Document:

Unassociated Document

 

	
Internal Revenue Service

	
Department of the Treasury

	  	
Washington, DC 20224

	 	 
	  	
Third Party Communication: None

	
Index Number: 856.00-00, 562.00-00

	
Date of Communication: Not Applicable

	 	 
	
Mr. Nicholas S. Schorsch, CEO

American Realty Capital Trust II, Inc.

405 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

	
Person To Contact:

Kate Sleeth, ID No. 0219655

  

Telephone Number:

(202) 622-6289

  

Refer Reply To:

CC:FIP:B02 

PLR-104519-11

  

Date:

MAY 17 2011

 

Legend:

 

	
Taxpayer

	
=

	
American Realty Capital Trust II, Inc. 

EIN : 27-3441614

	  	  	  
	
State

	
=

	
Maryland

	  	  	  
	
Advisor

	
=

	
American Realty Capital Advisors II, LLC

	  	  	  
	
Dealer Manager

	
=

	
Realty Capital Securities, LLC

	  	  	  
	
Date 1

	
=

	
October 8, 2010

	  	  	  
	
Date 2

	
=

	
December 6, 2010

	  	  	  
	
a

	
=

	
7.0

	 	 	 
	
b

	
=

	
3.0

	  	  	  
	
c

	
=

	
.70

	  	  	  
	
d

	
=

	
10.0

	  	  	  
	
e

	
=

	
6.0

	  	  	  
	
f

	
=

	
 15.0

 

Dear Mr. Schorsch:

This is in reply to your letter requesting rulings on behalf of Taxpayer. You have requested rulings that (1) the issuance of two classes of common stock with different distribution fees as described below will not cause dividends paid by Taxpayer with respect to its shares to be preferential dividends within the meaning of § 562(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) the issuance of two classes of common stock with different distribution fees will not cause Taxpayer to fail to qualify as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under part lI of subchapter M (§§ 856-859) of the Code; and (3) the deferred distribution fees, described below, will be deductible under § 162.

 

  

  

  

 

2

 

Facts:

Taxpayer is a corporation organized under the laws of State that intends to qualify as a REIT within the meaning of § 856. Taxpayer uses an overall accrual. method of accounting and the calendar year as its taxable year. Taxpayer will be externally managed by Advisor.

 

Taxpayer intends, through its operating partnership, to invest primarily in freestanding, single-tenant retail properties in the United States net leased to investment grade and other creditworthy tenants. Taxpayer may also invest in other real estate related investments. Taxpayer's primary investment objectives are to (1) preserve and protect capital, (2) provide attractive and stable cash distributions, and (3) increase the value of assets in order to generate capital appreciation.

 

Taxpayer's shares of common stock are not listed on a securities exchange. Stockholders will, however, obtain liquidity for their shares through Taxpayer's share repurchase plan. The repurchase plan would generally allow stockholders to request on a daily basis that Taxpayer redeem their shares at the net asset value ("NAV") per share. Taxpayer's shares will be distributed on a "reasonable best efforts" basis through Dealer Manager.

Non-traded REITs have been subject to criticisms for lack of liquidity, lack of market pricing of their shares, and advisory fees based on the cost of assets rather than performance. Taxpayer intends to address those issues with its proposed structure.

Taxpayer proposes to adopt a multiple class structure (the "Multi-Class Structure"). Under the Multi-Class structure, Taxpayer will issue two different classes (each a "Class") of shares of its common stock: retail shares, which will bear certain upfront fees and commissions (the "Retail Shares"), and institutional shares, which are intended for those investors with accounts managed by registered investment advisors ("RIAs"), including "wrap accounts" (the "Institutional Shares").

The Retail Shares will bear a selling commission equal to a% of the gross proceeds of Taxpayer's primary offering (the "Selling Commission") and a dealer manager fee equal to b% of the gross proceeds of Taxpayer's primary offering (the "Dealer Manager Fee"). Each investor will pay Taxpayer the Selling Commission and the Dealer Manager Fee in connection with its acquisition of Retail Shares, and Taxpayer will in turn pay both the Selling Commission and the Dealer Manager Fee to the Dealer Manager.

 

  

  

  

 

3

 

 

The Institutional Shares will bear an annual asset-based distribution fee which will be deducted from the NAV on the Institutional Shares (the "Deferred Distribution Fee") equal to c% of the NAV per Institutional Share; provided, that, with respect to each Institutional Share held by an investor, the Deferred Distribution Fee will be capped at d% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Institutional Share. Taxpayer will accrue the Deferred Distribution Fee daily and pay it to the Dealer Manager monthly. Taxpayer represents that the Deferred Distribution Fee is substantially equivalent to fees that are subject to rule 12b-1, 17 C.F.R. § 270.12b-1, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 USC 80a-1, et seq., as amended ("12b-1 fees").

Taxpayer will institute a distribution reinvestment plan (the "DRIP") which will allow investors to elect to have the distributions they receive from Taxpayer reinvested, in whole or in part, in additional shares of the class of stock on which they receive their distributions. The purchase price per share under the DRIP will be equal to Taxpayer's NAV per share, determined on a class by class basis, on the date that the distribution is payable, after giving effect to the distribution. No Selling Commission or Dealer Manager Fee will be payable with respect to Retail Shares purchased under the DRIP. No Deferred Distribution Fee will be payable with respect to Institutional Shares purchased under the DRIP; however, because the Deferred Distribution Fee reduces the NAV for all Institutional Shares it indirectly affects those Institutional Shares issued under the DRIP.

Taxpayer will pay Advisor an annual advisory fee based on performance calculated on the basis of Taxpayer's total return to stockholders, payable annually in arrears, such that for any year in which the Taxpayer's total return on stockholders' capital exceeds e% per annum, Advisor will be entitled to f% of the excess total return, not to exceed d% of the aggregate total return for that year.

Consistent with the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts revised and adopted by the North American Securities Administrators Association ("NASAA") (the "NASAA REIT Guidelines"), Advisor will also be entitled to receive subordinated distributions of the following amounts from Taxpayer's operating partnership pursuant to a special limited partnership interest in the operating partnership held by Advisor:

	 	
●

	
Subordinated Participation in Net Sales Proceeds: In general, Taxpayer expects this to be an amount equal to f% of the remaining net sales proceeds after the return of capital contributions plus payment to investors of an annual e% cumulative, pre-tax, non-compounded return on the capital contributions by investors.

	 	
●

	
Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution: In general, Taxpayer expects to be an amount equal to f% of the amount by which the sum of Taxpayer's adjusted market value plus distributions exceeds the sum of the aggregate capital contributed by investors plus an amount equal to an annual e% cumulative, pre­-tax, non-compounded return to investors, if Taxpayer is listed on a national securities exchange.

 

  

  

  

 

4

 

Taxpayer will also pay certain expenses and fees, each of which will be allocated between the Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares based on the relative NAV for each class. These expenses include, but are not limited to, asset management fees, acquisition fees, real estate commissions, and operating expense reimbursement.

Each Retail Share and Institutional Share will be entitled to one vote per share. Taxpayer represents that the only fees that will be specially allocated between the Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares are the Selling Commission, the Dealer Manager Fee, and the Deferred Distribution Fee.

 

On Date 1, Taxpayer filed a registration statement on Form S-11 to register its shares of common stock to be offered to the public with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Taxpayer amended its registration statement on Date 2. Taxpayer expects to engage in a primary offering of its shares for a three-year period from the effective date of its registration statement.

 

Because Taxpayer's shares will not be listed on a national securities exchange, its shares will not be "covered securities" as defined by the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996. Therefore, Taxpayer will have to register its shares for sale to the public in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico before offers and sales may be made in those jurisdictions. Taxpayer has filed its registration statement with the states where it intends to offer its shares.

Taxpayer will be subject to continued compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and applicable state laws while it offers and sells shares. It will also be subject to ongoing compliance under the Securities and Exchange Act and state laws. While some of the states will approve the offering conditioned only upon it being declared effective by the SEC, without further review, the offering is subject to a merit review by the securities regulators in up to 30 states. The merit review process involves the consideration by state securities regulators of whether an offering is "fair, just and equitable," applying both objective and subjective standards.

 

Law and Analysis:

Section 857(a)(1) requires, in part, that a REIT's deduction for dividends paid for a tax year (as defined in § 561, but determined without regard to capital gains dividends) equal or exceed 90% of its REIT taxable income for the tax year (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain).

Section 561(a) defines the deduction for dividends paid, for purposes of § 857, to include dividends paid during the taxable year.

 

Section 561(b) applies the rules of § 562 for determining which dividends are eligible for the deduction for dividends paid under § 561(a).

 

  

  

  

 

5

 

 

Section 562(c) provides that the amount of any distribution will not be considered as a dividend for purposes of computing the dividends paid deduction under § 561 unless the distribution is pro rata. The distribution must not prefer any shares of stock of a class over other shares of stock of that same class. The distribution must not prefer one class of stock over another class except to the extent that one class is entitled (without reference to waivers of their rights by stockholders) to that preference.

 

In general, stock issuance expenses are capital expenditures, not deductible under § 162. See McCrory Corporation v. United States, 651 F.2d 828 (2nd Cir. 1981). However, Rev. Rul. 73-463, 1973-2 C.B. 34, provides an exception to the general rule. Rev. Rul. 73-463 holds that stock issuance expenses of an open-end investment company, not incurred in the initial 90-day offering period, are deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Rev. Rul. 94-70, 1994-2 C.B. 17, amplifies Rev. Rul. 73-463 and holds that 12b-1 fees are indistinguishable from the stock issuance expenses deductible under Rev. Rul. 73-463.

 

Rev. Proc. 99-40, 1999-2 C.B. 565, describes conditions under which distributions made to a shareholder of a regulated investment company (RIC) may vary and nevertheless be deductible as dividends under § 562. Rev. Proc. 99-40 provides, in part, that variations in distributions to shareholders that exist solely as a result of certain allocations of fees and expenses described in the revenue procedure do not prevent the distributions from being dividends under § 562. The requirements of Rev. Proc. 99-40 are based on similar requirements contained in Rule 18f-3, 17 C.F.R. 270.18f-3, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq. ("1940 Act") that are meant to ensure the fair and equal treatment of shareholders. One requirement of Rev. Proc. 99-40 is that the advisory fee must not be charged at different rates for different groups of shareholders. However, the groups of shareholders may be allocated and may pay a different advisory fee to the extent that any difference in amount paid is the result of the application of the same performance fee provisions in the advisory contract to the different investment performance of each group of shareholders.

 

As a REIT, Taxpayer is not within the scope of Rev. Proc. 99-40. However, Congress and the Service have acknowledged the similarity between RICs and REITs in many areas and have afforded them similar treatment in many situations. The legislative history underlying the tax treatment of REITs indicates Congress generally intended to equate the tax treatment of REITs with the treatment accorded RICs. REITs were created to provide an investment vehicle similar to the RIC for small investors to invest in real estate and real estate mortgages. See H.R. Rep. No. 2020, 86th Cong., 2d Sess. 3 (1960). RICs and REITs are each subject to the requirements under § 562(c) prohibiting preferential dividends in order to be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid under § 561.

Under the Multi-Class structure, distributions payable to holders of the proposed Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares will differ only by reason of the special allocation of the Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fee to the Retail Shares and the Deferred Distribution Fee to the Institutional Shares (and differences attributable to different net asset values of each Class as permitted under Rev. Proc. 99-40 with respect to RICs). The advisory fee is charged at the same rate for each Class, consistent with the requirement for RICs under Rev. Proc. 99-40. The Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares may be allocated and may pay a different advisory fee, but only to the extent that any dIfference in amount paid is the result of the application of the same performance fee provisions of the advisory contract, which is also consistent with the requirement for RICs under Rev. Proc. 99-40.

 

  

  

  

 

6

 

 

Also, although Taxpayer is not governed by Rule 18f-3, it is subject to numerous SEC, state and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") restrictions, regulations, and oversight with respect to its stock offerings, operations and rights of its stockholders. Taxpayer's offering is subject to a merit review that is specifically intended to ensure that stockholders are treated fairly.

The state review process entails an extensive response process that can last for several months. The registration of the offering in the states will expire, in most cases, after one year and, in some cases, sooner. In order to continue offering shares in those states, Taxpayer will be required to renew the offering separately with each state. The renewal process is generally less involved than the initial registration of the offering, but it will still include a merit review by some of the states.

NASAA has established the NASAA REIT Guidelines for review of offerings by non-listed REITs, The NASAA REIT Guidelines, which have been adopted largely intact by all of the states, contain comprehensive investor protections. For example, the NASAA REIT Guidelines require that a REIT's board of directors be comprised of a majority of independent directors. The NASAA REIT Guidelines also require a determination by Taxpayer's independent directors that the total fees and expenses of Taxpayer are reasonable to holders of both Classes. This will entail a determination as to whether different expenses charged to different Classes are reasonable.

In addition to the regulatory review of Taxpayer's continuous offering by the SEC and states, FINRA Rule 2310 governs the behavior of financial advisors who participate in Taxpayer's offering. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 2310, all FINRA member firms who recommend the purchase of Taxpayer's shares to a potential investor must have reasonable grounds to believe the investment is suitable for such investor on the basis of information obtained from the investor concerning his investment objectives, other investments, financial situation and needs, and any other information known by the FINRA member or registered representative. FINRA also requires that FINRA member firms that participate in Taxpayer's offering have reasonable grounds to believe that all material facts regarding the program are adequately and accurately disclosed by the program. For a continuous offering, this obligation applies throughout the duration of the offering.

As a REIT, Taxpayer is not within the scope of Rev. Proc. 94-70 and the Deferred Distribution Fee is not technically a 12b-1 fee. However, as noted above, Congress and the Service have acknowledged the similarity between RICs and REITs in many areas and have afforded them similar treatment in many situations. Furthermore, the Deferred Distribution Fee is imposed in a manner consistent with 12b­1 fees.

 

  

  

  

 

7

 

 

Accordingly, we conclude that Taxpayer's issuance of the Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares as described above will not cause dividends paid by Taxpayer with respect to the Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares to be preferential dividends within the meaning of § 562(c). Furthermore, the issuance of the Retail Shares and the Institutional Shares will not cause Taxpayer to fail to qualify as a REIT. In addition, the Deferred Distribution Fee will be deductible under § 162.

Except as specifically ruled upon above, no opinion is expressed concerning any federal income tax consequences relating to the facts herein under any other provision of the Code. Specifically, we do not rule whether Taxpayer otherwise qualifies as a REIT under part II of subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code. Furthermore, no opinion is expressed concerning the accuracy of the NAV of Taxpayer's stock for purposes of subchapter M.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Taxpayer should attach a copy of this ruling to each tax return to which it applies. Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code provides that this ruling may not be used or cited as precedent.

In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to your authorized representatives.

 

SincereIy,

 

/s/ Jonathan D. Silver                       

Jonathan D. Silver

Assistant to the Branch Chief, Branch 2 

Office of Associate Chief Counsel 

(Financial Institutions & Products)

Enclosures:

Copy of this letter

Copy for section 6110 purposesACTIONS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.

Second Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Performance and Incentive Plan

	
1.

	
Purpose.  The purpose of the Second Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Performance and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to attract and retain officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants for Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and its Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives to stay with the Company and make superior contributions to the Company in the future.

 

	
2.

	
Definitions.  As used in this Plan,

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company and, to the extent of any delegation by the Board to a committee (or subcommittee thereof) pursuant to Section 13 of this Plan, such committee (or subcommittee).

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
“Company” means Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, or any successor corporation thereto.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
“Date of Grant” means the date specified by the Board on which a grant of Option Rights or a grant or sale of Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units will become effective (which date will not be earlier than the later of (i) the date on which the Board takes action with respect thereto; or (ii) the date on which a Participant commences the provision of services to the Company or any one or more of its Subsidiaries).

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
“Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
“Evidence of Award” means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other type or form of writing or other evidence approved by the Board that sets forth the terms and conditions of the awards granted.  An Evidence of Award may be in an electronic medium, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Company and, with the approval of the Board, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant.

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
“Market Value per Share” means, as of any particular date, the fair market value of one of the Shares of the Company as determined by the Board.

 

  

1

  

 

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
“Optionee” means the optionee named in an Evidence of Award evidencing an outstanding Option Right.

 

	
  

	
(h)

	
“Option Price” means the purchase price payable on exercise of an Option Right.

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
“Option Right” means the right to purchase Shares upon exercise of an option granted pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

 

	
  

	
(j)

	
“Participant” means a person who is selected by the Board to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the time an officer, employee, non-employee director or consultant of the Company or any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or who has agreed to commence serving in any of such capacities within 90 days of the date on which the Board takes action to approve a grant of an award under this Plan.  The term “Participant” shall also include any person who provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee.

 

	
  

	
(k)

	
“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China.

 

	
  

	
(l)

	
“Restriction Period” means the period of time during which Restricted Share Units are subject to deferral limitations under Section 6 of this Plan.

 

	
  

	
(m)

	
“Restricted Shares” means Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan as to which neither the risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 5 has expired.

 

	
  

	
(n)

	
“Restricted Share Units” means an award made pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan of the right to receive Shares at the end of a specified Restriction Period.

 

	
  

	
(o)

	
“Shares” means the American Depositary Shares representing ordinary shares, par value US $0.000001 per share, of the Company, or any security into which such Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 9 of this Plan.

 

	
  

	
(p)

	
“Subsidiary” means a corporation, company or other entity (i) more than 50 percent of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture or unincorporated association), but more than 50 percent of whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

 

  

2

  

 

 

	
3.

	
Shares Available Under the Plan.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 of this Plan, the number of Shares that may be issued or transferred (i) upon the exercise of Option Rights, (ii) as Restricted Shares and released from the risk of forfeiture thereof, (iii) upon payment of Restricted Share Units, or (iv) in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 9,400,000 Shares.  In addition to the Shares authorized by the preceding sentence, to the extent any award under this Plan otherwise terminates without the issuance of some or all of the Shares underlying the award to a Participant or if any Option Right under this Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the Shares underlying such award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, shall be available for future grant under this Plan and credited toward the Plan limit.  Such Shares may be Shares of original issuance or Shares that have been previously issued and acquired by the Company or a combination of the foregoing.  The Board may, at any time, increase or reduce the number of Shares subject to this Plan, but not below the number of Shares then issuable upon outstanding, unexercised Option Rights and unvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units.

 

	
4.

	
Option Rights. The Board may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to Participants of options to purchase Shares.  Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Each grant will specify the number of Shares to which it pertains subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3 of this Plan.

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
Each grant will specify an Option Price per Share as determined by the Board, provided that, if the Participant receiving such grant is a United States taxpayer, such Option Price per Share shall not be less than 100% of the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
Each grant will specify whether the Option Price will be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company in a currency determined by the Board, (ii) to the extent authorized by the Board, by the actual or constructive transfer to the Company of Shares owned by the Optionee having a value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, (iii) by such other method of payment authorized by the Board, or (iv) by a combination of such methods of payment.

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
To the extent permitted by law, any grant may provide for deferred payment of the Option Price from the proceeds of sale through a broker on a date satisfactory to the Company of some or all of the Shares to which such exercise relates.

 

  

3

  

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
Successive grants may be made to the same Participant whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Participant remain unexercised.

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
Each grant will specify the period or periods of continuous service by the Optionee with the Company or any Subsidiary that is necessary before the Option Rights or installments thereof will become exercisable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such grant of Option Rights may provide for the immediate exercisability of the Option Right.

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
Any grant of Option Rights may specify management objectives that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise of such rights.

 

	
  

	
(h)

	
The Board may, on or after the Date of Grant of any Option Rights, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the Optionee on either a current or deferred or contingent basis or may provide that such equivalents will be credited against the Option Price.

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
No Option Right will be exercisable more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(j)

	
The Board reserves the discretion after the Date of Grant to provide for (i) the payment of a cash bonus at the time of exercise; (ii) the availability of a loan at exercise; (iii) the right to tender in satisfaction of the Option Price nonforfeitable, unrestricted Shares, which are already owned by the Optionee and have a value at the time of exercise that is equal to the Option Price.

 

	
  

	
(k)

	
Each grant of Option Rights will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award.  Each Evidence of Award shall be subject to the Plan and shall contain such terms and provisions as the Board may approve.

 

	
5.

	
Restricted Shares.  The Board may also authorize the grant or sale of Restricted Shares to Participants.  Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Each such grant or sale will constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of Shares to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services, entitling such Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights, but subject to the risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer hereinafter referred to.

 

  

4

  

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
Each such grant or sale will provide that the Restricted Shares covered by such grant or sale will be subject to a risk of forfeiture for a period to be determined by the Board at the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
Each such grant or sale will provide that during the period for which such risk of forfeiture is to continue, the transferability of the Restricted Shares will be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Board at the Date of Grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a continuing risk of repurchase in the hands of any transferee).

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
Any grant of Restricted Shares may specify management objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restrictions applicable to such Shares.

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
Any such grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award.

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
Each grant or sale of Restricted Shares will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Board may approve.  Unless otherwise directed by the Board, all certificates representing Restricted Shares will be held in custody by the Company until all restrictions thereon will have lapsed, together with a stock power or powers executed by the Participant in whose name such certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such Shares.

 

	
6.

	
Restricted Share Units.  The Board may also authorize the granting or sale of Restricted Share Units to Participants.  Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Each such grant or sale shall constitute the agreement by the Company to deliver Shares to the Participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions during the Restriction Period as the Board may specify.

 

  

5

  

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
Each such grant or sale shall be subject to a Restriction Period, as determined by the Board at the Date of Grant.

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
During the Restriction Period, the Participant shall have no right to transfer any rights under his or her award and shall have no rights of ownership in the Restricted Share Units and shall have no right to vote them, but the Board may, at or after the Date of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on the Shares underlying such units on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional Shares.

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
Each grant will specify whether the Restricted Share Units will be payable at the end of the Restriction Period (i) in cash in a currency determined by the Board, (ii) by the actual transfer to the Participant of Shares, or (iii) by a combination of such methods of payment.

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
Any grant of Restricted Share Units may specify management objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the Restriction Period.

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
Each grant or sale of Restricted Share Units shall be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and shall contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Board may approve.

 

	
7.

	
Type of Securities Issued.  In lieu of delivering Shares in connection with an award of Option Rights, Restricted Shares, or Restricted Shares Units under this Plan, the Board may provide, at or after the Date of Grant, that the securities to be issued or transferred in connection with such awards shall be ordinary shares, par value US $0.000001 per ordinary share, of the Company.

 

	
8.

	
Transferability.

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Except as otherwise determined by the Board, no Option Right or other security granted under this Plan shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Except as otherwise determined by the Board, Option Rights shall be exercisable during the Optionee’s lifetime only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative.

 

  

6

  

 

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
The Board may specify at the Date of Grant that part or all of the Shares that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Option Rights or upon the termination of the Restriction Period applicable to Restricted Share Units or (ii) no longer subject to the risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in Sections 5 and 6 of this Plan, will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.

 

	
9.

	
Adjustments.  The Board shall make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of Shares covered by outstanding Option Rights granted hereunder, in the Option Price, and in the kind of shares covered thereby and such other amendments to the terms of any outstanding awards granted hereunder, as the Board, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is equitably required or appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Board, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under this Plan such alternative consideration as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so replaced.  The Board shall also make or provide for such adjustments in the number of Shares specified in Section 3 of this Plan as the Board in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is appropriate to reflect any transaction or event described in this Section 9.

 

	
10.

	
Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue any fractional Shares pursuant to this Plan.  The Board may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the settlement of fractions in cash.

 

	
11.

	
Withholding Taxes.  To the extent that the Company is required to withhold PRC or other taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a Participant or other person under this Plan, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the Participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which arrangements (in the discretion of the Board) may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit.

 

  

7

  

 

 

	
12.

	
Multiple Jurisdictions.  In order to facilitate the making of any grant under this Plan, the Board may provide for such special terms for awards to Participants who are employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any particular jurisdiction other than the PRC, or who are nationals of any particular jurisdiction other than the PRC, as the Board may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom.  In addition, the Board may approve such supplements to or restatements or alternative versions of this Plan, including, without limitation, a sub-plan to this Plan, as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Company Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this Plan.  No such special terms, supplements or restatements, however, shall include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the shareholders of the Company.

 

	
13.

	
Administration of the Plan.

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
This Plan will be administered by the Board, which may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under this Plan to the Compensation Committee of the Board (or a subcommittee thereof), as constituted from time to time.  A majority of the committee (or subcommittee) will constitute a quorum, and the action of the members of the committee (or subcommittee) present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved in writing, will be the acts of the committee (or subcommittee).  To the extent of any such delegation, references in this Plan to the Board will be deemed to be references to such committee or subcommittee.

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
The interpretation and construction by the Board of any provision of this Plan or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of Option Rights, Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units and any determination by the Board pursuant to any provision of this Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will be final and conclusive.  No member of the Board will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.

 

	
14.

	
Amendments, Etc.

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
The Board may at any time and from time to time amend the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that any amendment which must be approved by the shareholders of the Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market or, if the Shares are not quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market, the principal national securities exchange upon which the Shares are traded or quoted, will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained.  Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the Company’s authority to offer similar or dissimilar benefits under other plans or otherwise with or without further shareholder approval.

 

  

8

  

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
The Board also may permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of Shares or the settlement of awards in cash under the Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of this Plan.  The Board also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral amounts.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
The Board may condition the grant of any award or combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company or a Subsidiary to the Participant.

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
In case of termination of employment by reason of death, disability or normal or early retirement, or in the case of hardship or other special circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option Right not immediately exercisable in full, or any Restricted Shares as to which the risk of forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed, or any Restricted Share Units as to which the Restriction Period has not been completed, or who holds Shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed pursuant to Section 8(b) of this Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which such Option Right may be exercised or the time at which such risk of forfeiture or prohibition or restriction on transfer will lapse or the time when such Restriction Period will end or the time when such transfer restriction will terminate or may waive any other limitation or requirement under any such award.

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
This Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, continuation of employment), nor shall it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time, with or without cause.  The terms of employment of an employee shall not be affected by the execution of this Plan.  Awards granted under this Plan shall not form a part of the terms of employment of an employee or entitle such employee to take into account awards granted under this Plan when calculating any compensation or damages upon the termination of such employee’s employment for any reason.

 

  

9

  

 

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
This Plan shall be effective immediately upon its adoption by the Board; provided, however, that the effectiveness of this Plan is conditioned on its approval by the shareholders of the Company at a meeting duly held within 12 months after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.  All awards under this Plan shall be null and void if the Plan is not approved by the shareholders within such 12-month period.

 

	
15.

	
Governing Law.  The Plan and all grants and awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

	
16.

	
Compliance with Law.  The grant of awards and the issuance of Shares in connection with such awards under this Plan shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of the laws of the PRC, the laws of the Cayman Islands, and United States federal and state law with respect to such securities.  Option Rights may not be exercised and Restricted Share Units may not be paid out if the issuance of Shares would constitute a violation of any such applicable or other laws or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Shares may then be listed.  In addition, no Option Rights may be exercised and no Restricted Share Units may be paid out unless (a) a registration statement under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), shall at the time of exercise of the Option Rights or the payment of the Restricted Share Units be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option Rights or the payment of the Restricted Share Units or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option Rights or payment of the Restricted Share Units may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption or exception from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.  As a condition to the exercise of any Option Rights or payment of Restricted Share Units, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

	
17.

	
Termination.  No grant will be made under this Plan after January 1, 2020, but all grants made on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter subject to the terms thereof and of this Plan.

 

  

10

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