Exhibit 10.1 to SCANNER TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION FORM 8-K Dated May 31, 2007






EXHIBIT 10.1


 


SCANNER TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION


2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


(Approved by Shareholders on May 31, 2007)


 


SECTION 1.


DEFINITIONS


 


As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            “Affiliates” shall mean a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            “Committee” shall mean a Committee of two or more directors who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board.  If the Company’s securities are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, then, to the extent necessary for compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, each of the members of the Committee shall be a “non-employee director.”  Solely for purposes of this Section 1(a), “non-employee director” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            The “Company” shall mean Scanner Technologies Corporation, a New Mexico corporation.  
 






 





	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            “Fair Market Value” as of any date shall mean (i) if such stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or an established stock exchange, the price of such stock at the close of the regular trading session of such market or exchange on such date, as reported by The Wall Street Journal or a comparable reporting service, or, if no sale of such stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next preceding day on which there was a sale of stock; (ii) if such stock is not so listed on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or an established stock exchange, the closing price quoted by the OTC Bulletin Board, the National Quotation Bureau, or any comparable reporting service on such date; or (iii) if such stock is not publicly
traded as of such date, the per share value as determined by the Board, or the Committee, in its sole discretion by applying principles of valuation with respect to the Company’s Common Stock.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (e)
 	
            The “Internal Revenue Code” is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
 


















	
             
 	
            (f)
 	
            The “Participant” means (i) an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary to whom an incentive stock option has been granted pursuant to Section 9, (ii) a consultant or advisor to or director, employee or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary to whom a nonqualified stock option has been granted pursuant to Section 10, or (iii) a consultant or advisor to, or director, employee or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary to whom a restricted stock award has been granted pursuant to Section 11.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (g)
 	
            “Parent” shall mean any corporation that owns, directly or indirectly in an unbroken chain, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (h)
 	
            The “Plan” means the Scanner Technologies Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, including the form of Option and Award Agreements as they may be modified by the Board from time to time.    
 






 





	
             
 	
            (i)
 	
            “Stock” shall mean Common Stock of the Company (subject to adjustment as described in Section 13) reserved for incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards pursuant to this Plan.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (j)
 	
            A “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly in an unbroken chain, by the Company.
 






 


SECTION 2.


PURPOSE


 


The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries by facilitating the employment and retention of competent personnel and by furnishing incentive to officers, directors, employees, consultants, and advisors upon whose efforts the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries will depend to a large degree.


 


It is the intention of the Company to carry out the Plan through the granting of stock options that will qualify as “incentive stock options” under the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision, pursuant to Section 9 of this Plan, through the granting of “nonqualified” stock options pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan, and through the granting of restricted stock awards pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan.  The grant of all stock options and restricted stock awards shall, to the extent required, comply with Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Internal Revenue Code, or any other applicable law or regulation.  In no event shall any stock options become exercisable or the risks of forfeiture on any restricted stock awards lapse prior to the date this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company.  If
shareholder approval of this Plan is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors, any stock options or restricted stock awards previously granted shall be revoked.  


 


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SECTION 3.


EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN


 


The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company as required in Section 2.


 


SECTION 4.


ADMINISTRATION


 


The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) or by a Committee that may be appointed by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan (collectively referred to as the “Administrator”).  The Administrator shall have all of the powers vested in it under the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to exclusive authority (where applicable and within the limitations described herein) to determine, in its sole discretion, whether an incentive stock option, nonqualified stock option or restricted stock award shall be granted, the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, options and awards shall be granted, the number of shares subject to each option or award, the option price, and terms and conditions of each option or award.  The Administrator shall have full power and authority to
administer and interpret the Plan, to make and amend rules, regulations and guidelines for administering the Plan, to prescribe the form and conditions of the respective stock option and restricted stock award agreements (which may vary from Participant to Participant) evidencing each option or award and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Administrator pursuant to the power vested in it hereunder, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties concerned.  


 


No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith in connection with the administration of the Plan.  In the event the Board appoints a Committee as provided hereunder, any action of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken pursuant to a majority vote of the Committee members or pursuant to the written resolution of all Committee members.


 


SECTION 5.


PARTICIPANTS


 


The Administrator shall from time to time, at its discretion and without approval of the shareholders, designate those employees to whom incentive stock options shall be granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan; those employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company or of any Subsidiary to whom nonqualified stock options shall be granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan; and those employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company or any Subsidiary to whom restricted stock awards shall be granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan; provided, however, that consultants or advisors shall not be eligible to receive stock options or restricted stock awards hereunder unless such consultant or advisor renders bona fide services to the Company or Subsidiary and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale 


 


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of securities in a capital raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.  The Administrator may grant additional incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards under this Plan to some or all Participants then holding options or awards or may grant options and awards solely or partially to new Participants.  In designating Participants, the Administrator shall also determine the number of shares to be optioned or awarded to each such Participant.  The Board may from time to time designate individuals as being ineligible to participate in the Plan.


 


SECTION 6.


STOCK


 


The Stock to be optioned or awarded under this Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued shares of Stock.  Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand (3,800,000) shares of Stock shall be reserved and available for stock options and restricted stock awards under the Plan; provided, however, that the total number of shares of Stock reserved for options and restricted stock awards under this Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. In the event (i) any portion of an outstanding stock option or restricted stock award under the Plan for any reason expires, (ii) any portion of an outstanding stock option is terminated prior to the exercise of such option, or (iii) any portion of a restricted stock award is terminated prior to the lapsing of any risks of forfeiture on such stock, the shares of Stock allocable to such portion of the option or award shall continue
to be reserved for stock options and restricted stock awards under the Plan and may be optioned or awarded hereunder.


 


SECTION 7.


DURATION OF PLAN


 


Incentive stock options may be granted pursuant to the Plan from time to time during a period of ten (10) years from the effective date of the Plan as defined in Section 3.  Nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan from time to time after the effective date of the Plan and until the Plan is discontinued or terminated by the Board.  Any incentive stock option granted during such ten-year period and any nonqualified stock option or restricted stock award granted prior to the termination of the Plan by the Board shall remain in full force and effect until the expiration of the option or award as specified in the written stock option or restricted stock award agreement and shall remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.


 


SECTION 8.


PAYMENT


 


Participants may pay for shares upon exercise of stock options granted pursuant to this Plan with cash, personal check, certified check or, if approved by the Administrator in its sole discretion, previously-owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock valued at such Stock’s then Fair Market Value, or such other form of payment as may be authorized by the Administrator.  The 


 


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Administrator may, in its sole discretion, limit the forms of payment available to the Participant and may exercise such discretion any time prior to the termination of the option granted to the Participant or upon any exercise of the option by the Participant.  “Previously-owned shares” means shares of the Company’s Common Stock which the Participant has owned for at least six (6) months prior to the exercise of the stock option, or for such other period of time as may be required by generally accepted accounting principles.


 


With respect to payment in the form of Common Stock of the Company, the Administrator may require advance approval or adopt such rules as it deems necessary to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.


 


SECTION 9.


TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS


 


Each incentive stock option granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be evidenced by a written stock option agreement (the “Option Agreement”).  The Option Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Option Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Number of Shares and Option Price.  The Option Agreement shall state the total number of shares covered by the incentive stock option.  To the extent required to qualify the Option as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision, or under the laws of any other applicable law or regulation, the option price per share shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock per share on the date the Administrator grants the option; provided, however, that if a Participant owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or any Subsidiary, the option price per share of an incentive stock option granted to such Participant shall not be less than
one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock per share on the date of the grant of the option.  The Administrator shall have full authority and discretion in establishing the option price and shall be fully protected in so doing.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Term and Exercisability of Incentive Stock Option.  The Administrator shall establish in each case the term during which any incentive stock option granted under the Plan may be exercised.  To the extent required to qualify the Option as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision, or by the laws of any other applicable law or regulation, in no event shall any incentive stock option be exercisable during a term of more than ten (10) years from the date on which it is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or any 
 






 


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Subsidiary, the incentive stock option granted to such Participant shall be exercisable during a term of not more than five (5) years from the date on which it is granted.  The Option Agreement shall state when the incentive stock option becomes exercisable and shall also state the maximum term during which the option may be exercised.  In the event an incentive stock option is exercisable immediately, the manner of exercise of the option in the event it is not exercised in full immediately shall be specified in the Option Agreement.  The Administrator may accelerate the exercise date of any incentive stock option granted hereunder which is not immediately exercisable as of the date of grant.


 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Withholding.  The Company or its Subsidiary shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s exercise of an incentive stock option or a “disqualifying disposition” of shares acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option as defined in Code Section 421(b).  In the event the Participant is required under the Option Agreement to pay the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Board may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, permit the Participant to satisfy such obligation, in whole or in part, by electing to have the
Company withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the option’s exercise having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from the option.  In no event may the Company or any Affiliate withhold shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding.  The Participant’s election to have shares withheld for this purpose shall be made on or before the date the option is exercised or, if later, the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law.  Such election shall be approved by the Board and otherwise comply with such rules as the Board may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Other Provisions.  The Option Agreement authorized under this Section 9 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.  Any such Option Agreement shall contain such limitations and restrictions upon the exercise of the option as shall be necessary to ensure that such option will be considered an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or to conform to any change therein.
 






 


 


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SECTION 10.


TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS


 


Each nonqualified stock option granted pursuant to this Section 10 shall be evidenced by a written Option Agreement.  The Option Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Option Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Number of Shares and Option Price.  The Option Agreement shall state the total number of shares covered by the nonqualified stock option.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the option price per share shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock per share on the date the Administrator grants the option; provided, however, that the option price may not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock per share on the date of grant.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Term and Exercisability of Nonqualified Stock Option.  The Administrator shall establish in each case the term during which any nonqualified stock option granted under the Plan may be exercised.  The Option Agreement shall state when the nonqualified stock option becomes exercisable and shall also state the maximum term during which the option may be exercised.  In the event a nonqualified stock option is exercisable immediately, the manner of exercise of the option in the event it is not exercised in full immediately shall be specified in the Option Agreement.   The Administrator may accelerate the exercise date of any nonqualified stock option granted hereunder which is not immediately exercisable as of the date of grant.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Withholding.  The Company or its Subsidiary shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s exercise of a nonqualified stock option.  In the event the Participant is required under the Option Agreement to pay the Company or Subsidiary, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or Subsidiary respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, permit the Participant to satisfy such obligation, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of the Company’s Common Stock or by electing to have the Company or Subsidiary withhold shares of Common Stock
otherwise issuable to the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from the exercise of the nonqualified stock option.  In no event may the Company or Subsidiary withhold shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding.  The Participant’s election to have shares withheld for this purpose shall be made on or before the date the option is exercised or, if later, the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax 
 






 


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law.  Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.


 





	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Other Provisions.  The Option Agreement authorized under this Section 10 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.
 






 


SECTION 11.


RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS


 


Each restricted stock award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by a written restricted stock agreement (the “Restricted Stock Agreement”).  The Restricted Stock Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Restricted Stock Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Number of Shares.  The Restricted Stock Agreement shall state the total number of shares of Stock covered by the restricted stock award.  
 






 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Risks of Forfeiture.  The Restricted Stock Agreement shall set forth the risks of forfeiture, if any, which shall apply to the shares of Stock covered by the restricted stock award, and shall specify the manner in which such risks of forfeiture shall lapse.  The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, modify the manner in which such risks of forfeiture shall lapse but only with respect to those shares of Stock that are restricted as of the effective date of the modification. 
 






 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Issuance of Restricted Shares.  The Company shall cause to be issued a stock certificate representing such shares of Stock in the Participant’s name, and shall deliver such certificate to the Participant; provided, however, that the Company shall place a legend on such certificate describing the risks of forfeiture and other transfer restrictions set forth in the Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement and providing for the cancellation and return of such certificate if the shares of Stock subject to the restricted stock award are forfeited.  
 






 





	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Rights as Shareholder.  Until the risks of forfeiture have lapsed or the shares subject to such restricted stock award have been forfeited, the Participant shall be entitled to vote the shares of Stock represented by such stock certificates and shall receive all dividends attributable to such shares, but the Participant shall not have any other rights as a shareholder with respect to such shares.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (e)
 	
            Withholding Taxes.  The Company or its Subsidiary shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s restricted stock award.  In the event the Participant is required under the Restricted Stock Agreement to pay the Company or Subsidiary, 
 






 


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or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or Subsidiary respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, permit the Participant to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of Common Stock, including shares of Stock received pursuant to a restricted stock award on which the risks of forfeiture have lapsed.  Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from the lapsing of the risks of forfeiture on such restricted stock.  In no event may the Participant deliver shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax
withholding.  The Participant’s election to deliver shares of Common Stock for this purpose shall be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law.  Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.


 





	
             
 	
            (f)
 	
            Nontransferability.  No restricted stock award shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, prior to the date the risks of forfeiture described in the restricted stock agreement have lapsed.  If the Participant shall attempt any transfer of any restricted stock award granted under the Plan prior to such date, such transfer shall be void and the restricted stock award shall terminate.
 






 





	
             
 	
            (g)
 	
            Other Provisions.  The Restricted Stock Agreement authorized under this Section 11 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.  
 






 


SECTION 12.


TRANSFER OF OPTIONS


 


No incentive stock option shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  During the Participant’s lifetime, only the Participant may exercise the incentive stock option.  If the Participant shall attempt any transfer of any incentive stock option granted under the Plan during the Participant’s lifetime, such transfer shall be void and the incentive stock option, to the extent not fully exercised, shall terminate.


 


No nonqualified stock option shall
be transferred, except that the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit the Participant to transfer any or all
nonqualified stock options to any member of the Participant’s “immediate family” as such term is defined in Rule
16a-1(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provision, or to one or more trusts whose
beneficiaries are members of such Participant’s “immediate family” or partnerships in which such family members are
the only partners; provided, however, that the Participant cannot receive any consideration for the transfer and such transferred
nonqualified stock option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such nonqualified stock option immediately prior to its transfer.



 


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SECTION 13.


RECAPITALIZATION, SALE, MERGER, EXCHANGE OR LIQUIDATION


 


If, following adoption of this Plan, the Company effects an increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock in the form of a subdivision or consolidation of shares, or the payment of a stock dividend, or effects any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of shares of Option Stock reserved under Section 6 hereof and the number of shares of Option Stock covered by each outstanding option and restricted stock award, and the price per share thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board to reflect such change.  Additional shares that may be credited pursuant to such adjustment shall be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to the shares with respect to which the adjustment relates.


 


Unless otherwise provided in the Option or Award Agreement, in the event of an acquisition of the Company through the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets and the consequent discontinuance of its business or through a merger, consolidation, exchange, reorganization, reclassification, extraordinary dividend, divestiture or liquidation of the Company (collectively referred to as a “transaction”), the Board may provide for one or more of the following:  


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            the equitable acceleration of the exercisability of any outstanding options and the lapsing of the risks of forfeiture on any restricted stock awards; 
 






 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            the complete termination of this Plan, the cancellation of outstanding options not exercised prior to a date specified by the Board (which date shall give Participants a reasonable period of time in which to exercise the options prior to the effectiveness of such transaction), and the cancellation of any restricted stock awards for which the risks of forfeiture have not lapsed; 
 






 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            that Participants holding outstanding stock options shall receive, with respect to each share of Stock subject to such options, as of the effective date of any such transaction, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the date immediately preceding the effective date of such transaction over the option price per share of such options; provided that the Board may, in lieu of such cash payment, distribute to such Participants shares of stock of the Company or shares of stock of any corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction, such shares having a value equal to the cash payment herein; 
 






 





	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
that Participants
holding outstanding restricted stock awards shall receive, with respect to each share of Stock subject to such awards, as of the
effective date of any such transaction, cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the date immediately
preceding the effective date of such transaction; provided that the Board may, in lieu of such cash payment, distribute to such
Participants shares of stock of the Company or shares of stock of any corporation succeeding the
Company by reason of such transaction, such shares having a value equal to the cash payment herein;
 






 


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            (e)
 	
            the continuance of the Plan with respect to the exercise of options which were outstanding as of the date of adoption by the Board of such plan for such transaction and provide to Participants holding such options the right to exercise their respective options as to an equivalent number of shares of stock of the corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction;  and
 






 





	
             
 	
            (f)
 	
            the continuance of the Plan with respect to restricted stock awards for which the risks of forfeiture have not lapsed as of the date of adoption by the Board of such plan for such transaction and provide to Participants holding such awards the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of stock of the corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction.  
 






 


The Board may restrict the rights of or the applicability of this Section 13 to the extent necessary to comply with Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable law or regulation.  The grant of an option or restricted stock award pursuant to the Plan shall not limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, exchange or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.


 


SECTION 14.


INVESTMENT PURPOSE


 


No shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to the Plan unless and until there has been compliance, in the opinion of Company’s counsel, with all applicable legal requirements, including without limitation, those relating to securities laws and stock exchange listing requirements.  As a condition to the issuance of Stock to Participant, the Administrator may require Participant to (i) represent that the shares of Stock are being acquired for investment and not resale and to make such other representations as the Administrator shall deem necessary or appropriate to qualify the issuance of the shares as exempt from the Securities Act of 1933 and any other applicable securities laws, and (ii) represent that Participant shall not dispose of the shares of Stock in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 or any other applicable securities laws or any company policies then in effect.  


 


As a further condition to the grant of any stock option or the issuance of Stock to Participant, Participant agrees to the following:


 





	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            In the event the Company advises Participant that it plans an underwritten public offering of its Common Stock in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the underwriter(s) seek to impose restrictions under which certain shareholders may not sell or contract to sell or grant any option to buy or otherwise dispose of part or all of their stock purchase rights of the underlying Common Stock, 
 






 


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Participant will not, for a period not to exceed 180 days from the prospectus, sell or contract to sell or grant an option to buy or otherwise dispose of any stock option granted to Participant pursuant to the Plan or any of the underlying shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the underwriter(s) or its representative(s).


 





	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            In the event the Company makes any public offering of its securities and determines in its sole discretion that it is necessary to reduce the number of issued but unexercised stock purchase rights so as to comply with any state’s securities or Blue Sky law limitations with respect thereto, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the right (i) to accelerate the exercisability of any stock option and the date on which such option must be exercised, provided that the Company gives Participant prior written notice of such acceleration, and (ii) to cancel any options or portions thereof, in reverse chronological order based on the date or dates on which such options or portions thereof would have become exercisable according to the original vesting schedule set forth in the related stock option agreements, which Participant does not exercise prior to
or contemporaneously with such public offering. 
 






 





	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            In the event of a transaction (as defined in Section 13 of the Plan),  Participant will comply with Rule 145 of the Securities Act of 1933 and any other restrictions imposed under other applicable legal or accounting principles if Participant is an “affiliate” (as defined in such applicable legal and accounting principles) at the time of the transaction, and Participant will execute any documents necessary to ensure compliance with such rules.
 






 


The Company reserves the right to place a legend on any stock certificate issued upon the exercise of an option or upon the grant of a restricted stock award pursuant to the Plan to assure compliance with this Section 14.


 


SECTION 15.


RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER


 


A Participant (or the Participant’s successor or successors) shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an incentive stock option or nonqualified stock option until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate evidencing such shares.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is actually issued (except as otherwise provided in Section 13 of the Plan).


 


SECTION 16.


AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN


 


The Board may from time to time, insofar as permitted by law, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect; provided, however, that no such revision or amendment, 


 


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except as is authorized in Section 13, shall impair the terms and conditions of any stock option or restricted stock award which is outstanding on the date of such revision or amendment to the material detriment of the Participant without the consent of the Participant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such revision or amendment shall (i) increase the number of shares subject to the Plan except as provided in Section 13 hereof, (ii) change the designation of the class of employees eligible to receive stock options or restricted stock awards, (iii) decrease the price at which options may be granted, or (iv) increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company if such approval is required for compliance with the requirements of any applicable law or regulation.  Furthermore, the Plan may not, without the approval of the shareholders, be
amended in any manner that will cause incentive stock options to fail to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.


 


SECTION 17.


NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION


 


The granting of a stock option shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise such option.  Further, the granting of a stock option or restricted stock award hereunder shall not impose upon the Company or any Subsidiary any obligation to retain the Participant in its employ for any period.


 


 








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