EX-10.34 2001 Stock Plan






Exhibit 10.34


    
LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
2001 STOCK PLAN
 (as amended August 7, 2001)


1.     Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this 2001 Stock Plan are:
		
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	to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,


		
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	to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants, and 


		
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	to promote the success of the Company's business.


Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.  Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.


2.    Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:


(a)“Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.


(b)“Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under state corporate laws of the United States, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any other applicable federal or state law, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan.


(c)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.


(d)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.


(e)“Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.


(f)“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.


(g)“Company” means Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation.


(h)“Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.


(i)“Director” means a member of the Board.


(j)“Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.


(k)“Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.  For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract.  If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.


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


(m)“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:


(i)If the Common Stock is listed on any estab-lished stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such 









exchange or system on the day of determination, or, if the day of determination is not a market trading day, on the first market day following the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;


(ii)If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, or, if the day of determination is not a market trading day, on the first market trading day following the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or 


(iii)In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.


(n)“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.


(o)“Immediate Family” means the spouse, lineal descendants, father, mother, brothers and sisters of the Optionee.


(p)“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.


(q)“Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right grant.  The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.


(r)“Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


(s)“Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.


(t)“Option Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.


(u)“Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.


(v)“Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan.


(w)“Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.


(x)“Plan” means this Lattice Semiconductor Corporation 2001 Stock Plan.


(y)“Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.


(z)“Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.  The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.


(aa)“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.


(bb)    “Section 16(b) “ means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.


(cc)    “Service Provider” means an Employee or Consultant.


(dd)    “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.


(ee)    “Stock Purchase Right” means the right to purchase Common Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.











(ff)    “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.


3.     Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold under the Plan is nine million (9,000,000) Shares.  The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.


If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan. 


4.     Administration of the Plan. 


(a)     Procedure.


(i)Multiple Administrative Bodies.  Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.


(ii)Section 162(m).  To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.


(iii)Rule 16b-3.  To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.


(iv)Other Administration.  Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.  


(b)     Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:


(i)     to determine the Fair Market Value;


(ii)     to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;


(iii)     to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;


(iv)     to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;


(v)to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;


(vi)to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan; 


(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;











(viii) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right (subject to Section 15 of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;


(ix) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined.  All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;


(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;


(xi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.


(c)     Limitations on the Powers of the Administrator.  No person shall have any discretion to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Purchase Right regardless of any decline in the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right since the date of grant.


(d)     Effect of Administrator's Decision.  The Administrator's decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.


5.     Eligibility.  Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted to Service Providers.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.


6.     Limitations.


(a)     Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  However, notwithstanding such designation, 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 Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.  For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.


(b)     Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause. 


(c)     The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:


(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 2,000,000 Shares.


(ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 2,000,000 Shares, which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.


(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in Section 13. 


(iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. 


(d)     The number of shares granted pursuant to Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total shares available for issuance under the Plan.


7.     Term of Plan.  Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board.  It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.









8.     Term of Option.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option Agreement.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.  Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.


9.     Option Exercise Price and Consideration.


(a)    Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:


(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option


(A)granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.


(B)granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.


(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.


(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.


(b)    Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.  At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any con-ditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.


(c)     Form of Consideration.  The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:


(i) cash;


(ii) check;


(iii) promissory note;


(iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;


(v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;


(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;


(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or


(viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.











10.     Exercise of Option.


(a)     Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder.  Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement.  An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.


An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.  Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.


Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.


(b)    Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.  If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option prior to the earlier of its expiration date or the date specified in the Option Agreement, to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.


(c)    Disability of Optionee.  If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Option, including portions not yet vested, may be exercised prior to the earlier of the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of termination or the expiration of the Option.  If, after termination, the Optionee 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.


(d)    Death of Optionee.  If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option, including portions not yet vested, may be exercised prior to the earlier of the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of death or the expiration of the Option.  The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution.  If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.


(e)    No Option Repricing Without Stockholder Approval.  In no event shall the Administrator have the right, without stockholder approval, to (i) lower the price of an Option granted under the Plan after it is granted, except in connection with adjustments provided in Section 13; (ii) take any other action with respect to an Option granted under the Plan that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; or (iii) cancel an Option granted under the Plan at a time when its strike price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying Shares, in exchange for another option, restricted stock, or other equity, unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a merger, acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction.


11.     Stock Purchase Rights.


(a)    Rights to Purchase.  Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan.  After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, includ-ing the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer.  The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.


(b)    Repurchase Option.  Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (other than death or Disability).  The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to 









the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company.  The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.


(c)    Other Provisions.  The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. 


(d)    Rights as a Stockholder.  Once the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.


12.     Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  During the lifetime of the Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian, legal representative or permitted transferrees.  Except as specified below, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution.  At the sole discretion of the Administrator or its appointee, the Administrator or its appointee may allow, by means of a writing to the Optionee, for all or part of a vested Nonstatutory Stock Option to be assigned or transferred, including by means of sale, during an Optionee's lifetime to a member of the Optionee's Immediate Family or to a trust, LLC or partnership for the benefit of any one or more members of such Optionee's Immediate Family.  If the Administrator or its appointee makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.  In such case, the transferee shall receive and hold the Option subject to the provisions of this Section 12 and there shall be no further assignment or transfer of the Option.  The terms of Options granted hereunder shall be binding upon the transferees, purchasers, executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.  


13.     Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale. 


(a)    Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a reorganization, merger, consolidation, plan of exchange, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued 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 Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance 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 or Stock Purchase Right.


(b)    Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until thirty (30) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.  In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated.  To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.


(c)    Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable.  If an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.  For 









the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.


14.     Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.


15.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan.  The Board may amend, alter, or suspend or terminate the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee under any award theretofore granted without the Optionee's or recipient's consent, except such an amendment made to cause the Plan to comply with applicable law, stock exchange rules or accounting rules.  In addition, no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company's stockholders to the extent such approval is required by law or agreement or if such amendment would:


(i) expand the classes of persons to whom awards may be made under Section 5 of this Plan;


(ii) increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under Section 3 of this Plan;


(iii) increase the number of shares which may be granted under awards to any one participant under Section 6(c) of this Plan;


(iv) allow the creation of additional types of awards; 


(v) change the provisions of Section 4(c); or


(vi) change any of the provisions of this paragraph of Section 15.
The Administrator may amend the terms of any Option or other award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment (a) shall cause a qualified performance-based award to cease to qualify for the Section 162(m) exemption or (b) impair the rights of any holder without the holder's consent except such an amendment made to cause the Plan or award to qualify for any exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 or (c) modify the terms of any Options or other award in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan.
Subject to the above provisions, the Board shall have authority to amend the Plan to take into account changes in law and tax and accounting rules as well as other developments, and to grant awards which qualify for beneficial treatment under such rules without stockholder approval.


16.    Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.


(a)    Legal Compliance.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.


(b)    Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased 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.


17.     Inability to Obtain Authority.  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 issuance and sale of any Shares









 hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.


18.     Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.


19.     Stockholder Approval.  The Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted.  Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.