Exhibit 4.4

 

IXYS CORPORATION

 

2009 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(Effective June 5, 2009)

 











 

IXYS CORPORATION

 

2009 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(Effective June 5, 2009)

 

IXYS CORPORATION hereby adopts in its entirety the IXYS Corporation 2009 Equity Incentive (“Plan”), as of June 5, 2009 (“Plan Adoption Date”). Unless otherwise defined, terms with initial capital letters are defined in Section 2 below.

 

SECTION 1
 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

1.1 Background The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), Restricted Stock, and Performance Units.

 

1.2 Purpose of the Plan The Plan is intended to attract, motivate and retain the following individuals: (a) employees of the Company or its Affiliates; (b) consultants who provide significant services to the Company or its Affiliates and (c) directors of the Company or any of its Affiliates who are employees of neither the Company nor any Affiliate. The Plan is also designed to encourage stock ownership by such individuals, thereby aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholder.

 

SECTION 2
 DEFINITIONS

 

The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

 

2.1 “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Act shall include such section, any valid rules or regulations promulgated under such section, and any comparable provisions of any future legislation, rules or regulations amending, supplementing or superseding any such section, rule or regulation.

 

2.2 “Administrator” means, collectively the Board, and/or one or more Committees, and/or one or more executive officers of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan or specific portions thereof; provided, however, that Awards to Non-Employee Directors may only be administered by the Board as a whole but excluding any Employee Directors, and Awards to Section 16 Persons may only be administered by a committee of Independent Directors (as defined in Section 2.23). The Plan permits coextensive administrative authority; provided, however, that the scope of any such authority is specifically approved by the Board in accordance with the Plan.

 

2.3 “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, Subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

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2.4 “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Units and similar incentive plans under any applicable laws, including but not limited to the laws of the United States and any applicable foreign country, including employment, labor, privacy, securities, and tax laws, the Code, and applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Nasdaq, New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the requirements of any other stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted.

 

2.5 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, and Performance Units.

 

2.6 “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan, including the Grant Date.

 

2.7 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.8 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

2.8.1 Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting capital stock, other than a group of two or more persons not (A) acting in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of such stock or (B) otherwise required to file any form or report with any governmental agency or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company which requires the reporting of any change in control;

 

2.8.2 The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (whether by stock sale, merger, consolidation or otherwise);

 

2.8.3 The consummation of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

2.8.4 The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation for the sole purpose of changing the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation or (ii) a consolidation or merger of the Company in which the holders of the voting capital stock of the Company immediately prior to the consolidation or merger (other than Persons who are parties to such consolidation or merger and their respective Affiliates) hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting capital stock of the Company or the surviving entity (or its parent entity) immediately after the consolidation or merger.

 

2.9 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

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2.10 “Committee” means any committee appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the Plan.

 

2.11 “Company” means IXYS Corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

2.12 “Consultant” means any consultant, independent contractor or other person who provides significant services to the Company or its Affiliates or any employee or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, but who is neither an Employee nor a Director.

 

2.13 “Continuous Status” as an Employee, Consultant or Director means that a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company or any Affiliate is not interrupted or terminated. “Continuous Status” shall not be considered interrupted in the following cases: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and any Subsidiary or successor. A leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave of absence may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If such reemployment is approved by the Company but not guaranteed by statute or contract, then such employment will be considered terminated on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave and on such date any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option. In the event a Participant’s status changes among the positions of Employee, Director and Consultant, the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be deemed to be continuous and uninterrupted..

 

2.14 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

2.15 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

2.16 “Employee” means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company or of an Affiliate.

 

2.17 “Exercise Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option, and the price used to determine the amount of cash or number of Shares payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR.

 

2.18 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, provided the Common Stock is listed on an established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the NASDAQ, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock on the Grant Date of the Award. If no sales were reported on such Grant Date of the Award, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing price for such stock as quoted on the NASDAQ (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in the

 

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Common Stock) on the last market trading day with reported sales prior to the date of determination. In the case where the Company is not listed on an established stock exchange or national market system, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith in accordance with Code Section 409A and the applicable Treasury regulations.

 

2.19 “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.

 

2.20 “Full-Value Award Limitation” means an aggregate limit of one thousand (1,000) Shares, which is the total number of Shares that may be granted to all Participants combined as “full value awards,” which includes both Restricted Stock and Performance Units.

 

2.21 “Grant Date” means the date the Administrator approves the Award.

 

2.22 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option to purchase Shares, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.23 “Independent Director” means a Nonemployee Director who is (i) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Section 16b-3 of the 1934 Act, (ii) “independent” as determined under the applicable rules of the NASDAQ, and (iii) an “outside director” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3), as any of these definitions may be modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

2.24 “Misconduct” shall include commission of any act in competition with any activity of the Company (or any Affiliate) or any act contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate) as determined in good faith by the Administrator and shall include, without limitation: (a) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, (b) violation of Company (or any Affiliate) policies, with or acting against the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate), including employing or recruiting any present, former or future employee of the Company (or any Affiliate), (c) misuse of any confidential, secret, privileged or non-public information relating to the Company’s (or any Affiliate’s) business, or (d) participating in a hostile takeover attempt of the Company or an Affiliate. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all acts or omissions that the Company (or any Affiliate) may consider as Misconduct for purposes of the Plan.

 

2.25 “NASDAQ” means The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC.

 

2.26 “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.27 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.28 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

2.29 “Participant” means an Employee, Consultant or Nonemployee Director who has an outstanding Award.

 

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2.30 “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement, including without limitation goals tied to individual objectives and/or the Company’s (or a business unit’s) return on assets, return on shareholders’ equity, efficiency ratio, earnings per share, net income, or other financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), with or without adjustments determined by the Administrator. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all Performance Goals for purposes of this Plan. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award.

 

2.31 “Performance Units” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive a prescribed number of Shares, or the equivalent value in cash, upon achievement of Performance Goals associated with such Award. The Participant’s Award Agreement shall specify whether the Performance Units will be settled in Shares or cash.

 

2.32 “Period of Restriction” means the period during which Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions that subject the Shares to a substantial risk of forfeiture. As provided in Section 7, such restrictions may be based on the passage of time in which case the restrictions may lapse over the Period of Restriction, the achievement of Performance Goals, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator, in its discretion.

 

2.33 “Plan” means this IXYS Corporation 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.

 

2.34 “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7. An Award of Restricted Stock constitutes a transfer of ownership of Shares to a Participant from the Company subject to restrictions against transferability, assignment, and hypothecation. Under the terms of the Award, the restrictions against transferability are removed when the Participant has met the specified vesting requirement. Vesting can be based on continued employment or service over a stated service period, or on the attainment of specified Performance Goals. If employment or service is terminated prior to vesting, the unvested restricted stock reverts back to the Company.

 

2.35 “Rule 16b-3” means the rule so designated promulgated under Section 16 of the 1934 Act, and any future rule or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such rule.

 

2.36 “SEC” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.

 

2.37 “Section 16 Person” means a person who, with respect to the Shares, is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

2.38 “Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company.

 

2.39 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6. Upon exercise, a SAR gives a Participant a right to receive a payment in cash, or the equivalent value in Shares, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the

 

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Shares on the exercise date and the Exercise Price. Both the number of SARs and the Exercise Price are determined on the Grant Date. For example, assume a Participant is granted 100 SARs at an Exercise Price of $10 and the award agreement specifies that the SARs will be settled in Shares. Also assume that the SARs are exercised when the underlying Shares have a Fair Market Value of $20 per Share. Upon exercise of the SAR, the Participant is entitled to receive 50 Shares [(($20-$10)*100)/$20].

 

2.40 “Subsidiary” means any corporation, LLC or partnership (collectively referred to as “Entities”) in an unbroken chain of Entities beginning with the Company if each of the Entities other than the last Entity in the unbroken chain then owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power in one of the other Entities in such chain.

 

SECTION 3
 ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 The Administrator. The Administrator, if not the Board of Directors, shall be appointed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Grants of authority in a committee charter shall be deemed appointment.

 

3.2 Authority of the Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to administer the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s provisions and in accordance with Applicable Law. The Administrator, if the Board of Directors or a Committee, shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) which Employees, Consultants and Directors shall be granted Awards; (b) the terms and conditions of the Awards at initial grant and any subsequent revisions or changes to the terms and conditions of Awards, including, but not limited to, changes to, or removal of restrictions on, outstanding Awards relating to vesting, Period of Restriction or exercisability periods, (c) interpretation of the Plan, (d) adoption of rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and (e) interpretation, amendment or revocation of any such rules.

 

3.3 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by Applicable Law.

 

SECTION 4
 SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment, as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares initially available for grant under the Plan shall be nine hundred thousand (900,000). In May 1999, the Company approved the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan expired in May 2009, upon which no further Shares may be granted pursuant to awards under the 1999 Plan but Shares may continue to be issued under the 1999 Plan pursuant to grants previously made. Shares granted under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares or reacquired Shares bought on the market or otherwise. Awards settled in cash shall not count against the limitation set forth in this Section 4.1.

 

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4.2 Reversion of Shares to the Plan. If any Award made under the Plan expires, or is forfeited or cancelled, the Shares underlying such Awards shall become available for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.3 Adjustments in Awards and Authorized Shares. The number of Shares covered by the Plan, each outstanding Award, and the per Share exercise price of each such Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, spin-off, combination, reclassification, the payment of a stock dividend on the common stock or any other increase or decrease in the number of such Shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of Shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of common stock subject to an Option.

 

4.4 Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the making or exercise of an Award unless the exercise of Options and rights and the issuance and delivery of Shares shall comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1934 Act and other Applicable Law, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Any Award made in violation hereof shall be null and void.

 

4.5 Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or other right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or right to represent and warrant at the time of exercise that the Shares are being acquired only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

SECTION 5
 STOCK OPTIONS

 

The provisions of this Section 5 are applicable to Options granted to Employees, Consultants and Nonemployee Directors. Such Participants shall also be eligible to receive other types of Awards as set forth in the Plan.

 

5.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator in its discretion. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination thereof, and the Administrator, in its discretion and subject to Sections 4.1, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option.

 

5.2 Award Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise the Option, and such other terms and conditions as

 

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the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

5.3 Exercise Price. The Administrator shall determine the Exercise Price for each Option subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3.

 

5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options. In the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date, as determined by the Administrator.

 

5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options. The grant of Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following limitations:

 

(a) The Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date; provided, however, that if on the Grant Date, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date;

 

(b) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are, as of the Grant Date, Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, and may not be granted to Consultants or Nonemployee Directors.

 

(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, the Options to acquire Shares in excess of such amount shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3.2(c), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of this limitation, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted; and

 

(d) In the event of a Participant’s change of status from Employee to Consultant or Nonemployee Director, an Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option three (3) months and one (1) day following such change of status.

 

5.3.3 Substitute Options. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Directors or Consultants on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer, and such Options may be granted with an Exercise Price less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date; provided, however, the grant of such substitute Option shall not constitute a “modification” as defined in Code Section 424(h)(3) and the applicable Treasury regulations.

 

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5.4 Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions as set forth in the Award Agreement and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its discretion. Except as set forth in Section 9.1, in all cases involving termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant (including, but not limited to, the reasons described in subsections (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.5.1), such Option shall be exercisable only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.

 

5.5 Expiration of Options

 

5.5.1 Expiration Dates. Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, but in any event no later than ten (10) years from the Grant Date, each Option shall terminate no later than the first to occur of the following events:

 

(a) Date in Award Agreement. The date for termination of the Option set forth in the written Award Agreement;

 

(b) Termination of Continuous Status as Employee, Director or Consultant. The last day of the three (3)-month period following the date the Participant ceases his/her/its Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant (other than termination for a reason described in subsections (c), (d), (e), or (f) below).

 

(c) Misconduct. In the event a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates because the Participant has performed an act of Misconduct as determined by the Administrator, all unexercised Options held by such Participant shall expire five (5) business days following Participant’s receipt of written notice from the Company of Participant’s termination due to Misconduct; provided, however, that the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, prior to the expiration of the five (5) day period, reinstate the Options by giving written notice of such reinstatement to Participant. In the event of such reinstatement, the Participant may exercise the Option only to such extent, for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if the Participant had ceased to be employed by or affiliated with the Company or a Subsidiary upon the date of such termination for a reason other than Misconduct, disability or death;

 

(d) Disability. In the event that a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option at any time within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). If, at the date of termination, the Participant is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan;

 

(e) Death. In the event of the death of a Participant, the Participant’s Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement),

 

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by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. If, at the time of death, the Participant was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan; or

 

(f) 10 Years from Grant. An Option shall expire no more than ten (10) years from the Grant Date; provided, however, that if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised after the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date.

 

5.5.2 Administrator Discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Administrator may, after an Option is granted, extend the exercise period that an Option is exercisable following a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service (recognizing in some such circumstances the Options would cease to be Incentive Stock Options); provided, however, in no event may any such extension extend beyond the stated expiration date of the Option.

 

5.6 No “Re-Pricing” Without Shareholder Approval. Except as provided in Section 4.3, in no event may the Administrator directly or indirectly reduce the exercise price of an Option after it has been granted without the approval of a majority of the shareholders eligible to vote.

 

5.7 Exercise and Payment. Options shall be exercised by the Participant’s delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company (or its designee), setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares and payment of any additional amount that the Administrator specifies is necessary for the Company to pay any required withholding taxes in accordance with Section 11.

 

5.7.1 Form of Consideration. Upon the exercise of any Option, the Exercise Price shall be payable to the Company in full in cash or its equivalent. The Administrator, in its discretion, also may permit the exercise of Options and same-day sale of related Shares, or exercise by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Exercise Price, or by any other means which the Administrator, in its discretion, determines to provide legal consideration for the Shares, and to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The Administrator, in its discretion, may also permit a “net issuance” of any Option, where the term “net issuance” means the issuance of a number of Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares) that is equivalent in value to the difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock on the exercise date, less the exercise price and minimum tax withholding. Such discretion may be exercised by the Administrator either in the Award Agreement or at any other time.

 

5.7.2 Delivery of Shares. As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment for the Shares purchased and taxes required to be withheld, the

 

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Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s designated broker), Share certificates (which may be in book entry form) representing such Shares.

 

SECTION 6
 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

6.1 Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Nonemployee Directors at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

6.1.1 Number of Shares. The Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.

 

6.1.2 Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan, including whether upon exercise the SARs will be settled in Shares or cash, which must be determined at the time of grant and set forth in the Award Agreement. However, the Exercise Price of a SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

6.2 Exercise of SARs. SARs granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions as set forth in the Award Agreement and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its discretion.

 

6.3 SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.

 

6.4 Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Administrator in its discretion as set forth in the Award Agreement, or otherwise pursuant to the provisions relating to the expiration of Options as set forth in Section 5.5.

 

6.5 No “Re-Pricing” Without Shareholder Approval. Except as provided in Section 4.3, in no event may the Administrator directly or indirectly reduce the exercise price of a SAR after it has been granted without the approval of a majority of the shareholders eligible to vote.

 

6.6 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive (whichever is specified in the Award Agreement) from the Company either (a) a cash payment in an amount equal to (x) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise and the SAR Exercise Price, multiplied by (y) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised, or (b) a number of Shares by dividing such cash amount by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date. If the Administrator designates in the Award Agreement that the SAR will be settled in cash, upon Participant’s exercise of the SAR the Company shall make a cash payment to Participant as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

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SECTION 7
 RESTRICTED STOCK

 

7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees, Directors and Consultants in such amounts as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. However, the award of Restricted Stock under this Section 7 is subject to the Full-Value Award Limitation, as described in Section 2.20. The Administrator shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant and the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for such Shares. At the discretion of the Administrator, such purchase price may be paid by Participant with cash or through services rendered.

 

7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

7.3 Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until expiration of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

7.4 Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 7.4, including, without limitation, provisions relating to expiration of restrictions.

 

7.4.1 General Restrictions. The Administrator may set restrictions based upon the achievement of specific Performance Goals (Company-wide, business unit, or individual), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

7.4.2 Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Restricted Stock to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Restricted Stock under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

7.4.3 Legend on Certificates. The Administrator, in its discretion, may place a legend or legends on the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.

 

7.5 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after expiration of the Period of Restriction. After the

 

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restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 7.4.3 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant, subject to Applicable Law.

 

7.6 Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.

 

7.7 Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

7.8 Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date that any forfeiture event set forth in the Award Agreement occurs, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan. Such reverted Restricted Stock shall credit the Full-Value Award Limitation.

 

SECTION 8
 PERFORMANCE UNITS

 

8.1 Grant of Performance Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Units may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Nonemployee Directors at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion. However, the award of Performance Units under this Section 8 is subject to the “Full-Value Award Limitation,” as described in Section 2.20.

 

8.1.1 Number of Units. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units granted to any Participant, subject to the limitations in Sections 4.1.

 

8.1.2 Value of Performance Units. Each Performance Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share.

 

8.2 Performance Goals and Other Terms. The Administrator will set Performance Goals or other vesting provisions, including, without limitation, time-based vesting provisions, in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number Performance Units that are converted into Shares or into the equivalent value of cash that shall be paid to Participants. The time period during which the Performance Goals or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” Each Award of Performance Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set Performance Goals based upon the achievement of Company-wide or Individual Objectives or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

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8.3 Earning of Performance Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units will be entitled to receive a payment based on the number of Performance Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals or other vesting provisions have been achieved.

 

8.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units. Each Award Agreement of Performance Units shall specify the form of payment, which may be in the form of Shares or in cash. Payment with respect to earned Performance Units shall be made as soon as reasonably practical (an in no event more than two and one-half months) after the expiration of the Performance Period.

 

8.5 Cancellation of Performance Units. On the date that any forfeiture event set forth in the Award Agreement occurs, all unearned or unvested Performance Units will revert to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan. Such reverted Performance Units shall credit the Full-Value Award Limitation.

 

SECTION 9
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1 Change In Control. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, unless an Award is assumed or substituted by the successor corporation, then (i) such Awards shall become fully exercisable during the ten (10) day period immediately prior to the Change in Control, whether or not otherwise then exercisable and (ii) all restrictions and conditions on any Award then outstanding shall lapse as of the date of the Change in Control. Unless an Award is assumed or substituted by the successor corporation, such Award shall terminate and shall no longer be exercisable immediately upon the Change in Control, Participant shall be provided written notification of whether Options granted under the Plan will be assumed, substituted or shall become fully exercisable no later than ten (10) days prior to the Change in Control date.

 

9.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan or in any Award Agreement, the Participant shall have the right to exercise his or her Award for a period of not less than ten (10) days immediately prior to such dissolution or transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable.

 

9.3 No Effect on Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause. Unless otherwise provided by written contract, employment or service with the Company or any of its Affiliates is on an at-will basis only. Additionally, the Plan shall not confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which such Director or the Company may have to terminate his or her directorship at any time.

 

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9.4 Participation. No Employee, Consultant or Nonemployee Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

 

9.5 Limitations on Awards. No Participant shall be granted an Award or Awards in any Fiscal Year in which the combined number of Shares underlying such Award(s) exceeds two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares; provided, however, that such limitation shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 4.3.

 

9.6 Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or, otherwise, sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

 

9.7 Beneficiary Designations. If permitted by the Administrator, a Participant under the Plan may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any vested but unpaid Award shall be paid in the event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator. In the absence of any such designation, any vested benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan and of the applicable Award Agreement, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the administrator or executor of the Participant’s estate.

 

9.8 Limited Transferability of Awards. No Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to an Award granted to a Participant shall be available during his or her lifetime only to the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, in a manner specified by the Administrator, (a) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option to a Participant’s spouse, former spouse or dependent pursuant to a court-approved domestic relations order which relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights and (b) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option or Restricted Stock by bona fide gift and not for any consideration to (i) a member or members of the Participant’s immediate family, (ii) a trust established for the exclusive benefit of the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family, (iii) a partnership, limited liability company of other entity whose only partners or members are the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family or (iv) a foundation in which the Participant an/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family control the management of the foundation’s assets.

 

9.9 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Administrator may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to applicable federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which Shares are then listed or traded or any blue sky or state securities laws.

 

9.10 Transfers Upon a Change in Control. In the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator, an Award Agreement may provide that in the event of certain Change in Control

 

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events, which may include any or all of the Change in Control events described in Section 2.8, Shares obtained pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to certain rights and obligations, which include but are not limited to the following: (i) the obligation to vote all such Shares in favor of such Change in Control transaction, whether by vote at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders or by written consent of such shareholders; (ii) the obligation to sell or exchange all such Shares and all rights to acquire Shares, under this Plan pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Change in Control transaction; (iii) the right to transfer less than all but not all of such Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Change in Control transaction, and (iv) the obligation to execute all documents and take any other action reasonably requested by the Company to facilitate the consummation of such Change in Control transaction.

 

9.11 Performance-Based Awards. Each agreement for the grant of Performance Units or other performance-based awards shall specify the number of Shares or Units underlying the Award, the Performance Period and the Performance Goals (each as defined below), and each agreement for the grant of any other award that the Program Administrators determine to make subject to a Performance Goal similarly shall specify the applicable number of shares of Common Stock, the period for measuring performance and the Performance Goal. As used herein, “Performance Goals” means performance goals specified in the agreement for a Performance Unit Award, or for any other Award which the Program Administrators determine to make subject to Performance Goals, upon which the vesting or settlement of such award is conditioned and “Performance Period” means the period of time specified in an agreement over which Performance Units, or another Award which the Program Administrators determine to make subject to a Performance Goal, are to be earned. Each agreement for a performance-based Award shall specify in respect of a Performance Goal the minimum level of performance below which no payment will be made, shall describe the method of determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above the minimum acceptable level, but falls short of full achievement of the Performance Goal, and shall specify the maximum percentage payout under the agreement.

 

9.11.1 Performance Goals for Covered Employees. The Performance Goals for Performance Units and any other performance-based award granted to a Covered Employee, if deemed appropriate by the Program Administrators, shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and shall be based upon one or more of the following performance-based business criteria, either on a business unit or Company-specific basis or in comparison with peer group performance: revenue, operating income, operating cash flows, return on net assets, return on assets, return on equity, return on capital, asset turnover, total stockholder return, net income, pre-tax income, gross margin, profit margin, net income margin, cash flow, book value, earnings per share, earnings growth, EBIT, EBITDA. Achievement of any such Performance Goal shall be measured over a period of years not to exceed ten (10) as specified by the Program Administrators in the agreement for the performance-based Award. No business criterion other than those named above in this Section 9.11.2 may be used in establishing the Performance Goal for an award to a Covered Employee under this Section 9.11. For each such award relating to a Covered Employee, the Program Administrators shall establish the targeted level or levels of performance for each such business criterion. The Program Administrators may, in their discretion, reduce the amount of a payout otherwise to be made in connection with an award under this Section 9.11, but may not exercise discretion to increase such amount, and the Program Administrators may consider other

 

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performance criteria in exercising such discretion. All determinations by the Program Administrators as to the achievement of Performance Goals under this Section 9.12 shall be made in writing. The Program Administrators may not delegate any responsibility under this Section 9.12. As used herein, “Covered Employee” shall mean, with respect to any grant of an award, an executive of the Company or any Subsidiary who is a member of the executive compensation group under the Company’s compensation practices (not necessarily an executive officer) whom the Program Administrators deem may be or become a covered employee as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code for any year that such award may result in remuneration over $1 million which would not be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code but for the provisions of the Program and any other “qualified performance-based compensation” plan (as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code) of the Company; provided, however, that the Program Administrators may determine that a Plan Participant has ceased to be a Covered Employee prior to the settlement of any award.

 

9.11.2 Mandatory Deferral of Income. The Program Administrators, in their sole discretion, may require that one or more award agreements contain provisions which provide that, in the event Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision relating to excessive employee remuneration, would operate to disallow a deduction by the Company with respect to all or part of any award under the Program, a Plan Participant’s receipt of the benefit relating to such award that would not be deductible by the Company shall be deferred until the next succeeding year or years in which the Plan Participant’s remuneration does not exceed the limit set forth in such provisions of the Code; provided, however, that such deferral does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

SECTION 10
 AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, AND TERMINATION

 

10.1 Amendment, Suspension, or Termination. Except as provided in Section 10.2, the Board, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan.

 

10.2 No Amendment without Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any material Plan amendment (including but not limited to any provision to reduce the exercise or purchase price of any outstanding Options or other Awards after the Grant Date (other than for adjustments made pursuant Section 4.3), or to cancel and re-grant Options or other rights at a lower exercise price), to the extent required to comply with the rules of the NASDAQ, the Exchange Act, Section 422 of the Code, or other Applicable Law.

 

10.3 Plan Effective Date and Duration of Awards . The Plan shall be effective as of the Plan Adoption Date subject to the shareholders of the Company approving the Plan by the required vote), subject to Sections 10.1 and 10.2 (regarding the Board’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), and shall remain in effect thereafter. If the shareholders of the Company do not approve the Plan by the required vote within twelve months of the Plan Adoption Date, all Awards granted under this Plan, and this Plan in its entirety, shall immediately terminate. However,

 

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without further shareholder approval, no Award may be granted under the Plan more than ten (10) years after the Plan Adoption Date.

 

SECTION 11
 TAX WITHHOLDING

 

11.1 Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or the release of Shares from escrow arrangements or removal of legends, the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

11.2 Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (a) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares or (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement shall be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made; provided, however, in the case Shares are withheld by the Company to satisfy the tax withholding that would otherwise by issued to the Participant, the amount of such tax withholding shall be determined by applying the statutory minimum federal, state or local income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be determined as of the date taxes are required to be withheld.

 

SECTION 12
 LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

 

12.1 Liability of Company. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful grant or any Award or the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company, its officers, Directors and Employees of any liability in respect of the failure to grant such Award or to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

12.2 Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Shares covered by an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares, which may be issued under the Plan without additional shareholder approval, such Award shall be void with respect to such excess Shares, unless shareholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained.

 

12.3 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

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12.4 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

12.5 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

12.6 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

12.7 Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

 

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