Document:

Exhibit 10.28

 

 

AIR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL MULTI-TENANT LEASE - NET

 

1.                                      Basic Provisions (“Basic Provisions”).

1.1                                 Parties:  This Lease (“Lease”), dated for reference purposes only December 17, 2010, is made by and between Daimler Commerce Partners (“Lessor”) and SRS Labs, Inc. (“Lessee”), (collectively the “Parties”, or individually a “Party”).

1.2                                 (a)                                  Premises:  That certain portion of the Project (as defined below), including all improvements therein or to be provided by Lessor under the terms of this Lease, commonly known by the street address of 2917 Daimler Street, located in the City of Santa Ana, County of Orange, State of California, with zip code 92705, as outlined on Exhibit          attached hereto (“Premises”) and generally described as (describe briefly the nature of the Premises):  11,700 SF of Office/Industrial area of which approximately 1,700 SF is 2nd story office area.  These premises are part of a 45,000 SF Office/Industrial Building that is demised into 3 tenant areas.
 In addition to Lessee’s rights to use and occupy the Premises as hereinafter specified, Lessee shall have non-exclusive rights to any utility raceways of the building containing the Premises (“Building”) and to the common Areas (as defined in Paragraph 2.7 below), but shall not have any rights to the roof or exterior walls of the Building or to any other buildings in the Project. The Premises, the Building, the Common Areas, the land upon which they are located, along with all other buildings and improvements thereon, are herein collectively referred to as the “Project.” (See also Paragraph 2)

1.2                                 (b)                                  Parking:  48 unreserved vehicle parking spaces. (See also Paragraph 2.6)

1.3                                 Term:  Five (5) years and No (0) months (“Original Term”) commencing April 1, 2011 (“Commencement Date”) and ending March 31, 2016 (“Expiration Date”). (See also Paragraph 3)

1.4                                 Early Possession:  If the Premises are available Lessee may have non-exclusive possession of the Premises commencing January 17, 2011 (“Early Possession Date”). (See also Paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3)

1.5                                 Base Rent:  $ 8,424.00 per month (“Base Rent”), payable on the First (1st) day of each month commencing October 16, 2012 (18.5 month Free Rent Period). (See also Paragraph 4)

x  If this box is checked, there are provisions in this Lease for the Base Rent to be adjusted. See Paragraph _51 Addendum

1.6                                 Lessee’s Share of Common Area Operating Expenses: 26% percent (26%) (“Lessee’s Share”). In the event that the size of the Premises and/or the Project are modified during the term of this Lease, Lessor shall recalculate Lessee’s Share to reflect such modification.

1.7                                 Base Rent and Other Monies Paid Upon Execution:

(a)                                  Base Rent:  $8,424.00 for the period April 1, 2011 — March 31, 2013.

(b)                                 Common Area Operating Expenses:  $1,521/mo for the period 4/1/2011-4/30/2011.

(c)                                  Security Deposit:  $10,000.00 (“Security Deposit”). (See also Paragraph 5)

 

 

	
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(d)                                 Other:  $        for        .

(e)                                  Total Due Upon Execution of this Lease:  $11,521.00.

1.8                                 Agreed Use:  General Office/Showroom/Warehouse. (See also Paragraph 6)

1.9                                 Insuring Party. Lessor is the “Insuring Party”. (See also Paragraph 8)

1.10                           Real Estate Brokers:  (See also Paragraph 15)

(a)                                  Representation:  The following real estate brokers (the “Brokers”) and brokerage relationships exist in this transaction (check applicable boxes):

x  KW Commercial and Vector Realty Investments represents Lessor exclusively (“Lessor’s Broker”);

o                        represents Lessee exclusively (“Lessee’s Broker”); or

o                        represents both Lessor and Lessee (“Dual Agency”).

(b)                                 Payment to Brokers:  Upon execution and delivery of this Lease by both Parties, Lessor shall pay to the Brokers for the brokerage services rendered by the Brokers the fee agreed to in the attached a separate written agreement or if no such agreement is attached, the sum of $25,000           or             % of the total Base Rent payable for the Original Term, the sum of            or              of the total Base Rent payable during any period of time that the Lessee occupies the Premises subsequent to the Original Term, and/or the sum of            or             % of the purchase price in the event that the Lessee or anyone affiliated with Lessee acquires from Lessor any rights to the Premises.

1.11                           Guarantor. The obligations of the Lessee under this Lease are to be guaranteed by   (“Guarantor”). (See also Paragraph 37)

1.12                           Attachments. Attached hereto are the following, all of which constitute a part of this Lease:

x an Addendum consisting of Paragraphs 50 through 55;

x a site plan depicting the Premises;

x a site plan depicting the Project;

x a current set of the Rules and Regulations for the Project;

o a current set of the Rules and Regulations adopted by the owners’ association;

o a Work Letter;

o other (specify);                                                                                                                                                                                          

2.                                      Premises.

2.1                                 Letting. Lessor hereby leases to Lessee, and Lessee hereby leases from Lessor, the Premises, for the term, at the rental, and upon all of the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in this Lease. While the approximate square footage of the Premises may have been used in the marketing of the Premises for purposes of comparison, the Base Rent stated herein is NOT tied to square footage and is not subject to adjustment should the actual size be determined to be different. NOTE:  Lessee is advised to verify the actual size prior to executing this Lease.

2.2                                 Condition. Lessor shall deliver that portion of the Premises contained within the Building (‘Unit”) to Lessee broom clean and free of debris on the Commencement Date or the Early Possession Date, whichever first occurs (“Start Date”), and, so long as the required service contracts described in Paragraph 7.1(b) below are obtained by Lessee and in effect within thirty days following the Start Date, warrants that the existing electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler, lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (“HVAC”), loading doors, sump pumps, if any, and all other such elements in the Unit, other than those constructed by Lessee, shall be in good operating condition on said date, that the structural elements of the roof, bearing walls and foundation of the Unit shall be free of material defects, and that the Unit does not contain hazardous levels of any mold or fungi defined as toxic under applicable state or federal law. If a non-compliance with such warranty exists as of the Start Date, or if one of such systems or elements should malfunction or fail within the appropriate warranty period, Lessor shall, as Lessor’s sole obligation with respect to such matter, except as otherwise provided in this Lease, promptly after receipt of written notice from Lessee setting

 

 

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forth with specificity the nature and extent of such non-compliance, malfunction or failure, rectify same at Lessor’s expense. The warranty periods shall be as follows:  (i) 6 months as to the HVAC systems, and (ii) 30 days as to the remaining systems and other elements of the Unit. If Lessee does not give Lessor the required notice within the appropriate warranty period, correction of any such non-compliance, malfunction or failure shall be the obligation of Lessee at Lessee’s sole cost and expense (except for the repairs to the fire sprinkler systems, roof, foundations, and/or bearing walls - see Paragraph 7).

2.3                                 Compliance. Lessor warrants that to the best of its knowledge the improvements on the Premises and the Common Areas comply with the building codes that were in effect at the time that each such improvement, or portion thereof, was constructed, and also with all applicable laws, covenants or restrictions of record, regulations, arid ordinances in effect on the Start Date (“Applicable Requirements”). Said warranty does not apply to the use to which Lessee will put the Premises, modifications which may be required by the Americans with Disabilities Act or any similar laws as a result of Lessee’s use (see Paragraph 49), or to any Alterations or Utility Installations (as defined in Paragraph 7.3(a)) made or to be made by Lessee. NOTE:  Lessee is responsible for determining whether or not the Applicable Requirements and especially the zoning are appropriate for Lessee’s intended use, and acknowledges that past uses of the Premises may no longer be allowed. If the Premises do not comply with said warranty, Lessor shall, except as otherwise provided, promptly after receipt of written notice from Lessee setting forth with specificity the nature and extent of such non-compliance, rectify the same at Lessor’s expense. If Lessee does not give Lessor written notice of a non-compliance with this warranty within 6 months following the Start Dote, correction of that non-compliance shall be the obligation of Lessee at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. If the Applicable Requirements are hereafter changed so as to require during the term of this Lease the construction of an addition to or an alteration of the Unit, Premises and/or Building, the remediation of any Hazardous Substance, or the reinforcement or other physical modification of the Unit, Premises and/or Building (“Capital Expenditure”), Lessor and Lessee shall allocate the cost of such work as follows:

(a)                                  Subject to Paragraph 2.3(c) below, if such Capital Expenditures are required as a result of the specific and unique use of the Premises by Lessee as compared with uses by tenants in general, Lessee shall be fully responsible for the cost thereof, provided,, however that if such Capital Expenditure is required during the last 2 years of this Lease and the cost thereof exceeds 6 months’ Base Rent, Lessee may instead terminate this Lease unless Lessor notifies Lessee, in writing, within 10 days after receipt of Lessee’s termination notice that Lessor has elected to pay the difference between the actual cost thereof and the amount equal to 6 months’ Base Rent. If Lessee elects termination, Lessee shall immediately cease the use of the Premises which requires such Capital Expenditure and deliver to Lessor written notice specifying a termination date at least 90 days thereafter. Such termination date shall, however, in no event be earlier than the last day that Lessee could legally utilize the Premises without commencing such Capital Expenditure.

(b)                                 If such Capital Expenditure is not the result of the specific and unique use of the Premises by Lessee (such as, governmentally mandated seismic modifications), then Lessor shall pay for such Capital Expenditure and Lessee shall only be obligated to pay, each month during the remainder of the term of this Lease or any extension thereof, on the date that on which the Base Rent is due, an amount equal to 1/144th of the portion of such costs reasonably attributable to the Premises. Lessee shall pay Interest on the balance but may prepay its obligation at any time. If, however, such Capital Expenditure is required during the last 2 years of this Lease or if Lessor reasonably determines that it is not economically feasible to pay its share thereof, Lessor shall have the option to terminate this Lease upon 90 days prior written notice to Lessee unless Lessee notifies Lessor, in writing, within 10 days after receipt of Lessor’s termination notice that Lessee will pay for such Capital Expenditure. If Lessor does not elect to terminate, and fails to tender its share of any such Capital Expenditure, Lessee may advance such funds and deduct same, with Interest, from Rent until Lessor’s share of such costs have been fully paid. If Lessee is unable to finance Lessor’s share, or if the balance of the Rent due and payable for the remainder of this Lease is not sufficient to fully reimburse Lessee on an offset basis, Lessee shall have the right to terminate this Lease upon 30 days written notice to Lessor.

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the above, the provisions concerning Capital Expenditures are intended to apply only to non-voluntary, unexpected, and new Applicable Requirements. If the Capital Expenditures are instead triggered by Lessee as a result of an actual or proposed change in use, change in intensity of use, or modification to the Premises then, and in that event, Lessee shall either:  (I) immediately cease such changed use or intensity of use and/or take such other steps as may be necessary

 

 

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to eliminate the requirement for such Capital Expenditure, or (ii) complete such Capital Expenditure at its own expense. Lessee shall not have any right to terminate this Lease.

2.4                                 Acknowledgements. Lessee acknowledges that:  (a) it has been given an opportunity to inspect and measure the Premises, (b) it has been advised by Lessor and/or Brokers to satisfy itself with respect to the size and condition of the Premises (including but not limited to the electrical, HVAC and fire sprinkler systems, security, environmental aspects, and compliance with Applicable Requirements and the Americans with Disabilities Act), and their suitability for Lessee’s intended use, (c) Lessee has made such investigation as it deems necessary with reference to such matters and assumes all responsibility therefor as the same relate to its occupancy of the Premises, (d) it is not relying on any representation as to the size of the Premises made by Brokers or Lessor, (e) the square footage of the Premises was not material to Lessee’s decision to lease the Premises and pay the Rent stated herein, and (f) neither Lessor, Lessor’s agents, nor Brokers have made any oral or written representations or warranties with respect to said matters other than as set forth in this Lease. In addition, Lessor acknowledges that:  (i) Brokers have made no representations, promises or warranties concerning Lessee’s ability to honor the Lease or suitability to occupy the Premises, and (ii) it is Lessor’s sole responsibility to investigate the financial capability and/or suitability of all proposed tenants.

2.5                                 Lessee as Prior Owner/Occupant. The warranties made by Lessor in Paragraph 2 shall be of no force or effect if immediately prior to the Start Date Lessee was the owner or occupant of the Premises. In such event, Lessee shall be responsible for any necessary corrective work.

2.6                                 Vehicle Parking. Lessee shall be entitled to use the number of parking spaces specified in Paragraph 1.2(b) on those portions of the Common Areas designated from time to time by Lessor for parking. Lessee shall not use more parking spaces than said number. Said parking spaces shall be used for parking by vehicles no larger than full-size passenger automobiles or pick-up trucks, herein called “Permitted Size Vehicles.” Lessor may regulate the loading and unloading of vehicles by adopting Rules and Regulations as provided in Paragraph 2.9. No vehicles other than Permitted Size Vehicles may be parked in the Common Area without the prior written permission of Lessor. In addition:

(a)                                  Lessee shall not permit or allow any vehicles that belong to or are controlled by Lessee or Lessee’s employees, suppliers, shippers, customers, contractors or invitees to be loaded, unloaded, or parked in areas other than those designated by Lessor for such activities.

(b)                                 Lessee shall not service or store any vehicles in the Common Areas.

(c)                                  If Lessee permits or allows any of the prohibited activities described in this Paragraph 2.6, then Lessor shall have the right, without notice, in addition to such other rights and remedies that it may have, to remove or tow away the vehicle involved and charge the cost to Lessee, which cost shall be immediately payable upon demand by Lessor.

2.7                                 Common Areas - Definition. The term “Common Areas” is defined as all areas and facilities outside the Premises and within the exterior boundary line of the Project and interior utility raceways and installations within the Unit that are provided and designated by the Lessor from time to time for the general non-exclusive use of Lessor, Lessee and other tenants of the Project and their respective employees, suppliers, shippers, customers, contractors and invitees, including parking areas, loading and unloading areas, trash areas, roadways, walkways, driveways and landscaped areas.

2.8                                 Common Areas - Lessee’s Rights. Lessor grants to Lessee, for the benefit of Lessee and its employees, suppliers, shippers, contractors, customers and invitees, during the term of this Lease, the non-exclusive right to use, in common with others entitled to such use, the Common Areas as they exist from time to time, subject to any rights, powers, and privileges reserved by Lessor under the terms hereof or under the terms of any rules and regulations or restrictions governing the use of the Project. Under no circumstances shall the right herein granted to use the Common Areas be deemed to include the right to store any property, temporarily or permanently, in the Common Areas. Any such storage shall be permitted only by the prior written consent of Lessor or Lessor’s designated agent, which consent may be revoked at any time. In the event that any unauthorized storage shall occur then Lessor shall have the right, without notice, in addition to such other rights and remedies that it may have, to remove the property and charge the cost to Lessee, which cost shall be immediately payable upon demand by Lessor.

2.9                                 Common Areas - Rules and Regulations. Lessor or such other person(s) as Lessor may appoint shall have the exclusive control and management of the Common Areas and shall have the right, from time to time, to establish, modify, amend and enforce reasonable rules and regulations (“Rules and Regulations”) for the management, safety, care, and cleanliness of the

 

 

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grounds, the parking and unloading of vehicles and the preservation of good order, as well as for the convenience of other occupants or tenants of the Building and the Project and their invitees. Lessee agrees to abide by and conform to all such Rules and Regulations, and shall use its best efforts to cause its employees, suppliers, shippers, customers, contractors and invitees to so abide and conform. Lessor shall not be responsible to Lessee for the non-compliance with said Rules and Regulations by other tenants of the Project.

2.10                           Common Areas - Changes. Lessor shall have the right, in Lessor’s sole discretion, from time to time:

(a)                                  To make changes to the Common Areas, including, without limitation, changes in the location, size, shape and number of driveways, entrances, parking spaces, parking areas, loading and unloading areas, ingress, egress, direction of traffic, landscaped areas, walkways and utility raceways;

(b)                                 To close temporarily any of the Common Areas for maintenance purposes so long as reasonable access to the Premises remains available;

(c)                                  To designate other land outside the boundaries of the Project to be a part of the Common Areas;

(d)                                 To add additional buildings and improvements to the Common Areas;

(e)                                  To use the Common Areas while engaged in making additional improvements, repairs or alterations to the Project, or any portion thereof; and

(f)                                    To do and perform such other acts and make such other changes in, to or with respect to the Common Areas and Project as Lessor may, in the exercise of sound business judgment, deem to be appropriate.

3.                                      Term.

3.1                                 Term. The Commencement Date, Expiration Date and Original Term of this Lease are as specified in Paragraph 1.3.

3.2                                 Early Possession. Any provision herein granting Lessee Early Possession of the Premises is subject to and conditioned upon the Premises being available for such possession prior to the Commencement Date. Any grant of Early Possession only conveys a non-exclusive right to occupy the Premises. If Lessee totally or partially occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, the obligation to pay Base Rent shall be abated for the period of such Early Possession. All other terms of this Lease (including but not limited to the obligations to pay Lessee’s Share of Common Area Operating Expenses, Real Property Taxes and insurance premiums and to maintain the Premises) shall be in effect during such period. Any such Early Possession shall not affect the Expiration Date.

3.3                                 Delay In Possession. Lessor agrees to use its best commercially reasonable efforts to deliver possession of the Premises to Lessee by the Commencement Date. If, despite said efforts, Lessor is unable to deliver possession by such date, Lessor shall not be subject to any liability therefor, nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease or change the Expiration Date. Lessee shall not, however, be obligated to pay Rent or perform its other obligations until Lessor delivers possession of the Premises and any period of rent abatement that Lessee would otherwise have enjoyed shall run from the date of delivery of possession and continue for a period equal to what Lessee would otherwise have enjoyed under the terms hereof, but minus any days of delay caused by the acts or omissions of Lessee. If possession is not delivered within 60 days after the Commencement Date, as the same may be extended under the terms of any Work Letter executed be Parties, Lessee may, at its option, by notice in writing within 10 days after the end of such 60 day period, cancel this Lease, in which event the Parties shall be discharged from all obligations hereunder. If such written notice is not received by Lessor within said 10 day period, Lessee’s right to cancel shall terminate. If possession of the Premises is not delivered within 120 days after the Commencement Date, this Lease shall terminate unless other agreements are reached between Lessor and Lessee, in writing.

3.4                                 Lessee Compliance. Lessor shall not be required to tender possession of the Premises to Lessee until Lessee complies with its obligation to provide evidence of insurance (Paragraph 8.5). Pending delivery of such evidence, Lessee shall be required to perform all of its obligations under this Lease from and after the Start Date, including the payment of Rent, notwithstanding Lessor’s election to withhold possession pending receipt of such evidence of insurance. Further, if Lessee is required to perform any other conditions prior to or concurrent with the Start Date, the Start Date shall occur but Lessor may elect to withhold possession until such conditions are satisfied.

 

 

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4.                                      Rent.

4.1                                 Rent Defined. All monetary obligations of Lessee to Lessor under the terms of this Lease (except for the Security Deposit) are deemed to be rent (“Rent”).

4.2                                 Common Area Operating Expenses. Lessee shall pay to Lessor during the term hereof, in addition to the Base Rent, Lessee’s Share (as specified in Paragraph 1.6) of all Common Area Operating Expenses, as hereinafter defined, during each calendar year of the term of this Lease, in accordance with the following provisions:

(a)                                  “Common Area Operating Expenses” are defined, for purposes of this Lease, as all costs incurred by Lessor relating to the ownership and operation of the Project, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i)                                     The operation, repair and maintenance, in neat, clean, good order and condition, and if necessary the replacement, of the following:

(aa)                            The Common Areas and Common Area improvements, including parking areas, loading and unloading areas, trash areas, roadways, parkways, walkways, driveways, landscaped areas, bumpers, irrigation systems, Common Area lighting facilities, fences and gates, elevators, roofs, exterior walls of the buildings, building systems and roof drainage systems.

(bb)                          Exterior signs and any tenant directories.

(cc)                            Any fire sprinkler systems.

(dd)                          All other areas and improvements that are within the exterior boundaries of the Project but outside of the Premises and/or any other space occupied by a tenant.

(ii)                                  The cost of water, gas, electricity and telephone to service the Common Areas and any utilities not separately metered.

(iii)                               The cost of trash disposal, pest control services, property management, security services, owners’ association dues and fees, the cost to repaint the exterior of any structures and the cost of any environmental inspections.

(iv)                              Reserves set aside for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of Common Area improvements and equipment.

(v)                                 Real Property Taxes (as defined in Paragraph 10).

(vi)                              The cost of the premiums for the insurance maintained by Lessor pursuant to Paragraph 8.

(vii)                           Any deductible portion of an insured loss concerning the Building or the Common Areas.

(viii)                        Auditors’, accountants’ and attorneys’ fees and costs related to the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the Project.

(ix)                                The cost of any capital improvement to the Building or the Project not covered under the provisions of Paragraph 2.3 provided; however, that Lessor shall allocate the cost of any such capital improvement over a 12 year period and Lessee shall not be required to pay more than Lessee’s Share of 1/144th of the cost of such capital improvement in any given month.

(x)                                   The cost of any other services to be provided by Lessor that are stated elsewhere in this Lease to be a Common Area Operating Expense.

(b)                                 Any Common Area Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes that are specifically attributable to the Unit, the Building or to any other building in the Project or to the operation, repair and maintenance thereof, shall be allocated entirely to such Unit, Building, or other building. However, any Common Area Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes that are not specifically attributable to the Building or to any other building or to the operation, repair and maintenance thereof, shall be equitably allocated by Lessor to all buildings in the Project.

(c)                                  The inclusion of the improvements, facilities and services set forth in Subparagraph 4.2(a) shall not be deemed to impose an obligation upon Lessor to either have said improvements or facilities or to provide those services unless the Project already has the same, Lessor already provides the services, or Lessor has agreed elsewhere in this Lease to provide the same or some of them.

(d)                                 Lessee’s Share of Common Area Operating Expenses is payable monthly on the same day as the Base Rent is due hereunder. The amount of such payments shall be based on Lessor’s estimate of the annual Common Area

 

 

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Operating Expenses. Within 60 days after written request (but not more than once each year) Lessor shall deliver to Lessee a reasonably detailed statement showing Lessee’s Share of the actual Common Area Operating Expenses for the preceding year. If Lessee’s payments during such year exceed Lessee’s Share, Lessor shall credit the amount of such over-payment against Lessee’s future payments. If Lessee’s payments during such year were less than Lessee’s Share, Lessee shall pay to Lessor the amount of the deficiency within 10 days after delivery by Lessor to Lessee of the statement.

(e)                                  Common Area Operating Expenses shall not include any expenses paid by any tenant directly to third parties, or as to which Lessor is otherwise reimbursed by any third party, other tenant, or insurance proceeds.

4.3                                 Payment. Lessee shall cause payment of Rent to be received by Lessor in lawful money of the United States, without offset or deduction (except as specifically permitted in this Lease), on or before the day on which it is due. All monetary amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. In the event that any invoice prepared by Lessor is inaccurate such inaccuracy shall not constitute a waiver and Lessee shall be obligated to pay the amount set forth in this Lease. Rent for any period during the term hereof which is for less than one full calendar month shall be prorated based upon the actual number of days of said month. Payment of Rent shall be made to Lessor at its address stated herein or to such other persons or place as Lessor may from time to time designate in writing. Acceptance of a payment which is less than the amount then due shall not be a waiver of Lessor’s rights to the balance of such Rent, regardless of Lessor’s endorsement of any check so stating. In the event that any check, draft, or other instrument of payment given by Lessee to Lessor is dishonored for any reason, Lessee agrees to pay to Lessor the sum of $25 in addition to any Late Charge and Lessor, at its option, may require all future Rent be paid by cashier’s check. Payments will be applied first to accrued late charges and attorney’s fees, second to accrued interest, then to Base Rent and Common Area Operating Expenses, and any remaining amount to any other outstanding charges or costs.

5.                                      Security Deposit. Lessee shall deposit with Lessor upon execution hereof the Security Deposit as security for Lessee’s faithful performance of its obligations under this Lease. If Lessee fails to pay Rent, or otherwise Defaults under this Lease, Lessor may use, apply or retain all or any portion of said Security Deposit for the payment of any amount already due Lessor, for Rents which will be due in the future, and/ or to reimburse or compensate Lessor for any liability, expense, loss or damage which Lessor may suffer or incur by reason thereof. If Lessor uses or applies all or any portion of the Security Deposit, Lessee shall within 10 days after written request therefor deposit monies with Lessor sufficient to restore said Security Deposit to the full amount required by this Lease. If the Base Rent increases during the term of this Lease, Lessee shall, upon written request from Lessor, deposit additional monies with Lessor so that the total amount of the Security Deposit shall at all times bear the same proportion to the increased Base Rent as the initial Security Deposit bore to the initial Base Rent. Should the Agreed Use be amended to accommodate a material change in the business of Lessee or to accommodate a sublessee or assignee, Lessor shall have the right to increase the Security Deposit to the extent necessary, in Lessor’s reasonable judgment, to account for any increased wear and tear that the Premises may suffer as a result thereof. If a change in control of Lessee occurs during this Lease and following such change the financial condition of Lessee Is, in Lessor’s reasonable judgment, significantly reduced, Lessee shall deposit such additional monies with Lessor as shall be sufficient to cause the Security Deposit to be at a commercially reasonable level based on such change in financial condition. Lessor shall not be required to keep the Security Deposit separate from its general accounts. Within 90 days after the expiration or termination of this Lease, Lessor shall return that portion of the Security Deposit not used or applied by Lessor. No part of the Security Deposit shall be considered to be held in trust, to bear interest or to be prepayment for any monies to be paid by Lessee under this Lease.

6.                                      Use.

6.1                                 Use. Lessee shall use and occupy the Premises only for the Agreed Use, or any other legal use which is reasonably comparable thereto, and for no other purpose. Lessee shall not use or permit the use of the Premises in a manner that is unlawful, creates damage, waste or a nuisance, or that disturbs occupants of or causes damage to neighboring premises or properties. Other than guide, signal and seeing eye dogs, Lessee shall not keep or allow in the Premises any pets, animals, birds, fish, or reptiles. Lessor shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to any written request for a modification of the Agreed Use, so long as the same will not impair the structural integrity of the Building or the mechanical or electrical systems therein, and/or is not significantly more burdensome to the Project. If Lessor elects to withhold consent, Lessor shall within 7 days after such

 

 

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request give written notification of same, which notice shall include an explanation of Lessor’s objections to the change in the Agreed Use.

6.2                                 Hazardous Substances.

(a)                                  Reportable Uses Require Consent. The term “Hazardous Substance” as used in this Lease shall mean any product, substance, or waste whose presence, use, manufacture, disposal, transportation, or release, either by itself or in combination with other materials expected to be on the Premises, is either:  (i) potentially injurious to the public health, safety or welfare, the environment or the Premises, (ii) regulated or monitored by any governmental authority, or (iii) a basis for potential liability of Lessor to any governmental agency or third party under any applicable statute or common law theory. Hazardous Substances shall include, but not be limited to, hydrocarbons, petroleum, gasoline, and/or crude oil or any products, by-products or fractions thereof. Lessee shall not engage in any activity in or on the Premises which constitutes a Reportable Use of Hazardous Substances without the express prior written consent of Lessor and timely compliance (at Lessee’s expense) with all Applicable Requirements. “Reportable Use” shall mean (i) the installation or use of any above or below ground storage tank, (ii) the generation, possession, storage, use, transportation, or disposal of a Hazardous Substance that requires a permit from, or with respect to which a report, notice, registration or business plan is required to be filed with, any governmental authority, and/or (iii) the presence at the Premises of a Hazardous Substance with respect to which any Applicable Requirements requires that a notice be given to persons entering or occupying the Premises or neighboring properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee may use any ordinary and customary materials reasonably required to be used in the normal course of the Agreed Use, ordinary office supplies (copier toner, liquid paper, glue, etc.) and common household cleaning materials, so long as such use is in compliance with all Applicable Requirements, is not a Reportable Use, and does not expose the Premises or neighboring property to any meaningful risk of contamination or damage or expose Lessor to any liability therefor. In addition, Lessor may condition its consent to any Reportable Use upon receiving such additional assurances as Lessor reasonably deems necessary to protect itself, the public, the Premises and/or the environment against damage, contamination, injury and/or liability, including, but not limited to, the installation (and removal on or before Lease expiration or termination) of protective modifications (such as concrete encasements) and/or increasing the Security Deposit.

(b)                                 Duty to Inform Lessor. If Lessee knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, that a Hazardous Substance has come to be located in, on, under or about the Premises, other than as previously consented to by Lessor, Lessee shall immediately give written notice of such fact to Lessor, and provide Lessor with a copy of any report, notice, claim or other documentation which it has concerning the presence of such Hazardous Substance.

(c)                                  Lessee Remediation. Lessee shall not cause or permit any Hazardous Substance to be spilled or released in, on, under, or about the Premises (including through the plumbing or sanitary sewer system) and shall promptly, at Lessee’s expense, comply with all Applicable Requirements and take all investigatory and/or remedial action reasonably recommended, whether or not formally ordered or required, for the cleanup of any contamination of, and for the maintenance, security and/or monitoring of the Premises or neighboring properties, that was caused or materially contributed to by Lessee, or pertaining to or involving any Hazardous Substance brought onto the Premises during the term of this Lease, by or for Lessee, or any third party.

(d)                                 Lessee Indemnification. Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold Lessor, its agents, employees, lenders and ground lessor, if any, harmless from and against any and all loss of rents and/or damages, liabilities, judgments, claims, expenses, penalties, and attorneys’ and consultants’ fees arising out of or involving any Hazardous Substance brought onto the Premises by or for Lessee, or any third party (provided, however, that Lessee shall have no liability under this Lease with respect to underground migration of any Hazardous Substance under the Premises from areas outside of the Project not caused or contributed to by Lessee). Lessee’s obligations shall include, but not be limited to, the effects of any contamination or injury to person, property or the environment created or suffered by Lessee, and the cost of investigation, removal, remediation, restoration and/or abatement, and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease. No termination, cancellation or release agreement entered into by Lessor and Lessee shall release Lessee from its obligations under this Lease with respect to Hazardous Substances, unless specifically so agreed by Lessor in writing at the time of such agreement.

 

 

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(e)                                  Lessor Indemnification. Lessor and its successors and assigns shall indemnify, defend, reimburse and hold Lessee, its employees and lenders, harmless from and against any and all environmental damages, including the cost of remediation, which are suffered as a direct result of Hazardous Substances on the Premises prior to Lessee taking possession or which are caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessor, its agents or employees. Lessor’s obligations, as and when required by the Applicable Requirements, shall include, but not be limited to, the cost of investigation, removal, remediation, restoration and/or abatement, and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.

(f)                                    Investigations and Remediations. Lessor shall retain the responsibility and pay for any investigations or remediation measures required by governmental entities having jurisdiction with respect to the existence of Hazardous Substances on the Premises prior to the Lessee taking possession, unless such remediation measure is required as a result of Lessee’s use (including “Alterations”, as defined in paragraph 7.3(a) below) of the Premises, in which event Lessee shall be responsible for such payment. Lessee shall cooperate fully in any such activities at the request of Lessor, including allowing Lessor and Lessor’s agents to have reasonable access to the Premises at reasonable times in order to carry out Lessor’s investigative and remedial responsibilities.

(g)                                 Lessor Termination Option. If a Hazardous Substance Condition (see Paragraph 9.1(e)) occurs during the term of this Lease, unless Lessee is legally responsible therefor (in which case Lessee shall make the investigation and remediation thereof required by the Applicable Requirements and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, but subject to Lessor’s rights under Paragraph 6.2(d) and Paragraph 13), Lessor may, at Lessor’s option, either (i) investigate and remediate such Hazardous Substance Condition, if required, as soon as reasonably possible at Lessor’s expense, in which event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, or (ii) if the estimated cost to remediate such condition exceeds 12 times the then monthly Base Rent or $100,000, whichever is greater, give written notice to Lessee, within 30 days after receipt by Lessor of knowledge of the occurrence of such Hazardous Substance Condition, of Lessor’s desire to terminate this Lease as of the date 60 days following the date of such notice. In the event Lessor elects to give a termination notice, Lessee may, within 10 days thereafter, give written notice to Lessor of Lessee’s commitment to pay the amount by which the cost of the remediation of such Hazardous Substance Condition exceeds an amount equal to 12 times the then monthly Base Rent or $100,000, whichever is greater. Lessee shall provide Lessor with said funds or satisfactory assurance thereof within 30 days following such commitment. In such event, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, and Lessor shall proceed to make such remediation as soon as reasonably possible after the required funds are available. If Lessee does not give such notice and provide the required funds or assurance thereof within the time provided, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in Lessor’s notice of termination.

6.3                                 Lessee’s Compliance with Applicable Requirements. Except as otherwise provided in this Lease, Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, fully, diligently and in a timely manner, materially comply with all Applicable Requirements, the requirements of any applicable fire insurance underwriter or rating bureau, and the recommendations of Lessors engineers and/or consultants which relate in any manner to such Requirements, without regard to whether said Requirements are now in effect or become effective after the Start Date. Lessee shall, within 10 days after receipt of Lessor’s written request, provide Lessor with copies of all permits and other documents, and other information evidencing Lessee’s compliance with any Applicable Requirements specified by Lessor, and shall immediately upon receipt, notify Lessor in writing (with copies of any documents involved) of any threatened or actual claim, notice, citation, warning, complaint or report pertaining to or involving the failure of Lessee or the Premises to comply with any Applicable Requirements. Likewise, Lessee shall immediately give written notice to Lessor of:  (i) any water damage to the Premises and any suspected seepage, pooling, dampness or other condition conducive to the production of mold; or (ii) any mustiness or other odors that might indicate the presence of mold in the Premises.

6.4                                 Inspection; Compliance. Lessor and Lessors “Lender” (as defined in Paragraph 30) and consultants shall have the right to enter into Premises at any time, in the case of an emergency, and otherwise at reasonable times after reasonable notice, for the purpose of inspecting the condition of the Premises and for verifying compliance by Lessee with this Lease. The cost of any such inspections shall be paid by Lessor, unless a violation of Applicable Requirements, or a Hazardous Substance Condition (see Paragraph 9.1) is found to exist or be imminent, or the inspection is requested or ordered by a governmental authority. In such case, Lessee shall upon request reimburse Lessor for the cost of such inspection, so long as such inspection is

 

 

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reasonably related to the violation or contamination. In addition, Lessee shall provide copies of all relevant material safety data sheets (MSDS) to Lessor within 10 days of the receipt of written request therefor.

7.                                      Maintenance; Repairs, Utility Installations; Trade Fixtures and Alterations.

7.1                                 Lessee’s Obligations.

(a)                                  In General. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 2.2 (Condition), 2.3 (Compliance), 6.3 (Lessee’s Compliance with Applicable Requirements), 7.2 (Lessors Obligations), 9 (Damage or Destruction), and 14 (Condemnation), Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, keep the Premises, Utility Installations (intended for Lessee’s exclusive use, no matter where located), and Alterations in good order, condition and repair (whether or not the portion of the Premises requiring repairs, or the means of repairing the same, are reasonably or readily accessible to Lessee, and whether or not the need for such repairs occurs as a result of Lessee’s use, any prior use, the elements or the age of such portion of the Premises), including, but not limited to, all equipment or facilities, such as plumbing, HVAC equipment, electrical, lighting facilities, boilers, pressure vessels, fixtures, interior walls, interior surfaces of exterior walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, plate glass, and skylights but excluding any items which are the responsibility of Lessor pursuant to Paragraph 7.2. Lessee, in keeping the Premises in good order, condition and repair, shall exercise and perform good maintenance practices, specifically including the procurement and maintenance of the service contracts required by Paragraph 7.1(b) below. Lessee’s obligations shall include restorations, replacements or renewals when necessary to keep the Premises and all improvements thereon or a part thereof in good order, condition and state of repair.

(b)                                 Service Contracts. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, procure and maintain contracts, with copies to Lessor, in customary form and substance for, and with contractors specializing and experienced in the maintenance of the following equipment and improvements, if any, if and when installed on the Premises:  (I) HVAC equipment, (ii) boiler and pressure vessels, and (iii) clarifiers. However, Lessor reserves the right, upon notice to Lessee, to procure and maintain any or all of such service contracts, and Lessee shall reimburse Lessor, upon demand, for the cost thereof.

(c)                                  Failure to Perform. If Lessee fails to perform Lessee’s obligations under this Paragraph 7.1, Lessor may enter upon the Premises after 10 days’ prior written notice to Lessee (except in the case of an emergency, in which case no notice shall be required), perform such obligations on Lessee’s behalf, and put the Premises in good order, condition and repair, and Lessee shall promptly pay to Lessor a sum equal to 115% of the cost thereof.

(d)                                 Replacement. Subject to Lessee’s indemnification of Lessor as set forth in Paragraph 8.7 below, and without relieving Lessee of liability resulting from Lessee’s failure to exercise and perform good maintenance practices, if an item described in Paragraph 7.1(b) cannot be repaired other than at a cost which is in excess of 50% of the cost of replacing such item, then such item shall be replaced by Lessor, and the cost thereof shall be prorated between the Parties and Lessee shall only be obligated to pay, each month during the remainder of the term of this Lease, on the date on which Base Rent is due, an amount equal to the product of multiplying the cost of such replacement by a fraction, the numerator of which is one, and the denominator of which is 144 (ie. 1/144th of the cost per month). Lessee shall pay Interest on the unamortized balance but may prepay its obligation at any time.

7.2                                 Lessor’s Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2.2 (Condition), 2.3 (Compliance), 4.2 (Common Area Operating Expenses), 6 (Use), 7.1 (Lessee’s Obligations), 9 (Damage or Destruction) and 14 (Condemnation), Lessor, subject to reimbursement pursuant to Paragraph 4.2, shall keep in good order, condition and repair the foundations, exterior walls, structural condition of interior bearing walls, exterior roof, fire sprinkler system, Common Area fire alarm and/or smoke detection systems, fire hydrants, parking lots, walkways, parkways, driveways, landscaping, fences, signs and utility systems serving the Common Areas and all parts thereof, as well as providing the services for which there is a Common Area Operating Expense pursuant to Paragraph 4.2. Lessor shall not be obligated to paint the exterior or interior surfaces of exterior walls nor shall Lessor be obligated to maintain, repair or replace windows, doors or plate glass of the Premises. Lessee expressly waives the benefit of any statute now or hereafter in effect to the extent it is inconsistent with the terms of this Lease.

7.3                                 Utility Installations; Trade Fixtures; Alterations.

(a)                                  Definitions. The term “Utility Installations” refers to all floor and window coverings, air and/or vacuum lines, power panels, electrical distribution, security and fire protection systems, communication cabling, lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment, plumbing, and fencing in or on the Premises. The term “Trade Fixtures” shall mean Lessee’s machinery and

 

 

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equipment that can be removed without doing material damage to the Premises. The term “Alterations” shall mean any modification of the improvements, other than Utility Installations or Trade Fixtures, whether by addition or deletion. “Lessee Owned Alterations and/or Utility Installations” are defined as Alterations and/or Utility Installations made by Lessee that are not yet owned by Lessor pursuant to Paragraph 7.4(a).

(b)                                 Consent. Lessee shall not make any Alterations or Utility Installations to the Premises without Lessors prior written consent. Lessee may, however, make non-structural Alterations or Utility Installations to the interior of the Premises (excluding the roof) without such consent but upon notice to Lessor, as long as they are not visible from the outside, do not involve puncturing, relocating or removing the roof or any existing walls, will not affect the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and/or life safety systems, and the cumulative cost thereof during this Lease as extended does not exceed a sum equal to 3 month’s Base Rent in the aggregate or a sum equal to one month’s Base Rent in any one year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee shall not make or permit any roof penetrations and/or install anything on the roof without the prior written approval of Lessor. Lessor may, as a precondition to granting such approval, require Lessee to utilize a contractor chosen and/or approved by Lessor. Any Alterations or Utility Installations that Lessee shall desire to make and which require the consent of the Lessor shall be presented to Lessor in written form with detailed plans. Consent shall be deemed conditioned upon Lessee’s:  (I) acquiring all applicable governmental permits, (ii) furnishing Lessor with copies of both the permits and the plans and specifications prior to commencement of the work, and (iii) compliance with all conditions of said permits and other Applicable Requirements in a prompt and expeditious manner. Any Alterations or Utility Installations shall be performed in a workmanlike manner with good and sufficient materials. Lessee shall promptly upon completion furnish Lessor with as-built plans and specifications. For work which costs an amount in excess of one month’s Base Rent, Lessor may condition its consent upon Lessee providing a lien and completion bond in an amount equal to 150% of the estimated cost of such Alteration or Utility Installation and/or upon Lessee’s posting an additional Security Deposit with Lessor.

(c)                                  Liens; Bonds. Lessee shall pay, when due, all claims for labor or materials furnished or alleged to have been furnished to or for Lessee at or for use on the Premises, which claims are or may be secured by any mechanic’s or materialman’s lien against the Premises or any interest therein. Lessee shall give Lessor not less than 10 days notice prior to the commencement of any work in, on or about the Premises, and Lessor shall have the right to post notices of non-responsibility. If Lessee shall contest the validity of any such lien, claim or demand, then Lessee shall, at its sole expense defend and protect itself, Lessor and the Premises against the same and shall pay and satisfy any such adverse judgment that may be rendered thereon before the enforcement thereof. If Lessor shall require, Lessee shall furnish a surety bond in an amount equal to 150% of the amount of such contested lien, claim or demand, indemnifying Lessor against liability for the same. If Lessor elects to participate in any such action, Lessee shall pay Lessor’s attorneys’ fees and costs.

7.4                                 Ownership; Removal; Surrender; and Restoration.

(a)                                  Ownership. Subject to Lessor’s right to require removal or elect ownership as hereinafter provided, all Alterations and Utility Installations made by Lessee shall be the property of Lessee, but considered a part of the Premises. Lessor may, at any time, elect in writing to be the owner of all or any specified part of the Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations. Unless otherwise instructed per paragraph 7.4(b) hereof, all Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations shall, at the expiration or termination of this Lease, become the property of Lessor and be surrendered by Lessee with the Premises.

(b)                                 Removal. By delivery to Lessee of written notice from Lessor not earlier than 90 and not later than 30 days prior to the end of the term of this Lease, Lessor may require that any or all Lessee Owned Alterations or Utility Installations be removed by the expiration or termination of this Lease. Lessor may require the removal at any time of all or any part of any Lessee Owned Alterations or Utility Installations made without the required consent.

(c)                                  Surrender; Restoration. Lessee shall surrender the Premises by the Expiration Date or any earlier termination date, with all of the improvements, parts and surfaces thereof broom clean and free of debris, and in good operating order, condition and state of repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. “Ordinary wear and tear shall not include any damage or deterioration that would have been prevented by good maintenance practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Lease is for 12 months or less, then Lessee shall surrender the Premises in the same condition as delivered to Lessee on the Start Date with NO allowance for ordinary. wear and tear. Lessee shall repair any damage occasioned by the installation, maintenance or removal of

 

 

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Trade Fixtures, Lessee owned Alterations and/or Utility Installations, furnishings, and equipment as well as the removal of any storage tank installed by or for Lessee. Lessee shall also completely remove from the Premises any and all Hazardous Substances brought onto the Premises by or for Lessee, or any third party (except Hazardous Substances which were deposited via underground migration from areas outside of the Project) even if such removal would require Lessee to perform or pay for work that exceeds statutory requirements. Trade Fixtures shall remain the property of Lessee and shall be removed by Lessee. Any personal property of Lessee not removed on or before the Expiration Date or any earlier termination date shall be deemed to have been abandoned by Lessee and may be disposed of or retained by Lessor as Lessor may desire. The failure by Lessee to timely vacate the Premises pursuant to this Paragraph 7.4(c) without the express written consent of Lessor shall constitute a holdover under the provisions of Paragraph 26 below.

8.                                      Insurance; Indemnity.

8.1                                 Payment of Premiums. The cost of the premiums for the insurance policies required to be carried by Lessor, pursuant to Paragraphs 8.2(b), 8.3(a) and 8.3(b), shall be a Common Area Operating Expense. Premiums for policy periods commencing prior to, or extending beyond, the term of this Lease shall be prorated to coincide with the corresponding Start Date or Expiration Date.

8.2                                 Liability Insurance.

(a)                                  Carried by Lessee. Lessee shall obtain and keep in force a Commercial General Liability policy of insurance protecting Lessee and Lessor as an additional insured against claims for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage based upon or arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy or maintenance of the Premises and all areas appurtenant thereto. Such insurance shall be on an occurrence basis providing single limit coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence with an annual aggregate of not less than $2,000,000. Lessee shall add Lessor as an additional insured by means of an endorsement at least as broad as the Insurance Service Organization’s “Additional Insured-Managers or Lessors of Premises” Endorsement. The policy shall not contain any intra-insured exclusions as between insured persons or organizations, but shall include coverage for liability assumed under this Lease as an “insured contract” for the performance of Lessee’s indemnity obligations under this Lease. The limits of said insurance shall not, however, limit the liability of Lessee nor relieve Lessee of any obligation hereunder. Lessee shall provide an endorsement on its liability policy(ies) which provides that its insurance shall be primary to and not contributory with any similar insurance carried by Lessor, whose insurance shall be considered excess insurance only.

(b)                                 Carried by Lessor. Lessor shall maintain liability insurance as described in Paragraph 8.2(a), in addition to, and not in lieu of, the insurance required to be maintained by Lessee. Lessee shall not be named as an additional insured therein.

8.3                                 Property Insurance - Building, Improvements and Rental Value.

(a)                                  Building and Improvements. Lessor shall obtain and keep in force a policy or policies of insurance in the name of Lessor, with loss payable to Lessor, any ground-lessor, and to any Lender insuring loss or damage to the Premises. The amount of such insurance shall be equal to the full insurable replacement cost of the Premises, as the same shall exist from time to time, or the amount required by any Lender, but in no event more than the commercially reasonable and available insurable value thereof. Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, and Lessee’s personal property shall be insured by Lessee not by Lessor. If the coverage is available and commercially appropriate, such policy or policies shall insure against all risks of direct physical loss or damage (except the perils of flood and/or earthquake unless required by a Lender), including coverage for debris removal and the enforcement of any Applicable Requirements requiring the upgrading, demolition, reconstruction or replacement of any portion of the Premises as the result of a covered loss. Said policy or policies shall also contain an agreed valuation provision in lieu of any coinsurance clause, waiver of subrogation, and inflation guard protection causing an increase in the annual property insurance coverage amount by a factor of not less than the adjusted U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the city nearest to where the Premises are located. If such insurance coverage has a deductible clause, the deductible amount shall not exceed $5,000 per occurrence.

(b)                                 Rental Value. Lessor shall also obtain and keep in force a policy or policies in the name of Lessor with loss payable to Lessor and any Lender, insuring the loss of the full Rent for one year with an extended period of indemnity for

 

 

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an additional 180 days (“Rental Value insurance”). Said insurance shall contain an agreed valuation provision in lieu of any coinsurance clause, and the amount of coverage shall be adjusted annually to reflect the projected Rent otherwise payable by Lessee, for the next 12 month period.

(c)                                  Adjacent Premises. Lessee shall pay for any increase in the premiums for the property insurance of the Building and for the Common Areas or other buildings in the Project if said increase is caused by Lessee’s acts, omissions, use or occupancy of the Premises.

(d)                                 Lessee’s Improvements. Since Lessor is the Insuring Party, Lessor shall not be required to insure Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations unless the item in question has become the property of Lessor under the terms of this Lease.

8.4                                 Lessee’s Property; Business Interruption Insurance; Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

(a)                                  Property Damage. Lessee shall obtain and maintain insurance coverage on all of Lessee’s personal property, Trade Fixtures, and Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations. Such insurance shall be full replacement cost coverage with a deductible of not to exceed $1,000 per occurrence. The proceeds from any such insurance shall be used by Lessee for the replacement of personal property, Trade Fixtures and Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations. Lessee shall provide Lessor with written evidence that such insurance is in force.

(b)                                 Business Interruption. Lessee shall obtain and maintain loss of income and extra expense insurance in amounts as will reimburse Lessee for direct or indirect loss of earnings attributable to all perils commonly insured against by prudent lessees in the business of Lessee or attributable to prevention of access to the Premises as a result of such perils.

(c)                                  Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Lessee shall obtain and maintain Worker’s Compensation Insurance in such amount as may be required by Applicable Requirements.

(d)                                 No Representation of Adequate Coverage. Lessor makes no representation that the limits or forms of coverage of insurance specified herein are adequate to cover Lessee’s property, business operations or obligations under this Lease.

8.5                                 Insurance Policies. Insurance required herein shall be by companies maintaining during the policy term a “General Policyholders Rating” of at least A-, VII, as set forth in the most current issue of “Best’s Insurance Guide”, or such other rating as may be required by a Lender. Lessee shall not do or permit to be done anything which invalidates the required insurance policies. Lessee shall, prior to the Start Date, deliver to Lessor certified copies of policies of such insurance or certificates with copies of the required endorsements evidencing the existence and amounts of the required insurance. No such policy shall be cancelable or subject to modification except after 30 days prior written notice to Lessor. Lessee shall, at least 10 days prior to the expiration of such policies, furnish Lessor with evidence of renewals or “insurance binders” evidencing renewal thereof, or Lessor may order such insurance and charge the cost thereof to Lessee, which amount shall be payable by Lessee to Lessor upon demand. Such policies shall be for a term of at least one year, or the length of the remaining term of this Lease, whichever is less. If either Party shall fail to procure and maintain the insurance required to be carried by it, the other Party may, but shall not be required to, procure and maintain the same.

8.6                                 Waiver of Subrogation. Without affecting any other rights or remedies, Lessee and Lessor each hereby release and relieve the other, and waive their entire right to recover damages against the other, for loss of or damage to its property arising out of or incident to the perils required to be insured against herein. The effect of such releases and waivers is not limited by the amount of insurance carried or required, or by any deductibles applicable hereto. The Parties agree to have their respective property damage insurance carriers waive any right to subrogation that such companies may have against Lessor or Lessee, as the case may be, so long as the insurance is not invalidated thereby.

                                                8.7           Indemnity. Except for Lessor’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, Lessee shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Premises, Lessor and its agents, Lessor’s master or ground lessor, partners and Lenders, from and against any and all claims, loss of rents and/or damages, liens, judgments, penalties, attorneys’ and consultants’ fees, expenses and/or liabilities arising out of, involving, or in connection with, the use and/or occupancy of the Premises by Lessee. If any action or proceeding is brought against Lessor by reason of any of the foregoing matters, Lessee shall upon notice defend the same at

 

 

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Lessee’s expense by counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and Lessor shall cooperate with Lessee in such defense. Lessor need not have first paid any such claim in order to be defended or indemnified.

8.8                                 Exemption of Lessor and Its Agents from Liability. Notwithstanding the negligence or breach of this Lease by Lessor or its agents, neither Lessor nor its agents shall be liable under any circumstances for:  (i) injury or damage to the person or goods, wares, merchandise or other property of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, contractors, invitees, customers, or any other person in or about the Premises, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, indoor air quality, the presence of mold or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction or other defects of pipes, fire sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, HVAC or lighting fixtures, or from any other cause, whether the said injury or damage results from conditions arising upon the Premises or upon other portions of the Building, or from other sources or places, (ii) any damages arising from any act or neglect of any other tenant of Lessor or from the failure of Lessor or its agents to enforce the provisions of any other lease in the Project, or (iii) injury to Lessee’s business or for any loss of income or profit therefrom. Instead, it is intended that Lessee’s sole recourse in the event of such damages or injury be to file a claim on the insurance policy(ies) that Lessee is required to maintain pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 8.

8.9                                 Failure to Provide Insurance. Lessee acknowledges that any failure on its part to obtain or maintain the insurance required herein will expose Lessor to risks and potentially cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the extent of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, for any month or portion thereof that Lessee does not maintain the required insurance and/or does not provide Lessor with the required binders or certificates evidencing the existence of the required insurance, the Base Rent shall be automatically increased, without any requirement for notice to Lessee, by an amount equal to 10% of the then existing Base Rent or $100, whichever is greater. The parties agree that such increase in Base Rent represents fair and reasonable compensation for the additional risk/costs that Lessor will incur by reason of Lessee’s failure to maintain the required insurance. Such increase in Base Rent shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s Default or Breach with respect to the failure to maintain such insurance, prevent the exercise of any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder, nor relieve Lessee of its obligation to maintain the insurance specified in this Lease.

9.                                      Damage or Destruction.

9.1                                 Definitions.

(a)                                  “Premises Partial Damage” shall mean damage or destruction to the improvements on the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, which can reasonably be repaired in 3 months or less from the date of the damage or destruction, and the cost thereof does not exceed a sum equal to 6 month’s Base Rent. Lessor shall notify Lessee in writing within 30 days from the date of the damage or destruction as to whether or not the damage is Partial or Total. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Premises Partial Damage shall not include damage to windows, doors, and/or other similar items which Lessee has the responsibility to repair or replace pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 7.1.

(b)                                 “Premises Total Destruction” shall mean damage or destruction to the improvements on the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations and Trade Fixtures, which cannot reasonably be repaired in 3 months or less from the date of the damage or destruction and/or the cost thereof exceeds a sum equal to 6 month’s Base Rent. Lessor shall notify Lessee in writing within 30 days from the date of the damage or destruction as to whether or not the damage is Partial or Total.

(c)                                  “Insured Loss” shall mean damage or destruction to improvements on the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations and Trade Fixtures, which was caused by an event required to be covered by the insurance described in Paragraph 8.3(a), irrespective of any deductible amounts or coverage limits involved.

(d)                                 “Replacement Cost” shall mean the cost to repair or rebuild the improvements owned by Lessor at the time of the occurrence to their condition existing immediately prior thereto, including demolition, debris removal and upgrading required by the operation of Applicable Requirements, and without deduction for depreciation.

(e)                                  “Hazardous Substance Condition” shall mean the occurrence or discovery of a condition involving the presence of, or a contamination by, a Hazardous Substance, in, on, or under the Premises which requires restoration.

9.2                                 Partial Damage - Insured Loss. If a Premises Partial Damage that is an Insured Loss occurs, then Lessor shall, at Lessor’s expense, repair such damage (but not Lessee’s Trade Fixtures or Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility

 

 

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Installations) as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that Lessee shall, at Lessor’s election, make the repair of any damage or destruction the total cost to repair of which is $10,000 or less, and, in such event, Lessor shall make any applicable insurance proceeds available to Lessee on a reasonable basis for that purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the required insurance was not in force or the insurance proceeds are not sufficient to effect such repair, the Insuring Party shall promptly contribute the shortage in proceeds as and when required to complete said repairs. In the event, however, such shortage was due to the fact that, by reason of the unique nature of the improvements, full replacement cost insurance coverage was not commercially reasonable and available, Lessor shall have no obligation to pay for the shortage in insurance proceeds or to fully restore the unique aspects of the Premises unless Lessee provides Lessor with the funds to cover same, or adequate assurance thereof, within 10 days following receipt of written notice of such shortage and request therefor. If Lessor receives said funds or adequate assurance thereof within said 10 day period, the party responsible for making the repairs shall complete them as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. If such funds or assurance are not received, Lessor may nevertheless elect by written notice to Lessee within 10 days thereafter to:  (i) make such restoration and repair as is commercially reasonable with Lessor paying any shortage in proceeds, in which case this Lease shall remain in full force and effect, or (ii) have this Lease terminate 30 days thereafter. Lessee shall not be entitled to reimbursement of any funds contributed by Lessee to repair any such damage or destruction. Premises Partial Damage due to flood or earthquake shall be subject to Paragraph 9.3, notwithstanding that there may be some insurance coverage, but the net proceeds of any such insurance shall be made available for the repairs if made by either Party.

9.3                                 Partial Damage - Uninsured Loss. If a Premises Partial Damage that is not an Insured Loss occurs, unless caused by a negligent or willful act of Lessee (in which event Lessee shall make the repairs at Lessee’s expense), Lessor may either:  (i) repair such damage as soon as reasonably possible at Lessor’s expense, in which event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, or (ii) terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Lessee within 30 days after receipt by Lessor of knowledge of the occurrence of such damage. Such termination shall be effective 60 days following the date of such notice. In the event Lessor elects to terminate this Lease, Lessee shall have the right within 10 days after receipt of the termination notice to give written notice to Lessor of Lessee’s commitment to pay for the repair of such damage without reimbursement from Lessor. Lessee shall provide Lessor with said funds or satisfactory assurance thereof within 30 days after making such commitment. In such event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, and Lessor shall proceed to make such repairs as soon as reasonably possible after the required funds are available. If Lessee does not make the required commitment, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in the termination notice.

9.4                                 Total Destruction. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if a Premises Total Destruction occurs, this Lease shall terminate 60 days following such Destruction. If the damage or destruction was caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessee, Lessor shall have the right to recover Lessor’s damages from Lessee, except as provided in Paragraph 8.6.

9.5                                 Damage Near End of Term. If at any time during the last 6 months of this Lease there is damage for which the cost to repair exceeds one month’s Base Rent, whether or not an Insured Loss, Lessor may terminate this Lease effective 60 days following the date of occurrence of such damage by giving a written termination notice to Lessee within 30 days after the date of occurrence of such damage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Lessee at that time has an exercisable option to extend this Lease or to purchase the Premises, then Lessee may preserve this Lease by, (a) exercising such option and (b) providing Lessor with any shortage in insurance proceeds (or adequate assurance thereof) needed to make the repairs on or before the earlier of (i) the date which is 10 days after Lessee’s receipt of Lessor’s written notice purporting to terminate this Lease, or (ii) the day prior to the date upon which such option expires. If Lessee duly exercises such option during such period and provides Lessor with funds (or adequate assurance thereof) to cover any shortage in insurance proceeds, Lessor shall, at Lessor’s commercially reasonable expense, repair such damage as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect. If Lessee fails to exercise such option and provide such funds or assurance during such period, then this Lease shall terminate on the date specified in the termination notice and Lessee’s option shall be extinguished.

9.6                                 Abatement of Rent; Lessee’s Remedies.

(a)                                  Abatement. In the event of Premises Partial Damage or Premises Total Destruction or a Hazardous Substance Condition for which Lessee is not responsible under this Lease, the Rent payable by Lessee for the period required for the repair, remediation or restoration of such damage shall be abated in proportion to the degree to which Lessee’s use of the

 

 

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Premises is impaired, but not to exceed the proceeds received from the Rental Value insurance. All other obligations of Lessee hereunder shall be performed by Lessee, and Lessor shall have no liability for any such damage, destruction, remediation, repair or restoration except as provided herein.

(b)                                 Remedies. If Lessor is obligated to repair or restore the Premises and does not commence, in a substantial and meaningful way, such repair or restoration within 90 days after such obligation shall accrue, Lessee may, at any time prior to the commencement of such repair or restoration, give written notice to Lessor and to any Lenders of which Lessee has actual notice, of Lessee’s election to terminate this Lease on a date not less than 60 days following the giving of such notice. If Lessee gives such notice and such repair or restoration is not commenced within 30 days thereafter, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in said notice. If the repair or restoration is commenced within such 30 days, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect. “Commence” shall mean either the unconditional authorization of the preparation of the required plans, or the beginning of the actual work on the Premises, whichever first occurs.

9.7                                 Termination; Advance Payments. Upon termination of this Lease pursuant to Paragraph 6.2(g) or Paragraph 9, an equitable adjustment shall be made concerning advance Base Rent and any other advance payments made by Lessee to Lessor. Lessor shall, in addition, return to Lessee so much of Lessee’s Security Deposit as has not been, or is not then required to be, used by Lessor.

10.                               Real Property Taxes.

10.1                           Definition. As used herein, the term “Real Property Taxes” shall include any form of assessment; real estate, general, special, ordinary or extraordinary, or rental levy or tax (other than inheritance, personal income or estate taxes); improvement bond; and/or license fee imposed upon or levied against any legal or equitable interest of Lessor in the Project, Lessor’s right to other income therefrom, and/or Lessor’s business of leasing, by any authority having the direct or indirect power to tax and where the funds are generated with reference to the Project address and where the proceeds so generated are to be applied by the city, county or other local taxing authority of a jurisdiction within which the Project is located. The term “Real Property Taxes” shall also include any tax, fee, levy, assessment or charge, or any increase therein:  (i) imposed by reason of events occurring during the term of this Lease, including but not limited to, a change in the ownership of the Project, (ii) a change in the improvements thereon, and/or (iii) levied or assessed on machinery or equipment provided by Lessor to Lessee pursuant to this Lease. In calculating Real Property Taxes for any calendar year, the Real Property Taxes for any real estate tax year shall be included in the calculation of Real Property Taxes for such calendar year based upon the number of days which such calendar year and tax year have in common.

10.2                           Payment of Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 10.3, Lessor shall pay the Real Property Taxes applicable to the Project, and said payments shall be included in the calculation of Common Area Operating Expenses in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.2.

10.3                           Additional Improvements. Common Area Operating Expenses shall not include Real Property Taxes specified in the tax assessor’s records and work sheets as being caused by additional improvements placed upon the Project by other lessees or by Lessor for the exclusive enjoyment of such other lessees. Notwithstanding Paragraph 10.2 hereof, Lessee shall, however, pay to Lessor at the time Common Area Operating Expenses are payable under Paragraph 4.2, the entirety of any increase in Real Property Taxes if assessed solely by reason of Alterations, Trade Fixtures or Utility Installations placed upon the Premises by Lessee or at Lessee’s request or by reason of any alterations or improvements to the Premises made by Lessor subsequent to the execution of this Lease by the Parties.

10.4                           Joint Assessment. If the Building is not separately assessed, Real Property Taxes allocated to the Building shall be an equitable proportion of the Real Property Taxes for all of the land and improvements included within the tax parcel assessed, such proportion to be determined by Lessor from the respective valuations assigned in the assessor’s work sheets or such other information as may be reasonably available. Lessor’s reasonable determination thereof, in good faith, shall be conclusive.

10.5                           Personal Property Taxes. Lessee shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes assessed against and levied upon Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all personal property of Lessee contained in the Premises. When possible, Lessee shall cause its Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all other personal property to be assessed and billed separately from the real property of Lessor. If any

 

 

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of Lessee’s said property shall be assessed with Lessor’s real property, Lessee shall pay Lessor the taxes attributable to Lessee’s property within 10 days after receipt of a written statement setting forth the taxes applicable to Lessee’s property.

11.                               Utilities and Services. Lessee shall pay for all water, gas, heat, light, power, telephone, trash disposal and other utilities and services supplied to the Premises, together with any taxes thereon. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 4.2, if at any time in Lessor’s sole judgment, Lessor determines that Lessee is using a disproportionate amount of water, electricity or other commonly metered utilities, or that Lessee is generating such a large volume of trash as to require an increase in the size of the trash receptacle and/or an increase in the number of times per month that it is emptied, then Lessor may increase Lessee’s Base Rent by an amount equal to such increased costs. There shall be no abatement of Rent and Lessor shall not be liable in any respect whatsoever for the inadequacy, stoppage, interruption or discontinuance of any utility or service due to riot, strike, labor dispute, breakdown, accident, repair or other cause beyond Lessor’s reasonable control or in cooperation with governmental request or directions.

12.                               Assignment and Subletting.

12.1                           Lessor’s Consent Required.

(a)                                  Lessee shall not voluntarily or by operation of law assign, transfer, mortgage or encumber (collectively, “assign or assignment”) or sublet all or any part of Lessee’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

(b)                                 Unless Lessee is a corporation and its stock is publicly traded on a national stock exchange, a change in the control of Lessee shall constitute an assignment requiring consent. The transfer, on a cumulative basis, of 25% or more of the voting control of Lessee shall constitute a change in control for this purpose.

(c)                                  The involvement of Lessee or its assets in any transaction, or series of transactions (by way of merger, sale, acquisition, financing, transfer, leveraged buy-out or otherwise), whether or not a formal assignment or hypothecation of this Lease or Lessee’s assets occurs, which results or will result in a reduction of the Net Worth of Lessee by an amount greater than 25% of such Net Worth as it was represented at the time of the execution of this Lease or at the time of the most recent assignment to which Lessor has consented, or as it exists immediately prior to said transaction or transactions constituting such reduction, whichever was or is greater, shall be considered an assignment of this Lease to which Lessor may withhold its consent. “Net Worth of Lessee” shall mean the net worth of Lessee (excluding any guarantors) established under generally accepted accounting principles.

(d)                                 An assignment or subletting without consent shall, at Lessor’s option, be a Default curable after notice per Paragraph 13.1(c), or a noncurable Breach without the necessity of any notice and grace period. If Lessor elects to treat such unapproved assignment or subletting as a noncurable Breach, Lessor may either:  (i) terminate this Lease, or (ii) upon 30 days written notice, increase the monthly Base Rent to 110% of the Base Rent then in effect. Further, in the event of such Breach and rental adjustment, (i) the purchase price of any option to purchase the Premises held by Lessee shall be subject to similar adjustment to 110% of the price previously in effect, and (ii) all fixed and non-fixed rental adjustments scheduled during the remainder of the Lease term shall be increased to 110% of the scheduled adjusted rent.

(e)                                  Lessee’s remedy for any breach of Paragraph 12.1 by Lessor shall be limited to compensatory damages and/or injunctive relief.

(f)                                    Lessor may reasonably withhold consent to a proposed assignment or subletting if Lessee is in Default at the time consent is requested.

(g)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, allowing a de minimis portion of the Premises, ie. 20 square feet or less, to be used by a third party vendor in connection with the installation of a vending machine or payphone shall not constitute a subletting.

12.2                           Terms and Conditions Applicable to Assignment and Subletting.

(a)                                  Regardless of Lessor’s consent, no assignment or subletting shall:  (I) be effective without the express written assumption by such assignee or sublessee of the obligations of Lessee under this Lease, (ii) release Lessee of any

 

 

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obligations hereunder, or (iii) alter the primary liability of Lessee for the payment of Rent or for the performance of any other obligations to be performed by Lessee.

(b)                                 Lessor may accept Rent or performance of Lessee’s obligations from any person other than Lessee pending approval or disapproval of an assignment. Neither a delay in the approval or disapproval of such assignment nor the acceptance of Rent or performance shall constitute a waiver or estoppel of Lessor’s right to exercise its remedies for Lessee’s Default or Breach.

(c)                                  Lessor’s consent to any assignment or subletting shall not constitute consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting.

(d)                                 In the event of any Default or Breach by Lessee, Lessor may proceed directly against Lessee, any Guarantors or anyone else responsible for the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease, including any assignee or sublessee, without first exhausting Lessor’s remedies against any other person or entity responsible therefore to Lessor, or any security held by Lessor.

(e)                                  Each request for consent to an assignment or subletting shall be in writing, accompanied by information relevant to Lessor’s determination as to the financial and operational responsibility and appropriateness of the proposed assignee or sublessee, including but not limited to the intended use and/or required modification of the Premises, if any, together with a fee of $500 as consideration for Lessor’s considering and processing said request. Lessee agrees to provide Lessor with such other or additional information and/or documentation as may be reasonably requested. (See also Paragraph 36)

(f)                                    Any assignee of, or sublessee under, this Lease shall, by reason of accepting such assignment, entering into such sublease, or entering into possession of the Premises or any portion thereof, be deemed to have assumed and agreed to conform and comply with each and every term, covenant, condition and obligation herein to be observed or performed by Lessee during the term of said assignment or sublease, other than such obligations as are contrary to or inconsistent with provisions of an assignment or sublease to which Lessor has specifically consented to in writing.

(g)                                 Lessor’s consent to any assignment or subletting shall not transfer to the assignee or sublessee any Option granted to the original Lessee by this Lease unless such transfer is specifically consented to by Lessor in writing. (See Paragraph 39.2)

12.3                           Additional Terms and Conditions Applicable to Subletting. The following terms and conditions shall apply to any subletting by Lessee of all or any part of the Premises and shall be deemed included in all subleases under this Lease whether or not expressly incorporated therein:

(a)                                  Lessee hereby assigns and transfers to Lessor all of Lessee’s interest in all Rent payable on any sublease, and Lessor may collect such Rent and apply same toward Lessee’s obligations under this Lease; provided, however, that until a Breach shall occur in the performance of Lessee’s obligations, Lessee may collect said Rent. In the event that the amount collected by Lessor exceeds Lessee’s then outstanding obligations any such excess shall be refunded to Lessee. Lessor shall not, by reason of the foregoing or any assignment of such sublease nor by reason of the collection of Rent, be deemed liable to the sublessee for any failure of Lessee to perform and comply with any of Lessee’s obligations to such sublessee. Lessee hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs any such sublessee, upon receipt of a written notice from Lessor stating that a Breach exists in the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease, to pay to Lessor all Rent due and to become due under the sublease. Sublessee shall rely upon any such notice from Lessor and shall pay all Rents to Lessor without any obligation or right to inquire as to whether such Breach exists, notwithstanding any claim from Lessee to the contrary.

(b)                                 In the event of a Breach by Lessee, Lessor may, at its option, require sublessee to attorn to Lessor, in which event Lessor shall undertake the obligations of the sublessor under such sublease from the time of the exercise of said option to the expiration of such sublease; provided, however, Lessor shall not be liable for any prepaid rents or security deposit paid by such sublessee to such sublessor or for any prior Defaults or Breaches of such sublessor.

(c)                                  Any matter requiring the consent of the sublessor under a sublease shall also require the consent of Lessor.

 

 

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(d)                                 No sublessee shall further assign or sublet all or any part of the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

(e)                                  Lessor shall deliver a copy of any notice of Default or Breach by Lessee to the sublessee, who shall have the right to cure the Default of Lessee within the grace period, if any, specified in such notice. The sublessee shall have a right of reimbursement and offset from and against Lessee for any such Defaults cured by the sublessee.

13.                               Default; Breach; Remedies.

13.1                           Default; Breach. A “Default” is defined as a failure by the Lessee to comply with or perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or Rules and Regulations under this Lease. A “Breach” is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following Defaults, and the failure of Lessee to cure such Default within any applicable grace period:

(a)                                  The abandonment of the Premises; or the vacating of the Premises without providing a commercially reasonable level of security, or where the coverage of the property insurance described in Paragraph 8.3 is jeopardized as a result thereof, or without providing reasonable assurances to minimize potential vandalism.

(b)                                 The failure of Lessee to make any payment of Rent or any Security Deposit required to be made by Lessee hereunder, whether to Lessor or to a third party, when due, to provide reasonable evidence of insurance or surety bond, or to fulfill any obligation under this Lease which endangers or threatens life or property, where such failure continues for a period of 3 business days following written notice to Lessee. THE ACCEPTANCE BY LESSOR OF A PARTIAL PAYMENT OF RENT OR SECURITY DEPOSIT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY OF LESSOR’S RIGHTS, INCLUDING LESSOR’S RIGHT TO RECOVER POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES.

(c)                                  The failure of Lessee to allow Lessor and/or its agents access to the Premises or the commission of waste, act or acts constituting public or private nuisance, and/or an illegal activity on the Premises by Lessee, where such actions continue for a period of 3 business days following written notice to Lessee.

(d)                                 The failure by Lessee to provide (i) reasonable written evidence of compliance with Applicable Requirements, (ii) the service contracts, (iii) the rescission of an unauthorized assignment or subletting, (iv) an Estoppel Certificate or financial statements, (v) a requested subordination, (vi) evidence concerning any guaranty and/or Guarantor, (vii) any document requested under Paragraph 41, (viii) material data safety sheets (MSDS), or (ix) any other documentation or information which Lessor may reasonably require of Lessee under the terms of this Lease, where any such failure continues for a period of 10 days following written notice to Lessee.

(e)                                  A Default by Lessee as to the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease, or of the rules adopted under Paragraph 2.9 hereof, other than those described in subparagraphs 13.1(a), (b), (c) or (d), above, where such Default continues for a period of 30 days after written notice; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessee’s Default is such that more than 30 days are reasonably required for its cure, then it shall not be deemed to be a Breach if Lessee commences such cure within said 30 day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion.

(f)                                    The occurrence of any of the following events:  (i) the making of any general arrangement or assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) becoming a “debtor” as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101 or any successor statute thereto (unless, in the case of a petition filed against Lessee, the same is dismissed within 60 days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessees interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to Lessee within 30 days; or (iv) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within 30 days; provided, however, in the event that any provision of this subparagraph is contrary to any applicable law, such provision shall be of no force or effect, and not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

(g)                                 The discovery that any financial statement of Lessee or of any Guarantor given to Lessor was materially false.

(h)                                 If the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease is guaranteed:  (i) the death of a Guarantor, (ii) the termination of a Guarantor’s liability with respect to this Lease other than in accordance with the terms of such guaranty, (iii) a Guarantor’s becoming insolvent or the subject of a bankruptcy filing, (iv) a Guarantor’s refusal to honor the guaranty,

 

 

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or (v) a Guarantor’s breach of its guaranty obligation on an anticipatory basis, and Lessee’s failure, within 60 days following written notice of any such event, to provide written alternative assurance or security, which, when coupled with the then existing resources of Lessee, equals or exceeds the combined financial resources of Lessee and the Guarantors that existed at the time of execution of this Lease.

13.2                           Remedies. If Lessee fails to perform any of its affirmative duties or obligations, within 10 days after written notice (or in case of an emergency, without notice), Lessor may, at its option, perform such duty or obligation on Lessee’s behalf, including but not limited to the obtaining of reasonably required bonds, insurance policies, or governmental licenses, permits or approvals. Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount equal to 115% of the costs and expenses incurred by Lessor in such performance upon receipt of an invoice therefor. In the event of a Breach, Lessor may, with or without further notice or demand, and without limiting Lessor in the exercise of any right or remedy which Lessor may have by reason of such Breach:

(a)                                  Terminate Lessee’s right to possession of the Premises by any lawful means, in which case this Lease shall terminate and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession to Lessor. In such event Lessor shall be entitled to recover from Lessee:  (i) the unpaid Rent which had been earned at the time of termination; (ii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that the Lessee proves could have been reasonably avoided; (iii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent for the balance of the term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that the Lessee proves could be reasonably avoided; and (iv) any other amount necessary to compensate Lessor for all the detriment proximately caused by the Lessee’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom, including but not limited to the cost of recovering possession of the Premises, expenses of reletting, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Premises, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and that portion of any leasing commission paid by Lessor in connection with this Lease applicable to the unexpired term of this Lease. The worth at the time of award of the amount referred to in provision (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of the District within which the Premises are located at the time of award plus one percent. Efforts by Lessor to mitigate damages caused by Lessee’s Breach of this Lease shall not waive Lessor’s right to recover damages under Paragraph 12. If termination of this Lease is obtained through the provisional remedy of unlawful detainer, Lessor shall have the right to recover in such proceeding any unpaid Rent and damages as are recoverable therein, or Lessor may reserve the right to recover all or any part thereof in a separate suit. If a notice and grace period required under Paragraph 13.1 was not previously given, a notice to pay rent or quit, or to perform or quit given to Lessee under the unlawful detainer statute shall also constitute the notice required by Paragraph 13.1. In such case, the applicable grace period required by Paragraph 13.1 and the unlawful detainer statute shall run concurrently, and the failure of Lessee to cure the Default within the greater of the two such grace periods shall constitute both an unlawful detainer and a Breach of this Lease entitling Lessor to the remedies provided for in this Lease and/or by said statute.

(b)                                 Continue the Lease and Lessee’s right to possession and recover the Rent as it becomes due, in which event Lessee may sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations. Acts of maintenance, efforts to relet, and/or the appointment of a receiver to protect the Lessor’s interests, shall not constitute a termination of the Lessee’s right to possession.

(c)                                  Pursue any other remedy now or hereafter available under the laws or judicial decisions of the state wherein the Premises are located. The expiration or termination of this Lease and/or the termination of Lessee’s right to possession shall not relieve Lessee from liability under any indemnity provisions of this Lease as to matters occurring or accruing during the term hereof or by reason of Lessee’s occupancy of the Premises.

13.3                           Inducement Recapture. Any agreement for free or abated rent or other charges, or for the giving or paying by Lessor to or for Lessee of any cash or other bonus, inducement or consideration for Lessee’s entering into this Lease, all of which concessions are hereinafter referred to as “Inducement Provisions”, shall be deemed conditioned upon Lessee’s full and faithful performance of all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease. Upon Breach of this Lease by Lessee, any such Inducement Provision shall automatically be deemed deleted from this Lease and of no further force or effect, and any rent, other charge, bonus, inducement or consideration theretofore abated, given or paid by Lessor under such an Inducement Provision shall be immediately due and payable by Lessee to Lessor, notwithstanding any subsequent cure of said Breach by Lessee. The

 

 

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acceptance by Lessor of rent or the cure of the Breach which initiated the operation of this paragraph shall not be deemed a waiver by Lessor of the provisions of this paragraph unless specifically so stated in writing by Lessor at the time of such acceptance.

13.4                           Late Charges. Lessee hereby acknowledges that late payment by Lessee of Rent will cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the exact amount of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Such costs include, but are not limited to, processing and accounting charges, and late charges which may be imposed upon Lessor by any Lender. Accordingly, if any Rent shall not be received by Lessor within 5 days after such amount shall be due, then, without any requirement for notice to Lessee, Lessee shall immediately pay to Lessor a one-time late charge equal to 10% of each such overdue amount or $100, whichever is greater. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs Lessor will incur by reason of such late payment. Acceptance of such late charge by Lessor shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s Default or Breach with respect to such overdue amount, nor prevent the exercise of any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder. In the event that a late charge is payable hereunder, whether or not collected, for 3 consecutive installments of Base Rent, then notwithstanding any provision of this Lease to the contrary, Base Rent shall, at Lessor’s option, become due and payable quarterly in advance.

13.5                           Interest. Any monetary payment due Lessor hereunder, other than late charges, not received by Lessor, when due as to scheduled payments (such as Base Rent) or within 30 days following the date on which it was due for non-scheduled payment, shall bear interest from the date when due, as to scheduled payments, or the 31st day after it was due as to non-scheduled payments. The interest (“Interest”) charged shall be computed at the rate of 10% per annum but shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. Interest is payable in addition to the potential late charge provided for in Paragraph 13.4.

13.6                           Breach by Lessor.

(a)                                  Notice of Breach. Lessor shall not be deemed in breach of this Lease unless Lessor fails within a reasonable time to perform an obligation required to be performed by Lessor. For purposes of this Paragraph, a reasonable time shall in no event be less than 30 days after receipt by Lessor, and any Lender whose name and address shall have been furnished Lessee in writing for such purpose, of written notice specifying wherein such obligation of Lessor has not been performed; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessor’s obligation is such that more than 30 days are reasonably required for its performance, then Lessor shall not be in breach if performance is commenced within such 30 day period and thereafter diligently pursued to completion.

(b)                                 Performance by Lessee on Behalf of Lessor. In the event that neither Lessor nor Lender cures said breach within 30 days after receipt of said notice, or if having commenced said cure they do not diligently pursue it to completion, then Lessee may elect to cure said breach at Lessee’s expense and offset from Rent the actual and reasonable cost to perform such cure, provided however, that such offset shall not exceed an amount equal to the greater of one month’s Base Rent or the Security Deposit, reserving Lessee’s right to reimbursement from Lessor for any such expense in excess of such offset. Lessee shall document the cost of said cure and supply said documentation to Lessor.

14.                               Condemnation. If the Premises or any portion thereof are taken under the power of eminent domain or sold under the threat of the exercise of said power (collectively “Condemnation”), this Lease shall terminate as to the part taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If more than 10% of the floor area of the Unit, or more than 25% of the parking spaces is taken by Condemnation, Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, to be exercised in writing within 10 days after Lessor shall have given Lessee written notice of such taking (or in the absence of such notice, within 10 days after the condemning authority shall have taken possession) terminate this Lease as of the date the condemning authority takes such possession. If Lessee does not terminate this Lease in accordance with the foregoing, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect as to the portion of the Premises remaining, except that the Base Rent shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in utility of the Premises caused by such Condemnation. Condemnation awards and/or payments shall be the property of Lessor, whether such award shall be made as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold, the value of the part taken, or for severance damages; provided, however, that Lessee shall be entitled to any compensation paid by the condemnor for Lessee’s relocation expenses, loss of business goodwill and/or Trade Fixtures, without regard to whether or not this Lease is terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph. All Alterations and Utility Installations made to the Premises by Lessee, for purposes of Condemnation only, shall be considered the property of the Lessee and Lessee shall be entitled to any and all compensation which is payable

 

 

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therefor. In the event that this Lease is not terminated by reason of the Condemnation, Lessor shall repair any damage to the Premises caused by such Condemnation.

15.                               Brokerage Fees.

15.1                           Additional Commission.  If a separate brokerage fee agreement is attached then in addition to the payments owed pursuant to Paragraph 1.10 above, and unless Lessor and the Brokers otherwise agree in writing, Lessor agrees that:  (a) if Lessee exercises any Option, (b) if Lessee or anyone affiliated with Lessee acquires from Lessor any rights to the Premises or other premises owned by Lessor and located within the Project, (c) if Lessee remains in possession of the Premises, with the consent of Lessor, after the expiration of this Lease, or (d) if Base Rent is increased, whether by agreement or operation of an escalation clause herein, then, Lessor shall pay Brokers a fee in accordance with the schedule attached to such brokerage fee agreement.

15.2                           Assumption of Obligations. Any buyer or transferee of Lessee’s interest in this Lease shall be deemed to have assumed Lessor’s obligation hereunder.  Brokers shall be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of Paragraphs 1.10, 15, 22 and 31.  If Lessor fails to pay to Brokers any amounts due as and for brokerage fees pertaining to this Lease when due, then such amounts shall accrue interest.  In addition, if Lessor fails to pay any amounts to lesee’s Broker when due, Lessee’s Broker may send written notice to lessor and Lessee of such failure and if Lessor fails to pay such amounts within 10 days after said notice, Lessee shall pay said monies to its Broker and offset such amounts against Rent.  In addition, Lessee’s Broker shall be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of any commission agreement entered into by and/or between Lessor and Lessor’s Broker for the limited purpose of collecting any brokerage fee owed.

15.3                           Representations and Indemnities of Broker Relationships. Lessee and Lessor each represent and warrant to the other that it has had no dealings with any person, firm, broker or finder (other than the Brokers, if any) in connection with this Lease, and that no one other than said named Brokers is entitled to any commission or finder’s fee in connection herewith. Lessee and Lessor do each hereby agree to indemnify, protect, defend and hold the other harmless from and against liability for compensation or charges which may be claimed by any such unnamed broker, finder or other similar party by reason of any dealings or actions of the indemnifying Party, including any costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred with respect thereto.

16.                               Estoppel Certificates.

(a)                                  Each Party (as “Responding Party”) shall within 10 days after written notice from the other Party (the “Requesting Party”) execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Requesting Party a statement in writing in form similar to the then most current “Estoppel Certificate” form published by the AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, plus such additional information, confirmation and/or statements as may be reasonably requested by the Requesting Party.

(b)                                 If the Responding Party shall fail to execute or deliver the Estoppel Certificate within such 10 day period, the Requesting Party may execute an Estoppel Certificate stating that:  (i) the Lease is in full force and effect without modification except as may be represented by the Requesting Party, (ii) there are no uncured defaults in the Requesting Party’s performance, and (iii) if Lessor is the Requesting Party, not more than one month’s rent has been paid in advance. Prospective purchasers and encumbrancers may rely upon the Requesting Party’s Estoppel Certificate, and the Responding Party shall be estopped from denying the truth of the facts contained in said Certificate.

(c)                                  If Lessor desires to finance, refinance, or sell the Premises, or any part thereof, Lessee and all Guarantors shall within 10 days after written notice from Lessor deliver to any potential lender or purchaser designated by Lessor such financial statements as may be reasonably required by such lender or purchaser, including but not limited to Lessee’s financial statements for the past 3 years. All such financial statements shall be received by Lessor and such lender or purchaser in confidence and shall be used only for the purposes herein set forth.

17.                               Definition of Lessor. The term “Lessor” as used herein shall mean the owner or owners at the time in question of the fee title to the Premises, or, if this is a sublease, of the Lessee’s interest in the prior lease. In the event of a transfer of Lessor’s title or interest in the Premises or this Lease, Lessor shall deliver to the transferee or assignee (in cash or by credit) any unused Security Deposit held by Lessor. Upon such transfer or assignment and delivery of the Security Deposit, as aforesaid, the prior Lessor shall be relieved of all liability with respect to the obligations and/or covenants under this Lease thereafter to be performed by the Lessor.

 

 

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Subject to the foregoing, the obligations and/or covenants in this Lease to be performed by the Lessor shall be binding only upon the Lessor as hereinabove defined.

18.                               Severability. The invalidity of any provision of this Lease, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof.

19.                               Days. Unless otherwise specifically indicated to the contrary, the word “days” as used in this Lease shall mean and refer to calendar days.

20.                               Limitation on Liability. The obligations of Lessor under this Lease shall not constitute personal obligations of Lessor, or its partners, members, directors, officers or shareholders, and Lessee shall look to the Premises, and to no other assets of Lessor, for the satisfaction of any liability of Lessor with respect to this Lease, and shall not seek recourse against Lessor’s partners, members, directors, officers or shareholders, or any of their personal assets for such satisfaction.

21.                               Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to the performance of all obligations to be performed or observed by the Parties under this Lease.

22.                               No Prior or Other Agreements; Broker Disclaimer. This Lease contains all agreements between the Parties with respect to any matter mentioned herein, and no other prior or contemporaneous agreement or understanding shall be effective. Lessor and Lessee each represents and warrants to the Brokers that it has made, and is relying solely upon, its own investigation as to the nature, quality, character and financial responsibility of the other Party to this Lease and as to the use, nature, quality and character of the Premises. Brokers have no responsibility with respect thereto or with respect to any default or breach hereof by either Party.

23.                               Notices.

23.1                           Notice Requirements. All notices required or permitted by this Lease or applicable law shall be in writing and may be delivered in person (by hand or by courier) or may be sent by regular, certified or registered mail or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, with postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, and shall be deemed sufficiently given if served in a manner specified in this Paragraph 23. The addresses noted adjacent to a Party’s signature on this Lease shall be that Party’s address for delivery or mailing of notices. Either Party may by written notice to the other specify a different address for notice, except that upon Lessee’s taking possession of the Premises, the Premises shall constitute Lessee’s address for notice. A copy of all notices to Lessor shall be concurrently transmitted to such party or parties at such addresses as Lessor may from time to time hereafter designate in writing.

23.2                           Date of Notice. Any notice sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed given on the date of delivery shown on the receipt card, or if no delivery date is shown, the postmark thereon. If sent by regular mail the notice shall be deemed given 72 hours after the same is addressed as required herein and mailed with postage prepaid. Notices delivered by United States Express Mail or overnight courier that guarantees next day delivery shall be deemed given 24 hours after delivery of the same to the Postal Service or courier. Notices transmitted by facsimile transmission or similar means shall be deemed delivered upon telephone confirmation of receipt (confirmation report from fax machine is sufficient), provided a copy is also delivered via delivery or mail. If notice is received on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, it shall be deemed received on the next business day.

24.                               Waivers.

(a)                                  No waiver by Lessor of the Default or Breach of any term, covenant or condition hereof by Lessee shall be deemed a waiver of any other term, covenant or condition hereof, or of any subsequent Default or Breach by Lessee of the same or of any other term, covenant or condition hereof. Lessor’s consent to, or approval of, any act shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of Lessor’s consent to, or approval of, any subsequent or similar act by Lessee, or be construed as the basis of an estoppel to enforce the provision or provisions of this Lease requiring such consent.

(b)                                 The acceptance of Rent by Lessor shall not be a waiver of any Default or Breach by Lessee. Any payment by Lessee may be accepted by Lessor on account of moneys or damages due Lessor, notwithstanding any qualifying statements or conditions made by Lessee in connection therewith, which such statements and/or conditions shall be of no force or effect whatsoever unless specifically agreed to in writing by Lessor at or before the time of deposit of such payment.

 

 

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(c)                                  THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE SHALL GOVERN WITH REGARD TO ALL MATTERS RELATED THERETO AND HEREBY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH STATUTE IS INCONSISTENT WITH THIS LEASE.

25.                               Disclosures Regarding The Nature of a Real Estate Agency Relationship.

(a)                                  When entering into a discussion with a real estate agent regarding a real estate transaction, a Lessor or Lessee should from the outset understand what type of agency relationship or representation it has with the agent or agents in the transaction. Lessor and Lessee acknowledge being advised by the Brokers in this transaction, as follows:

(i)                                     Lessor’s Agent. A Lessor’s agent under a listing agreement with the Lessor acts as the agent for the Lessor only. A Lessor’s agent or subagent has the following affirmative obligations:  To the Lessor:  A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Lessor. To the Lessee and the Lessor:  (a) Diligent exercise of reasonable skills and care in performance of the agent’s duties. (b) A duty of honest and fair dealing and good faith. (c) A duty to disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property that are not known to, or within the diligent attention and observation of, the Parties. An agent is not obligated to reveal to either Party any confidential information obtained from the other Party which does not involve the affirmative duties set forth above.

(ii)                                  Lessee’s Agent. An agent can agree to act as agent for the Lessee only. In these situations, the agent is not the Lessor’s agent, even if by agreement the agent may receive compensation for services rendered, either in full or in part from the Lessor. An agent acting only for a Lessee has the following affirmative obligations. To the Lessee:  A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Lessee. To the Lessee and the Lessor:  (a) Diligent exercise of reasonable skills and care in performance of the agent’s duties. (b) A duty of honest and fair dealing and good faith. (c) A duty to disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property that are not known to, or within the diligent attention and observation of, the Parties. An agent is not obligated to reveal to either Party any confidential information obtained from the other Party which does not involve the affirmative duties set forth above.

(iii)                               Agent Representing Both Lessor and Lessee. A real estate agent, either acting directly or through one or more associate licenses, can legally be the agent of both the Lessor and the Lessee in a transaction, but only with the knowledge and consent of both the Lessor and the Lessee. In a dual agency situation, the agent has the following affirmative obligations to both the Lessor and the Lessee:  (a) A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty in the dealings with either Lessor or the Lessee. (b) Other duties to the Lessor and the Lessee as stated above in subparagraphs (i) or (ii). In representing both Lessor and Lessee, the agent may not without the express permission of the respective Party, disclose to the other Party that the Lessor will accept rent in an amount less than that indicated in the listing or that the Lessee is willing to pay a higher rent than that offered. The above duties of the agent in a real estate transaction do not relieve a Lessor or Lessee from the responsibility to protect their own interests. Lessor and Lessee should carefully read all agreements to assure that they adequately express their understanding of the transaction. A real estate agent is a person qualified to advise about real estate. If legal or tax advice is desired, consult a competent professional.

(b)                                 Brokers have no responsibility with respect to any Default or Breach hereof by either Party. The Parties agree that no lawsuit or other legal proceeding involving any breach of duty, error or omission relating to this Lease may be brought against Broker more than one year after the Start Date and that the liability (including court costs and attorneys’ fees), of any Broker with respect to any such lawsuit and/or legal proceeding shall not exceed the fee received by such Broker pursuant to this Lease; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation on each Broker’s liability shall not be applicable to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Broker.

(c)                                  Lessor and Lessee agree to identify to Brokers as “Confidential” any communication or information given Brokers that is considered by such Party to be confidential.

26.                               No Right To Holdover. Lessee has no right to retain possession of the Premises or any part thereof beyond the expiration or termination of this Lease. In the event that Lessee holds over, then the Base Rent shall be increased to 150% of the Base Rent applicable immediately preceding the expiration or termination. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as consent by Lessor to any holding over by Lessee.

 

 

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27.                               Cumulative Remedies. No remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive but shall, wherever possible, be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity.

28.                               Covenants and Conditions; Construction of Agreement. All provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Lessee are both covenants and conditions. In construing this Lease, all headings and titles are for the convenience of the Parties only and shall not be considered a part of this Lease. Whenever required by the context, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. This Lease shall not be construed as if prepared by one of the Parties, but rather according to its fair meaning as a whole, as if both Parties had prepared it.

29.                               Binding Effect; Choice of Law. This Lease shall be binding upon the parties, their personal representatives, successors and assigns and be governed by the laws of the State in which the Premises are located. Any litigation between the Parties hereto concerning this Lease shall be initiated in the county in which the Premises are located.

30.                               Subordination; Attornment; Non-Disturbance.

30.1                           Subordination. This Lease and any Option granted hereby shall be subject and subordinate to any ground lease, mortgage, deed of trust, or other hypothecation or security device (collectively, “Security Device”), now or hereafter placed upon the Premises, to any and all advances made on the security thereof, and to all renewals, modifications, and extensions thereof. Lessee agrees that the holders of any such Security Devices (in this Lease together referred to as “Lender”) shall have no liability or obligation to perform any of the obligations of Lessor under this Lease. Any Lender may elect to have this Lease and/or any Option granted hereby superior to the lien of its Security Device by giving written notice thereof to Lessee, whereupon this Lease and such Options shall be deemed prior to such Security Device, notwithstanding the relative dates of the documentation or recordation thereof.

30.2                           Attornment. In the event that Lessor transfers title to the Premises, or the Premises are acquired by another upon the foreclosure or termination of a Security Devise to which this Lease is subordinated (i) Lessee shall, subject to the non-disturbance provisions of Paragraph 30.3, attorn to such new owner, and upon request, enter into a new lease, containing all of the terms and provisions of this Lease, with such new owner for the remainder of the term hereof, or, at the election of the new owner, this Lease will automatically become a new lease between Lessee and such new owner, and (ii) Lessor shall thereafter be relieved of any further obligations hereunder and such new owner shall assume all of Lessor’s obligations, except that such new owner shall not:  (a) be liable for any act or omission of any prior lessor or with respect to events occurring prior to acquisition of ownership; (b) be subject to any offsets or defenses which Lessee might have against any prior lessor, (c) be bound by prepayment of more than one month’s rent, or (d) be liable for the return of any security deposit paid to any prior lessor which was not paid or credited to such new owner.

30.3                           Non-Disturbance. With respect to Security Devices entered into by Lessor after the execution of this Lease, Lessee’s subordination of this Lease shall be subject to receiving a commercially reasonable non-disturbance agreement (a “Non-Disturbance Agreement”) from the Lender which Non-Disturbance Agreement provides that Lessee’s possession of the Premises, and this Lease, including any options to extend the term hereof, will not be disturbed so long as Lessee is not in Breach hereof and attorns to the record owner of the Premises. Further, within 60 days after the execution of this Lease, Lessor shall, if requested by Lessee, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a Non-Disturbance Agreement from the holder of any pre-existing Security Device which is secured by the Premises. In the event that Lessor is unable to provide the Non-Disturbance Agreement within said 60 days, then Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, directly contact Lender and attempt to negotiate for the execution and delivery of a Non-Disturbance Agreement.

30.4                           Self-Executing. The agreements contained in this Paragraph 30 shall be effective without the execution of any further documents; provided, however, that, upon written request from Lessor or a Lender in connection with a sale, financing or refinancing of the Premises, Lessee and Lessor shall execute such further writings as may be reasonably required to separately document any subordination, attornment and/or Non-Disturbance Agreement provided for herein.

31.                               Attorneys’ Fees. If any Party or Broker brings an action or proceeding involving the Premises whether founded in tort, contract or equity, or to declare rights hereunder, the Prevailing Party (as hereafter defined) in any such proceeding, action, or appeal thereon, shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees. Such fees may be awarded in the same suit or recovered in a separate suit, whether or not such action or proceeding is pursued to decision or judgment. The term, “Prevailing Party” shall

 

 

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include, without limitation, a Party or Broker who substantially obtains or defeats the relief sought, as the case may be, whether by compromise, settlement, judgment, or the abandonment by the other Party or Broker of its claim or defense. The attorneys’ fees award shall not be computed in accordance with any court fee schedule, but shall be such as to fully reimburse all attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred. In addition, Lessor shall be entitled to attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in the preparation and service of notices of Default and consultations in connection therewith, whether or not a legal action is subsequently commenced in connection with such Default or resulting Breach ($200 is a reasonable minimum per occurrence for such services and consultation).

32.                               Lessor’s Access; Showing Premises; Repairs. Lessor and Lessor’s agents shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time, in the case of an emergency, and otherwise at reasonable times after reasonable prior notice for the purpose of showing the same to prospective purchasers, lenders, or tenants, and making such alterations, repairs, improvements or additions to the Premises as Lessor may deem necessary or desirable and the erecting, using and maintaining of utilities, services, pipes and conduits through the Premises and/or other premises as long as there is no material adverse effect on Lessee’s use of the Premises. All such activities shall be without abatement of rent or liability to Lessee.

33.                               Auctions. Lessee shall not conduct, nor permit to be conducted, any auction upon the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

Lessor shall not be obligated to exercise any standard of reasonableness in determining whether to permit an auction.

34.                               Signs. Lessor may place on the Premises ordinary “For Sale” signs at any time and ordinary “For Lease” signs during the last 6 months of the term hereof. Except for ordinary “For Sublease” signs which may be placed only on the Premises, Lessee shall not place any sign upon the Project without Lessor’s prior written consent. All signs must comply with all Applicable Requirements.

35.                               Termination; Merger. Unless specifically stated otherwise in writing by Lessor, the voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Lessee, the mutual termination or cancellation hereof, or a termination hereof by Lessor for Breach by Lessee, shall automatically terminate any sublease or lesser estate in the Premises; provided, however, that Lessor may elect to continue any one or all existing subtenancies. Lessor’s failure within 10 days following any such event to elect to the contrary by written notice to the holder of any such lesser interest, shall constitute Lessor’s election to have such event constitute the termination of such interest.

36.                               Consents. Except as otherwise provided herein, wherever in this Lease the consent of a Party is required to an act by or for the other Party, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Lessor’s actual reasonable costs and expenses (including but not limited to architects’, attorneys’, engineers’ and other consultants’ fees) incurred in the consideration of, or response to, a request by Lessee for any Lessor consent, including but not limited to consents to an assignment, a subletting or the presence or use of a Hazardous Substance, shall be paid by Lessee upon receipt of an invoice and supporting documentation therefor. Lessor’s consent to any act, assignment or subletting shall not constitute an acknowledgment that no Default or Breach by Lessee of this Lease exists, nor shall such consent be deemed a waiver of any then existing Default or Breach, except as may be otherwise specifically stated in writing by Lessor at the time of such consent. The failure to specify herein any particular condition to Lessor’s consent shall not preclude the imposition by Lessor at the time of consent of such further or other conditions as are then reasonable with reference to the particular matter for which consent is being given. In the event that either Party disagrees with any determination made by the other hereunder and reasonably requests the reasons for such determination, the determining party shall furnish its reasons in writing and in reasonable detail within 10 business days following such request.

37.                               Guarantor.

37.1                           Execution. The Guarantors, if any, shall each execute a guaranty in the form most recently published by the AIR Commercial Real Estate Association.

37.2                           Default. It shall constitute a Default of the Lessee if any Guarantor fails or refuses, upon request to provide:  (a) evidence of the execution of the guaranty, including the authority of the party signing on Guarantor’s behalf to obligate Guarantor, and in the case of a corporate Guarantor, a certified copy of a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the making of such guaranty, (b) current financial statements, (c) an Estoppel Certificate, or (d) written confirmation that the guaranty is still in effect

 

 

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38.                               Quiet Possession. Subject to payment by Lessee of the Rent and performance of all of the covenants, conditions and provisions on Lessee’s part to be observed and performed under this Lease, Lessee shall have quiet possession and quiet enjoyment of the Premises during the term hereof.

39.                               Options. If Lessee is granted an option, as defined below, then the following provisions shall apply.

39.1                           Definition. “Option” shall mean:  (a) the right to extend or reduce the term of or renew this Lease or to extend or reduce the term of or renew any lease that Lessee has on other property of Lessor; (b) the right of first refusal or first offer to lease either the Premises or other property of Lessor; (c) the right to purchase, the right of first offer to purchase or the right of first refusal to purchase the Premises or other property of Lessor.

39.2                           Options Personal To Original Lessee. Any Option granted to Lessee in this Lease is personal to the original Lessee, and cannot be assigned or exercised by anyone other than said original Lessee and only while the original Lessee is in full possession of the Premises and, if requested by Lessor, with Lessee certifying that Lessee has no intention of thereafter assigning or subletting.

39.3                           Multiple Options. In the event that Lessee has any multiple Options to extend or renew this Lease, a later Option cannot be exercised unless the prior Options have been validly exercised.

39.4         Effect of Default on Options.

(a)                                  Lessee shall have no right to exercise an Option:  (i) during the period commencing with the giving of any notice of Default and continuing until said Default is cured, (ii) during. the period of time any Rent is unpaid (without regard to whether notice thereof is given Lessee), (iii) during the time Lessee is in Breach of this Lease, or (iv) in the event that Lessee has been given 3 or more notices of separate Default, whether or not the Defaults are cured, during the 12 month period immediately preceding the exercise of the Option.

(b)                                 The period of time within which an Option may be exercised shall not be extended or enlarged by reason of Lessee’s inability to exercise an Option because of the provisions of Paragraph 39.4(a).

(c)                                  An Option shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, notwithstanding Lessee’s due and timely exercise of the Option, if, after such exercise and prior to the commencement of the extended term or completion of the purchase, (i) Lessee fails to pay Rent for a period of 30 days after such Rent becomes due (without any necessity of Lessor to give notice thereof),or (ii) if Lessee commits a Breach of this Lease.

40.                               Security Measures. Lessee hereby acknowledges that the Rent payable to Lessor hereunder does not include the cost of guard service or other security measures, and that Lessor shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide same. Lessee assumes all responsibility for the protection of the Premises, Lessee, its agents and invitees and their property from the acts of third parties.

41.                               Reservations. Lessor reserves the right:  (i) to grant, without the consent or joinder of Lessee, such easements, rights and dedications that Lessor deems necessary, (ii) to cause the recordation of parcel maps and restrictions, and (iii) to create and/or install new utility raceways, so long as such easements, rights, dedications, maps, restrictions, and utility raceways do not unreasonably interfere with the use of the Premises by Lessee. Lessee agrees to sign any documents reasonably requested by Lessor to effectuate such rights.

42.                               Performance Under Protest.  If at any time a dispute shall arise as to any amount or sum of money to be paid by one Party to the other under the provisions hereof, the Party against whom the obligation to pay the money is asserted shall have the right to make payment “under protest” and such payment shall not be regarded as a voluntary payment and there shall survive the right on the part of said Party to institute suit for recovery of such sum. If it shall be adjudged that there was no legal obligation on the part of said Party to pay such sum or any part thereof, said Party shall be entitled to recover such sum or so much thereof as it was not legally required to pay. A Party who does not initiate suit for the recovery of sums paid “under protest” within 6 months shall be deemed to have waived its right to protest such payment.

43.                               Authority; Multiple Parties; Execution.

(a)                                  If either Party hereto is a corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership, or similar entity, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of such entity represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized to execute

 

 

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and deliver this Lease on its behalf. Each Party shall, within 30 days after request, deliver to the other Party satisfactory evidence of such authority.

(b)                                 If this Lease is executed by more than one person or entity as “Lessee”, each such person or entity shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder. It is agreed that any one of the named Lessees shall be empowered to execute any amendment to this Lease, or other document ancillary thereto and bind all of the named Lessees, and Lessor may rely on the same as if all of the named Lessees had executed such document.

(c)                                  This Lease may be executed by the Parties in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

44.                               Conflict. Any conflict between the printed provisions of this Lease and the typewritten or handwritten provisions shall be controlled by the typewritten or handwritten provisions.

45.                               Offer. Preparation of this Lease by either party or their agent and submission of same to the other Party shall not be deemed an offer to lease to the other Party. This Lease is not intended to be binding until executed and delivered by all Parties hereto.

46.                               Amendments. This Lease may be modified only in writing, signed by the Parties in interest at the time of the modification. As long as they do not materially change Lessee’s obligations hereunder, Lessee agrees to make such reasonable non-monetary modifications to this Lease as may be reasonably required by a Lender in connection with the obtaining of normal financing or refinancing of the Premises.

47.                               Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING INVOLVING THE PROPERTY OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

48.                               Arbitration of Disputes. An Addendum requiring the Arbitration of all disputes between the Parties and/or Brokers arising out of this Lease x is o is not attached to this Lease.

49.                               Americans with Disabilities Act. Since compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is dependent upon Lessee’s specific use of the Premises, Lessor makes no warranty or representation as to whether or not the Premises comply with ADA or any similar legislation. In the event that Lessee’s use of the Premises requires modifications or additions to the Premises in order to be in ADA compliance, Lessee agrees to make any such necessary modifications and/or additions at Lessee’s expense.

LESSOR AND LESSEE HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND REVIEWED THIS LEASE AND EACH TERM AND PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN, AND BY THE EXECUTION OF THIS LEASE SHOW THEIR INFORMED AND VOLUNTARY CONSENT THERETO. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT, AT THE TIME THIS LEASE IS EXECUTED, THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE ARE COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE AND EFFECTUATE THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF LESSOR AND LESSEE WITH RESPECT TO THE PREMISES.

ATTENTION:  NO REPRESENTATION OR RECOMMENDATION IS MADE BY THE AIR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION OR BY ANY BROKER AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY, LEGAL EFFECT, OR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LEASE OR THE TRANSACTION TO WHICH IT RELATES. THE PARTIES ARE URGED TO:

1.                                      SEEK ADVICE OF COUNSEL AS TO THE LEGAL AND TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LEASE.

2.                                      RETAIN APPROPRIATE CONSULTANTS TO REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE THE CONDITION OF THE PREMISES. SAID INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:  THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, THE ZONING OF THE PREMISES, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, THE CONDITION OF THE ROOF AND OPERATING SYSTEMS, COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND THE SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR LESSEE’S INTENDED USE.

WARNING:  IF THE PREMISES ARE LOCATED IN A STATE OTHER THAN CALIFORNIA, CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE MAY NEED TO BE REVISED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE LOCATED. The parties hereto have executed this Lease at the place and on the dates specified above their respect signatures.

 

 

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Executed   at Newport Beach, CA
    	
 
    	
Executed   at: Santa Ana, CA
    
	
On:   February 7, 2011
    	
 
    	
On:   February 1, 2011
    
	
By   LESSOR:
    	
 
    	
By   LESSEE:
    
	
Daimler   Commerce Partners
    	
 
    	
SRS   Labs, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:   
    	
/s/   Misa Yuen
    	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Ulrich Gottschling
    
	
Name   Printed: Misa Yuen
    	
 
    	
Name   Printed: Ulrich Gottschling
    
	
Title:   President
    	
 
    	
Title:   CFO
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
By:
    
	
Name   Printed:
    	
 
    	
Name   Printed:
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
Address:   2909 Daimler Street
    	
 
    	
Address:   2909 Daimler Street
    
	
Santa   Ana, CA 92705
    	
 
    	
Santa   Ana, CA 92705
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Telephone:   (      )
    	
 
    	
Telephone:   (949)442-1070
    
	
Facsimile:   (      )
    	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (949)852-1099
    
	
Email:
    	
 
    	
Email:
    
	
Email:
    	
 
    	
Email:
    
	
Federal   ID No. 33-0607212
    	
 
    	
Federal   ID No.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
BROKER:
    	
 
    	
BROKER:
    
	
KW   Commercial
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vector   Realty Investments
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attn:   Frank Dinari
    	
 
    	
Attn:
    
	
Title:   Vice President of Investments
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
2   San Joaquin Plaza, Suite 150
    	
 
    	
Address:
    
	
Newport   Beach, CA 92660
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Telephone:   (949)734-6602
    	
 
    	
Telephone:   (      )
    
	
Facsimile:   (949)734-6501
    	
 
    	
Facsimile:   (      )
    
	
Email:   fdinari@kwcommercial.com
    	
 
    	
Email:
    
	
Federal   ID No.
    	
 
    	
Federal   ID No.
    
	
Broker/Agent   DRE License #: 01234184/00594029
    	
 
    	
Broker/Agent   DRE License #:
    
					

 

NOTICE:  These forms are often modified to meet changing requirements of law and industry needs. Always write or call to make sure you are utilizing the most current form:  AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, 800 W 6th Street, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Telephone No. (213) 687-8777. Fax No.:  (213) 687-8616.

 

©Copyright 1999 By AIR Commercial Real Estate Association.

All rights reserved. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing.

 

 

29

 

 ADDENDUM

 

Date: December 17, 2010

	
By   and Between (Lessor)
    	
Daimler   Commerce Partners\
    	
 
    
	
(Lessee)
    	
SRS   Labs, Inc.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address   of Premises:
    	
2917   Daimler Street
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Santa   Ana, CA 92705
    	
 
    

Paragraphs 50-55

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Addendum and the printed provisions of the Lease, this Addendum shall control.

50.                                 In consideration for Lessees undertaking of substantial Tenant Improvements to the subject premises, at their own expense, Lessor agrees to grant Lessee Free Rent for a period of 18.5 months from the Commencement of this Lease (April 1, 2011 - October 15, 2012).

In the event that the tenant improvements to be made by Lessee are not completed by April 1, 2011, then the Lease Commencement date shall become May 1, 2011. Consequently, the Free Rent period will be May 1, 2011 through November 15, 2012.

51.                                 Commencing in the 25th month of this Lease (April 1,2013), the monthly Net Rent to be paid by Lessee will increase to $0.75/SF/Mo. NNN which is $8.775.00/Month.

52.                                 Lessor agrees to grant Lessee a First Right of Refusal to Lease 2915 Daimler Street, an 11,700 SF Office/Industrial space that is immediately adjacent to the subject premises at 2917 Daimler Street. Terms of such lease will be subject to mutual agreement by the Lessor and Lessee.

53.                                 Lessor, Lessee and Real Estate Brokers (KW Commercial and Vector Realty Investmensts) mutually agree that Paragraphs 15.1 and of the Lease are deleted from this contract.

54.                                 Lessor agrees toreplace up to two (2) failed or poorly functioning HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning) units during the lease term.

55.                                 Lessor grants Lessee an Option to Renew this Lease for a period of 36 months upon terms to be mutually agreed upon by Lessor and Lessee. In order to exercise this Option to Renew, Lessee must notify Lessor, in writing, no less than 60 days prior to expiration of this Lease.

 

 

30EXHIBIT 10.2

 

CATERPILLAR INC.
 2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(As Amended and Restated Through First Amendment Dated December 6, 2010)

 

 

Caterpillar Inc.

2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Section 1.
  Establishment, Objectives and Duration

 

1.1.         Establishment.  With the approval of the stockholders of Caterpillar Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company established the Caterpillar Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) effective June 14, 2006.  The Plan supersedes and replaces all prior equity and non-equity long-term incentive compensation plans or programs maintained by the Company; provided that, any prior plans of the Company shall remain in effect until all awards granted under such prior plans have been exercised, forfeited, canceled, expired or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of such grants.

 

1.2.         Purpose.  The Plan is intended to provide certain present and future employees and Directors cash-based incentives, stock-based incentives and other equity interests in the Company thereby giving them a stake in the growth and prosperity of the Company and encouraging the continuance of their services with the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

1.3.         Effective Date. The Plan was originally effective on June 14, 2006.  This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be effective as of the later of (a) the date the amendment and restatement of the Plan is adopted by the Board or (b) the date the Company’s stockholders approve the amendment and restatement of the Plan (the “Effective Date”).  The amendment and restatement of the Plan will be deemed to be approved by the stockholders if it receives the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company.

 

1.4.         Duration.  The Plan shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Company’s Board of Directors to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Section 16, until all Shares subject to the Plan shall have been purchased or granted according to the Plan’s provisions.  However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the original effective date of the Plan, June 14, 2006.  Upon termination of the Plan, no Awards may be granted but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Document.

 

Section 2.
  Definitions and Construction

 

When a word or phrase appears in the Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not commence a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be given the meaning ascribed to it in this Section unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context.  The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

 

2.1.         “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Performance Units.

 

2.2.         “Award Document” means any agreement, contract, or other written instrument that 

 

2

 

evidences an Award granted to the Participant under the Plan and sets forth the terms and provisions applicable to such Award.

 

2.3.         “Award Gain” means (a) with respect to a given Option exercise, the product of (X) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Option Price times (Y) the number of shares as to which the Option was exercised at that date, and (b) with respect to any other settlement of an Award granted to the Participant, the Fair Market Value of the cash or Shares paid or payable to the Participant (regardless of any elective deferral pursuant to Section 13) less any cash or the Fair Market Value of any Shares or property (other than an Award that would have itself then been forfeitable hereunder and excluding any payment of tax withholding) paid by the Participant to the Company as a condition of or in connection with such settlement.

 

2.4.         “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5.         “Cause” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Document, a willful engaging in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.  For this purpose, “willful” means an act or omission in bad faith and without reasonable belief that such act or omission was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

 

2.6.         “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) any person becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding common stock, unless the Board by resolution negates the effect of this provision in a particular circumstance, deeming that resolution to be in the best interests of Company stockholders; (b) during any period of two consecutive years, there shall cease to be a majority of the Board comprised of individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board; (c) upon the consummation of a Company stockholder-approved merger or consolidation that results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto representing (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) less than fifty percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (d) Company stockholders approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets.

 

2.7.         “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation thereto.

 

2.8.         “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, appointed to administer the Plan, as provided in Section 3.

 

2.9.         “Company” means Caterpillar Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor to such entity as provided in Section 18.

 

2.10.       “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board.

 

2.11.       “Disability” means, unless otherwise provided for in an employment, change of control or similar agreement in effect between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary or in an Award Document, (a) in the case of an Employee, the Employee qualifying for long-term disability 

 

3

 

benefits under any long-term disability program sponsored by the Company or Subsidiary in which the Employee participates, and (b) in the case of a Director, the inability of the Director to engage in any substantial gainful business activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as determined by the Committee, based upon medical evidence.

 

2.12.       “Effective Date” means the date specified in Section 1.3.

 

2.13.       “Employee” means any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

2.14.       “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

 

2.15.       “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the fair market value of a Share on a particular date determined by such methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of a Share as of any date shall be the mean between the high and low prices at which the Share is traded on the New York Stock Exchange for that date or, if no prices are reported for that date, the prices on the next preceding date for which prices were reported.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, for purposes of Section 6.5(d) of the Plan, Fair Market Value means the actual price at which the Shares used to acquire Shares are sold.

 

2.16.       “Family Member” means any (a) child; (b) stepchild; (c) grandchild; (d) parent; (e) stepparent; (f) grandparent; (g) spouse; (h) former spouse; (i) sibling; (j) niece; (k) nephew; (l) mother-in-law; (m) father-in-law; (n) son-in-law; (o) daughter-in-law; (p) brother-in-law; or (q) sister-in-law of the Participant (including adoptive relationships).  Family Member also shall mean any person sharing in the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or an employee).

 

2.17.       “Good Reason” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Document, the occurrence of any of the following circumstances (unless such circumstances are fully corrected by the Company before a Participant’s termination of employment):

 

(a)   the Company’s assignment of any duties materially inconsistent with the Participant’s position within the Company, or which have a significant adverse alteration in the nature or status of the responsibilities of the Participant’s employment; or

 

(b)   a material reduction by the Company in the Participant’s annual base salary, unless such reduction is part of a compensation reduction program affecting all similarly situated management employees.

 

2.18.       “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means the right to purchase Shares pursuant to terms and conditions that provide that such right will be treated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422, as described in Section 6.

 

2.19.       “Long Service Separation” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Document, a termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary after the attainment of age 55 and the completion of ten or more years of service with the Company and/or its Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding anything in an Award Document to the 

 

4

 

contrary, for purposes of determining whether a Participant has incurred a Long Service Separation, the last period of continuous service with Progress Rail Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Progress Rail”) prior to May 16, 2006 shall be considered service with the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, subject to such administrative rules that the Committee (or its delegate) determines are appropriate and provided such participant was employed by Progress Rail on May 16, 2006.

 

2.20.       “Named Executive Officer” means a Participant who is one of the group of covered employees as defined in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m), or any successor provision or statute.

 

2.21.       “Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means the right to purchase Shares pursuant to terms and conditions that provide that such right will not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option, as described in Section 6.

 

2.22.       “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Section 6.

 

2.23.       “Option Price” means the per share price of a Share available for purchase pursuant to an Option.

 

2.24.       “Participant” means an Employee, prospective Employee, Director, beneficiary or any other person who has outstanding an Award granted under the Plan, and includes those former Employees and Directors who have certain post-termination rights under the terms of an Award granted under the Plan.

 

2.25.       “Performance-Based Exception” means the exception for performance-based compensation from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

 

2.26.       “Performance Period” means the time period during which performance goals must be achieved with respect to an Award, as determined by the Committee.

 

2.27.       “Performance Share” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Section 9.

 

2.28.       “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Section 9.

 

2.29.       “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way, and the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Section 8.

 

2.30.       “Permitted Transferee” means any one or more of the following: (a) Family Members; (b) a trust in which the Participant and/or Family Members have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interest; (c) a foundation in which the Participant and/or Family Members control the management of the assets; or (d) any other entity in which the Participant and/or Family Members own more than fifty percent of the voting interests.

 

2.31.       “Plan” means the Caterpillar Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as set forth herein.

 

5

 

2.32.       “Restricted Stock” means an Award of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

 

2.33.       “Section 16 Officer” means any Employee who is considered an officer of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

2.34.       “Share” or “Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company.

 

2.35.       “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, designated as a SAR, pursuant to the terms of Section 7.

 

2.36.       “Subsidiary” means any partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or other entity or association, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlled by the Company.  The term “control,” as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means, with respect to a corporation or limited liability company, the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights attributable to the controlled corporation or limited liability company, and, with respect to any partnership, trust, other entity or association, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled entity.

 

2.37.       “Tandem SAR” means a SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Section 7, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase a Share under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the Tandem SAR shall similarly be forfeited).

 

2.38.       “Non-Tandem SAR” means a SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Section 7.

 

Section 3.
  Administration

 

3.1.         Plan Administration.  The Committee, or any other committee appointed by the Board, shall administer the Plan.  The Committee or other committee appointed to administer the Plan shall consist of not less than two non-Employee Directors of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and not less than two outside directors, within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).  The Board may, from time to time, remove members from, or add members to, the Committee.  Members of the Board shall fill any vacancies on the Committee.  Acts of a majority of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts reduced to or approved in writing by unanimous consent of the members of the Committee, shall be valid acts of the Committee.

 

3.2.         Authority of the Committee.  Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to select Employees, prospective Employees and Directors who shall participate in the Plan; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award to the extent such terms and conditions are within the sole discretion of the Committee as provided in the Plan and 

 

6

 

subject to Section 16.  Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations, which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  As permitted by law, the Committee may delegate the authority granted to it herein.

 

3.3.         Electronic Administration. The Committee may, in its discretion, utilize a system for complete or partial electronic administration of the Plan and may replace any written documents described in the Plan with electronic counterparts, as appropriate.

 

3.4.         Decisions Binding.  All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its stockholders, Employees, Participants, and their estates and beneficiaries.

 

Section 4.
  Shares Subject to the Plan and Maximum Awards

 

4.1.                            Shares Available for Awards.

 

(a)   The Shares available for Awards may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company.  The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or used for reference purposes under the Plan or with respect to which Awards may be granted shall not exceed forty million (40,000,000) Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3.  In addition, seventeen million six hundred thousand (17,600,000) Shares authorized but unissued pursuant to the Caterpillar Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be reserved and available for grant under the Plan.  Accordingly, the total Shares authorized and available for Awards under the Plan are fifty-seven million six hundred thousand (57,600,000) Shares.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which ISOs may be granted shall not exceed the number specified above, and provided further, that no more than an aggregate of thirty-five percent (35%) of the authorized Shares under the Plan may be issued with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock and Awards of Performance Shares.

 

(b)   Upon:

 

(i)        a payout of a Non-Tandem SAR or Tandem SAR in the form of cash;

 

(ii)       a cancellation, termination, expiration, forfeiture, or lapse for any reason (with the exception of the termination of a Tandem SAR upon exercise of the related Options, or the termination of a related Option upon exercise of the corresponding Tandem SAR) of any Award; or

 

(iii)      payment of an Option Price or payout of any Award with previously acquired Shares or by withholding Shares which otherwise would be acquired on exercise or issued upon such payout (excluding shares withheld for the payment of taxes),

 

the number of Shares underlying any such Award that were not issued as a result of any of the foregoing actions shall again be available for all purposes of Awards under the Plan (including, without limitation, for purposes of applying the limitations set forth in the last sentence of Section 4.1(a)).  In addition, in the case of any Award granted in substitution for an award of a company or business acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary, Shares issued or issuable in connection with such substitute Award shall not be counted against the number of Shares reserved under the Plan, but shall be available under the Plan by virtue of the Company’s assumption of the plan or arrangement of the acquired company or business.

 

7

 

4.2.         Individual Participant Limitations.  Unless and until the Committee determines that an Award to a Named Executive Officer shall not be designed to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the following rules shall apply to grants of such Awards under the Plan:

 

(a)   Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of Shares (including Options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares to be paid out in Shares) that may be granted in any one fiscal year to a Participant shall be eight hundred thousand (800,000) Shares.

 

(b)   Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.5(b) regarding SAR exercise, the maximum aggregate cash payout (including Performance Units and Performance Shares paid out in cash) with respect to Awards granted in any one fiscal year that may be made to any Participant shall be five million dollars ($5,000,000).

 

4.3.         Adjustments in Authorized Shares.  In the event of any change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split, or a corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Code Section 368) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, an adjustment shall be made in the number and class of Shares available for Awards, the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan and the number of Shares set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.  Such adjustment shall be made in a manner determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate and equitable; provided, however, that (a) no such adjustment shall cause an increase in the fair value of an Award for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) or any successor thereto; and (b) the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number by rounding any fractional Share (up or down) to the nearest whole Share.

 

Section 5.
  Eligibility and Participation

 

5.1.         Eligibility.  Persons eligible to participate in the Plan include all current and future Employees (including officers), persons who have been offered employment by the Company or a Subsidiary (provided that such prospective Employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such person begins employment with the Company or Subsidiary), and Directors, as determined by the Committee.

 

5.2.         Participation.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine and designate, from time to time, the Employees, prospective Employees, and Directors to whom Awards shall be granted, the terms of such Awards, and the number of Shares subject to such Award.

 

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5.3.         Foreign Participants.  In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom.  Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 4 of the Plan.

 

Section 6.
  Stock Options

 

6.1.                            Grant of Options.

 

(a)   Option Grant.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to one or more Participants in such number, upon such terms and provisions, and at any time and from time to time, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.  The Committee may grant either Nonqualified Stock Options or (in the case of Options granted to Employees) Incentive Stock Options, and shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Options of each granted to each Participant, subject to the limitations of Section 4.  Each Option grant shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Committee approving the Option grant.

 

               (b)    Award Document.  All Options shall be evidenced by an Award Document.  The Award Document shall specify the Option Price, the term of the Option, the number of Shares subject to the Option, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, and which are not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan.  The Award Document shall also specify whether the Option is to be treated as an ISO within the meaning of Code Section 422.  If such Option is not designated as an ISO, such Option shall be a NQSO.

 

6.2.         Option Price.  The Committee shall designate the Option Price for each Share subject to an Option under the Plan, provided that such Option Price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of Shares subject to an Option on the date the Option is granted.  With respect to a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Option Price of Shares subject to an ISO shall be at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the ISO’s grant date.

 

6.3.         Term of Options.  Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant, but in no event shall be exercisable later than the 10th anniversary of the grant date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to ISOs, in the case of a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, no such ISO shall be exercisable later than the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

 

6.4.         Exercise of Options.  Options granted under this Section 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant, and shall be set forth in the applicable Award Document.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Fair Market Value of Shares to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year

 

9

 

(under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) may not exceed $100,000.  Any ISOs that become exercisable in excess of such amount shall be deemed NQSOs to the extent of such excess.  If the Award Document does not specify the time or times at which the Option shall first become exercisable, such an Option shall become fully vested and exercisable by the Participant on the third anniversary of the grant date.

 

6.5.         Payment.  Options granted under this Section 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company (or its designated agent(s)), setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.  The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either:

 

(a)   in cash or its equivalent, or

 

(b)   by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or

 

(c)   by cashless exercise through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds from a sale of shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the purchase price.

 

6.6.         Termination of Employment or Service as a Director.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall set forth in the applicable Award Document the extent to which a Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option or Options following termination of his or her employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or following termination of his or her service as a Director.  Such provisions need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for such termination, including, but not limited to, termination for Cause or for Good Reason, or reasons relating to the breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants.  Subject to Section 15, in the event that a Participant’s Award Document does not set forth such provisions, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)   Long Service Separation, Death or Disability.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates by reason of Long Service Separation, death or Disability, to the extent that the Option is not exercisable, all Shares covered by his or her Options shall immediately become fully vested and shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the remainder of the term of the Option, or (ii) 60 months from the date of such termination.  In the case of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s beneficiary or estate may exercise the Option.

 

(b)   Termination for Cause.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates for Cause, all Options granted to such Participant shall expire immediately and all rights to purchase Shares (vested or nonvested) under the Options shall cease upon such termination.

 

(c)   Other Termination. If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates for any reason other than Long Service Separation, death, Disability, or for Cause, all Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the remainder of the term of the Option, or (ii) 60 days from the date of such termination.  In such circumstance, the Option shall only be exercisable to the extent that it was exercisable as of such termination date and shall not be exercisable with respect to any additional Shares.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein or in an Award Document to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to extend the period during which an

 

10

 

Option is exercisable pursuant to this Section 6.6(c) to a period that is no longer than the earlier of (A) the remainder of the term of the Option, or (B) 60 months from the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.

 

6.7.         Restrictions on Shares.  The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Section 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state or foreign securities laws applicable to such Shares.

 

6.8.                            Transferability of Options.

 

(a)   Incentive Stock Options.  No ISO granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Further, all ISOs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.

 

(b)   Nonqualified Stock Options.  NQSOs may only be transferred in accordance with this Section 6.8(b).

 

(i)    Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (ii) below or in an Award Document, no NQSO shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant other than by will, by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order (as such term is defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code).

 

(ii)   NQSOs (whether vested or unvested) held by (A) Participants who are Section 16 Officers; (B) Participants who are Directors; or (C) any Participants who previously held the positions in clauses (A) and (B) may be transferred by gift or by domestic relations order to one or more Permitted Transferees.  NQSOs (whether vested or unvested) held by all other Participants and by Permitted Transferees may be transferred by gift or by domestic relations order only to Permitted Transferees upon the prior written approval of the Company’s Director of Compensation + Benefits.

 

6.9.         Prohibition on Repricing.  Except (a) as provided in Section 4.3 or (b) to the extent approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Option Price of an Option may not be changed following the date such Option is granted.  Similarly, the exchange of an Option (an “Original Option”) for cash, Shares, or other Awards at a time when the Option Price of such Original Option is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share is prohibited.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the exchange of an Original Option for a SAR or another Option (a “New Option”) shall be permitted only if: (a) the exchange is approved by the stockholders of the Company and (b) either (i) the grant price of the SAR is greater than the Option Price of the Original Option or (ii) the Option Price of the New Option is greater than the Option Price of the Original Option.

 

6.10.       Acceleration of Vesting.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of Options at any time.

 

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Section 7.
  Stock Appreciation Rights

 

7.1.                            Grant of SARs.

 

(a)   SAR Grant.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants in such number, upon such terms and provisions, and at any time and from time to time, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  The Committee may grant Non-Tandem SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination of these forms of SARs.  The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant (subject to Section 4) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.  The Committee shall designate, at the time of grant, the grant price of a Non-Tandem SAR, which grant price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the grant date of the SAR.  The grant price of Tandem SARs shall equal the Option Price of the related Option.

 

(b)   Award Document.  All SARs shall be evidenced by an Award Document.  The Award Document shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, and which are not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

7.2.         Term of SARs.  The term of a SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that unless otherwise designated by the Committee, such term shall not exceed ten years from the grant date.

 

7.3.         Exercise of Tandem SARs.  Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option.  A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO:  (i) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more than 100% of the difference between the Option Price of the underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.

 

7.4.         Exercise of Non-Tandem SARs.  Non-Tandem SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon them.

 

7.5.         Payment of SAR Amount.

 

(a)   Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i)    The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the grant price; by

 

(ii)   The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

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(b)   Unless otherwise provided in the Award Document, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.  If, and to the extent that the payment upon SAR exercise is made in cash, such cash payment shall not be subject to the limitation of Section 4.2(b).

 

7.6.         Termination of Employment or Service as a Director.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall set forth in the applicable Award Document the extent to which a Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR or SARs following termination of his or her employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or following termination of his or her service as a Director.  Such provisions need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for such termination, including, but not limited to, termination for Cause or for Good Reason, or reasons relating to the breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants.  Subject to Section 15, in the event that a Participant’s Award Document does not set forth such provisions, the following provisions shall apply:

 

              (a)     Long Service Separation, Death or Disability.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates by reason of Long Service Separation, death or Disability, to the extent that the SARs are not exercisable, all of his or her SARs shall immediately become fully vested and shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the remainder of the term of the SAR, or (ii) 60 months from the date of such termination.  In the case of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s beneficiary or estate may exercise the SAR.

 

(b)   Termination for Cause.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates for Cause, all SARs shall expire immediately and all rights thereunder shall cease upon such termination.

 

(c)   Other Termination.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director terminates for any reason other than Long Service Separation, death, Disability, or for Cause, all SARs shall remain exerciseable until the earlier of (i) the remainder of the term of the SAR, or (ii) 60 days from the date of such termination.  In such circumstance, the SAR shall only be exercisable to the extent it was exercisable as of such termination date and shall not be exercisable with respect to any additional SARs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein or in an Award Document to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to extend the period during which a SAR is exercisable pursuant to this Section 76.6(c) to a period that is no longer than the earlier of (A) the remainder of the term of the SAR, or (B) 60 months from the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.

 

7.7.         Transferability of SARs.  SARs may only be transferred in accordance with this Section

 

(a)   Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) below or in an Award Document, no SAR shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant other than by will, by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order (as such term is defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code).

 

(b)   SARs held by (i) Participants who are Section 16 Officers; (ii) Participants who are Directors; or (iii) any Participants who previously held the positions in clauses (i) and (ii) may be transferred by gift or by domestic relations order to one or more Permitted Transferees.  SARs held 

 

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by all other Participants and by Permitted Transferees may be transferred by gift or by domestic relations order to Permitted Transferees only upon the prior written approval of the Company’s Director of Compensation and Benefits.

 

(c)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO, no such Tandem SAR may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

7.8.         Prohibition on Repricing.  Except (a) as provided in Section 4.3 or (b) to the extent approved by the stockholders of the Company, the grant price of a SAR may not be changed following the date the SAR is granted.  Similarly, the exchange of a SAR (an “Original SAR”) for cash, Shares, or other Awards at a time when the grant price of such Original SAR is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share is prohibited.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the exchange of an Original SAR for an Option or another SAR (a “New SAR”) shall be permitted only if: (a) the exchange is approved by the stockholders of the Company and (b) either (i) the Option Price amount is greater than the grant price of the Original SAR or (ii) the grant price of the New SAR is greater than the grant price of the Original SAR.

 

7.9.         Acceleration of Vesting.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7 to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of SARs at any time.

 

Section 8.
  Restricted Stock

 

8.1.                            Grant of Restricted Stock.

 

(a)   Grant of Restricted Stock.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock to Participants in such amounts as the Committee shall determine.

 

             (b)      Award Document.  All grants of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Document.  The Award Document shall specify the Period or Periods of Restriction, the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine pursuant to Section 8.2 or otherwise, and which shall not be inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan.  If no Period of Restriction is set forth in the Award Document, the transfer and any other restrictions shall lapse (i) to the extent of one-third of the shares (rounded to the nearest whole) covered by the Restricted Stock Award on the third anniversary of the grant date, (ii) to the extent of two-thirds of the shares (rounded to the nearest whole) covered by the Restricted Stock Award on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and (iii) to the extent of 100% of the shares covered by the Restricted Stock Award on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

 

(c)   Limitation on the Committee.  Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 8.1(b) and subject to the provisions of the Plan, no more than five percent (5%) of the shares that may be issued as Restricted Stock pursuant to Section 4.1 may have a Period of Restriction as determined by the Committee at the time of grant that will lapse prior to the third anniversary of the grant date.  All remaining shares that may be issued with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock pursuant to Section 4.1 shall have a Period of Restriction determined by the Committee at the time of grant that will not lapse until on or after the third anniversary of the grant date. For the 

 

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avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.1(c) shall not impair the Committee’s ability to accelerate the vesting of Restricted Stock pursuant to Section 8.6 or to make grants that provide that vesting is accelerated upon Long Service Separation, death or Disability pursuant to Section 8.5 and the shares of Restricted Stock for which such acceleration of vesting occurs shall not be considered in applying the limitations set forth in this Section 8.1(c).

 

8.2.         Other Restrictions.  Subject to Section 10 herein, the Committee may impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including without limitation, a requirement that Shares will not be issued until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction (i.e., a restricted stock unit), a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Restricted Stock, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals (Company-wide, Subsidiary-wide, divisional, and/or individual), time-based restrictions on vesting, which may or may not be following the attainment of the performance goals, sales restrictions under applicable shareholder agreements or similar agreements, and/or restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws.  The Company shall retain the certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8 or in any Award Document, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

8.3.         Voting Rights.  Unless otherwise designated by the Committee at the time of grant, Participants to whom Shares of Restricted Stock (but not restricted stock units) have been granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction.

 

8.4.         Dividends and Other Distributions.  Unless otherwise designated by the Committee at the time of grant, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock (but not restricted stock units) granted hereunder shall be credited with regular cash dividends paid with respect to the underlying Shares while they are so held during the Period of Restriction.  The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends that the Committee deems appropriate.  Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, if the grant or vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock granted to a Named Executive Officer is designed to comply with the requirements of the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may apply any restrictions it deems appropriate to the payment of dividends declared with respect to such Shares of Restricted Stock, such that the dividends and/or the Shares of Restricted Stock maintain eligibility for the Performance-Based Exception.  In the event that any dividend constitutes a derivative security or an equity security pursuant to the rules under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, such dividend shall be subject to a vesting period equal to the remaining vesting period of the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the dividend is paid.

 

8.5.         Termination of Employment or Service as a Director.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall set forth in the applicable Award Document the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive unvested Restricted Stock following termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Subsidiaries or termination of service as a Director.  Such provisions need not be uniform among all shares of Restricted Stock issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment including; but not limited to, termination of employment for Cause or for Good Reason, or reasons relating to the 

 

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breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants; provided, however that, except in the cases of terminations connected with a Change of Control and terminations by reason of death or Disability, the vesting of Restricted Stock that qualify for the Performance-Based Exception and that are held by Named Executive Officers shall not occur before the time they otherwise would have, but for the employment termination.  Subject to Section 15, in the event that a Participant’s Award Document does not set forth such termination provisions, the following termination provisions shall apply:

 

(a)   Long-Service Separation, Death and Disability.  Unless the Award qualifies for the Performance-Based Exception, if a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director is terminated due to Long Service Separation, death or Disability, all shares of Restricted Stock of such Participant shall immediately become fully vested on the date of such termination and any restrictions shall lapse.

 

(b)   Other Termination.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director is terminated for any reason other than Long Service Separation, death or Disability, all shares of Restricted Stock that are unvested at the date of termination shall be forfeited to the Company.

 

8.6.         Acceleration of Vesting.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8 to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of shares of Restricted Stock at any time.

 

8.7.         Transferability.  Except as provided in this Section 8, the shares of Restricted Stock granted herein may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, voluntarily or involuntarily, until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Award Document, or upon earlier satisfaction of any other conditions, as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Award Document.  All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant.

 

Section 9.
  Performance Units and Performance Shares

 

9.1.                            Grant of Performance Units/Shares.

 

(a)   Grant of Performance Unit/Shares.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee, which shall not be inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan and shall be set forth in an Award Document.

 

(b)   Award Document.  All Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Document.  The Award Document shall specify the initial value of the Award, the performance goals and the Performance Period, as the Committee shall determine, and which are not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

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9.2.         Value of Performance Units/Shares.  Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value (which may be $0) that is established by the Committee at the time of grant.  Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the grant date.  The Committee shall set performance goals in its sole discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Participant.  For purposes of this Section 9, the time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called a Performance Period.  Performance Shares not in excess of five percent of the number of shares that may be issued with respect to Awards of Performance Shares, as provided in Section 4.1, may have a Performance Period as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and any other Performance Shares shall have a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee, of not less than one year.

 

9.3.         Earning of Performance Units/Shares.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares shall be entitled to receive payout on the number and value of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved, as established by the Committee.

 

9.4.         Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares.  Except as provided below, payment of earned Performance Units and/or Performance Shares shall be made in a single lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable following the close of the applicable Performance Period.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units and/or Performance Shares in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units and/or Performance Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period.  Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.  At the sole discretion of the Committee, Participants may be entitled to receive any dividends declared with respect to Shares which have been earned in connection with grants of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares which have been earned, but not yet distributed to Participants.

 

9.5.         Termination of Employment or Service as a Director.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall set forth in the applicable Award Document the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive payment for Performance Units and/or Performance Shares following termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Subsidiaries or termination of service as a Director.  Such provisions need not be uniform among all Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for such termination including; but not limited to, termination for Cause or for Good Reason, or reasons relating to the breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants.  Subject to Section 15, in the event that a Participant’s Award Document does not set forth such termination provisions, the following termination provisions shall apply:

 

(a)   Long Service Separation, Death or Disability.  Subject to Section 15, if a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director is terminated during a Performance Period due to Long Service Termination, death or Disability, the Participant shall receive a prorated payout of the Performance Units and/or Performance Shares, unless the Committee determines otherwise.  The prorated payout shall be determined by the

 

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Committee, shall be based upon the length of time that the Participant held the Performance Units and/or Performance Shares during the Performance Period, and shall further be adjusted based on the achievement of the pre-established performance goals.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise in the event of a termination due to death, Disability or Long Service Separation, payment of earned Performance Units and/or Performance Shares shall be made at the same time as payments are made to Participants who did not terminate employment during the applicable Performance Period.

 

(b)   Other Termination.  If a Participant’s employment with the Company and/or any Subsidiary or service as a Director is terminated during a Performance Period for any reason other than Long Service Termination, death or Disability all Performance Units and/or Performance Shares shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company.

 

9.6.         Nontransferability.  Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Document, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Document, a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.

 

9.7.         Acceleration of Vesting.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9 to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares at any time.

 

Section 10.
  Performance Measures

 

10.1.       Performance Measures.  Unless and until the Committee proposes for stockholder vote and stockholders approve a change in the general performance measures set forth in this Section 10, the attainment of which may determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to Awards to Named Executive Officers that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the performance goals to be used for purposes of such grants shall be established by the Committee in writing and stated in terms of the attainment of specified levels of or percentage changes in any one or more of the following measurements: (a) revenue; (b) primary or fully-diluted earnings per Share; (c) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and/or amortization; (d) pretax income; (e) cash flow from operations; (f) total cash flow; (g) return on equity; (h) return on invested capital; (i) return on assets; (j) net operating profits after taxes; (k) economic value added; (l) total stockholder return; (m) return on sales; or (n) any individual performance objective which is measured solely in terms of quantifiable targets related to the Company or the Company’s business; or any combination thereof.  In addition, such performance goals may be based in whole or in part upon the performance of the Company, a Subsidiary, division and/or other operational unit under one or more of such measures.

 

10.2.       Performance Procedures.  The degree of payout and/or vesting of such Awards designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception shall be determined based upon the written certification of the Committee as to the extent to which the performance goals and any other material terms and conditions precedent to such payment and/or vesting have been satisfied.  The Committee shall have the sole discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of

 

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the pre-established performance goals; provided, however, that the performance goals applicable to Awards which are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, and which are held by Named Executive Officers, may not be adjusted so as to increase the payment under the Award (the Committee shall retain the sole discretion to adjust such performance goals upward, or to otherwise reduce the amount of the payment and/or vesting of the Award relative to the pre-established performance goals).  In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee sole discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining stockholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining stockholder approval.  In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards which shall not qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and, thus, which use performance measures other than those specified above.

 

Section 11.
  Award Forfeitures

 

11.1.       Forfeiture of Options and Other Awards.  Each Award granted hereunder shall be subject to the following additional forfeiture conditions, to which the Participant, by accepting an Award hereunder, agrees.  If any of the events specified in Section 11.2 occurs (a “Forfeiture Event”), all of the following forfeitures will result:

 

(a)   The unexercised portion of any Option, whether or not vested, and any other Award not then settled (except for an Award that has not been settled solely due to an elective deferral pursuant to Section 13 by the Participant and otherwise is not forfeitable in the event of any termination of service of the Participant) will be immediately forfeited and canceled upon the occurrence of the Forfeiture Event; and

 

(b)   The Participant will be obligated to repay to the Company, in cash, within five business days after demand is made therefor by the Company, the total amount of Award Gain (as defined herein) realized by the Participant upon each exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award (regardless of any elective deferral pursuant to Section 13) that occurred on or after (i) the date that is six months before the occurrence of the Forfeiture Event, if the Forfeiture Event occurred while the Participant was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, or (ii) the date that is six months before the date the Participant’s employment by, or service as a Director with the Company or a Subsidiary terminated, if the Forfeiture Event occurred after the Participant ceased to be so employed.

 

11.2.       Events Triggering Forfeiture.  The forfeitures specified in Section 11.1 will be triggered upon the occurrence of any one of the following Forfeiture Events at any time during the Participant’s employment by or service as a Director with the Company or a Subsidiary or during the one-year period following termination of such employment or service:

 

             (a)      Non-Solicitation.  The Participant, for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of any other person, company or entity, directly or indirectly, (i) induces or attempts to induce or hires or otherwise counsels, induces or attempts to induce or hire or otherwise counsel, advise, encourage or solicit any person to leave the employment of or the service for the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) hires or in any manner employs or retains the services of any individual employed by or providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary as of the date of his or her termination of employment, or employed by or providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary subsequent to such termination, (iii) solicits, pursues, calls upon or takes away, any of the customers of the Company or 

 

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any Subsidiary, (iv) solicits, pursues, calls upon or takes away, any potential customer of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been the subject of a bid, offer or proposal by the Company or any Subsidiary, or of substantial preparation with a view to making such a bid, proposal or offer, within six months before such Participant’s termination of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary, or (v) otherwise interferes with the business or accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(b)   Confidential Information.  The Participant discloses to any person or entity or makes use of any “confidential or proprietary information” (as defined below in this subparagraph (b)) for his or her own purpose or for the benefit of any person or entity, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of employment with or other service to the Company or any Subsidiary.  Such “confidential or proprietary information” of the Company or any Subsidiary, includes, but is not limited to, the design, development, operation, building or manufacturing of products manufactured and supplied by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the identity of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s customers, the identity of representatives of customers with whom the Company or any Subsidiary has dealt, the kinds of services provided by the Company or any Subsidiary to customers and offered to be performed for potential customers, the manner in which such services are performed or offered to be performed, the service needs of actual or prospective customers, pricing information, information concerning the creation, acquisition or disposition of products and services, customer maintenance listings, computer software and hardware applications and other programs, personnel information, information identifying, relating to or concerning investors in the Company or any Subsidiary, joint venture partners of the Company or any Subsidiary, business partners of the Company or any Subsidiary or other entities providing financing to the Company or any Subsidiary, real estate and leasing opportunities, communications and telecommunications operations and processes, zoning and licensing matters, relationships with, or matters involving, landlords and/or property owners, and other trade secrets.

 

11.3.       Agreement Does Not Prohibit Competition or Other Participant Activities.  Although the conditions set forth in this Section 11 shall be deemed to be incorporated into an Award, the Plan does not thereby prohibit the Participant from engaging in any activity, including but not limited to competition with the Company and its Subsidiaries.  Rather, the non-occurrence of the Forfeiture Events set forth in Section 11.2 is a condition to the Participant’s right to realize and retain value from his or her compensatory Awards, and the consequence under the Plan if the Participant engages in an activity giving rise to any such Forfeiture Event are the forfeitures specified herein.  This provision shall not preclude the Company and the Participant from entering into other written agreements concerning the subject matter of Sections 11.1 and 11.2 and, to the extent any terms of this Section 11 are inconsistent with any express terms of such agreement, this Section 11 shall not be deemed to modify or amend such terms.

 

11.4.       Committee Discretion.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive in whole or in part the Company’s right to forfeiture under this Section 11, but no such waiver shall be effective unless evidenced by a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  In addition, the Committee may impose additional conditions on Awards, by inclusion of appropriate provisions in the Award Document.  Nothing contained herein shall require the Committee to enforce the forfeiture provisions of this Section 11.  Failure to enforce these forfeiture provisions against any individual shall not be construed as a waiver of the Company’s right to forfeiture under this Section 11.

 

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11.5.       Clawback Provision.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, including Section 16.1 which prohibits material and adverse changes to any outstanding Award, any Participant who is an officer of the Company whose negligent, intentional or gross misconduct contributes to the Company’s having to restate all or a portion of its financial statements, will be required to forfeit Awards granted under this Plan and repay the Company the total amount of Award Gain realized by the Participant upon the exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award,  as determined by the Board of Directors, an authorized committee, or its designee, pursuant to the Caterpillar Inc. Guidelines on Corporate Governance Issues, as adopted on February 14, 2007 and any subsequent amendments.  Any Awards granted under this Plan prior to February 14, 2007 are subject to the provisions of this Section 11.5 only with the written consent of the Participant.

 

Section 12.
  Beneficiary Designation

 

12.1.       Beneficiary Designations.  Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit.  Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.  In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.

 

Section 13.

Deferrals and Section 409A

 

13.1        Restrictions on Payments and Distributions.

 

(a)           Restrictions.  To the extent that an Award constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A (for example, certain grants of restricted stock units), payment or distribution of such deferred compensation shall not occur prior to the first to occur of the following events:

 

                (i)            The Participant’s Separation from Service, or in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee, the date which is six months after the Participant’s Separation from Service;

 

(ii)           The date the Participant becomes Disabled;

 

(iii)         The Participant’s death;

 

(iv)          A specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule) specified at the date of the deferral of compensation;

 

(v)            An Unforeseeable Emergency; or

 

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(vi)          To the extent provided by the Secretary of the Treasury, a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a Subsidiary or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

This Section 13.1 restates the restrictions on payments and distributions set forth in Code Section 409A and is intended to impose restrictions on payments and distributions made pursuant to the Plan.  This Section 13.1 does not describe the instances in which payments and distributions actually will be made.  Rather, payments and distributions will be made only if and when permitted by: (1) the provisions of this Section 13.1 and (2) the terms of the governing Award Document.

 

(b)           Special Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 13.1, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

                (i)            “Disabled” means that a Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 

                (ii)           “Separation from Service” means a separation from service as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h).

 

                (iii)         “Specified Employee” means certain officers and highly compensated employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(i), and determined in accordance with such procedures as may be adopted from time to time by the Company.

 

                (iv)          “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152 without regard to Code Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)) of the Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty or some other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.  Whether an Unforeseeable Emergency has occurred will be determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(i)(3).

 

13.2        Ban on Acceleration.  To the extent that an Award constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A, neither the time nor the schedule of any payment or distribution of such deferred compensation may be accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as provided in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

13.3        Section 409A.  Except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A (and the Treasury Department guidance and regulations issued thereunder) so as to avoid the imposition of any additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. If the Committee determines that an Award, Award Document, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a Participant to become subject to any additional taxes or other penalties under Code 

 

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Section 409A, then unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise, such Award, Award Document, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or Award Document will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A to the extent determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case without the consent of or notice to the Participant.

 

13.4        Deferrals.  The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant upon the exercise of any Option or SAR or by virtue of the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to restricted stock, or the satisfaction of any requirements or goals with respect to Performance Units/Shares.  If any such deferral election is permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.  The rules and procedures regarding such payment deferrals shall be set forth clearly in the Award Document to which the compensation relates.  All such deferrals (and rules and procedures) shall comply with Code Section 409A (and the Treasury Department guidance and regulations issued thereunder) and any other applicable law.

 

Section 14.
  Rights and Obligations of Parties

 

14.1.       No Guarantee of Employment or Service Rights.  Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

14.2.       Temporary Absence.  For purposes of the Plan, temporary absence from employment because of illness, vacation, approved leaves of absence, and transfers of employment among the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall not be considered to terminate employment or to interrupt continuous employment.

 

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

 

14.4.       Right of Setoff.  The Company or any Subsidiary may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deduct from and set off against any amounts the Company or Subsidiary may owe to the Participant from time to time, including amounts payable in connection with any Award, owed as wages, fringe benefits, or other compensation owed to the Participant, such amounts as may be owed by the Participant to the Company, although the Participant shall remain liable for any part of the Participant’s payment obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff.  By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff under this Section 14.

 

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14.5.       Section 83(b) Election.  No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under a similar provision of the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be made, unless expressly permitted by the terms of the Award Document or by action of the Committee in writing before the making of such election.  In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.

 

14.6.       Disqualifying Disposition Notification.  If any Participant shall make any disposition of Shares delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days thereof.

 

Section 15.
  Change of Control

 

15.1.       Change of Control.  If a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and/or any Subsidiary terminates either without Cause or for Good Reason within the 12 month period following a Change of Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges:

 

(a)   Any and all Options and SARs granted hereunder shall become immediately exercisable, and shall remain exercisable throughout their entire term;

 

(b)   Any Period of Restriction and other restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock shall lapse; and

 

(c)   Unless otherwise specified in an Award Document, the maximum payout opportunities attainable under all outstanding Awards of Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be deemed to have been fully earned for the entire Performance Period(s) as of the effective date of the Change of Control.  The vesting of all such Awards shall be accelerated as of the effective date of the Change of Control, and in full settlement of such Awards, there shall be paid out in cash to Participants within 30 days following the effective date of the Change of Control the maximum of payout opportunities associated with such outstanding Awards.

 

Section 16.
  Amendment, Modification, and Termination

 

16.1.       Amendment, Modification, and Termination.  The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants; provided, however, that any amendment to the Plan shall be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval not later than the earliest annual meeting for which the record date is after the date of such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares may then be listed or quoted and the Board may otherwise, in its sole discretion, determine to submit other amendments to the Plan to stockholders for approval; and provided further, that, without the written consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action 

 

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may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award.  The Committee shall have no authority to waive or modify any other Award term after the Award has been granted to the extent that the waived or modified term was mandatory under the Plan.

 

Section 17.
  Withholding

 

17.1.       Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan.

 

17.2.       Share Withholding.  With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of Awards granted hereunder, the withholding requirement shall be satisfied by the Company withholding Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which would be imposed on the transaction.

 

Section 18.
  Miscellaneous

 

18.1.       Unfunded Plan.  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Shares pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Shares, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan.  Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant.  No such funding shall be established that would cause an amount to be taxable under Code Section 409A before it is received by a Participant or cause an amount to be subject to additional tax under such Section.

 

18.2.       Forfeitures; Fractional Shares.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash consideration.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award.  The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

18.3.       Compliance with Code Section 162(m).  The Company intends that Options and SARs granted to Named Executive Officers and other Awards designated as Awards to Named Executive Officers shall constitute qualified “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of allocation of an Award.  Accordingly, the terms of Sections 4.2, 6, 7, 8.5, 8.6, 9 and 10, including the definitions of Named Executive Officer and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.  The foregoing notwithstanding, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a given Participant will be a Named Executive Officer with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been 

 

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completed, the Committee may, in its discretion, extend the terms of such Sections to any Participant that the Committee deems appropriate.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award Document relating to a Performance Award that is designated as intended to comply with Code Section 162(m) does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the Committee or any other person sole discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise payable in connection with any such Award upon attainment of the applicable performance objectives.

 

18.4.       Gender and Number; Headings.  Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.  Headings are included for the convenience of reference only and shall not be used in the interpretation or construction of any such provision contained in the Plan.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

18.8.       Securities Law Compliance.  With respect to “insiders,” transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act.  To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.  An “insider” includes any individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, Director or more than 10% beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

18.9.       Governing Law.  To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

 

* * * * *

 

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