Document:

ex4-15.htm

Exhibit 4.15

 

NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (along with the Appendix A, the "Agreement") is by and between NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Optionee, with reference to the following facts:

 

	 	
A.
	
The Company has duly adopted the 2015 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the "2015 Plan") which authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Committee") to grant equity compensation, including but not limited to Non-Qualified Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and which is intended to encourage ownership of stock of the Company by officers and other key management employees and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company.

 

	 	
B.
	
The Committee has determined that Optionee is entitled to participate in the 2015 Plan, and has taken appropriate action to authorize the granting of a Non-Qualified Stock Option to Optionee for the number of shares, at the price per share and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.

 

	 	
C.
	
Optionee desires to participate in the 2015 Plan and to receive a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.         Grant of Option.

 

The Company hereby grants to Optionee the right and option (hereinafter referred to as the "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the Option Shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Appendix A and in the 2015 Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Option is intended to be a non-qualified stock option and shall not be treated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of that term under Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the 2015 Plan. 

 

2.          Purchase Price.

 

The purchase price (the “Option Price”) of each Option Share shall be                                           .

 

 

 

 

 

3.         Option Period.

 

3.1     The Option shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire, and all rights to purchase the Option Shares shall terminate, at the close of business on the day (the “Expiration Date”) immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant, unless terminated earlier as provided in this Agreement. The Option shall not be exercisable until all legal requirements under the 2015 Plan have been fully complied with. Subject to the foregoing, the Option shall be exercisable during its term as to one-third of the Option Shares on                                           ; one-third of the Option Shares on                                           ; and one-third of the Options on                                           ; provided, however, if Optionee shall not in any period purchase all of the Option Shares which Optionee is entitled to purchase in such period, Optionee may purchase all or any part of such Option Shares at any time after the end of such period and prior to the Expiration Date or the earlier termination of the Option as provided in this Agreement. 

 

3.2     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, then immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control, any Option evidenced hereby held by Optionee which remains unvested at such time shall immediately become vested. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the 2015 Plan unless the Optionee has entered into a change of control letter agreement with the Company (a “Change in Control Agreement”), in which event the term shall have the meaning set forth in the Change in Control Agreement. To the extent there is any conflict between the definition in the Change in Control Agreement and the definition in the 2015 Plan, the definition in the Change in Control Agreement shall prevail. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or Potential Change in Control (as defined in the Change in Control Agreement), the provisions of the Change in Control Agreement pertaining to the acceleration of vesting of any Awards, including the Option evidenced by this Agreement, shall prevail.

 

In the case any item of income under the Option subject to this Agreement to which the definition of “Change in Control” under the 2015 Plan or Change in Control Agreement, as appropriate, would otherwise apply with the effect that the income tax under Section 409A of the Code would apply or be imposed on income under that Option, but where such tax would not apply or be imposed if the meaning of the term “Change in Control” met the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, then the term “Change in Control” herein shall mean, but only with respect to the income so affected, a transaction, circumstance or event that constitutes a “Change in Control” under the 2015 Plan or Change in Control Agreement, as appropriate, and that also constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

4.         Exercise of Option.

 

4.1     The Option may be exercised in whole or in part (but not as to fractional shares or fewer than 100 shares or, if less, for all the remaining Option Shares, in any single exercise) only by notice in writing from the Optionee to the Company, or a broker designated by the Company, of the Optionee’s binding commitment to purchase shares specifying the number of shares the Optionee intends to purchase under the option and the date on which the Optionee agrees to complete the transaction and, if required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, containing a representation that it is the Optionee’s intention to acquire the shares for investment and not with a view to distribution, accompanied by payment of the Option Price and any amounts required to be withheld for tax purposes under Section 14 of the 2015 Plan. 

 

 

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4.2     The Option Price of Option Shares purchased shall be paid in full (a) in cash or by check acceptable to the Committee, (b) by the delivery of Shares which have been outstanding for at least six months or such other minimum period as may be required by applicable accounting rules to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes (unless the Committee approves a shorter period) and which have a Fair Market Value on the date the Option is exercised not in excess of the full Option Price for the Option Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and by paying the remaining amount of such Option Price as provided in clause (a) above, (c) to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, by a Cashless Exercise, or (d) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment. 

 

5.         Employment of Optionee.

 

5.1     Except as otherwise provided in Section 6 of this Agreement, Optionee may not exercise the Option unless, at the time of exercise, Optionee is an Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary and has been in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary continuously since the Date of Grant, subject to any determination made by the Committee with respect to authorized leaves of absence. 

 

5.2     Nothing contained herein shall be construed to impose upon the Company or upon any Subsidiary any obligation to employ Optionee for any period or, except as specifically provided otherwise herein, to supersede or in any way alter, increase or diminish the respective rights and obligations of the Company or Subsidiary and Optionee under any employment contract now or hereafter existing between them.

 

6.         Termination of Employment.

 

6.1     If the employment of Optionee with the Company or a Subsidiary shall terminate because of Disability or death of Optionee, (a) the Option, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination of employment, shall remain in full force and effect and may be exercised pursuant to the provisions hereof at any time until the earlier of the Expiration Date and the expiration of 12 months following termination of the employment of Optionee, and (b) the Option, to the extent not then presently exercisable, shall terminate as of the date of such termination of employment and shall not be exercisable thereafter.

 

6.2     If the employment of Optionee with the Company or a Subsidiary shall terminate for any reason other than the reasons set forth in Section 6.1 hereof, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, (a) the Option, to the extent then presently exercisable, may be exercised pursuant to the provisions hereof at any time until the earlier of the Expiration Date and the expiration of three months after the date of such termination of employment (except that the three month period shall be extended to 12 months if Optionee shall die during such three month period), and (b) the Option, to the extent not then presently exercisable, shall terminate as of the date of such termination of employment and shall not be exercisable thereafter.   

 

 

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7.         Securities Laws Requirements.

 

7.1     The Option shall not be exercisable unless and until any applicable registration or qualification requirements of federal and state securities laws, and all other requirements of law or any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such exercise or issuance and delivery, have been fully complied with. The Company will use reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act for the issuance of the Option and the Option Shares but there may be times when no such registration statement will be currently effective. Exercise of the Option may be temporarily suspended without liability to the Company during times when no such registration statement is currently effective, or during times when, in the reasonable opinion of the Committee, such suspension is necessary to preclude violation of any requirements of applicable law or regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the Company. If the Option would expire for any reason other than the passage of the Expiration Date, then if exercise of the Option is duly tendered before such expiration, the Option shall be exercisable and deemed exercised (unless the attempted exercise is withdrawn) as of the first day after the end of such suspension. The Company shall have no obligation to file any registration statement covering resales of the Option Shares.

 

7.2     Upon each exercise of the Option, Optionee shall represent, warrant and agree, by an exercise notice delivered to the Company, that (a) no Option Shares will be sold or otherwise distributed in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws, (b) if Optionee is subject to the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, Optionee will furnish to the Company a copy of each Form 4 or Form 5 filed by Optionee and will timely file all reports required under federal securities laws, and (c) Optionee will report all sales of Option Shares to the Company in writing on the form prescribed from time to time by the Company. All Option Share certificates may be imprinted with legends reflecting federal and state securities law restrictions and conditions and the Company may comply therewith and issue "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agents and registrars without liability.

 

8.         Non-transferability of Option.

 

The Option evidenced by this Agreement is not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and shall be exercisable during Optionee’s lifetime only by Optionee or by Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. To the extent the Option is transferred in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, the Option may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire a pecuniary interest in the Option pursuant to such transfer. Except as provided above, the Option evidenced by this Agreement shall not be assignable by operation of law and shall not be subject to attachment, execution, garnishment, sequestration, the law of bankruptcy or any other legal or equitable process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process thereupon, shall be null and void and without effect. 

 

 

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9.         Changes in Capitalization.

 

In the event that at any time after the Date of Grant the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of a merger, consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate change, or any other increase, decrease or change in the Common Stock without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company including stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or the like, the aggregate number of Option Shares subject to the Option which have not vested under this Agreement, subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, shall automatically be proportionately adjusted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, nothing contained in this Agreement shall allow, or have the effect of, a “modification” or an “extension” (within the meaning of those terms under Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance thereunder) of any Option, which would include, but not be limited to, any change having the effect of a reduction of the exercise price under any Option to an amount less than the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock as of the Date of Grant as determined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

10.        Reorganization of the Company.

 

The existence of the Option and this Agreement shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business; any merger or consolidation of the Company; any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof; the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise. 

 

11.        Privileges of Ownership.

 

Optionee shall not have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Option Shares covered by the Option except to the extent that share certificates have actually been issued and registered in Optionee's name on the books of the Company or its registrar upon the due exercise of the Option. The Company shall be allowed a reasonable time following notice of exercise in which to accomplish the issuance and registration.

 

12.        Reference to 2015 Plan.

 

The Option is granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan and this Agreement and the Option are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the 2015 Plan, which are hereby incorporated by reference. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the 2015 Plan, the provisions of the 2015 Plan shall prevail. By execution of this Agreement, Optionee agrees to be bound by all terms, provisions, conditions and limitations of the 2015 Plan and all determinations of the Committee pursuant thereto. 

 

13.        Clawback Policy.

 

Notwithstanding any provisions in the 2015 Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Option, this Agreement and any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall be subject to potential cancellation, rescission, clawback and recoupment (i) to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and any regulations or listing requirements promulgated thereunder, and/or (ii) as may be required in accordance with the terms of any clawback/recoupment policy as may be adopted by the Company to comply with Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and any regulations or listing requirements promulgated thereunder, as such policy may be amended from time to time.

 

 

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14.        Notices.

 

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Corporate Secretary at 9320 Lakeside Boulevard, Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, and any notice to be given to Optionee shall be addressed to Optionee at the address appearing on the employment records of the Company, or at such other address or addresses as either party may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be deemed duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope, addressed as herein required and deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government.

 

15.        Tax Liability.

 

Regardless of any action the Company or Subsidiary takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan and legally applicable to the Optionee or deemed by the Company or Subsidiary to be an appropriate charge to the Optionee even if technically due by the Company or Subsidiary (“Tax-Related Items”), the Optionee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Optionee’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or Subsidiary. The Optionee further acknowledges that the Company and/or Subsidiary (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such issuance and the receipt of any dividends; and (2) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate the Optionee’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Optionee has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Grant Date and the date of any relevant taxable event, the Optionee acknowledges that the Company and/or the Subsidiary may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

 

Prior to any relevant taxable or tax-withholding event, as applicable, the Optionee will pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Subsidiary to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Optionee authorizes the Company and/or the Subsidiary, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:

 

a.     withholding from the Optionee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Optionee by the Company and/or the Subsidiary;

 

b.     withholding from proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Optionee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); or

 

c.     withholding in shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option.

 

 

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The Company shall withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in shares, for tax purposes, the Optionee is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares subject to the exercised Option, notwithstanding that a number of the shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan.

 

Optionee shall pay to the Company or the Subsidiary any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Subsidiary may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan that are not, in the discretion of the Company or the Subsidiary, satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the shares or the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock, if the Optionee fails to comply with the Optionee’s obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

 

16.        Nature of Grant.

 

a.     In accepting this Option grant, the Optionee acknowledges that: 

 

b.     the 2015 Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time;

 

c.     the grant of the Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Options, or benefits in lieu of Options, even if Options have been granted repeatedly in the past;

 

d.     all decisions with respect to future Option grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

 

e.     the Optionee is voluntarily participating in the 2015 Plan;

 

f.     the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or the Subsidiary, and which are outside the scope of the Optionee’s employment contract, if any;

 

g.     the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

 

 

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h.     the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company, Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company;

 

i.     the Option grant and the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company;

 

j.     the future value of the underlying shares of Common Stock is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;

 

k.     if the underlying shares of Common Stock do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;

 

l.     if the Optionee exercises the Option and obtains shares of Common Stock, the value of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the purchase price; and

 

m.     no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option resulting from termination of the Optionee’s employment or service with the Company or the Subsidiary (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and in consideration of the grant of the Option to which the Optionee is not otherwise entitled, the Optionee irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company or the Subsidiary, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring such a claim, and releases the Company and the Subsidiary from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then by participating in the 2015 Plan, the Optionee shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived any entitlement to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

 

17.       Data Privacy.

 

The Optionee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of the Optionee’s personal data as described in this Agreement and any other Option grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Subsidiary, the Company and its affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan.

 

The Optionee understands that the Company and the Subsidiary may hold certain personal information about the Optionee, including, but not limited to, the Optionee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares of Common Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or any other entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Optionee’s favor, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the 2015 Plan (collectively, “Data”).

 

 

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The Optionee understands that Data will be transferred to a designated broker or such other stock plan service provider as may be selected by the Company in the future, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the 2015 Plan. The Optionee understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Optionee’s country. The Optionee understands that the Optionee may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Optionee’s local stock plan representative. The Optionee authorizes the Company, a designated broker and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the 2015 Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan. The Optionee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan. The Optionee understands that the Optionee may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing the Optionee’s stock plan representative. The Optionee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing the Optionee’s consent may affect the Optionee’s ability to participate in the 2015 Plan. For more information on the consequences of the Optionee’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Optionee understands that the Optionee may contact the Optionee’s stock plan representative.

 

18.        Number and Gender.

 

Terms used herein in any number or gender include other numbers or genders, as the context may require.

 

19.        Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.        Governing Law.

 

This Agreement and performance under it, shall be construed in accordance with and under the laws of the State of Delaware. Should a court or other body of competent jurisdiction determine that any term or provision of this Agreement is excessive in scope, such term or provision shall be adjusted rather than voided and interpreted so as to be enforceable to the fullest extent possible, and all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed valid and enforceable to the fullest extent possible.

 

21.        Electronic Delivery.

 

The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the 2015 Plan by electronic means. The Optionee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the 2015 Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

 

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22.        No Advice Regarding Grant.

 

The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan, or the Optionee’s acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. The Optionee is hereby advised to consult with the Optionee’s own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan before taking any action related to the 2015 Plan.

 

23.        Appendix.

 

Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Options grant shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in the Appendix to this Agreement, including additional terms for all non-U.S. Optionees and additional terms for the Optionee’s country. If the Optionee relocates to one of the countries included in the Appendix, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Optionee, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local laws or facilitate the administration of the 2015 Plan. The Appendix constitutes part of the Agreement.

 

24.        Severability.

 

The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

 

25.        Entire Agreement.

 

The 2015 Plan, this Agreement and the Appendix constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement, and supercede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

 

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APPENDIX A
ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

This Appendix includes additional terms and conditions that govern Options for an Optionee residing outside of the United States and in one of the countries listed herein. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Appendix but defined in the Agreement shall have the same definitions as in the Agreement.

 

This Appendix also includes information regarding certain issues of which the Optionee should be aware with respect to participation in the 2015 Plan. The securities, exchange control and other laws in effect in the respective countries are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that the Optionee not rely on the information in this Appendix as the only source of information relating to the consequences of participation in the 2015 Plan because the information may be out of date at the time that the Optionee exercises the Option or sells shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option.

 

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Optionee’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure the Optionee of a particular result. Accordingly, the Optionee has been advised to seek appropriate independent professional advice, including independent legal advice, as to how the relevant laws in the Optionee’s country may apply to a particular situation and has either obtained such advice or waived its right to obtain such advice.

 

Further, if the Optionee is a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which the Optionee is currently working, the information contained herein may not be applicable.

 

The Company may, at any time and at its own discretion, restrict the available methods of exercising the Option/paying the Option Price or direct the repatriation of the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option to facilitate compliance with any tax, securities or other relevant laws in the Optionee’s country.

 

AUSTRALIA

 

Option Period. The first sentence of Section 3.1 is replaced with the following:

 

The Option shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire, and all rights to purchase the Option Shares shall terminate, at the close of business on the day (the “Expiration Date”) immediately preceding the seventh anniversary of the Date of Grant, unless terminated earlier as provided in this Agreement. 

 

Notifications

 

Securities Law Notification. Australian securities laws may impose disclosure obligations in connection with offering Options and Common Stock acquired under the 2015 Plan for sale in Australia. Without limiting Section 8 of the Agreement, Options and Common Stock acquired under the 2015 Plan must not be sold, or offered for sale, in Australia, except in compliance with Australian laws.

 

 

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Exchange Control Notification. Exchange control reporting is required for cash transactions exceeding AUD$10,000 and international fund transfers. The Australian bank assisting with the transaction will file the report for the Optionee. If there is no Australian bank involved in the transfer, the Optionee will be required to file the report. 

 

Privacy. The first two paragraphs of Section 17 are deleted and replaced with the following: 

 

The Optionee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, holding, use and disclosure, in electronic or other form, of the Optionee’s personal information (as that term is defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)) as described in this Agreement and any other Option grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Subsidiary, the Company and its affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the 2015 Plan.

 

The Optionee understands that the Company and the Subsidiary may hold certain personal information about the Optionee, including, but not limited to, the Optionee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, tax file number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares of Common Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or any other entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Optionee’s favor, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the 2015 Plan (“Data”). The Optionee acknowledges that further information on how the Company and the Subsidiary collect, hold, use and disclose Data and other personal information (and how the Optionee can access, correct or complain about the Company’s or the Subsidiary’s handling of that Data or other personal information) can be found in the privacy policies of the Company and the Subsidiary, which are available by contacting the Human Resources Department of the Company. 

 

 

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BRAZIL

 

Nature of Agreement: The current agreement is characterized as a contract which conveys to the Optionee the right, but not the obligation, to buy the common stock of NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC. at a specified price on the dates specified on Sections 3. After this given date, the option ceases to exist. NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC. is, in turn, obligated to sell the shares to the Optionee at the specified price upon the buyer's request. The Optionee hereby acknowledges and declares that she does not have any employment relationship NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC.

 

Optionee’s Performance: The participation and subsequent receipt of Common Stock by the Optionee will not be influenced by and has no relationship with his individual performance in NEWPARK DRILLING FLUIDS DO BRASIL TRATAMENTO DE FLUIDOS LTDA. 

 

Purchase Price: Notwithstanding the terms set in Section 2, the Purchase Price will be established in accordance to the common stock’s fair market value without any discounts. The Optionee acknowledges that the current agreement is subject the ordinary risks of option transactions. 

 

Compliance with Law. By accepting the Option, the Optionee acknowledges agreement to comply with applicable Brazilian law and to pay any and all applicable taxes associated with the exercise of the Option, the receipt of any dividends, and the sale of shares issued upon exercise of the Option. Furthermore, the Optionee confirms he understands the entirety of the tax repercussion related to the current agreement, especially with regard to the Imposto de Renda Pessoa Física (“IRPF”) and Imposto sobre Operações de Crédito, Cámbio e Seguro, ou Relativas a Títulos e Valores Mobiliários (“IOF”).

 

 

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Notifications

 

Exchange Control Information. If the Optionee is a resident or domiciled in Brazil, the Optionee will be required to submit an annual declaration of assets and rights outside of Brazil to the Central Bank of Brazil if the aggregate value of such assets and rights in equal to or greater than US$100,000. Assets and rights that must be reported include shares issued upon exercise of an Option.

 

 

 

CANADA

 

Exercise of Option. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement or the 2015 Plan, Optionee is not permitted to pay the purchase price or any Tax-Related Items by delivery to the Company, or attestation to the Company of ownership, of other Common Stock owned by Optionee.

 

Termination of Employment. The following provision supplements Section 6 of the Agreement:

 

Optionee’s right to any unvested Option Shares will terminate effective as of the date that is the earlier of (a) the date Optionee receives notice of termination from the Company or Subsidiary, or (b) the date Optionee is no longer actively providing service, regardless of notice period or period of pay in lieu of such notice required under applicable local laws (including, but not limited to statutory law, regulatory law and/or common law); the Company and/or Subsidiary shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Optionee is no longer actively providing service for purposes of the Option.

 

Data Privacy. The following provision supplements Section 17 of the Agreement:

 

The Optionee hereby authorizes the Company and Subsidiary to discuss with and obtain all relevant information from all personnel, professional or not, involved in the administration and operation of the 2015 Plan. The Optionee further authorizes the Company and Subsidiary or its affiliates to disclose and discuss the Option with their advisors. The Optionee further authorizes the Company and Subsidiary to record such information and keep such information in the Optionee’s employee file.

 

INDIA 

 

Payment of Exercise Price. This provision supplements Section 4 of the Agreement:

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, due to legal restrictions in India, the Optionee will not be permitted to pay the Exercise Price by (i) delivery of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in Section 4(c) of the Agreement) or (ii) a broker assisted partial cashless exercise such that a certain number of Option Shares subject to the exercised Option are sold immediately upon exercise and the proceeds of the sale remitted to the Company to cover the aggregate Exercise Price and any Tax-Related Items. However, payment of the Exercise Price may be made by any of the other methods of payment set forth in Section 4 of the Agreement. The Company reserves the right to provide the Optionee with this method of payment depending on the development of local law.

 

 

A-4

 

 

Exchange Control Notification. If the Optionee remits funds out of India to purchase Option Shares, it is the Optionee’s responsibility to comply with applicable exchange control laws. Regardless of the method of exercise used to purchase the Option Shares, the Optionee understands that he or she must repatriate any proceeds from the sale of Option Shares acquired under the Plan and any dividends received in relation to the Option Shares to India immediately upon receipt thereof, and in any case not later than 90 days from the date of sale of Option Shares. Upon receipt of proceeds of sale of Option Shares / dividend, etc., into the bank account of the Optionee, he / she must obtain a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) from the authorized dealer bank into which the said proceeds have been credited. and the Optionee must maintain the FIRC as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or the Employer requests proof of repatriation.

 

Foreign Asset / Account Reporting Information. The Optionee is required to declare any foreign bank accounts and assets (including Shares acquired under the Plan) on his or her annual tax return. The Optionee should consult with his or her personal tax advisor to determine his or her reporting requirements. The Subsidiary is required to prepare and file an Annual Return in the prescribed format, in terms of the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or issue of any foreign security) Regulations, 2004, to the Reserve Bank of India vide the authorized dealer bank. Hence, the Participant will offer all assistance and documents required by the Company and/or the Subsidiary for this purpose.

 

Data Privacy. In addition to the terms in the Agreement, the Participant agrees that any security practices and procedures implemented by the Company and/or the Subsidiary for the collection and use of the Participant’s data shall be deemed to reasonable and acceptable to the Participant.

 

ITALY

 

Data Privacy Notice. This provision replaces Section 16 of the Agreement:

 

Optionee understands that the Company and any Subsidiary may hold certain personal information, including, but not limited to, Optionee’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance (to the extent permitted under Italian law) or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares or directorships held in the Company or any Subsidiary, details of all Awards granted, or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Optionee’s favor, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, managing and administering the 2015 Plan (“Data”).

 

Optionee understands that providing the Company with Data is necessary for the performance of the 2015 Plan and that refusal to provide such Data would make it impossible for the Company to perform its contractual obligations and may affect Optionee’s ability to participate in the 2015 Plan. The Controller of personal data processing is Newpark Resources, Inc. with registered offices at 9320 Lakeside Boulevard, Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, and, pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 196/2003, its Representative in Italy for privacy purposes is AVA S.p.A., with registered offices at Via Salaria, 1313/C, Rome, Italy.

 

Optionee understands that Data will not be publicized, but it may be transferred to banks, other financial institutions, or brokers involved in the management and administration of the 2015 Plan. Optionee understands that Data may also be transferred to the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company. Optionee further understands that the Company and/or any Subsidiary will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing participation in the 2015 Plan, and that the Company and/or any Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the 2015 Plan, including any requisite transfer of Data to a broker or other third party with whom Shares acquired at vesting of the Option may be deposited. Such recipients may receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer Data in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering, and managing participation in the 2015 Plan. Optionee understands that these recipients may be located in or outside the European Economic Area, such as in the United States or elsewhere. Should the Company exercise its discretion in suspending all necessary legal obligations connected with the management and administration of the 2015 Plan, it will delete Data as soon as it has completed all the necessary legal obligations connected with the management and administration of the 2015 Plan.

 

 

A-5

 

 

Optionee understands that Data processing related to the purposes specified above shall take place under automated or non-automated conditions, anonymously when possible, that comply with the purposes for which Data is collected and with confidentiality and security provisions, as set forth by applicable laws and regulations, with specific reference to Legislative Decree no. 196/2003.

 

The processing activity, including communication, the transfer of Data abroad, including outside of the European Economic Area, as herein specified and pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, does not require Optionee’s consent thereto, as the processing is necessary to performance of contractual obligations related to implementation, administration, and management of the 2015 Plan. Optionee understands that, pursuant to Art. 7 of the Legislative Decree no. 196/2003, Optionee has the right to, including but not limited to, access, delete, update, correct, or terminate, for legitimate reason, the Data processing.

 

Optionee is aware that Data will not be used for direct-marketing purposes. In addition, Data provided can be reviewed and questions or complaints can be addressed by contacting local human resources representatives.

 

Plan Document Acknowledgment. By accepting the Option, the Optionee acknowledges receipt of the 2015 Plan, the Agreement and this Appendix and has reviewed the 2015 Plan, the Agreement and this Appendix in their entirety and fully accepts all provisions thereof. The Optionee has read and further acknowledges and specifically and expressly approves the following provisions of the Agreement: (i) Section 5: Employment of Optionee; (ii) Section 1515: Tax Liability; (iii) Section 16: Nature of Grant; (iv) Section 20: Governing Law; (v) Section 23: Appendix; and (vi) the Data Privacy provision in this Appendix.

 

 

 

 

Notifications

 

Exchange Control Information. Optionee is required to report the following on an annual tax return: any foreign investments or investments held outside of Italy at the beginning of the year (or at the acquisition date) and at the end of the calendar year (or at the date of dismissal) independently of the amount of the investment. This will include reporting any vested, but not exercised, Options if the option price is lower than the value of the underlining share at the end of the year and the value of the shares held abroad, independent of their value. Under certain circumstances, the Optionee may be exempt from the mentioned above requirement if the investment is made or held through an authorized broker resident in Italy.

 

 

A-6

 

 

The above obligation is for monitoring and anti-money laundering purposes as well as for the Italian wealth tax calculation purpose.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

Definitions

 

Employer NICs: Any secondary class 1 (employer) NICs that any employer (or former employer) of an Optionee is liable to pay (or reasonably believes it is liable to pay) as a result of any Taxable Event (or which they would be liable to pay in the absence of an election referred to in Section 15.2(b) below) and which may be lawfully recovered from the Optionee 

 

Group Company: any of the following: 

 

(a) the Company; and

 

(b) any company which is a Subsidiary of the Company

 

ITEPA 2003: the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003

 

NICs: National Insurance contributions

 

Subsidiary: a company which is a subsidiary of the Company under section 1159(1) of the Companies Act 2006

 

Sufficient Shares: the smallest number of Shares which, when sold, will produce an amount at least equal to the relevant Tax Liability (after deduction of brokerage and any other charges or taxes on the sale).

 

Taxable Event: any event or circumstance that gives rise to a liability for the Optionee to pay income tax and NICs or either of them in respect of: 

 

(a) the Option, including its exercise, its assignment or surrender for consideration, or the receipt of any benefit in connection with it; 

 

(b) any Shares (or other securities or assets): 

 

(i) earmarked or held to satisfy the Option; 

 

(ii) acquired on exercise of the Option; 

 

(iii) acquired as a result of holding the Option; or 

 

(iv) acquired in consideration of the assignment or surrender of the Option;

 

 

A-7

 

 

(c) any securities (or other assets) acquired or earmarked as a result of holding Shares (or other securities or assets) mentioned in (b); or 

 

(d) any amount due under PAYE in respect of securities or assets within (a) to (c) above, including any failure by the Optionee to make good such an amount within the time limit specified in section 222 of the ITEPA 2003. 

 

Tax Liability: the total of: 

 

(a) any income tax and primary class 1 (employee) NICs for which any employer (or former employer) of the Optionee is or may be liable to account (or reasonably believes it is or may be liable to account) as a result of any Taxable Event; and 

 

(b) any Employer NICs that any employer (or former employer) of the Optionee is or may be liable to pay (or reasonably believes it is or may be liable to pay) as a result of any Taxable Event which can be recovered lawfully from the Optionee.

 

15 Tax Liabilities

 

Optionee undertaking to meet Tax Liabilities

 

	
15.1
	
It shall be a term of this Agreement that the Optionee irrevocably agree to:

 

(a) pay to the Company, his employer or former employer (as appropriate) the amount of any Tax Liability; or

 

(b) enter into arrangements to the satisfaction of the Company, his employer or former employer (as appropriate) for payment of any Tax Liability.

 

And the Company may at its discretion require that Optionee enter such arrangements described in (b) prior to a Taxable Event.

 

Employer NICs to be borne by Optionee and joint election

 

	
15.2 
	
Unless the Group Company which employs the proposed Optionee on the relevant Date of Grant directs that this Section 15.2 shall not apply, it shall be a term of this Agreement that the Optionee irrevocably agree that:

 

(a) the Company, his employer or former employer (as appropriate) may recover the whole or any part of any Employer NICs from the Optionee; and

 

(b) at the request of the Company, his employer or former employer, the Optionee shall elect (using a form approved by HM Revenue & Customs) that the whole or any part of the liability for Employer NICs shall be transferred to the Optionee.

 

	
15.3
	
An Optionee's employer or former employer may decide to release the Optionee from, or not to enforce, any part of the Optionee's obligations in respect of Employer NICs under Section 15.1 and Section 15.2 above.

 

 

A-8

 

 

Power of sale to meet Tax Liabilities

 

	
15.4 
	
If an Optionee does not fulfil his obligations under either Section 15.1(a) or Section 15.1(b) in respect of any Tax Liability arising from the exercise of an Option within seven days after the date of exercise and Shares are readily saleable at that time the Company will sell Sufficient Shares on behalf of the Optionee from the Shares which would otherwise be delivered to the Optionee.

 

From the net proceeds of sale of those withheld Shares, the Company shall pay to the employer or former employer an amount equal to the Tax Liability and shall pay any balance to the Optionee. The Optionee's obligations under Section 15.1(a) and Section 15.1(b) shall not be affected by any failure of the Company to withhold shares under this Section 15.4.

 

Restricted securities election

 

	
15.5
	
Each Option shall include a requirement that the Optionee irrevocably agree to enter into a joint election, under section 431(1) or section 431(2) of ITEPA 2003, in respect of the Shares to be acquired on exercise of the relevant Option, if required to do so by the Company, his employer or former employer, on or before any date of exercise of the Option.

 

Power of attorney

 

	
15.6
	
The Optionee appoints the Company (acting by any of its directors from time to time) as the Optionee's attorney to sell Shares and deal with the proceeds of sale in accordance with Section 15.4 in the Optionee's name and on the Optionee's behalf.Top

 

 

A-9Exhibit 10.1

 

AXOVANT SCIENCES LTD.

 

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  MARCH 18, 2015

APPROVED BY THE SOLE MEMBER: MARCH 18, 2015

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MAY 19, 2015

APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS: MAY 19, 2015

TERMINATION DATE: MARCH 17, 2025

 

1.                                      GENERAL.

 

(a)                                 Eligible Award Recipients.  Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.

 

(b)                                 Available Awards.  The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, (vii) Performance Cash Awards, and (viii) Other Stock Awards.

 

(c)                                  Purpose.  The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

 

2.                                      ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)                                 Administration by Board.  The Board will administer the Plan.  The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

(b)                                 Powers of Board.  The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)                                    To determine (A) who will be granted Awards; (B) when and how each Award will be granted; (C) what type of Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award.

 

(ii)                                To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards.  The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or in the written terms of a Performance Cash Award, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.

 

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(iii)                            To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.

 

(iv)                             To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued).

 

(v)                                 To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under his or her then-outstanding Award without his or her written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

 

(vi)                             To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek shareholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan  or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

 

(vii)                         To submit any amendment to the Plan for shareholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of  (A) Section 162(m) of the Code regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to Covered Employees, (B) Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options, or (C) Rule 16b-3.

 

(viii)                     To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment

 

2

 

of the Stock Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.

 

(ix)                             Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.

 

(x)                                 To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

(xi)                             To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Stock Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Stock Award, (3) Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the cancelled Stock Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(c)                                  Delegation to Committee.

 

(i)                                    General.  The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees.  If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable).  Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable).  The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(ii)                                Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3 Compliance.  The Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, or solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.

 

(d)                                 Delegation to an Officer.  The Board may delegate to one (1) or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Stock Awards, and (ii)

 

3

 

determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself.  Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority.  The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(x)(iii) below.

 

(e)                                  Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

3.                                      SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Share Reserve.

 

(i)                                    Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments and the following sentence regarding the annual increase, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed 9,500,000 shares (the “Share Reserve”). In addition, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on April 1st of each year, for the period commencing on (and including) April 1, 2016 and ending on (and including) April 1, 2025, in an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the total number of shares of Capital Stock outstanding on March 31st of the preceding calendar year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to March 31st of a given year to provide that there will be no April 1st increase in the Share Reserve for such year or that the increase in the Share Reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

(ii)                                For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan.  Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

 

(iii)                            Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.  If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan.  If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again

 

4

 

become available for issuance under the Plan.  Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)                                  Incentive Stock Option Limit.  Subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 47,500,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

(d)                                 Section 162(m) Limitations.  Subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, at such time as the Company may be subject to the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, the following limitations shall apply.

 

(i)                                    A maximum of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to Options, SARs and Other Stock Awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Award is granted may be granted to any one Participant during any one fiscal year of the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any additional Options, SARs or Other Stock Awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Award are granted to any Participant during any one fiscal year, compensation attributable to the exercise of such additional Stock Awards will not satisfy the requirements to be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code unless such additional Stock Award is approved by the Company’s stockholders.

 

(ii)                                A maximum of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Stock Awards may be granted to any one Participant during any one fiscal year of the Company (whether the grant, vesting or exercise is contingent upon the attainment during the Performance Period of the Performance Goals).

 

(iii)                            A maximum of $1,000,000 may be granted as a Performance Cash Award to any one Participant during any one fiscal year of the Company.

 

(e)                                  Source of Shares.  The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

4.                                      ELIGIBILITY.

 

(a)                                 Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code).  Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), or (ii) the Company, in

 

5

 

consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Ten Percent Shareholders.  A Ten Percent Shareholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

 

5.                                      PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate.  All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option.  If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(a)                                 Term.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Exercise Price.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Stock Award is granted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award if such Stock Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.  Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

 

(c)                                  Purchase Price for Options.  The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below.  The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment.  The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

 

6

 

(i)                                    by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

(ii)                                pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

 

(iii)                            by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

 

(iv)                             if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.  Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or

 

(v)                                 in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Exercise and Payment of a SAR.  To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR.  The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date.  The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

 

(e)                                  Transferability of Options and SARs.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine.  In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

 

(i)                                    Restrictions on Transfer.  An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.  The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable

 

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tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

(ii)                                Domestic Relations Orders.  Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2).  If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

(iii)                            Beneficiary Designation.  Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.  In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.  However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

 

(f)                                   Vesting Generally.  The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal.  The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate.  The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary.  The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

 

(g)                                 Termination of Continuous Service.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(h)                                 Extension of Termination Date.  If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time

 

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(that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.  In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)                                    Disability of Participant.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(j)                                    Death of Participant.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(k)                                 Termination for Cause.  Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

 

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(l)                                    Non-Exempt Employees.  If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date).  Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant.  The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

 

6.                                      PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.

 

(a)                                 Restricted Stock Awards.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate.  To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board.  The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)                                    Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)                                Vesting. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

 

(iii)                            Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service.  If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

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(iv)                             Transferability.  Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(v)                                 Dividends.  A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

 

(b)                                 Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate.  The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)                                    Consideration.  At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award.  The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)                                Vesting.  At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(iii)                            Payment.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

 

(iv)                             Additional Restrictions.  At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

(v)                                 Dividend Equivalents.  Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.  At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board.  Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

 

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(vi)                             Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

(c)                                  Performance Awards.

 

(i)                                    Performance Stock Awards.  A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award (covering a number of shares not in excess of that set forth in Section 3(d) above) that is payable or that may be granted, may vest or may be exercised, contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals.  A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Committee (or, if not required for compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board), in its sole discretion.  In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.

 

(ii)                                Performance Cash Awards.  A Performance Cash Award is a cash award (for a dollar value not in excess of that set forth in Section 3(d) above) that is payable contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals.  A Performance Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of Continuous Service.  At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Committee (or, if not required for compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board), in its sole discretion.  The Board may specify the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.

 

(iii)                            Board Discretion.  The Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.  Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.

 

(iv)                             Section 162(m) Compliance.  Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” thereunder, the Committee will establish the Performance Goals applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount payable under, the Award no later than the earlier of (a) the date 90 days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period, and (b) the date on which 25% of the Performance Period has elapsed, and in any event at a time when the achievement of the applicable Performance Goals remains substantially uncertain.  Prior to the payment of any compensation under an Award intended to

 

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qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will certify the extent to which any Performance Goals and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where such Performance Goals relate solely to the increase in the value of the Common Stock). Notwithstanding satisfaction of, or completion of any Performance Goals, the number of shares of Common Stock, Options, cash or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Performance Goals may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(d)                                 Other Stock Awards.  Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

 

7.                                      COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

(a)                                 Availability of Shares.  The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

 

(b)                                 Securities Law Compliance.  The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award.  If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

 

(c)                                  No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes.  The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award.  Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised.  The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.

 

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8.                                      MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)                                 Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock.  Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(b)                                 Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards.  Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.  In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Shareholder Rights.  No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

(d)                                 No Employment or Other Service Rights.  Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

(e)                                  Change in Time Commitment.  In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

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(f)                                   Incentive Stock Option Limitations.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

(g)                                 Investment Assurances.  The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock.  The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws.  The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

 

(h)                                 Withholding Obligations.  Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(i)                                    Electronic Delivery.  Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

 

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(j)                                    Deferrals.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants.  Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company.  The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

 

(k)                                 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six (6) month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

 

(l)                                    Clawback/Recovery.  All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause.  No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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9.                                      ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

 

(a)                                 Capitalization Adjustments.  In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and  proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), (iii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any person pursuant to Sections 3(d), and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards.  The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(b)                                 Dissolution.  Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a Dissolution of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such Dissolution, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the Dissolution is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

(c)                                  Corporate Transactions.   The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Transaction unless otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award.  In the event of a Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction:

 

(i)                                    arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction);

 

(ii)                                arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

(iii)                            accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the

 

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Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Transaction;

 

(iv)                             arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

 

(v)                                 cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

 

(vi)                             make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.  For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price.  Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

 

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.  The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

 

(d)                                 Change in Control.  A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

 

10.                               PLAN TERM; EARLIER TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Plan Term.  The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan will automatically terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company.  No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

11.                               EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

 

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

 

12.                               CHOICE OF LAW.

 

To the extent that United States federal laws do not otherwise control, this Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant to this Plan shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, and construed accordingly, except for those matters subject to

 

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The Companies Act, 1981 of Bermuda (as amended), which shall be governed by Bermuda law, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and construed accordingly.

 

13.                               DEFINITIONS.   As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, each of the following: (i) any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405; (ii) any “subsidiary” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405; and (iii) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest or control relationship unless otherwise designated by the Board.  An entity will be deemed an Affiliate of the Company for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained.  The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the definitions set forth in Rule 405.

 

(b)                                 “Award” means a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.

 

(c)                                  “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.

 

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

 

(e)                                  “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(f)                                   “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s willful failure substantially to perform his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or deliberate violation of a Company policy; (ii) such Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or any other willful misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company; (iii) unauthorized use or disclosure by such Participant of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company; or (iv) such Participant’s willful breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company.  The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion.  Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with

 

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or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

(g)                                 “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                    any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, (C) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any individual who is, on the IPO Date, either an executive officer or a Director (either, an “IPO Investor”) and/or any entity in which an IPO Investor has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting rights or participation in profits or capital contributions) of more than 50% (collectively, the “IPO Entities”) or on account of the IPO Entities continuing to hold shares that come to represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities as a result of the conversion of any class of the Company’s securities into another class of the Company’s securities having a different number of votes per share pursuant to the conversion provisions set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; or (D) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

 

(ii)                                there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; provided, however, that a merger, consolidation or similar transaction will not constitute a Change in Control under this prong of the definition if the outstanding voting

 

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securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving Entity or its parent are owned by the IPO Entities;

 

(iii)                            there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; provided, however, that a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries will not constitute a Change in Control under this prong of the definition if the outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the acquiring Entity or its parent are owned by the IPO Entities; or

 

(iv)                             individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of the Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

 

(h)                                 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(i)                                    “Committee” means a committee of two (2) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

(j)                                    “Common Stock” means the common shares of the Company.

 

(k)                                 “Company” means Axovant Sciences Ltd., an exempted limited company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, with its registered office at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda, or any successor to all or substantially all of its businesses by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, purchase of assets, or otherwise.

 

(l)                                    “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated

 

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for such services.  However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

 

(m)                             “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated.  A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate.  For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service.  To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

 

(n)                                 “Corporate Transaction” means a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, entity or person, or the direct or indirect acquisition (including by way of a tender or exchange offer) by any person, or persons acting as a group, of beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company.

 

(o)                                 “Covered Employee” will have the meaning provided in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.

 

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

 

(q)                                 “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

 

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(r)                                  “Dissolution” means when the Company has completely wound up its affairs and dissolved in accordance with the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda.

 

(s)                                   “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s shareholders, and (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

(t)                                    “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.  However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(u)                                 “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

(v)                                 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(w)                               “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

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

 

(i)                                    If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.

 

(ii)                                Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

 

(iii)                            In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.

 

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(y)                                 “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(z)                                  “IPO Date” means the date and time of execution of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the underwriter(s) managing the initial public offering of the Common Stock, pursuant to which the Common Stock is priced for the initial public offering.

 

(aa)                          “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

 

(bb)                          “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(cc)                            “Officer” means a person who is an officer within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(dd)                          “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(ee)                            “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant.  Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ff)                              “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(gg)                          “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

 

(hh)                          “Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant.  Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ii)                                “Outside Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee of the Company or an “affiliated corporation” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an “affiliated corporation” who receives compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year, has not been an officer of the Company or an “affiliated corporation,” and does not receive remuneration from the Company or an 

 

24

 

“affiliated corporation,” either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(jj)                                “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

 

(kk)                          “Participant” means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

(ll)                                “Performance Cash Award” means an award of cash granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).

 

(mm)                  “Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period.  The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iv) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and legal settlements; (v) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements and other income (expense); (vi) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense) and stock-based compensation; (vii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense), stock-based compensation and changes in deferred revenue; (viii) total stockholder return; (ix) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (x) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (xi) stock price; (xii) margin (including gross margin); (xiii) income (before or after taxes); (xiv) operating income; (xv) operating income after taxes; (xvi) pre-tax profit; (xvii) operating cash flow; (xviii) sales or revenue targets; (xix) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xx) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xxi) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xxii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xxiii) market share; (xxiv) cash flow; (xxv) cash flow per share; (xxvi) share price performance; (xxvii) debt reduction; (xxviii) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxix) employee retention; (xxx) stockholders’ equity; (xxxi) capital expenditures; (xxxii) debt levels; (xxxiii) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxxiv) workforce diversity; (xxxv) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxvi) billings; (xxxvii) bookings; (xxxviii) initiation or completion of phases of clinical trials and/or studies by specified dates; (xxxix) patient enrollment rates, (xxxx) budget management; (xxxxi) regulatory body and/or pricing approval with respect to products, studies and/or trials; (xxxxii) commercial launch of products;  (xxxxiii) progress of partnered programs; (xxxxix) strategic partnerships or transactions; and (xxxxx) to the extent that an Award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by the Board.

 

(nn)                          “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.  Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more 

 

25

 

business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices.  Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of any “extraordinary items” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles; (12) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; (13) to exclude the effects of the timing of acceptance for review and/or approval of submissions to the Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory body and (14) to exclude the effects of entering into or achieving milestones involved in licensing, collaboration, or other business development transactions.  In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.

 

(oo)                          “Performance Period” means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.  Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

(pp)                          “Performance Stock Award” means a Stock Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).

 

(qq)                          “Plan” means this Axovant Sciences Ltd. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(rr)                            “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

 

26

 

(ss)                              “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(tt)                                “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

 

(uu)                          “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(vv)                          “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

(ww)                      “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(xx)                          “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(yy)                          “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

 

(zz)                            “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant.  Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(aaa)                   “Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Stock Award, or any Other Stock Award.

 

(bbb)                   “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant.  Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ccc)                      “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%) .

 

27

 

(ddd)                   “Ten Percent Shareholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(eee)                      “Transaction” means a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control.

 

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