) if Service is terminated for Cause, then all unexercised Options and/or SARs, unvested portions of Stock Units and unvested portions of Stock Grants shall terminate and be forfeited immediately without consideration; (iii) if Service is terminated for any
reason other than for Cause, death or Disability, then the vested portion of his or her then-outstanding Options and/or SARs may be exercised by such Participant or his or her personal representative within 6 months after the date of such termination; or (iv) if Service is terminated due to death or Disability, the vested portion of his or her then-outstanding Options and/or SARs may be exercised within 12 months after the date of such termination.

SECTION 5. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS.

(a) Basic Limitation. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares or treasury shares. The aggregate number of Shares reserved for Awards under the Plan is 750,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10.

(b) Additional Shares. If Awards are forfeited or are terminated for any reason before vesting or being exercised, then the Shares underlying such Awards shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. SARs and Stock Unit Agreements to be settled in 

 

 

7

 








Shares shall be counted in full against the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares issued upon settlement of the SARs and Stock Unit Agreements. If Awards are settled in cash, the Shares that would have been delivered had there been no cash settlement shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

(c) Dividend Equivalents. Any dividend equivalents distributed under the Plan shall not reduce the number of Shares available for Awards.

(d) Share Limits.

(i)   Limits on Options. No Key Service Provider shall receive Options during any Fiscal Year covering in excess of 250,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10.

(ii)  Limits on SARs. No Key Service Provider shall receive SARs during any Fiscal Year covering in excess of 250,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10.

(iii) Limits on Stock Grants and Stock Units. No Key Service Provider shall receive Stock Grants or Stock Units during any Fiscal Year covering, in the aggregate, in excess of 250,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10.

SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

(a) Stock Option Agreement. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced and governed exclusively by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10.

(c) Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Option’s Exercise Price which shall be established by the Committee and is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10. The Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

(d) Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable and may include performance conditions. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the Option; provided that the maximum term of an Option shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for 

 

 

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accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or other events. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, no Option can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.

(e) Payment for Option Shares. The Exercise Price of an Option shall be paid in cash at the time of exercise, except as follows and if so provided for in the applicable Stock Option Agreement:

(i)   Surrender of Stock. Payment of all or any part of the Exercise Price may be made with Shares which have already been owned by the Optionee; provided that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, require that Shares tendered for payment be previously held by the Optionee for a minimum duration (e.g., to avoid financial accounting charges to the Company’s earnings).

(ii)  Cashless Exercise. Payment of all or a part of the Exercise Price may be made through Cashless Exercise.

(iii) Other Forms of Payment. Payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules and approved by the Committee.

(f) Modifications or Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence or anything to the contrary, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option and, unless there is approval by the Company stockholders, the Committee may not Re-Price outstanding Options.

(g) Assignment or Transfer of Options. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement and then only to the extent such transfer is otherwise permitted by applicable law and is not a transfer for value (unless such transfer for value is approved in advance by the Company’s stockholders), no Option shall be transferable by the Optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement, an Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only or by the guardian or legal representative of the Optionee. No Option or interest therein may be assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the Optionee during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.

SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

(a) SAR Agreement. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all 

 

 

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applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. A SAR Agreement may provide for a maximum limit on the amount of any payout notwithstanding the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. SARs may be granted in consideration of a reduction in the Participant’s compensation.

(b) Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10.

(c) Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10. A SAR Agreement may specify an Exercise Price that varies in accordance with a predetermined formula while the SAR is outstanding. The Exercise Price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

(d) Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable and may include performance conditions. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the SAR which shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or other events. SARs may be awarded in combination with Options or Stock Grants, and such an Award shall provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the related Options or Stock Grants are forfeited. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the SAR Agreement, no SAR can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable SAR Agreement.

(e) Exercise of SARs. If, on the date when a SAR expires, the Exercise Price under such SAR is less than the Fair Market Value on such date but any vested portion of such SAR has not been exercised or surrendered, then such SAR shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such vested portion. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Participant (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after Participant’s death) shall receive from the Company (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant of the SAR, in its sole discretion. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Shares
subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price of the Shares.

(f) Modification or Assumption of SARs. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding SARs or may accept the cancellation of outstanding stock appreciation rights (including stock appreciation rights granted by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence or anything to the contrary, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair his or her rights or obligations under such SAR and, unless there is approval by the Company stockholders, the Committee may not Re-Price outstanding SARs.

 

 

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(g) Assignment or Transfer of SARs. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable SAR Agreement and then only to the extent such transfer is otherwise permitted by applicable law and is not a transfer for value (unless such transfer for value is approved in advance by the Company’s stockholders), no SAR shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or any similar laws in the applicable jurisdiction. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable SAR Agreement, a SAR may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only or by the guardian or legal representative of the Participant. No SAR or interest therein may be assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the Participant during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to execution, attachment or
similar process.

SECTION 8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STOCK GRANTS. 

(a)  Time, Amount and Form of Awards. Awards under this Section 8 may be granted in the form of a Stock Grant. A Stock Grant may be awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the Stock Grant will be forfeited in the event that the related Options are exercised.

(b) Stock Grant Agreement. Each Stock Grant awarded under the Plan shall be evidenced and governed exclusively by a Stock Grant Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Each Stock Grant shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the Plan that the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in the applicable Stock Grant Agreement. The provisions of the Stock Grant Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(c) Payment for Stock Grants. Stock Grants may be issued with or without cash consideration under the Plan.

(d) Vesting Conditions. Each Stock Grant may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Grant Agreement which may include performance conditions. A Stock Grant Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability, or other events.

(e) Assignment or Transfer of Stock Grants. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Grant Agreement and then only to the extent such transfer is otherwise permitted by applicable law and is not a transfer for value (unless such transfer for value is approved in advance by the Company’s stockholders), no unvested Stock Grant shall be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Grant Agreement, no unvested Stock Grant or interest therein may be anticipated, assigned, attached, garnished, optioned, transferred or 

 

 

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made subject to any creditor’s process, whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law. Any act in violation of this Section 8(e) shall be void.

(f) Voting and Dividend Rights. The holder of a Stock Grant awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders. A Stock Grant Agreement, however, may require that the holder of such Stock Grant invest any cash dividends received in additional Shares subject to the Stock Grant. Such additional Shares and any Shares received as a dividend pursuant to the Stock Grant shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Stock Grant with respect to which the dividends were paid. Such additional Shares subject to the Stock Grant shall not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under Section 5.

(g) Modification or Assumption of Stock Grants. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify or assume outstanding Stock Grants or may accept the cancellation of outstanding stock grants (including stock granted by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Stock Grants for the same or a different number of Shares. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence or anything to the contrary, no modification of a Stock Grant shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair his or her rights or obligations under such Stock Grant.

SECTION 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK UNITS.

(a) Stock Unit Agreement. Each Stock Unit granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Unit Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. Stock Units may be granted in consideration of a reduction in the Participant’s other compensation.

(b) Number of Shares. Each Stock Unit Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the Stock Unit pertains, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10.

(c) Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award recipients.

(d) Vesting Conditions. Each Stock Unit may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Unit Agreement which may include performance conditions. A Stock Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability, or other events.

(e) Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units. Settlement of vested Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) Shares or (c) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Stock Units, in its sole discretion. Methods of converting Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average Fair Market Value of Shares over a series of trading days. 

 

 

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Vested Stock Units may be settled in a lump sum or in installments. The distribution may occur or commence when the vesting conditions applicable to the Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed, or it may be deferred, in accordance with applicable law, to any later date. The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents.

(f) Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Stock Unit awarded under the Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents which are not paid shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Stock Units to which they attach.

(g) Creditors’ Rights. A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Unit Agreement.

(h) Modification or Assumption of Stock Units. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify or assume outstanding Stock Units or may accept the cancellation of outstanding stock units (including stock units granted by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Stock Units for the same or a different number of Shares. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence or anything to the contrary, no modification of a Stock Unit shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair his or her rights or obligations under such Stock Unit.

(i) Assignment or Transfer of Stock Units. Except as provided in the applicable Stock Unit Agreement and then only to the extent such transfer is otherwise permitted by applicable law and is not a transfer for value (unless such transfer for value is approved in advance by the Company’s stockholders), Stock Units shall not be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Unit Agreement, no Stock Unit or interest therein may be anticipated, assigned, attached, garnished, optioned, transferred or made subject to any creditor’s process, whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law. Any act in violation of this Section 9(i) shall be void.

SECTION 10. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.

(a) Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate in one or more of:

 

 

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(i)    the number of Shares and the kind of shares or securities available for future Awards under Section 5;

(ii)   the limits on Awards specified in Section 5;

(iii)  the number of Shares and the kind of shares or securities covered by each outstanding Award; or

(iv) the Exercise Price under each outstanding SAR or Option.

(b) Participant Rights. Except as provided in this Section 10, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issue by the Company of stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. If by reason of an adjustment pursuant to this Section 10 a Participant’s Award covers additional or different shares of stock or securities, then such additional or different shares and the Award in respect thereof shall be subject to all of the terms, conditions and restrictions which were applicable to the Award and the Shares subject to the Award prior to such adjustment.

(c) Fractional Shares. Any adjustment of Shares pursuant to this Section 10 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares. Under no circumstances shall the Company be required to authorize or issue fractional shares and no consideration shall be provided as a result of any fractional shares not being issued or authorized.

SECTION 11. EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL.

(a) Change in Control. In the event that the Company is a party to a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the applicable agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide, without limitation, for the assumption of outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent, for their continuation by the Company (if the Company is a surviving corporation), for accelerated vesting or for their cancellation with or without consideration, in all cases without the consent of the Participant.

(b) Acceleration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, at the time of grant of an Award or thereafter, that such Award shall become vested and exercisable, in full or in part, in the event that the Company is a party to a Change in Control.

(c) Dissolution. To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

 

 

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SECTION 12. LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS.

(a) Participant Rights. A Participant’s rights, if any, in respect of or in connection with any Award is derived solely from the discretionary decision of the Company to permit the individual to participate in the Plan and to benefit from a discretionary Award. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant expressly acknowledges that there is no obligation on the part of the Company to continue the Plan and/or grant any additional Awards. Any Award granted hereunder is not intended to be compensation of a continuing or recurring nature, or part of a Participant’s normal or expected compensation, and in no way represents any portion of a Participant’s salary, compensation, or other remuneration for purposes of pension benefits, severance, redundancy, resignation or any other purpose.

Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an employee, consultant or director of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate. The Company and its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the Service of any person at any time, and for any reason, subject to applicable laws, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and any applicable written employment agreement (if any), and such terminated person shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived any claim to damages or specific performance for breach of contract or dismissal, compensation for loss of office, tort or otherwise with respect
to the Plan or any outstanding Award that is forfeited and/or is terminated by its terms or to any future Award.

(b) Stockholders’ Rights. Except as provided in Section 9(f), a Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by his or her Award prior to the issuance of such Shares (as evidenced by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date when such Shares are issued, except as expressly provided in Sections 9(f) and 10.

(c) Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Shares or other securities under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of Shares or other securities pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Shares or other securities, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration, qualification or listing.

SECTION 13. TAXES.

(a) General. A Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding or tax obligations that arise in connection with his or her Award. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.


 

 

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(b) Share Withholding. The Committee may permit a Participant to satisfy all or part of his or her withholding or tax obligations by Cashless Exercise, by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired (the Company may, in its discretion, require that Shares withheld or previously owned Shares that are tendered shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s tax withholding obligations at the minimum statutory withholding rates unless the previously owned Shares have been held for the minimum duration necessary to avoid financial accounting charges under applicable accounting guidance). Any payment of taxes by assigning Shares to the Company
may be subject to restrictions, including, but not limited to, any restrictions required by rules of the SEC.

SECTION 14. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.

(a) Term of the Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its approval by the Company’s stockholders. The Plan shall terminate on October 30, 2017 and may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to this Section 14.

(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason. Any such termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not impair any Award previously granted under the Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the Plan’s termination. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent such approval is required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.

 

 

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ADDENDUM A

GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(U.K. Participants)

 

 


 








ADDENDUM B

GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(U.S. Participants)