Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES LLC

 

SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of                          by and between Shutterstock Images LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Shutterstock-NY”) and Shutterstock, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Shutterstock-DE” and, together with Shutterstock-NY, the “Company”), and                          (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, Shutterstock-NY will be merged with and into Shutterstock-DE, with Shutterstock-DE as the surviving entity and operating business (the “LLC Reorganization”);

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee has performed and performs a valuable service to the Company in his or her capacity as a director and/or officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain Indemnitee to provide services to it;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Indemnitee recognize the significant risk of personal liability for directors and officers that arises from corporate litigation practices;

 

WHEREAS, the stockholders of the Company have adopted bylaws (the “Bylaws”) providing for the indemnification of the directors and officers of the Company, including persons serving at the request of the Company in such capacities with other companies or enterprises, to the maximum extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “Code”);

 

WHEREAS, the Bylaws and the Code, by their non-exclusive nature, permit contracts between the Company and its directors and officers with respect to indemnification of such persons;

 

WHEREAS, in consideration for Indemnitee’s past service and in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company, the Company has determined and agreed to enter into this Agreement with Indemnitee; and

 

WHEREAS, in light of the considerations referred to in the preceding recitals, it is the Company’s intention and desire that the provisions of this Agreement be construed liberally, subject to their express terms, to maximize the protections to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s past and continued service as a director and/or officer after the date hereof, and for other good and valid consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

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AGREEMENT

 

1.             Certain Definitions.  In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:

 

(a)           “Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(i)            the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another corporation, or other transaction, other than the LLC Reorganization (each, a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the beneficial owners of voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination;

 

(ii)           the Company is a party to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, sales of assets, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which Incumbent Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor entity) thereafter;

 

(iii)         during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (including for this purpose any new directors who qualify under the definition of Incumbent Directors) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company; or

 

(iv)          approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

(b)           “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(c)           “Incumbent Directors” means the individuals who, as of the date hereof, are directors of the Company and any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, or appointment, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the then Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination).

 

(d)           “Indemnifiable Claim” means any claim based upon, arising out of or resulting from (i) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, whether or not for profit as to which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent, (ii) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in respect to any business, transaction, communication, filing, disclosure or other activity of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this sentence, or (iii) Indemnitee’s status as a current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a current or former director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of this

 

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sentence or any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by Indemnitee in connection with any obligation or restriction imposed upon Indemnitee by reason of such status.

 

(e)           “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(f)            “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities or voting interests are owned directly or indirectly by (i) the Company, (ii) the Company and one or more other subsidiaries, or (iii) by one or more other subsidiaries.

 

2.             Services to the Company.  Indemnitee will serve as a director and/or officer of the Company or as a director and/or officer of a Subsidiary of the Company (including service as a trustee of any employee benefit plan of the Company) faithfully and to the best of his or her ability so long as he or she is duly elected and qualified in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws or other applicable charter documents of the Company or such Subsidiary; provided, however, that Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any contractual obligation that Indemnitee may have assumed apart from this Agreement or any obligation imposed by law) and that the Company or any affiliate shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue to retain or employ Indemnitee in any such position.

 

3.             Indemnification of Indemnitee.   Subject to Sections 5 and 11, the Company hereby agrees to defend, hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provisions of the Bylaws and the Code, as the same may be amended from time to time (but, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the Bylaws or the Code permitted prior to adoption of such amendment) against any and all Indemnifiable Claims.

 

4.             Additional Indemnification.  In addition to and not in limitation of the indemnification otherwise provided for herein, and subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 4 and Sections 5 and 11 hereof, the Company hereby further agrees to:

 

(a)           hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee  against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), witness fees, damages, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and any other amounts that Indemnitee becomes legally obligated to pay because of any claim or claims made against or by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, arbitrational, administrative or investigative (including an action by or in the right of the Company) to which Indemnitee is, was or at any time becomes a party, or is threatened to be made a party, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is, was or at any time becomes a director and/or officer of the Company, or is or was serving or at any time serves at the request of the Company as a director and/or officer of another Company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise;

 

(b)           hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee for and, if requested by Indemnitee, advance to Indemnitee (i) any and all expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claim by Indemnitee for indemnification by the Company under any provision of

 

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this Agreement, or under any other agreement or insurance policy or provision of the Code or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims, and/or (ii) any and all expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claim by the Company or any other person or entity to enforce their respective rights under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or insurance policy or provision of the Code or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims.  No indemnity shall be paid by the Company under this Section 4(b) if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any court of competent jurisdiction in which the claims was brought determines that each of the material assertions or defenses, as the case may be, made by Indemnitee in connection with such claim was frivolous or not made in good faith.  For sake of clarity, to the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, the Company agrees that it will bear the expenses Indemnitee incurs in bringing or defending a claim under this Section 4(b), regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately successful in such claim, unless the court determines that each of the material assertions or defenses, as the case may be, made by Indemnitee in such claim was frivolous or not made in good faith.

 

5.             Limitations on Indemnification.  No payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by the Company:

 

(a)           on account of any claim against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to a violation of the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law, if Indemnitee is held liable therefore;

 

(b)           for which payment is actually made to Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy or under a valid and enforceable indemnity clause, bylaw or agreement, except in respect of any excess beyond payment under such insurance policy, indemnity clause, bylaw or agreement and except to the extent amounts are thereafter “clawed back” or otherwise under dispute under such insurance policy, indemnity clause, bylaw or agreement;

 

(c)           if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final decision or verdict, to which all rights of appeal have either lapsed or been exhausted, that the indemnification is unlawful;

 

(d)           in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by Indemnitee, or any proceeding by Indemnitee against the Company or any Subsidiary or the directors, officers, employees or other agents of the Company or any Subsidiary, unless (i) the proceeding is brought to enforce a right to indemnification pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, (ii) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (iii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company, or (iv) such indemnification is provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under the Code;

 

(e)           if the action, suit or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification is made by Indemnitee arose from or is based upon any solicitation of proxies by Indemnitee, or by a group of which he or she was or became a member consisting of two or more persons that had agreed (whether formally or informally and whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of soliciting proxies, in opposition to any solicitation of proxies approved by the Board of Directors.

 

6.             Contribution.  If, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of expenses (including attorneys’ fees),  judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee

 

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in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and all directors, officers, employees, or agents other than Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company and all directors, officers, employees, or agents other than Indemnitee, on the one hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events which resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and all directors, officers, employees, or agents other than Indemnitee, on the one hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, whether their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.  The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were determined by pro-rata allocation or any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.  Nothing in this Section 6 shall impact the parties’ rights as they relate to determining whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct, as set forth in Section 11 herein.

 

7.             Procedure for Notification.

 

(a)           Not later than thirty (30) days after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of such action, suit or proceeding.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless, and only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in forfeiture by the Company of substantial defenses, rights or insurance coverage.  If at the time of such notification by Indemnitee the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect under which coverage for such action, suit or proceeding is potentially available, the Company shall give prompt written notice of such action, suit or proceeding to the applicable insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies.  The Company shall provide to Indemnitee: (i) copies of all potentially applicable directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, (ii) a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers, and (iii) copies of all subsequent correspondence between the Company and such insurers regarding the action, suit or proceeding, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery or receipt thereof by the Company.

 

(b)           To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor as soon as practicable.  Indemnitee’s failure to submit such a request will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless, and only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of such request and such failure results in forfeiture by the Company of substantial defenses, rights or insurance coverage.

 

8.             Defense of Claim.  With respect to any action, suit or proceeding as to which Indemnitee must notify the Company of the commencement thereof pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement:

 

(a)           the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense, provided that Indemnitee provides signed, written consent to such participation, which shall not be unreasonably withheld;

 

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(b)           except as otherwise provided below, the Company may, at its option and jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified and electing to assume such defense, assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, provided that Indemnitee provides signed, written consent to such assumption, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Upon the Company delivering to Indemnitee written notice of its election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee providing signed, written consent thereto, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, except as provided in subsections 8(b)(i)-(iv) below.  Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in such action, suit or proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense thereof, and Indemnitee’s signed, written consent thereto, shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i)  the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii)  it is reasonably determined at any time before or during the course of the action, suit or proceeding, that the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present or presents, as the case may be, such counsel with an actual or potential conflict, (iii) it is reasonably determined at any time before or during the course of the action, suit or proceeding, that the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would be or is, as the case may be, precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, or (iv)  the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, or fails to continue to retain such counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Company; and

 

(c)           the Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without its prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Company shall be permitted to settle any action except that it shall not settle any action or claim in any manner that would impose any expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, or penalties (whether civil or criminal) on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

9.             Advancement and Repayment of Expenses.

 

(a)           Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of any Indemnifiable Claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all expenses (including legal fees and expenses) actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Indemnifiable Claim within thirty (30) days after receiving from Indemnitee copies of invoices presented to Indemnitee for such expenses.  Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct.

 

(b)           Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of Indemnitee’s claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all expenses provided for in Section 4(b) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receiving from Indemnitee copies of invoices presented to Indemnitee for such expenses.  Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct.

 

(c)           In the event that Indemnitee employs his or her own counsel for which the Company must indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 8(b), Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of any Indemnifiable Claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s employment of his or her own counsel within thirty (30) days after receiving from Indemnitee copies of invoices presented to Indemnitee for such expenses.

 

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(d)           Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement which shall constitute an undertaking by Indemnitee to reimburse the Company for all reasonable expenses paid by the Company in respect of expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim or any claim by Indemnitee for indemnification by the Company, as provided for in Section 4(b) of this Agreement, in the event and only to the extent it shall be ultimately determined by a final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled, under the provisions of the Code, the Bylaws, this Agreement or otherwise, to be indemnified by the Company for such expenses.  Advances shall be unsecured and interest free.  Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.          Partial Indemnification.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any and all losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim, but not for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

11.          Determination of Right to Indemnification

 

(a)           To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without limitation dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against any and all losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim in accordance with Sections 3 and 4(a) and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 11(b)) shall be required.  To the extent that Indemnitee’s only involvement in the Indemnifiable Claim is to prepare to serve and serve as a witness, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all expenses incurred in connection therewith and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 11(b)) shall be required.

 

(b)           To the extent that the provisions of Section 11(a) are inapplicable to an Indemnifiable Claim that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against any and all losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim (a “Standard of Conduct Determination”) shall be made as follows: (i) unless a Change of Control has occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, or (B) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and (ii) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, (A) if the Indemnitee so requests in writing, by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board or (B) otherwise, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within ten (10) business days of such request, any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ and experts’ fees, disbursements and expenses) incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.

 

(c)           The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 11(b) to be made as promptly as practicable.  If the person or persons determined under Section 11(b) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall not have made a determination within 30 days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of written notice from Indemnitee advising the Company of the final disposition of the applicable Indemnifiable Claim (the date of such receipt being the “Notification Date”) and (B) the selection of an Independent

 

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Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct; provided that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person or persons making such determination in good faith require such additional time to obtain or evaluate information relating thereto.

 

(d)           If (i) Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), (ii) no determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder for any and all losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim, or (iii) Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 11(b) or (c) to have satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law which is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee, then the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within twenty (20) business days after the later of (x) the Notification Date regarding the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to the losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Indemnifiable Claim, and (y) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is satisfied, an amount equal to such losses.

 

(e)           If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 11(b)(i), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 11(b)(ii), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  In either case, Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within ten (10) business days after receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of “Independent Counsel” in Section 1(e), and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  Absent a proper and timely objection, the person or firm so selected shall act as Independent Counsel.  If such written objection is properly and timely made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit and (ii) the non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences and clause (i) of this sentence shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice.  If applicable, the provisions of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative selections.  If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(e) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall have been selected within 30 days after the Company gives its initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 11(e) or Indemnitee gives his or her initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 11(e), as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others’ selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or such other person as the court shall designate, and the person or firm with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel.  In all events, the Company shall pay all of the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent Counsel’s determination pursuant to Section 11(b).

 

12.          Presumption of Entitlement.  In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the person or persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable

 

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standard of conduct, and the Company may overcome such presumption only by adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.  Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the Indemnitee in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.  No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to any claim by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

 

13.          Enforcement.  Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Agreement to Indemnitee shall be enforceable by or on behalf of Indemnitee in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.  Indemnitee, in such enforcement action, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting his or her claim, as provided for under Section 4(b) herein.  It shall be a defense to any action for which a claim for indemnification is made under Sections 3, 4(a), and 4(b) hereof (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses pursuant to Section 9 hereof, provided that the required undertaking has been tendered to the Company) that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification because of the limitations set forth in Section 5 hereof.  Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such enforcement action that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors or its stockholders) that such indemnification is improper shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

14.          Subrogation.  In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

15.          Continuation of Indemnity.  All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall commence upon the date that Indemnitee first became a member of the Board of Directors and/or an officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, and shall continue during the period Indemnitee is a director and/or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director and/or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise) and thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Indemnifiable Claims (including any rights of appeal thereto) and any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee, the Company or any other person or entity to enforce or interpret their respective rights under this Agreement, or any other agreement or insurance policy or provision of the Code or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims.

 

16.          Non-Exclusivity of Rights, Etc.  The rights conferred on Indemnitee by this Agreement shall not be exclusive of any other right which Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office; provided, however, that this Agreement shall supersede and replace any prior indemnification agreements entered into by and between the Company and Indemnitee (if any) and that any such prior indemnification agreement shall be terminated upon the execution of this Agreement.  To the extent that a change in Delaware law or interpretation thereof (whether by statute or judicial decision) expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of

 

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directors or an officer, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

17.          Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such State.  The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.

 

18.          Successors and Binding Agreement.

 

(a)           The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee and his or her counsel, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, including without limitation any person acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the “Company” for purposes of this Agreement), but shall not otherwise be assignable or delegable by the Company.

 

(b)           This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Indemnitee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, legatees and other successors.

 

(c)           This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 18(a) and 18(b).  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, Indemnitee’s right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by the Indemnitee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 18(c), the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

 

19.          Injunctive Relief.  The Company and the Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause the Indemnitee and the Company irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that the parties may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, they shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which they may be entitled.  The Company and the Indemnitee further agree that they shall be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company and the Indemnitee acknowledge that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required by the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and they hereby waive any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

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20.          Liability Insurance and Funding.  For the duration of Indemnitee’s service as a director and/or officer of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending or possible Indemnifiable Claim, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available relative to the cost thereof) to cause to be maintained in effect policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage for directors and officers of the Company that is at least substantially compatible in scope and amount to that provided by the Company’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.  In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits, subject to the same limitations, as are accorded to the Company’s directors and officers most favorably insured by such policy.  Upon request, the Company will provide to Indemnitee copies of all directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials.

 

21.          Amendment and Termination.  No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by both parties hereto.

 

22.          Identical Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Only one such counterpart need be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

23.          Severability.  Each of the provisions of this Agreement is a separate and distinct agreement and independent of the others, so that if any provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.  Furthermore, if this Agreement shall be invalidated in its entirety on any ground, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent provided by the Bylaws, the Code or any other applicable law.

 

24.          Certain Interpretive Matters.  No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in favor of, or against, either of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof or thereof.

 

25.          Headings.  The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction hereof.

 

26.          Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) upon delivery if delivered by hand to the party to whom such communication was directed or (ii) upon the third business day after the date on which such communication was mailed if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid:

 

(a)           If to Indemnitee, at the address previously provided to the Company, or to such other address as Indemnitee may furnish to the Company subsequent to the date hereof.

 

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(b)           If to the Company, to:

 

Shutterstock Images LLC

Shutterstock, Inc.

60 Broad Street, 30th Floor
 New York, NY 10004

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES LLC,
    	
 
    	
INDEMNITEE
    
	
a   New York limited liability company
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SHUTTERSTOCK,   INC.,
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
a   Delaware corporation
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

13Exhibit 10.2

 

SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.

 

2012 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.             Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this Plan are (a) to attract and retain the best available personnel to ensure the Company’s success and accomplish the Company’s goals; (b) to incentivize Employees, Directors and Consultants with long-term equity-based compensation to align their interests with the Company’s stockholders, and (c) to promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

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

 

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

 

(b)           “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

 

(c)           “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares.

 

(d)           “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.  The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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

 

(f)            “Change in Control” except as may otherwise be provided in a Stock Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Agreement or other applicable agreement, means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i)           The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if the Company’s shareholders immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization cease to directly or indirectly own immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization at least a majority of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization;

 

 

(ii)          The consummation of the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (other than (x) to a corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of its combined voting power is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, (y) to a corporation or other entity owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders  of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company or (z) to a continuing or surviving entity described in Section 2(f)(i) in connection with a merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization which does not result in a Change in Control under Section 2(f)(i));

 

(iii)         A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.  For purposes of this clause, if any Person (as defined below in Section 2(f)(iv)) is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control;

 

(iv)        The consummation of any transaction as a result of which any Person becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities.  For purposes of this Paragraph (iv), the term “person” shall have the same meaning as when used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act but shall exclude:

 

(1)           a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an affiliate of the Company;

 

(2)           a corporation or other entity owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company;

 

(3)           the Company; and

 

(4)           a corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of its combined voting power is owned directly or indirectly by the Company; or

 

(v)         A complete winding up, liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transactions.

 

(g)           “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

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(h)           “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

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

 

(j)            “Company” means Shutterstock, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

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

 

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

 

(m)          “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

(n)           “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

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

 

(p)           “Exchange Program” means a program established by the Committee under which outstanding Awards are amended to provide for a lower Exercise Price or surrendered or cancelled in exchange for (i) Awards with a lower exercise price, (ii) a different type of Award or awards under a different equity incentive plan, (iii) cash, or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and/or (iii).  Notwithstanding the preceding, the term Exchange Program does not include any (i) action described in Section 13 or any action taken in connection with a change in control transaction nor (ii) transfer or other disposition permitted under Section 12.  For the purpose of clarity, each of the actions described in the prior sentence, none of which constitute an Exchange Program, may be undertaken (or authorized) by the Committee in its sole discretion without approval by the Company’s shareholders.

 

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

 

(i)           If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

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

 

(iii)         For purposes of any Awards granted on the Registration Date, the Fair Market Value will be the initial price to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included within the registration statement in Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock; or

 

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

 

(r)            “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

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

 

(t)            “Inside Director” means a Director who is an Employee.

 

(u)           “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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

 

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

 

(x)           “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

 

(y)           “Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.  A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.

 

(z)           “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

(aa)         “Performance Goal” means a performance goal established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan.

 

(bb)         “Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10.

 

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(cc)         “Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10.

 

(dd)         “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.  Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.

 

(ee)         “Plan” means this 2012 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(ff)          “Registration Date” means the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

 

(gg)         “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock award under Section 7 of the Plan.

 

(hh)         “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 8.  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

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

 

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

 

(kk)         “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

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

 

(mm)      “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 9 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(nn)         “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.  A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.

 

3.             Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)           Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 6,750,000 Shares (the “Initial Share Reserve”).  Approximately 1,750,000 of the Initial Share Reserve shall be used

 

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immediately following the Registration Date to grant Nonstatutory Stock Options in replacement of existing outstanding Value Appreciation Rights previously granted under the Shutterstock Images LLC Value Appreciation Plan.  The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in this Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Sections 3(b) and 3(c).

 

(b)           Automatic Share Reserve Increase.  The number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan will be increased on the first day of each Fiscal Year beginning with the 2013 Fiscal Year, in an amount equal to the least of (i) 1,500,000 Shares, (ii) three percent (3%) of the outstanding Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year or (iii) such number of Shares determined by the Board.

 

(c)           Lapsed Awards.  To the extent an Award expires, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights the forfeited or repurchased Shares), which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).  Notwithstanding the foregoing (and except with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited rather than vesting), Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan.  Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.  To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

4.             Administration of the Plan.

 

(a)           Procedure.

 

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

 

(ii)          Section 162(m).  To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two (2) or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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

 

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

 

(b)           Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

(i)           to determine the Fair Market Value;

 

(ii)          to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

(iii)         to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

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

 

(v)         to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine;

 

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

 

(vii)       to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws, for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws or facilitating compliance with foreign laws; sub-plans may be created for any of these purposes;

 

(viii)      to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18 of the Plan), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option (subject to Section 6(b) of the Plan regarding Incentive Stock Options);

 

(ix)        to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 14 of the Plan;

 

(x)         to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

(xi)        to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award; and

 

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

 

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(c)           Effect of Administrator’s Decision.  The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 

(d)           Exchange Program.  Notwithstanding the anything in this Section 4, the Committee shall not implement an Exchange Program without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Shares that are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of Company’s shareholders.

 

(e)           Delegation by the Committee.  The Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more Directors or officers of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority and powers (a) with respect to an Officer or (b) in any way which would jeopardize the Plan’s qualification under Code Section 162(m) or Rule 16b-3.

 

5.             Award Eligibility and Limitations.

 

(a)           Award Eligibility.  Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units may be granted to Service Providers.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

(b)           Award Limitations.  The following limits shall apply to the grant of any Award if, at the time of grant, the Company is a “publicly held corporation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code:

 

(i)           Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, no Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, which in the aggregate cover more than 500,000 Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that in connection with an Employee’s initial service as an Employee, an Employee may be granted Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, which in the aggregate cover up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.

 

(ii)          Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, no Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, which in the aggregate cover more than 500,000 Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that in connection with an Employee’s initial service as an Employee, an Employee may be granted Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units s, which in the aggregate cover up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.

 

(iii)         Performance Units and Performance Shares.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, no Employee shall receive Performance Units or Performance Shares having a grant date value (assuming maximum payout) greater than two million dollars ($2 million) or covering more than 500,000 Shares, whichever is greater; provided, however, that in connection with an Employee’s initial service as an Employee, an Employee may receive Performance Units or Performance Shares having a grant date value (assuming maximum payout) of up to an additional amount equal five million dollars ($5 million) or covering up to 1,000,000 Shares, whichever is

 

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greater.  No Participant may be granted more than one award of Performance Units or Performance Shares for the same Performance Period.]

 

6.             Stock Options.

 

(a)           Limitations.  Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.  For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.  With respect to the Committee’s authority in Section 4(b)(viii), if, at the time of any such extension, the exercise price per Share of the Option is less than the Fair Market Value of a Share, the extension shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, be limited to the earlier of (1) the maximum term of the Option as set by its original terms, or (2) ten (10) years from the grant date.   Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any extension of the term of an Option pursuant to this Section 4(b)(viii) shall comply with Code Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid taxation thereunder.

 

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

 

(c)           Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

 

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

 

(1)           In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(3)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

(ii)          Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.  At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

 

(iii)         Form of Consideration.  The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant.  Such consideration for both types of Options may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (4) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (5) consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted (or other) cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) by net exercise; (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

 

(d)           Exercise of Option.

 

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

 

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

 

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(ii)          Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination.  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan.  If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

(iii)         Disability of Participant.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination.  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan.  If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

(iv)        Death of Participant.  If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator.  If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution.  In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following Participant’s death.  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan.  If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

7.             Restricted Stock.

 

(a)           Grant of Restricted Stock.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

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(b)           Restricted Stock Agreement.  Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.  Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

(c)           Transferability.  Except as provided in this Section 7 or the Award Agreement, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

(d)           Other Restrictions.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

(e)           Removal of Restrictions.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

(f)            Voting Rights.  During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

(g)           Dividends and Other Distributions.  During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise.  If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

(h)           Return of Restricted Stock to Company.  On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

8.             Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)           Grant.  Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator.  After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions (if any) related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.

 

(b)           Vesting Criteria and Other Terms.  The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant.  The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis (including the passage of time) determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

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(c)           Earning Restricted Stock Units.  Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.

 

(d)           Dividend Equivalents.  The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, award dividend equivalents in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock Units that may be settled in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

(e)           Form and Timing of Payment.  Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made upon the date(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may only settle earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.

 

(f)            Cancellation.  On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

9.             Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)           Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)           Number of Shares.  The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Service Provider.

 

(c)           Exercise Price and Other Terms.  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be determined by the Administrator and will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Otherwise, the Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan.

 

(d)           Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.  Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(e)           Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(b) relating to the maximum term and Section 6(d) relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(f)            Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount.  Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

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(i)    The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

 

(ii)   The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

10.          Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

(a)           Grant of Performance Units/Shares.  Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.  The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.

 

(b)           Value of Performance Units/Shares.  Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant.  Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(c)           Performance Objectives and Other Terms.  The Administrator will set Performance Goals or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Service Providers.  The time period during which the performance objectives or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.”  Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.  The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

(d)           Measurement of Performance Goals.  Performance Goals shall be established by the Committee on the basis of targets to be attained (“Performance Targets”) with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance (each, a “Performance Measure”), subject to the following:

 

(i)    Performance Measures.  For each Performance Period, the Committee shall establish and set forth in writing the Performance Measures, if any, and any particulars, components and adjustments relating thereto, applicable to each Participant.  The Performance Measures, if any, will be objectively measurable and will be based upon the achievement of a specified percentage or level in one or more objectively defined and non-discretionary factors preestablished by the Committee.  Performance Measures may be one or more of the following, as determined by the Committee:  (i) sales or non-sales revenue; (ii) return on revenues; (iii) operating income; (iv) income or earnings including operating income; (v) income or earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (vi) income or earnings from continuing operations; (vii) net income; (vii) pre-tax income or after-tax income; (viii) net income excluding amortization

 

14

 

of intangible assets, depreciation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and/or excluding charges attributable to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements; (ix) raising of financing or fundraising; (x) project financing; (xi) revenue backlog; (xii) power purchase agreement backlog; (xiii) gross margin; (xiv) operating margin or profit margin; (xv) capital expenditures, cost targets, reductions and savings and expense management; (xvi) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, or return on shareholder equity; (xvii) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital; (xviii) performance warranty and/or guarantee claims; (xix) stock price or total stockholder return; (xx) earnings or book value per share (basic or diluted); (xxi) economic value created; (xxii) pre-tax profit or after-tax profit; (xxiii) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration or market share, geographic business expansion, objective customer satisfaction or information technology goals; (xxiv) objective goals relating to divestitures, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and similar transactions; (xxv) construction projects consisting of one or more objectives based upon meeting project completion timing milestones, project budget, site acquisition, site development, or site equipment functionality; (xxvi) objective goals relating to staff management, results from staff attitude and/or opinion surveys, staff satisfaction scores, staff safety, staff accident and/or injury rates, headcount, performance management, completion of critical staff training initiatives; (xxvii) objective goals relating to projects, including project completion timing milestones, project budget; (xxviii) key regulatory objectives; and (xxix) enterprise resource planning.

 

(ii)   Committee Discretion on Performance Measures.  As determined in the discretion of the Committee, the Performance Measures for any Performance Period may (a) differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award, (b) be based on the performance of the Company as a whole or the performance of a specific Participant or one or more subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions, stores, segments, products, functions or business units of the Company or individual project company, (c) be measured on a per share, per capita, per unit, per square foot, per employee, per store basis, and/or other objective basis (d) be measured on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, and (e) be measured on an absolute basis or in relative terms (including, but not limited to, the passage of time and/or against other companies, financial metrics and/or an index).  Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee shall adjust any performance criteria, Performance Measures or other feature of an Award that relates to or is wholly or partially based on the number of, or the value of, any stock of the Company, to reflect any stock dividend or split, repurchase, recapitalization, combination, or exchange of shares or other similar changes in such stock.  Awards that are not intended by the Company to comply with the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section 162(m) may take into account other factors (including subjective factors).

 

(e)           Earning of Performance Units/Shares.  After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals or other vesting provisions have been achieved.  After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any Performance Goals or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.

 

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(f)            Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares.  Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made upon the time set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

(g)           Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares.  On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

11.          Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence unless contrary to Applicable Law.  A Participant will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Participant’s employer or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary.  For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract.  If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Participant’s employer is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months following the first (1st) day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

12.          Transferability of Awards.  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant.  If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

13.          Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

 

(a)           Adjustments.  In the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination, consolidation, recapitalization (including a recapitalization through a large nonrecurring cash dividend) or reclassification of the Shares, subdivision of the Shares, a rights offering, a reorganization, merger, spin-off, split-up, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other significant corporate transaction, or other change affecting the Common Stock occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number, kind and class of securities that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, kind and price of securities covered by each outstanding Award, the numerical Share limits in Section 3 of the Plan.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, all adjustments under this Section 13 shall be made in a manner that does not result in taxation under Code Section 409A.

 

(b)           Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed winding up, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction.  To the extent it has not been

 

16

 

previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

(c)           Change in Control.  In the event of a merger or Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines, including, without limitation, that each Award be assumed, cancelled or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  The Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in the transaction.

 

Except as set forth in an Award Agreement, in the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met.  In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit or Performance Share, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

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14.          Tax.

 

(a)           Withholding Requirements.  Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or prior to any time the Award or Shares are subject to taxation, the Company and/or the Participant’s employer will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation or social insurance contributions) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

(b)           Withholding Arrangements.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (a) paying cash, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld (to the extent required to avoid adverse accounting consequences), or (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld to the extent required to avoid adverse accounting consequences or Shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such amount that have been held for such period required to avoid adverse accounting consequences.  Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

(c)           Compliance With Code Section 409A.  Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.  The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A (or an exemption therefrom) and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator.  To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A (or an exemption therefrom), such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.  In no event will the Company be responsible for or reimburse a Participant for any taxes or other penalties incurred as a result of applicable of Code Section 409A.

 

15.          No Effect on Employment or Service.  Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, or (if different) the Participant’s employer, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Participant’s employer’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

16.          Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

 

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17.          Term of Plan.  Subject to Section 21 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective upon the earlier of its adoption by the Board or the Company’s shareholders.  It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from such effective date, unless terminated earlier under Section 18 of the Plan.

 

18.          Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

(a)           Amendment and Termination.  The Committee may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

(b)           Stockholder Approval.  The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

(c)           Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company.  Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

19.          Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

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

 

(b)           Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

20.          Inability to Obtain Authority.  The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

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

 

22.          Governing Law.  The Plan and all Awards hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, but without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

 

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SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.

 

2012 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Shutterstock, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”).

 

I.              NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

	
Participant Name:
    	
                                                         
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
You   have been granted an Option to purchase Common Stock of Shutterstock, Inc.   (the “Company”), subject to the   terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, as follows:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Grant   Number
    	
                                                         
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date   of Grant
    	
                                                         
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vesting   Commencement Date
    	
                                                         
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exercise   Price per Share
    	
$                                                       
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Total   Number of Shares Granted
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Total   Exercise Price
    	
$                                                       
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Type   of Option:
    	
     U.S.   Incentive Stock Option
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
     U.S.   Nonstatutory Stock Option
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Term/Expiration   Date:
    	
                                                         
    	
 
    

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan or set forth below, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

[INSERT VESTING SCHEDULE]

 

 

Termination Period:

 

This Option will be exercisable for three (3) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death or Disability, in which case this Option will be exercisable for  twelve (12) months after Participant ceases to be Service Provider.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above and may be subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

 

By Participant’s signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, all of which are made a part of this document.  Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Award Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Award Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Award Agreement.  Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Award Agreement.  Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

 

	
PARTICIPANT:
    	
 
    	
SHUTTERSTOCK,   INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature
    	
 
    	
By
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Print   Name
    	
 
    	
Title
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Residence   Address:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

2

 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

1.             Grant of Option.  The Company hereby grants to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Award Agreement (the “Participant”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Award Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to Section 18 of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan will prevail.

 

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is intended to qualify as an ISO under Section 422 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  However, if this Option is intended to be an ISO, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d) it will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).  Further, if for any reason this Option (or portion thereof) will not qualify as an ISO, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a NSO granted under the Plan.  In no event will the Administrator, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or any of their respective employees or directors have any liability to Participant (or any other person) due to the failure of the Option to qualify for any reason as an ISO.

 

2.             Vesting Schedule.  Except as provided in Section 3, the Option awarded by this Award Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Shares scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain condition will not vest in Participant in accordance with any of the provisions of this Award Agreement, unless Participant will have been continuously a Service Provider from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting occurs.  Service Provider status will end on the last day Participant provides active service to the Company or Parent or Subsidiary and will not be extended by any notice of termination period that may be required under applicable local law.

 

3.             Administrator Discretion.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Option at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan.  If so accelerated, such Option will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator.

 

4.             Exercise of Option.

 

(a)           Right to Exercise.  This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Award Agreement.

 

(b)           Method of Exercise.  This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Exercise Notice”) or in a manner and pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine, which will state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the “Exercised

 

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Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise Notice will be completed by Participant and delivered to the Company.  The Exercise Notice will be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares together with any applicable tax withholding.  This Option will be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.

 

5.             Method of Payment.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price will be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant.

 

(a)           cash (US dollars); or

 

(b)           check (denominated in U.S. dollars); or

 

(c)           consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

 

(d)           surrender of other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares, provided that accepting such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company.

 

6.             Tax Obligations.

 

(a)           Withholding Taxes.  Regardless of any action the Company or Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) takes with respect to any or all Tax-Related Items, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by Participant is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer.  Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (a) makes no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option, including the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired under the Plan and the receipt of dividends, if any; and (b) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure the terms of the Option or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items, or achieve any particular tax result.  Further, if Participant has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the date of grant and the date of any relevant taxable event, Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

 

(b)           No payment will be made to Participant (or his or her estate or beneficiary) for an Option unless and until satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Company) have been made by Participant with respect to the payment of any Tax-Related Items obligations of the Company and/or the Employer with respect to the Option.  In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, 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:

 

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(i)            withholding from Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company or the Employer; or

 

(ii)           withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); or

 

(iii)          withholding in Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option; or

 

(iv)          surrendering already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the Tax-Related Items that have been held for such period of time to avoid adverse accounting consequences.

 

If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding Shares, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares purchased for tax purposes, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares is held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant shall pay to the Company or Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company may be required to withhold as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by one or more of the means previously described in this paragraph 6.  Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if Participant fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

 

(b)           Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares.  If the Option granted to Participant herein is an ISO, and if Participant sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the later of (i) the date two (2) years after the Grant Date, or (ii) the date one (1) year after the date of exercise, Participant will immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition.  Participant agrees that Participant may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Participant.

 

(c)           Code Section 409A (Applicable Only to Participants Subject to U.S. Taxes).  Under Code Section 409A, an option that vests after December 31, 2004 (or that vested on or prior to such date but which was materially modified after October 3, 2004) that was granted with a per Share exercise price that is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) to be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant (a “Discount Option”) may be considered “deferred compensation.”  A Discount Option may result in (i) income recognition by Participant prior to the exercise of the option, (ii) an additional twenty percent (20%) federal income tax, and (iii) potential penalty and interest charges.  The Discount Option may also result in additional state income, penalty and interest charges to the Participant.  Participant acknowledges that the Company cannot and has not guaranteed that the IRS will agree that the per Share exercise price of this Option equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant in a later examination.  Participant agrees that if the IRS determines that the Option was granted with a per Share exercise price that was less than the Fair Market

 

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Value of a Share on the date of grant, Participant will be solely responsible for Participant’s costs related to such a determination.

 

7.             Rights as Stockholder.  Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant.  After such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

8.             No Guarantee of Continued Service.  PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE EMPLOYER AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE EMPLOYER TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE (SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS).

 

9.             Nature of Grant.  In accepting the Option, Participant acknowledges that:

 

(a)           the 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;

 

(b)           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;

 

(c)           all decisions with respect to future awards of Options, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

 

(d)           Participant’s participation in the Plan is voluntary;

 

(e)           the Option and the Shares subject to the Option are an extraordinary items that do not constitute regular compensation for services rendered to the Company or the Employer, and that are outside the scope of Participant’s employment contract, if any;

 

(f)            the Option and the Shares subject to the Option are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

 

(g)           the Option and the Shares subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any

 

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severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, or 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 or the Employer;

 

(h)           the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty; further, if Participant exercises the Option and obtains Shares, the value of the Shares acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the Exercise Price;

 

(i)            Participant also understands that neither the Company, nor any Affiliate is responsible for any foreign exchange fluctuation between local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Option;

 

(j)            in consideration of the grant of the Option, no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option resulting from termination of employment by the Employer (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws), and Participant irrevocably releases the Employer from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived his or her entitlement to pursue such claim; and

 

(k)           the Option and the benefits under the Plan, if any, will not automatically transfer to another company in the case of a merger, take-over or transfer of liability.

 

10.           No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares.  Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

 

11.          Data Privacy.  Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Agreement by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.

 

Participant understands that the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company or any Affiliate, details of all Options or any other entitlement to shares of stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan (“Personal Data”).  Participant understands that Personal Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in the United States, Participant’s country (if different than the United States), or

 

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elsewhere, and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country.

 

For Participants located in the European Union, the following paragraph applies:  Participant understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Personal Data by contacting Participant’s local human resources representative.  Participant authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Personal Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Personal Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom Participant may elect to deposit any Shares received upon exercise of the Option.  Participant understands that Personal Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant understands that he or she may, at any time, view Personal Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Personal Data, require any necessary amendments to Personal Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, without cost, by contacting in writing Participant’s local human resources representative.  Participant understands that refusal or withdrawal of consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan or to realize benefits from the Option.  For more information on the consequences of Participant’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

 

12.           Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Award Agreement will be addressed to the Company, in care of its General Counsel at Shutterstock, Inc., 60 Broad Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

 

13.           Non-Transferability of Option.  This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant.

 

14.           Binding Agreement.  Subject to the limitation on the transferability of this grant contained herein, this Award Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

15.           Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock.  If at any time the Company will determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or foreign law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of Shares to Participant (or his or her estate), such issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval will have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  The Company will make all reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of any such state, federal or foreign law or securities exchange and to obtain any such consent or approval of any such governmental authority.  Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares will be considered transferred to Participant on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

 

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16.           [Lock-Up Agreement.  In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities, Optionee hereby agrees not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company however and whenever acquired (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company and the managing underwriters for such offering for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.  In addition, upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing a public offering of the Company’s securities (other than the initial public offering), Optionee hereby agrees to be bound by similar restrictions, and to sign a similar agreement, in connection with no more than one additional registration statement filed within 12 months after the closing date of the initial public offering, provided that the duration of the lock-up period with respect to such additional registration shall not exceed 90 days from the effective date of such additional registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during the last 17 days of the restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or prior to the expiration of the restricted period the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period, then, upon the request of the managing underwriter, to the extent required by any FINRA rules, the restrictions imposed by this subsection shall continue to apply until the end of the third trading day following the expiration of the 15-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.  In no event will the restricted period extend beyond 216 days after the effective date of the registration statement.  In order to enforce the restriction set forth above, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this Agreement until the end of the applicable stand-off period.  The Company’s underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Section.

 

If the underwriters release or waive any of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the underwriters shall notify the Company at least three business days before the effective date of any such release or waiver.  Further, the Company will announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.  Any release or waiver granted by the underwriters shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release.  The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (x) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (y) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms of the lock-up provisions applicable in general to the extent, and for the duration, that such lock-up provision remain in effect at the time of the transfer.] [NOTE:  ONLY INCLUDE FOR AWARDS GRANTED PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LOCK-UP PERIOD.]

 

17.           Plan Governs.  This Award Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions of the Plan.  In the event of a conflict between one or more provisions of this Award Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.  Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Award Agreement will have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

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18.           Administrator Authority.  The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Shares subject to the Option have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Award Agreement.

 

19.           Electronic Delivery.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to Options awarded under the Plan or future options that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

20.           Language.  If Participant has received this Agreement, including Appendices, or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English, and the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

 

21.           Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the Option and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

22.           Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.

 

23.           Agreement Severable.  In the event that any provision in this Award Agreement will be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Award Agreement.

 

24.           Modifications to the Agreement.  This Award Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Award Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Award Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Award Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Award Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Code Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A of the Code in connection to this Option.

 

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25.           Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Option under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.

 

26.           Governing Law.  This Award Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.  For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this Option or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York, and agree that such litigation will be conducted in the courts of the County of New York, New York, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of New York, and no other courts, where this Option is made and/or to be performed.

 

o  O  o

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.

 

2012 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

 

Shutterstock, Inc.

60 Broad Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

 

1.                                       Exercise of Option.  Effective as of today,                                 ,           , the undersigned (“Purchaser”) hereby elects to purchase                              shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock of Shutterstock, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the 2012 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Award Agreement dated                  (the “Award Agreement”).  The purchase price for the Shares will be $                          , as required by the Award Agreement.

 

2.                                       Delivery of Payment.  Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price of the Shares and any required tax withholding to be paid in connection with the exercise of the Option.

 

3.                                       Representations of Purchaser.  Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Award Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

 

4.                                       Rights as Stockholder.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares so acquired will be issued to Purchaser as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

 

5.                                       Tax Consultation.  Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares.  Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

 

6.                                       Entire Agreement; Governing Law.  The Plan and Award Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.  This Exercise Notice, the Plan and the Award Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter

 

 

hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of New York.

 

	
Submitted   by:
    	
 
    	
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PURCHASER:
    	
 
    	
SHUTTERSTOCK, INC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
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Date   Received
    

 

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SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.

 

2012 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Shutterstock, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”).

 

I.                                         NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

 

Participant Name:

 

Address:

 

You have been granted the right to receive an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number

 

Date of Grant

 

Vesting Commencement Date

 

Number of Restricted Stock Units

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan or set forth below, the Restricted Stock Unit will vest in accordance with the following schedule:

 

[INSERT VESTING SCHEDULE]

 

In the event Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason before Participant vests in the Restricted Stock Unit, the Restricted Stock Unit and Participant’s right to acquire any Shares hereunder will immediately terminate.

 

By Participant’s signature and the signature of the representative of Shutterstock, Inc. (the “Company”) below, Participant and the Company agree that this Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, all of which are made a part of this document.  Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Award Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Award Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Award Agreement.  Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Award Agreement.  Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

 

 

	
PARTICIPANT:
    	
 
    	
SHUTTERSTOCK, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
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Residence   Address:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

 

1.                                       Grant.  The Company hereby grants to the individual named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Award Agreement (the “Participant”) under the Plan an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Award Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to Section 18 of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan will prevail.

 

2.                                       Company’s Obligation to Pay.  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive a Share on the date it vests.  Unless and until the Restricted Stock Units will have vested in the manner set forth in Section 3, Participant will have no right to payment of any such Restricted Stock Units.  Prior to actual payment of any vested Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Unit will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.  Any Restricted Stock Units that vest in accordance with Sections 3 or 4 will be paid to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her estate) in whole Shares, subject to Participant satisfying any applicable tax withholding obligations as set forth in Section 7.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4, such vested Restricted Stock Units will be paid in Shares as soon as practicable after vesting, but in each such case within the period ending no later than the date that is two and one-half (21⁄2) months from the end of the Company’s tax year that includes the vesting date.

 

3.                                       Vesting Schedule.  Except as provided in Section 4, and subject to Section 5, the Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Restricted Stock Units scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain condition will not vest in Participant in accordance with any of the provisions of this Award Agreement, unless Participant will have been continuously a Service Provider from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting occurs.

 

4.                                       Administrator Discretion.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Restricted Stock Units at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan.  If so accelerated, such Restricted Stock Units will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Award Agreement to the contrary, if the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the Restricted Stock Units is accelerated in connection with Participant’s termination as a Service Provider (provided that such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), other than due to death, and if (x) Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such termination as a Service Provider and (y) the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if paid to Participant on or within the six (6) month period following Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, then the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will not be made until the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, unless the Participant dies

 

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following his or her termination as a Service Provider, in which case, the Restricted Stock Units will be paid in Shares to the Participant’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death.  It is the intent of this Award Agreement to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the Restricted Stock Units provided under this Award Agreement or Shares issuable thereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply.  For purposes of this Award Agreement, “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and any proposed, temporary or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time.

 

5.                                       Forfeiture upon Termination of Status as a Service Provider.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Award Agreement, the balance of the Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of the time of Participant’s termination as a Service Provider for any or no reason and Participant’s right to acquire any Shares hereunder will immediately terminate.

 

6.                                       Death of Participant.  Any distribution or delivery to be made to Participant under this Award Agreement will, if Participant is then deceased, be made to Participant’s designated beneficiary, or if no beneficiary survives Participant, the administrator or executor of Participant’s estate.  Any such transferee must furnish the Company with (a) written notice of his or her status as transferee, and (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to establish the validity of the transfer and compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to said transfer.

 

7.                                       Withholding of Taxes.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Award Agreement, no certificate representing the Shares will be issued to Participant, unless and until satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Administrator) will have been made by Participant with respect to the payment of income, employment and other taxes which the Company determines must be withheld with respect to such Shares.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part (without limitation) by (a) paying cash, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, (c) delivering to the Company already vested and owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (d) selling a sufficient number of such Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant through such means as the Company may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld.  To the extent determined appropriate by the Company in its discretion, it will have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any tax withholding obligations by reducing the number of Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant.  If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any required tax withholding obligations hereunder at the time any applicable Restricted Stock Units otherwise are scheduled to vest pursuant to Sections 3 or 4, Participant will permanently forfeit such Restricted Stock Units and any right to receive Shares thereunder and the Restricted Stock Units will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company.

 

8.                                       Rights as Stockholder.  Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars,

 

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and delivered to Participant.  After such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

9.                                       No Guarantee of Continued Service.  PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT) AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT) TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

 

10.                                 Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Award Agreement will be addressed to the Company, in care of its General Counsel at Shutterstock, Inc., 60 Broad Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

 

11.                                 Grant is Not Transferable.  Except to the limited extent provided in Section 6, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby will not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and will not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process.  Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby immediately will become null and void.

 

12.                                 Binding Agreement.  Subject to the limitation on the transferability of this grant contained herein, this Award Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

13.                                 Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock.  If at any time the Company will determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of Shares to Participant (or his or her estate), such issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval will have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  Where the Company determines that the delivery of the payment of any Shares will violate federal securities laws or other applicable laws, the Company will defer delivery until the earliest date at which the Company reasonably anticipates

 

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that the delivery of Shares will no longer cause such violation.  The Company will make all reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of any such state or federal law or securities exchange and to obtain any such consent or approval of any such governmental authority.

 

14.                                 [Lock-Up Agreement.  In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities, Participant hereby agrees not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company however and whenever acquired (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company and the managing underwriters for such offering for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.  In addition, upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing a public offering of the Company’s securities (other than the initial public offering), Participant hereby agrees to be bound by similar restrictions, and to sign a similar agreement, in connection with no more than one additional registration statement filed within 12 months after the closing date of the initial public offering, provided that the duration of the lock-up period with respect to such additional registration shall not exceed 90 days from the effective date of such additional registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during the last 17 days of the restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or prior to the expiration of the restricted period the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period, then, upon the request of the managing underwriter, to the extent required by any FINRA rules, the restrictions imposed by this subsection shall continue to apply until the end of the third trading day following the expiration of the 15-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.  In no event will the restricted period extend beyond 216 days after the effective date of the registration statement.  In order to enforce the restriction set forth above, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this Agreement until the end of the applicable stand-off period.  The Company’s underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Section.

 

If the underwriters release or waive any of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the underwriters shall notify the Company at least three business days before the effective date of any such release or waiver.  Further, the Company will announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.  Any release or waiver granted by the underwriters shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release.  The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (x) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (y) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms of the lock-up provisions applicable in general to the extent, and for the duration, that such lock-up provision remain in effect at the time of the transfer.] [NOTE:  ONLY INCLUDE FOR AWARDS GRANTED PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LOCK-UP PERIOD.]

 

15.                                 Plan Governs.  This Award Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions of

 

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the Plan.  In the event of a conflict between one or more provisions of this Award Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.  Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Award Agreement will have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

16.                                 Administrator Authority.  The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Restricted Stock Units have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Award Agreement.

 

17.                                 Electronic Delivery.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan or future Restricted Stock Units that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

18.                                 Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.

 

19.                                 Agreement Severable.  In the event that any provision in this Award Agreement will be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Award Agreement.

 

20.                                 Modifications to the Agreement.  This Award Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Award Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Award Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Award Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Award Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A in connection to this Award of Restricted Stock Units.

 

21.                                 Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.

 

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22.                                 Governing Law.  This Award Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.  For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this Award of Restricted Stock Units or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York, and agree that such litigation will be conducted in the courts of the County of New York, New York, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of New York, and no other courts, where this Option is made and/or to be performed.

 

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