Document:

Exhibit 10.1
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AUTOZONE, INC.
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
ARTICLE 1.
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PURPOSE
The purpose of the AutoZone, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation, (the “Company”) by linking the individual interests of the members of the Board and Employees to those of the Company’s stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Company’s stockholders.  The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board and Employees upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.
ARTICLE 2.
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DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1“Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 12 hereof.  With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.6 hereof, or which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.
2.2“Affiliate” shall mean any Parent or Subsidiary.
2.3“Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.
2.4“Award” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Dividend Equivalent award, a Deferred Stock award, a Stock Payment award, a Stock Appreciation Right, an Other Incentive Award, Cash-Based Award, or a Performance-Based Award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.
2.5“Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.
2.6“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7“Cash-Based Award” means an award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
2.8“Cause” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement or other contractual agreement between the Participant and the Company, the willful engagement by Participant in conduct which is demonstrably or materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.  For this purpose, no act or failure to act by the Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.
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2.9“Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a)The consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or other business combination pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power and outstanding stock immediately prior to such transaction do not (either directly or indirectly) own a majority of the outstanding voting power and outstanding stock or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction;
(b)The sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c)During any period of twelve (12) months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company, then still in office, who were either directors on the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, excluding any new directors if such individual’s election or appointment to the Board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest as described in Rule 14a-12(c) of the Exchange Act with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board then in office; or
(d)Any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired or obtained “beneficial ownership” (as determined for purposes of  Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than twenty five percent (25%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b) or (c) with respect to such Award shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5).
Consistent with the terms of this Section 2.9, the Administrator shall have full and final authority to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto. A transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state in which the Company is incorporated, form a holding company or effect a similar reorganization as to form whereupon this Plan and all Awards are assumed by the successor entity shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control.
2.10“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.
2.11“Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board described in Article 12 hereof.
2.12“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
2.13“Company” shall mean AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation.
2.14“Deferred Stock” shall mean a right to receive Shares awarded under Section 9.3 hereof.
2.15“Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.
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2.16“Disability” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement or other contractual agreement between the Participant and the Company, a determination by the Company that the Participant is “totally disabled,” within its meaning in the Company’s long term disability plan as in effect from time to time.
2.17“Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 9.1 hereof.
2.18“DRO” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.
2.19“Effective Date” shall mean the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Prior Plan shall remain in effect on its existing terms unless and until the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
2.20“Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.
2.21“Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or of any Affiliate.
2.22“Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.
2.23“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.24“Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
(a)If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a share of Common Stock on the date in question, the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(b)If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a share of Common Stock on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(c)If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith in a manner that is consistent with applicable tax and accounting rules.
2.25“Full Value Award” shall mean any Award other than (i) an Option, (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) a Cash-Based Award or (iv) any other Award for which a Participant pays the intrinsic value existing as of the date of grant (whether directly or by forgoing a right to receive a payment from the Company or any Affiliate).
2.26“Good Reason” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement or other contractual agreement between the Participant and the Company, (i) a material diminution in the Participant’s base
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salary except for across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all or substantially all similarly situated employees of the Company, (ii) a material diminution in the Participant’s duties and responsibilities, or (iii) a change of more than 50 miles in the geographic location at which the Participant provides services to the Company, so long as the Participant provides at least 90 days’ notice to the Company following the initial occurrence of any such event and the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days thereafter.
2.27“Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then-owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).
2.28“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.29“Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
2.30“Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.31“Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 6 hereof.  An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
2.32“Other Incentive Award” shall mean an Award denominated in, linked to or derived from Shares or value metrics related to Shares, granted pursuant to Section 9.6 hereof.
2.33“Parent” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.34“Participant” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.
2.35“Performance-Based Awards” shall have the meaning assigned to in Section 5.1.
2.36“Performance Criteria” means the performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received grants of Performance-Based Awards.  The potential Performance Criteria that may be used for Awards under this Plan may be any objective, metric, or goal established by the Committee.  If the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, the manner in which it conducts its business, the economy or any other events or circumstances deemed relevant by the Committee render the Performance Criteria unsuitable, including but not limited to force majeure events such as Acts of God, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, the Committee may in its discretion modify such Performance Criteria or the acceptable levels of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable.
2.37“Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance-Based Award.
2.38“Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined under the instructions to use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account any state, federal, local or foreign tax and securities laws applicable to transferable Awards.  In addition, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted
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Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.
2.39“Plan” shall mean this AutoZone, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.40“Prior Plan” shall mean the Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
2.41“Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.
2.42“Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under the Plan hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.
2.43“Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a contractual right awarded under the Plan to receive in the future a Share or the cash value of a Share.
2.44“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.45“Share Limit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a) hereof.
2.46“Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.
2.47“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.
2.48“Stock Payment” shall mean a payment in the form of Shares awarded under Section 9.2 hereof.
2.49“Stockholder Approval Date” shall mean the date on which the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan.
2.50“Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.51“Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding equity award previously granted by a company or other entity; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
2.52“Termination of Service” shall mean
(a)As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.
(b)As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.
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The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Terminations of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether any Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Program, Award Agreement or otherwise, a leave of absence or change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence or change in status interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code.  For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).
ARTICLE 3.
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SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1Number of Shares. Subject to Sections 3, 13.1 and 13.2 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be equal to 1,200,000 (the “Share Limit”).  Following the Effective Date, no further grants shall be made under the Prior Plan, and any grants made under the Prior Plan between October 19, 2020 and the Effective Date shall reduce the Share Limit as provided for the award type herein.  Any awards under the Prior Plan shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Prior Plan.  The number of Shares subject to the Share Limit is the limit on Shares that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules, Awards that provide for the delivery of Shares subsequent to the applicable grant date may be granted in excess of the Share Limit if such Awards provide for the forfeiture or cash settlement of such Awards to the extent that insufficient Shares remain under the Share Limit at the time that Shares would otherwise be issued in respect of such Award.
(a)The Share Limit shall be reduced by two (2) Shares for each Share delivered in settlement of an Award that is a Full Value Award and by one (1) Share for each Share delivered in settlement of an that is not a Full Value Award.
(b)Awards under the Plan that expire unexercised or are forfeited, settled for cash, canceled or otherwise terminated without the delivery of Shares (in each case in whole or in part), shall immediately become available for new Awards to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, termination or cash settlement. Any Share that again becomes available for grant pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be added back as one (1) Share if such Share was subject to an Option or SAR, and as two (2) Shares if such Share was subject to the grant of a Full Value Award.
(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Share Limit:  (i) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (iii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof; and (iv) Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options.  Any Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 8.4 at the same price paid by the Participant so that such shares are returned to the Company will again be available for Awards.  The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(c), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
(d)Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan.  Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common
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stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan in the Board’s discretion at the time of such acquisition or combination and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided, however, that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
3.2Stock Distributed.  Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.
ARTICLE 4.
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GRANTING OF AWARDS
4.1Participation.  The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom one or more Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan.  No Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
4.2Award Agreement.  Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement stating the terms and conditions applicable to such Award, consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program.
4.3Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, with respect to any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, any applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and such additional limitations shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into such Award to the extent permitted by applicable law.
4.4At-Will Service.  Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue as an Employee or a Director of the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of service or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate.
4.5Foreign Participants.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees or Non-Employee Directors, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share Limit; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Code, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, the rules of the securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law.
4.6Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards.  Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted
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pursuant to the Plan.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.
4.7Maximum Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the value of all Awards awarded under this Plan and all other cash compensation paid by the Company to any Non-Employee Director in any calendar year shall not exceed $750,000.  For the purpose of this limitation, the value of any Award shall be its grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with ASC 718 or successor provision but excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting provisions.  The Board may make exceptions to the applicable limit in this Section 4.7 for individual Non-Employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, such as where any such individual Non-Employee Directors are serving on a special litigation or transactions committee of the Board, as the Board may determine in its discretion, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation involving such Non-Employee Director.
ARTICLE 5.
GRANTING OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS
5.1Granting of Performance-Based Awards to Eligible Individuals.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, may make Awards which are denominated in Shares or cash subject to Performance Criteria (such grants, “Performance-Based Awards”). Such Performance-Based Awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive, or vest with respect to, one or more Shares or the cash value of the Award upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of Performance Criteria.  Performance-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other grants granted under the Plan.  A Participant’s Performance-Based Award shall be determined based on the attainment of Performance Criteria approved by the Committee for a Performance Period established by the Committee while the outcome for that Performance Period is substantially uncertain.
5.2Applicability.  The grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual for a particular Performance Period shall not require the grant of an Award to such Eligible Individual in any subsequent Performance Period and the grant of an Award to any one Eligible Individual shall not require the grant of an Award to any other Eligible Individual in such period or in any other period.
5.3Payment of Performance-Based Awards.  Unless otherwise provided herein or in the applicable Program or Award Agreement, the holder of a Performance-Based Award must be employed by the Company or an Affiliate throughout the applicable Performance Period.  The Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a Performance Period, the applicable Performance Criteria have been met with respect to a given Participant. The amount of the Performance-Based Award determined by the Committee for a Performance Period shall be paid to the Participant at such time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of such Performance Period; provided, however, that a Participant may, if and to the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, elect to defer payment of a Performance-Based Award.
ARTICLE 6.
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GRANTING OF OPTIONS
6.1Granting of Options to Eligible Individuals.  The Administrator is authorized to grant Options to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.
6.2Qualification of Incentive Stock Options.  No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).  No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.  Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified
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by the Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and any Affiliate corporation thereof exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.  The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. In addition, to the extent that any Options otherwise fail to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
6.3Option Exercise Price.  Except as provided in Section 6.6 hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Option shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).  In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).
6.4Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term (a) with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date of grant, or five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder and (b) with respect to Non-Qualified Stock Options shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date of grant.  The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise vested Options, which time period may not extend beyond the stated term of the Option. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code, the Administrator may extend the term of any outstanding Option, and may extend the time period during which vested Options may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Participant, and, subject to Section 13.1 hereof, may amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a Termination of Service.
6.5Option Vesting.
(a)The terms and conditions pursuant to which an Option vests in the Participant and becomes exercisable shall be determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.  Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any of the Performance Criteria, or any other criteria selected by the Administrator.  At any time after grant of an Option, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the vesting of the Option.
(b)No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in a Program, the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option.
6.6Substitute Awards.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6 to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, however, that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.
6.7Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Administrator may provide in an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided, however, that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to
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the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price and remaining term as the substituted Option.
ARTICLE 7.
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EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
7.1Partial Exercise.  An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part.  However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of shares.
7.2Manner of Exercise.  All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:
(a)A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised.  The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;
(b)Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations, the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law.  The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;
(c)In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 hereof by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and
(d)Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Sections 11.1 and 11.2 hereof.
7.3Notification Regarding Disposition.  The Participant shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Participant, or (b) one year after the transfer of such shares to such Participant.
ARTICLE 8.
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RESTRICTED STOCK
8.1Award of Restricted Stock.
(a)The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.
(b)The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.  In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by applicable law.
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8.2Rights as Stockholders.  Subject to Section 8.4 hereof, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in an applicable Program or in the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided, however, that any Shares, cash or any other property distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be accumulated or credited, and shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as such Restricted Stock and shall not be paid until and unless the underlying Award vests.
8.3Restrictions.  All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Participants thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of an applicable Program or in the applicable Award Agreement, be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide.  Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Participant’s duration of employment or directorship with the Company, the Performance Criteria, Company or Affiliate performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator.  Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire.
8.4Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock.  If no price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration. If a price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement.  The Administrator in its sole discretion may provide that, upon certain events, including without limitation a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability, any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company cease to have a right of repurchase.
8.5Certificates for Restricted Stock.  Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine.  Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock must include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, in its sole discretion, retain physical possession of any stock certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
8.6Section 83(b) Election.  If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE 9.
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DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, STOCK PAYMENTS, DEFERRED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS; CASH-BASED AWARDS, OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS
9.1Dividend Equivalents.
(a)Subject to Section 9.1(b) hereof, Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Participant and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator.  Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator.  In addition, Dividend Equivalents
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with respect to Shares covered by an Award shall only be paid out to the Participant at the same time or times and to the same extent that the vesting conditions, if any, are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests with respect to such Shares.
(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
9.2Stock Payments.  The Administrator is authorized to make one or more Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual.  The number or value of shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator.  Stock Payments may, but are not required to be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.
9.3Deferred Stock.  The Administrator is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to any Eligible Individual.  The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, as the Administrator determines, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom.  Shares underlying a Deferred Stock Award which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator will not be issued until those conditions have been satisfied.  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a holder of Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Award has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Participant.
9.4Restricted Stock Units.  The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual.  The number and terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Administrator.  The Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including conditions based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator.  The Administrator shall specify, or, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, permit the Participant to elect, the conditions and dates upon which the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units which shall be issued, which dates shall not be earlier than the date as of which the Restricted Stock Units vest and become nonforfeitable and which conditions and dates shall be subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom.  On the distribution dates, the Company shall issue to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share (or the Fair Market Value of one such Share in cash) for each vested and nonforfeitable Restricted Stock Unit.
9.5Grant of Cash-Based Awards.  The Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan or pursuant to a Program.  A Cash-Based Award is an Award that entitles the Participant to a payment in cash upon the attainment of Performance Criteria.  The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator.  At the Administrator’s discretion, Cash-Based Awards may be settled in Shares.
9.6Other Incentive Awards.  The Administrator is authorized to grant Other Incentive Awards to any Eligible Individual, which Awards may cover Shares or the right to purchase Shares or have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or that are otherwise payable in or based on, Shares, shareholder value or shareholder return, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Other Incentive Awards may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific criteria determined appropriate by the Administrator.
9.7Cash Settlement.  Without limiting the generality of any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator may provide, in an Award Agreement or subsequent to the grant of an Award, in its discretion, that any Award may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.
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9.8Other Terms and Conditions.  All applicable terms and conditions of each Award described in this Article 9, including without limitation, as applicable, the term, vesting and exercise/purchase price applicable to the Award, shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion, provided, however, that the value of the consideration paid by a Participant for an Award shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.
9.9Exercise upon Termination of Service.  Awards described in this Article 9 are exercisable or distributable, as applicable, only while the Participant is an Employee or a Director, as applicable.  The Administrator, however, in its sole discretion, may provide that such Award may be exercised or distributed subsequent to a Termination of Service as provided under an applicable Program, Award Agreement, payment deferral election and/or in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.
ARTICLE 10.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
10.1Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a)The Administrator is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine consistent with the Plan.
(b)A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the Stock Appreciation Right from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.  Except as described in Section 10.1(c) hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 10.1(b) hereof to the contrary, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided, however, that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of:  (x) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.
10.2Stock Appreciation Right Vesting.
(a)The Administrator shall determine the period during which a Participant shall vest in a Stock Appreciation Right and have the right to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right in whole or in part.  Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, or any other criteria selected by the Administrator.  At any time after grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the period during which a Stock Appreciation Right vests.
(b)No portion of a Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in an applicable Program or Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.
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10.3Manner of Exercise.  All or a portion of an exercisable Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the stock administrator of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:
(a)A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised.  The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then-entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right or such portion of the Stock Appreciation Right;
(b)Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations.  The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance; and
(c)In the event that the Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 10.3 by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right.
10.4Stock Appreciation Right Term.  The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.  The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise any vested Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Stock Appreciation Right term.  Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may extend the term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, and may extend the time period during which vested Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in connection with any Termination of Service of the Participant, and, subject to Section 13.1 hereof, may amend any other term or condition of such Stock Appreciation Right relating to such a Termination of Service.
ARTICLE 11.
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS
11.1Payment.  The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided, however, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (d) with respect to Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Shares issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price or (e) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator.  The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
11.2Tax Withholding.  The Company and its Affiliates shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company or an Affiliate, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s social security, Medicare and any other employment tax obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result
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of the Plan.  The Administrator may in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company or an Affiliate withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares).  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, the number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates or federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.  The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.
11.3Transferability of Awards.
(a)Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(b) or (c) hereof:
(i)No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed;
(ii)No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to the satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by clause (i) of this provision; and
(iii)During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to such Participant under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by his personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee (other to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); and (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including without limitation, documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer.
(c)Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death or Disability.  A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.  If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under applicable law and resides in a “community property” state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or
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domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner; provided that such consent is required by applicable state law.  If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death or Disability.
11.4Conditions to Issuance of Shares.
(a)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor its Affiliates shall be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration.  In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.
(b)All Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded.  The Administrator may place legends on any Share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.
(c)The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d)No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.
(e)Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company and/or its Affiliates may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
11.5Forfeiture Provisions.  Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that: (a)(i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (b)(i) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (ii) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (iii) the Participant incurs a Termination of Service for Cause.
11.6Repricing.  Subject to Section 13.2 hereof, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per share, or (ii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares.  Subject to Section 13.2 hereof, the Administrator shall have the authority, without the approval of the
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stockholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the price per share or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having a price per share that is greater than or equal to the price per share of the original Award.
ARTICLE 12.
ADMINISTRATION
12.1Administrator.  The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision; provided, however, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 12.l or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee.  Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment.  Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board.  Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.6 hereof.
12.2Duties and Powers of Administrator.  It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions.  The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement provided that the rights or obligations of the holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected adversely by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 13.10 hereof.  Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Participant.  Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.  In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.
12.3Action by the Committee.  Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.  Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
12.4Authority of Administrator.  Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:
(a)Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;
(b)Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;
(c)Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;
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(d)Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;
(e)Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(f)Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;
(g)Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award, including resolution of any disputes;
(h)Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(i)Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement;
(j)Grant Substitute Awards on such terms and conditions as the Administrator may prescribe, subject to compliance with the incentive stock option rules under Section 422 of the Code and the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code, where applicable;
(k)Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and
(l)Establish a Program or Programs under the Plan, as may be adopted or amended from time to time.
12.5Decisions Binding.  The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all parties.
12.6Delegation of Authority.  To the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 12; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, or amend awards held by the following individuals:  (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible applicable securities laws or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.  Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee.  At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.
ARTICLE 13.
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MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
13.1Amendment, Restatement, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended, restated or otherwise modified, suspended or
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terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board.  However, without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, (i) increase the Share Limit, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 11.6 hereof. Except as provided in Section 13.10 hereof, no amendment, restatement, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.  No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. In addition, in no event may any Incentive Stock Option be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which the Board adopted the Plan (subject to shareholder approval).
13.2Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.
(a)In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator shall make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the Share Limit); (ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and/or (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
(b)In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:
(i)To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2, the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;
(ii)To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;
(iii)To make adjustments in the number and type of securities subject to outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future and/or in the terms, conditions and criteria included in such Awards (including the grant or exercise price, as applicable);
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(iv)To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all securities covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or an applicable Program or Award Agreement; and
(v)To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.
(c)In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b) hereof:
(i)The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted.  The adjustment provided under this Section 13.2(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.
(ii)The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments to the Share Limit).  The adjustments provided under this Section 13.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.
(d)Change in Control. Except as may be determined otherwise by the Board, the following terms shall govern in the event of a Change in Control.
(i)In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed, continued or an equivalent award substituted, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree (each, an “Assumed Award”), by the successor entity or a parent or subsidiary of the successor entity (“Successor”); provided, however, that if the Participant’s service with the Successor is terminated without Cause by the Successor, for Good Reason by the Participant, or on account of the Participant’s death or Disability, in each case within 12 months following such Change in Control, each then-outstanding and unvested Assumed Award held by such Participant shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable, and all forfeiture restrictions on such Assumed Awards shall lapse at such time.
(ii)In the event that a Successor refuses to assume, continue or substitute for any Award in accordance with Section 13.2(d)(i) hereof, each such Award shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable and shall be deemed exercised, immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, and all forfeiture restrictions on any or all such Awards shall lapse at such time.  If an Award vests and, as applicable, is exercised in lieu of assumption, continuation or substitution in connection with a Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant of such vesting and any applicable exercise, and the Award shall terminate upon the Change in Control.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the value of an Award that is terminated in connection with this Section 13.2(d)(ii) is zero or negative at the time of such Change in Control, such Award shall be terminated upon the Change in Control without payment of consideration therefor.
(iii)Notwithstanding Section 13.2(d)(i) and (ii), upon a Change in Control, all Performance-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards shall become vested and nonforfeitable in the Administrator’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant Award Agreement.
(e)The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(f)No adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code.  Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized with respect to any Award to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.
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(g)The existence of the Plan, the Program, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
(h)No action shall be taken under this Section 13.2 which shall cause an Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom, in either case, to the extent applicable to such Award, unless the Administrator determines any such adjustments to be appropriate.
(i)In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.
13.3Approval of Plan by Stockholders.  The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. If the Plan is not approved by the stockholders within twelve (12) months after its adoption by the Board, then the Prior Plan shall continue on its existing terms and conditions and the Plan shall be of no force or effect.
13.4No Stockholders Rights.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in an Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such shares of Common Stock.
13.5Paperless Administration.  In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
13.6Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans.  Except as set forth in Section 3.1(a) above, the adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate.  Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees or Directors of the Company or any Affiliate, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.
13.7Compliance with Laws.  The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith.  Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
13.8Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act.  The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan,
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rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.
13.9Governing Law.  The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Nevada without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.
13.10Section 409A.  The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect to amounts that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that this Plan be administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement covering such Award shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that, following the Effective Date, the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes on the Award under Section 409A of the Code, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or with an available exemption therefrom. In the event that it is reasonably determined by the Administrator that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company may make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code; which, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A, shall be the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other document governing the issuance of such Award, payment of any Performance-Based Award intended to qualify as a “short term deferral” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations shall be made between the first day following the close of the applicable Performance Period and the last day of the “applicable 2 1⁄2 month period” as defined therein. Although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A or any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law.  The Company shall not be liable to any Participant for any tax, interest, or penalties that Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.
13.11No Rights to Awards.  No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.
13.12Unfunded Status of Awards.  The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
13.13Indemnification.  To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Board and any officer or other employee to whom authority to administer any component of the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided, however, that he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
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13.14Relationship to other Benefits.  No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
13.15Data Privacy.  As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this paragraph by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan.  The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares of stock held in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, details of all Awards, in each case, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. Through acceptance of an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws his or her consents as described herein.  For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
13.16Clawback.  Any Award granted pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Participant to the Company (i) to the extent set forth in any Award Agreement, (ii) to the extent that such Participant is, or in the future becomes, subject to (a) any “clawback” or recoupment policy adopted by the Company or any Affiliate thereof to comply with the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, including pursuant to final rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or otherwise, or (b) any applicable laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such applicable laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.17Expenses.  The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.
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*  *  *  *  *
The foregoing Plan was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of AutoZone, Inc. on October 7, 2020 with amendments approved on November 20, 2020.
*  *  *  *  *
The foregoing Plan was approved by the stockholders of AutoZone, Inc. on December 16, 2020.

23Exhibit 10.2
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AUTOZONE, INC. 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
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STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
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AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the “Participant”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) set forth below (the “Option”).  This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Stock Option Agreement”) and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference.  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.
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	Participant:
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	Employee ID#:
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	Grant Date:
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	Exercise Price per Share:
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	Total Number of Shares Subject to the Option:
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	Vesting Commencement Date:
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	Expiration Date:
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	Type of Option:
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	Vesting Schedule:
	The shares subject to the Option shall vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments on the first, second, third, and fourth anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, provided that the Participant has not experienced a Termination of Service prior to the applicable vesting date.

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	Termination
	The Option shall terminate on the Expiration Date set forth above or, if earlier, in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.

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By his or her signature, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice.  The Participant has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the Option.
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	AUTOZONE, INC.
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	PARTICIPANT
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EXHIBIT A
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TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
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STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant an option under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of Shares indicated in the Grant Notice (the “Option”).  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan.
ARTICLE I.
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GENERAL
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1.1        Incorporation of Terms of Plan.  The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
1.2        Definitions.
(a)         “Cause” shall mean the willful engagement by Participant in conduct which is demonstrably or materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.  For this purpose, no act or failure to act by the Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.
(b)         “Disability” shall mean a determination by the Company that Participant is “totally disabled,” within its meaning in the Company’s long term disability plan as in effect from time to time.
(c)         “Downgrading Event” shall mean any event that results in the Participant’s employment position with the Company (1) changing from a “full time” position to a “part-time” position (whether at the Participant’s request or the Company’s direction), or (2) changing to an Ineligible Position (whether at the Participant’s request or the Company’s direction) that is at least four salary or pay grade levels below such Participant’s employment position at the time such Participant changes his or her employment position with the Company, in all cases as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, a bona fide leave of absence and a temporary change in a Participant’s position following a bona fide leave of absence (in all cases, approved by the Company in writing) shall not be considered a Downgrading Event.
(d)         “Ineligible Position” means an employment position or classification within the Company where Persons who hold such a position or classification generally are ineligible under the Company’s grant policies to receive grants of awards pursuant to the Plan as of the Grant Date.
(e)         “Retirement” shall mean Participant’s retirement at normal retirement age, defined as the earliest date on which the Participant (i) has attained age 55, (ii) has completed at least 5 years of full-time service with the Company, and (iii) the sum of the number of full-time years of service and Participant’s age equals at least 65.
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ARTICLE II.
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 GRANT OF OPTION
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2.1        Grant of Option.  In consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or any of its Affiliates and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to the Participant the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of Shares set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.  Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.
2.2        Exercise Price.  The exercise price of the Shares subject to the Option shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that the price per Share of the Shares subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the price per share of the Shares subject to the Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.
2.3        Consideration to the Company.  In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any of its Affiliates.  Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any of its Affiliates or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and the Participant.
ARTICLE III.
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PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY
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3.1        Commencement of Exercisability.
(a)         Subject to Articles 3.2, 3.3, 5.10 and 5.13 hereof, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.  In addition, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in full upon the Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of the Participant’s death.
(b)         No portion of the Option which has not become vested and exercisable at the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant.  Any portion of this Option that is not exercisable at the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect (after taking into consideration any accelerated vesting which may occur in connection with such Termination of Service as set forth in a contractual agreement between the Company and the Participant (if any)).
(c)         Solely for purposes of this Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Downgrading Event, the Participant shall be deemed to have experienced a Termination of Service.
3.2        Duration of Exercisability.  The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative.  Each such installment which becomes vested and exercisable pursuant
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to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.
3.3        Expiration of Option.  The Option will terminate and may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:
(a)         The Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice;
(b)         If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date;
(c)         Except for those Participants who enter into a Severance Agreement, the expiration of ninety (90) days from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than (i) death or Disability, (ii) Retirement or (iii) by the Company for Cause;
(d)         The expiration of one (1) year from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability;
(e)         The expiration of the term stated in the Grant Notice following the Participant’s Termination of Service due to Retirement;
(f)          The commencement of business on the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company for Cause; or
(g)         In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company other than for Cause, the expiration of the “Severance Period” as defined in the Non-Compete and Severance Agreement entered into between the Participant and the Company, if any (“Severance Agreement”) (provided, however, that no portion of the Option which has not vested and become exercisable as of the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter vest and become exercisable).
The Participant acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three (3) months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment, other than by reason of death or Disability, will be taxed as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.  Participant further acknowledges that Participant is responsible for keeping track of the exercise periods following Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason.  The Company will not provide further notice of such periods.
3.4        Special Tax Consequences.  The Participant acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options, including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code.  The Participant further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking the Option and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE IV.
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EXERCISE OF OPTION
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4.1        Person Eligible to Exercise.  Except as provided in Articles 5.2(c) and 5.2(d) hereof, during the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof.  After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Article 3.3 hereof, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative
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or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.
4.2        Partial Exercise.  Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Article 3.3 hereof.  However, the Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares.
4.3        Manner of Exercise.  The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other person or entity designated by the Company) of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Article 3.3 hereof:
(a)         A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised.  The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;
(b)         Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Article 4.4 hereof;
(c)         Any other written representations or documents as may be required in the Administrator’s sole discretion to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations, the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law; and
(d)         In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Article 4.1 hereof by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.
4.4        Method of Payment.  Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Participant:
(a)         Cash;
(b)         Check;
(c)         With the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate exercise price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale;
(d)         With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other Shares which have been owned by the Participant for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised;
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(e)         With the consent of the Administrator, surrendered Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised; or
(f)          With the consent of the Administrator, such other form of legal consideration as may be acceptable to the Administrator.
4.5        Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates.  The Shares deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company.  Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Article 11.4 of the Plan.
4.6        Rights as Stockholder.  The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company to such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 13.2 of the Plan.
4.7        Acceleration of Vesting.  The vesting of the Award may be accelerated pursuant to the Plan, as provided therein.  In addition, the Company and Participant acknowledge that the vesting of the Option may be subject to acceleration in the event of a Termination of Service or certain other circumstances as set forth in a contractual agreement between the Company and the Participant.
4.8        Tax Withholding.  The Participant shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of the Option becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, local, and/or foreign taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event.  The Company shall have the authority to cause the minimum required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from Shares to be issued to the Participant a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due.
ARTICLE V.
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OTHER PROVISIONS
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5.1        Administration.  The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Option.
5.2        Transferability of Option.  Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan:
(a)         The Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until the Option has been exercised and the Shares underlying the Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;
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(b)         The Option shall not be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until the Option has been exercised, and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Article 5.2(a) hereof; and
(c)         During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise the Option (or any portion thereof), unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or this Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(d)         Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to the Option upon the Participant’s death.  A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, except to the extent the Plan and this Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.  If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under applicable law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Option shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner.  If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by the Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.
5.3        Tax Consultation.  Participant understands that Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the grant, vesting and/or exercise of the Option, and/or with the purchase or disposition of the Shares subject to the Option.  Participant represents that Participant has consulted with any tax consultants Participant deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of such Shares and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
5.4        Adjustments.  The Participant acknowledges that the Option and the Shares subject to the Option are subject to modification, adjustment and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article 13 of the Plan.
5.5        Notices.  Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company (or, in the event that the Participant is the Secretary of the Company, then to the Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board or Lead Director).  Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him at his home address on record with the Company.  By a notice given pursuant to this Article 5.5, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him.  Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participant’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Article 5.5.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
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5.6        Participant’s Representations.  If the Shares purchasable pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time this Option is exercised, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of this Option, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.
5.7        Captions.  Captions are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
5.8        Governing Law; Venue.  The laws of the State of Nevada shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Memphis, Tennessee, or the federal courts for the United States for the Western District of Tennessee.
5.9        Conformity to Securities Laws.  The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
5.10      Amendments, Suspension and Termination.  To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee or the Board, provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Option in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.
5.11      Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in this Article 5, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
5.12      Notification of Disposition.  If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such Shares or (b) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant.  Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Participant in such disposition or other transfer.
5.13      Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Option and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
5.14      Not a Contract of Service.  Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
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5.15      Entire Agreement.  The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and its Affiliates and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.
5.16      Section 409A.  The Option is subject to Article 13.10 of the Plan. The Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Company does not warrant the Option will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A or any other provision of federal, state, local, or foreign law, and that the Company shall not be liable for any tax, interest, or penalty that the Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding vesting, or exercise of the Option.
5.17      Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement and the Grant Notice are severable and if any one or more of the provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions will nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
5.18      Data Privacy Consent.  As a condition of the grant of the Option, the Participant hereby consents to the collection, use and transfer of personal data as described in this paragraph and in the Plan. The Participant understands that the Company and its subsidiaries hold certain personal information about the Participant, including name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number, salary, nationality, job title, ownership interests or directorships held in the Company or its subsidiaries, and details of all restricted units or other equity awards or other entitlements to Shares awarded, cancelled, exercised, vested or unvested (“Data”). The Participant further understands that the Company and its subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purposes of implementation, administration and management of the Participant’s participation in the Plan, and that the Company and any of its subsidiaries may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant understands that these recipients may be located in the European economic area or elsewhere, such as the United States. The Participant hereby authorizes them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan or the subsequent holding of Shares on the Participant’s behalf, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares acquired under the Plan. The Participant may, at any time, view such Data or require any necessary amendments to it.
5.19      Consent to Electronic Delivery of All Plan Documents and Disclosures. Participant and the Company agree that the Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and the Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Grant Notice and the Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Grant Notice and Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and the 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, the Grant Notice and the Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address.  By acceptance of this Option, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company and consents to the electronic delivery of the Grant Notice, the Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses required by applicable law, U.S. financial reports of the Company, and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) or other communications or information related to the Option and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant acknowledges that Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service or electronic mail to the Committee. Participant further acknowledges that Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically
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if electronic delivery fails; similarly, Participant understands that Participant must provide on request to the Company or any designated third party a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails. Also, Participant understands that Participant’s consent may be revoked or changed, including any change in the electronic mail address to which documents are delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address), at any time by notifying the Company of such revised or revoked consent by telephone, postal service or electronic mail to the Committee.
5.20      No Right to Future Grants; Extraordinary Item of Compensation. By accepting this Agreement and the grant of the Option contemplated hereunder, the Participant expressly acknowledges that (a) the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be suspended or terminated by the Company at any time; (b) the grant of the Option is a one-time benefit that does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of restricted stock units, or benefits in lieu of restricted stock units; (c) all determinations with respect to future grants of restricted stock units, if any, including the grant date, the number of Shares granted and the restricted period, will be at the sole discretion of the Company; (d) the Participant’s participation in the Plan is voluntary; (e) the value of the Option is an extraordinary item of compensation that is outside the scope of the Participant’s employment contract, if any, and nothing can or must automatically be inferred from such employment contract or its consequences; (f) grants of restricted stock units are not part of normal or expected compensation for any purpose and are not to be used for calculating any severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments, and the Participant waives any claim on such basis; and (g) the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty. In addition, the Participant understands, acknowledges and agrees that the Participant will have no rights to compensation or damages related to restricted stock unit proceeds in consequence of the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of contract.
5.21      Subject to Clawback.  The Option and any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to clawback or recoupment pursuant to any compensation clawback or recoupment policy adopted by the Board or required by law during the term of Participant’s service that is applicable to Participant. In addition to any other remedies available under such policy, applicable law may require the cancellation of Participant’s Option (whether vested or unvested) and the recoupment of any gains realized with respect to Participant’s Option.

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