Exhibit 10.17

 

RIGHTSIDE GROUP, LTD.
 2014 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND 
 STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

Rightside Group, Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2014 Incentive Award Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the “Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), set forth below (the “Option”).  This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Stock Option Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement.

 

	
Optionee:
    	
 
    	
                                                                                      
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Grant   Date:
    	
 
    	
                                                                                      
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vesting   Commencement Date:
    	
 
    	
                                                                                      
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exercise   Price per Share:
    	
 
    	
$[ ] /Share                                                                     
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Total   Number of Shares Subject to the Option:
    	
 
    	
                                                                            shares
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Expiration   Date:
    	
 
    	
                                                                                      
    


 

	
Type of Option:
    	
o   Incentive Stock Option     o   Non-Qualified Stock Option
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vesting Schedule:
    	
[To   be set forth in individual agreement]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Termination
    	
The   Option shall terminate on the Expiration Date set forth above or, if earlier,   in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Agreement.
    


 

By his or her signature below, the Optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice.  The Optionee has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.  The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions and/or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the Option.  If the Optionee is married, his or her spouse has signed the Consent of Spouse attached to this Grant Notice as Exhibit B.

 

	
RIGHTSIDE GROUP, LTD.
    	
 
    	
OPTIONEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
Print   Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Print   Name:
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Address:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Email:
    	
 
    


 











 

EXHIBIT A

 

TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

ARTICLE I.

 

GENERAL

 

1.1                               Incorporation of Terms of Plan.  The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

GRANT OF OPTION

 

2.1                               Grant of Option.  In consideration of the Optionee’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or an Affiliate and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the Option to purchase any part or all of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.  Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

2.2                               Exercise Price.  The exercise price of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that the exercise price per share of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Optionee is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the price per share of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

 

2.3                               Consideration to the Company.  In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, the Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Affiliate.  Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and the Optionee.

 

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ARTICLE III.

 

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

3.1                               Commencement of Exercisability.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.2, 3.3, 5.10 and 5.13 hereof, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

 

(b)                                 No portion of the Option which has not become vested and exercisable as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

 

3.2                               Duration of Exercisability.  Any installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative.  Each such installment which becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof.

 

3.3                               Expiration of Option.  The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

 

(a)                                 The Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice;

 

(b)                                 If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Optionee is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date;

 

(c)                                  The date that is three (3) months from the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service by the Company without Cause or by the Optionee for any reason (other than due to death or disability);

 

(d)                                 The expiration of one (1) year from the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service by reason of the Optionee’s death or disability; or

 

(e)                                  The start of business on the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service by the Company for Cause.

 

The Optionee acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three (3) months after the Optionee’s Termination of Employment, other than by reason of death or disability, will be taxed as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

3.4                               Special Tax Consequences.  The Optionee acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all shares of Common Stock with respect to which “incentive stock option” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code.  The Optionee further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking the Option and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

 

EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

4.1                               Person Eligible to Exercise.  Except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof.  After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof, be exercised by the Optionee’s beneficiary or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution, subject to Section 11.3(c) of the Plan.

 

4.2                               Partial Exercise.  Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof.  However, the Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares.

 

4.3                               Manner of Exercise.  The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other person or entity designated by the Company) of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof:

 

(a)                                 A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised.  The notice shall be signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

 

(b)                                 Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Section 4.4 hereof;

 

(c)                                  Any other written representations or documents as may be required in the Administrator’s sole discretion to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations, the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law; and

 

(d)                                 In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof by any person or persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option (as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion).

 

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.

 

4.4                               Method of Payment.  Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

 

(a)                                 Cash;

 

(b)                                 Check;

 

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(c)                                  With the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate exercise price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale;

 

(d)                                 With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other shares of Common Stock which have been held by the Optionee for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised;

 

(e)                                  With the consent of the Administrator, surrendered shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised; or

 

(f)                                   With the consent of the Administrator, such other form of legal consideration as may be acceptable to the Administrator.

 

4.5                               Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates.  The shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, treasury shares of Common Stock or issued shares of Common Stock which have then been purchased by the Company on the open market.  Such shares of Common Stock shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 11.4 of the Plan.

 

4.6                               Rights as Stockholder.  The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights or rights to dividends, in respect of any shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares of Common Stock shall have been issued by the Company to such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).  No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the shares of Common Stock are issued, except as provided in Section 13.2 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

5.1                               Administration.  The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Option.

 

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5.2                               Transferability of Option.  Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, the Option shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 11.3 of the Plan.

 

5.3                               Tax Consultation.  The Optionee understands that the Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the grant, vesting and/or exercise of the Option, and/or with the purchase or disposition of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option.  The Optionee represents that the Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants the Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of such shares and that the Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

 

5.4                               Adjustments.  The Optionee acknowledges that the Option is subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article 13 of the Plan.

 

5.5                               Notices.  Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the address given beneath the signature of the Company’s authorized officer on the Grant Notice, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to the Optionee at the address given beneath the Optionee’s signature on the Grant Notice.  By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.5, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party.  Any notice which is required to be given to the Optionee shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof by written notice under this Section 5.5.  Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

 

5.6                               Optionee’s Representations.  If the shares of Common Stock purchasable pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time this Option is exercised, the Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of this Option, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.

 

5.7                               Titles.  Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

5.8                               Governing Law.  The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

 

5.9                               Conformity to Securities Laws.  The Optionee acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

 

5.10                        Amendments, Suspension and Termination.  To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this

 

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Agreement shall adversely affect the Option in any material way without the prior written consent of the Optionee.

 

5.11                        Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in this Article 5, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

5.12                        Notification of Disposition.  If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of Common Stock acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such shares of Common Stock or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares of Common Stock to the Optionee.  Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Optionee in such disposition or other transfer.

 

5.13                        Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Option and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule

 

5.14                        Entire Agreement.  The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

5.15                        Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, this Agreement or the Grant Notice, the Plan, this Agreement and the Grant Notice shall be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”).  The Administrator may, in its discretion, adopt such amendments to the Plan, this Agreement or the Grant Notice or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Section 409A; provided, however, that the Administrator shall have no obligation to take any such action(s) or to indemnify any person for failing to do so.

 

5.16                        Limitation on Optionee’s Rights.  Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided.  This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust.  The Plan, in and of itself, has no assets.  The Optionee shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Affiliates with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to Options, as and when payable hereunder.

 

5.17                        Not a Contract of Service Relationship.  Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Affiliates or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company

 

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and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and the Optionee.

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

 

CONSENT OF SPOUSE

 

I,                               , spouse of                               , have read and approve the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Consent of Spouse is attached and the Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) attached to the Grant Notice.  In consideration of issuing to my spouse the shares of the common stock of Rightside Group, Ltd. set forth in the Grant Notice, I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any rights under the Agreement and agree to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any shares of the common stock of Rightside Group, Ltd. issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement.

 

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Signature   of Spouse
    


 

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