Document:

Exhibit 10.4

 

SUNSHINE HEART, INC.
 AMENDED AND RESTATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: March 17, 2011

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: May 20, 2011
 APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: August 18, 2011

 

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: November 2, 2011
 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: November 29, 2011

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: June 26, 2012

 

1.                                      GENERAL.

 

(a)                                 Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan.  The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Sunshine Heart, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan (the “Prior Plan”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan shall remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan;  provided, however, any shares underlying outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement or are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares (the “Returning Shares”) shall become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Awards granted on or after the Effective Date of this Plan shall be subject to the terms of this Plan.

 

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

 

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

 

(d)                                 Purpose.  The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Awards as set forth in Section 1(b), to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such eligible recipients may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.

 

(e)                                  Listing Rules.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, while the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, the provisions of this Plan are subject to the Listing Rules and this Plan is deemed to include any provisions necessary to comply with the Listing Rules.

 

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2.                                      ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)                                 Administration by Board.  The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

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

 

(i)                                    To determine from time to time (A) which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Awards; (B) when and how each Award shall be granted; (C) what type or combination of types of Award shall be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive cash or Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

 

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

 

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

 

(iv)                             To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

(v)                                 To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with applicable law or stock exchange rules.

 

(vi)                             To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan into compliance therewith, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, to the extent required by applicable law or listing requirements, stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment of the Plan that either (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (D) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (E) expands the types of Awards available for

 

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issuance under the Plan. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant and such Participant consents in writing or (2) such amendment is necessary to maintain compliance with applicable law or stock exchange rules.

 

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

 

(viii)                     To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that except with respect to amendments that disqualify or impair the status of an Incentive Stock Option, a Participant’s rights under any Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant’s consent if necessary to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option, to bring the Award into compliance with Section 409A of the Code or to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with applicable law or stock exchange rules.

 

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

 

(x)                                 To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States.

 

(xi)                             Subject to the Listing Rules, to effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan and the grant in substitution therefor of (1) a new Option or SAR under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (2)  an Other Stock Award, (3) cash and/or (4) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion); or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(c)                                  Delegation to Committee.

 

(i)                                    General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the

 

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Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(ii)                                Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3 Compliance.  The Committee may consist solely of two (2) or more Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, or solely of two (2) or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.

 

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

 

3.                                      SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Share Reserve.  Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments and the Listing Rules, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards after the Effective Date shall not exceed 180,000,000 shares plus the number of the Returning Shares.  For clarity, the limitation in this Section 3(a) is a limitation in the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(3), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable stock exchange rules, and such issuance shall not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan. Furthermore, if a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement shall not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.  If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired, withheld, or not issued by the Company pursuant to Section 8(g) or as consideration for the exercise of an Option shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if an appreciation distribution in respect of a Stock Appreciation Right is paid in shares of Common Stock, the number of shares subject to the Stock Award that are not delivered to the Participant shall remain available for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)                                  Incentive Stock Option Limit.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3 and, subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization

 

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Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 180,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

(d)                                 Source of Shares.  Subject to the provisions of the Listing Rules and any law, regulation and agreement governing the Company, the stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

4.                                      ELIGIBILITY.

 

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

 

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

 

5.                                      PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.  Each Option or SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, then the Option shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

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

 

(b)                                 Exercise Price.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price (or strike price) of each Option or SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Option or SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an

 

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Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise price (or strike price) lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR if such Option or SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(v)                                 in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.

 

(d)                                 Exercise and Payment of a SAR.  To exercise any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate

 

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Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such Stock Appreciation Right, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date, over (B) the strike price that will be determined by the Board at the time of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution in respect to a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right.

 

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

 

(i)                                    Restrictions on Transfer.  An Option or SAR shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request. Except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

(ii)                                Domestic Relations Orders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

(iii)                            Beneficiary Designation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise satisfactory to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect Option exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Participant, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

 

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

 

(g)                                 Termination of Continuous Service.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company,

 

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

 

(h)                                 Extension of Termination Date. If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause or upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of three (3) months (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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

 

(j)                                    Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement during which an Option or SAR may be exercised after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest

 

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or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

 

(k)                                 Termination for Cause.  Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the date of such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant shall be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

 

(l)                                    Non-Exempt Employees.  No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the event of the Participant’s death or Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), any such vested Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

 

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

 

(a)                                 Performance Awards.

 

(i)                                    Performance Stock Awards.  A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award that may vest or may be exercised contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained shall be conclusively determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The maximum number of shares that may be granted to any Participant in a calendar year attributable to Stock Awards described in this Section 6(a)(i) shall not exceed 37,500,000 shares of Common Stock. The Board may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for, the payment of any Performance Stock Award to be deferred to a specified date or event. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.

 

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(ii)                                Performance Cash Awards.  A Performance Cash Award is a cash award that may be paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained shall be conclusively determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The maximum value that may be granted to any Participant in a calendar year attributable to cash awards described in this Section 6(a)(ii) shall not exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000).  The Board may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for, the payment of any Performance Cash Award to be deferred to a specified date or event. The Committee may specify the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.

 

(iii)                            Section 162(m) Compliance.  Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” thereunder, the Committee shall establish the Performance Goals applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount payable under, the Award no later than the earlier of (A) the date ninety (90) days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period, or (B) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, and in any event at a time when the achievement of the applicable Performance Goals remains substantially uncertain. Prior to the payment of any compensation under an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall certify the extent to which any Performance Goals and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where such relate solely to the increase in the value of the Common Stock). Notwithstanding satisfaction of any completion of any Performance Goals, to the extent specified at the time of grant of an Award to “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the number of Shares, Options, cash or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Performance Goals may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

 

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

 

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7.                                      COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

(a)                                 Availability of Shares.  During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

 

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

 

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

 

8.                                      MISCELLANEOUS.

 

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

 

(b)                                 Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards.  Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.

 

(c)                                  Stockholder Rights.  Other than as expressly set out in this Plan or as permitted under the Listing Rules, a Stock Award does not give a Participant any right to vote, receive dividends, participate in issues of new shares of Common Stock or grant any other rights to the Participant as a shareholder of the Company unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

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(d)                                 No Employment or Other Service Rights.  Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, or (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.

 

(e)                                  Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

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

 

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

 

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financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(h)                                 Electronic Delivery.  Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet.

 

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

 

(j)                                    Compliance With Section 409A.  To the extent that the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares are publicly traded and a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made upon a “separation from service” before a date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death.

 

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

 

(a)                                 Capitalization Adjustments.  In the event of, and upon, a Capitalization Adjustment or other reorganization of capital, the rights of the holder of a Stock Award will be changed to the extent necessary to comply with the Listing Rules applying to a reorganization of capital at the time of the reorganization. The Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c) and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

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(b)                                 Pro Rata Issues and Bonus Issues. In the case of a pro-rata issue  (other than a bonus issue), the exercise price of a Stock Award will be adjusted in accordance with the formula set out for making such an adjustment in the Listing Rules. In the case of a bonus issue, the number of securities over which the Stock Award is exercisable will, in accordance with the Listing Rules, be increased by the number of securities which the Participant would have received if the Stock Award had been exercised before the record date for the bonus issue. Such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

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

 

(d)                                 Corporate Transaction.  The following provisions shall apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Stock Award or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award or as provided in the Listing Rules. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board shall take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction;

 

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

 

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

 

(vi)                             make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

 

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.

 

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

 

10.                               TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Plan Term.  The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however that Incentive Stock Options may no longer be granted under the Plan after the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

(b)                                 No Impairment of Rights.  Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

 

11.                               EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN.  This Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date.

 

12.                               CHOICE OF LAW.  The law of the state of Minnesota shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

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

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The

 

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Board shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

(b)                                 “ASX” means ASX Limited ABN 98 008 624 691.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(f)                                   “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(g)                                 “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term shall mean with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events, if such event results in a demonstrably harmful impact on the Company’s business or reputation, or that of any of its Subsidiaries: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated by reason of dismissal without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

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

 

(i)                                    any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company

 

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directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

 

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

 

(iii)                            the stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur, except for a liquidation into a parent corporation;

 

(iv)                             there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(j)                                    “Committee” means a committee of one (1) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

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

 

(l)                                    “Company” means Sunshine Heart, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(m)                             “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, shall not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

 

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

 

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(o)                                 “Corporate Transaction” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                    the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                the consummation of a sale or other disposition in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions of securities of the Company representing at least ninety percent (90%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

(iii)                            the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv)                             the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(s)                                   “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(w)                               “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(z)                                  “Listing Rules” means the Listing Rules of ASX and any other rules of ASX which are applicable while the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, each as amended or replaced from time to time, except to the extent of any express written waiver by ASX.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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(mm)                  “Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xiii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders’ equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxiii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxii) billings; and (xxxiii) to the extent that an Award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by the Board.

 

(nn)                          “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board shall appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (A) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (B) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated Performance Goals; (C) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (D) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (E) to exclude the effects of any “extraordinary items” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.

 

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

 

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

 

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(qq)                          “Plan” means this Sunshine Heart, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

23URI-6.30.2012-Ex 10J

Exhibit 10(j)

2012 Performance award AGREEMENT
Awardee: Name
Date of Grant: June 7, 2012
Target Award Payment: 
This PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth above by and between UNITED RENTALS, INC., a Delaware corporation, having an office at Five Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831 (the “Company”), and Awardee, currently an employee of the Company or an affiliate of the Company.
In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.Grant of Award.  The Company, pursuant to its Amended and Restated 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (as may be amended, modified or restated, the “Plan”), which is incorporated herein by reference, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, hereby grants to Awardee (also referred to as “you”) a Performance Award in the Target Award Payment amount set forth above (the “Award”).  The Target Award Payment represents the target dollar value of the Award, and the actual payment, if any (the “Award Payout”), is based on the Company's level of achievement of the performance goals set forth on Schedule I (the “Performance Goals”) and your individual performance during the applicable performance periods, each as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) in its sole discretion.  The total Award Payout may range from 0% to 175% of the Target Award Payment.  Your failure to sign and return a copy of this Agreement within 30 days of receipt shall automatically effect a cancellation and forfeiture of the Award, except as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
2.Performance Periods; Performance Determination.
		
	(a)
	Performance Periods.  The Company's performance will be measured over the following periods:  (i) from April 30, 2012 through April 29, 2013 (“Performance Period 1”), (ii) from April 30, 2012 through October 31, 2013 (“Performance Period 2”), and (iii) in the event that the Total Performance Goal (as set forth in Schedule I) is not achieved during Performance Period 2, from April 30, 2012 through April 29, 2014 (the “Extended Performance Period”).  

		
	(b)
	Performance Determination.  Based on the achievement of the Performance Goals, there may be an Award Payout following each performance period.  As soon as administratively practicable following Performance Period 1, the Compensation Committee shall determine the Company's achievement of the Performance Goals in accordance with Schedule I and your individual performance, the date on which such determination occurs shall be referred to herein as the “First Determination Date”.  If the Threshold Goal (as set forth on Schedule I) for Performance Period 1 is satisfied, the resulting Award Payout for Performance Period 1 will be made following the First Determination Date in accordance with Section 4.  In no event shall the Award Payout for Performance Period 1 exceed 25% 

of the Target Award Payment.  As soon as administratively practicable following Performance Period 2, the Compensation Committee shall determine the Company's achievement of the Performance Goals in accordance with Schedule I and your individual performance, the date on which such determination occurs shall be referred to herein as the “Second Determination Date”.  If the Threshold Goal for Performance Period 2 is satisfied, the resulting Award Payout for Performance Period 2 will be made following the Second Determination Date in accordance with Section 4.  If the Total Performance Goal (as defined in Schedule I) is not achieved for Performance Period 2, you will be eligible to earn an Award Payout during the Extended Performance Period.  As soon as administratively practicable following the Extended Performance Period, the Compensation Committee shall determine the Company's achievement of the Performance Goals in accordance with Schedule I and your individual performance, the date on which such determination occurs shall be referred to herein as the “Extended Performance Period Determination Date”.  If the Threshold Goal for the Extended Performance Period is satisfied, the resulting Award Payout for the Extended Performance Period will be made following the Extended Performance Period Determination Date in accordance with Section 4.  In no event shall the Award Payout for Performance Period 2 and the Extended Performance Period exceed 150% of the Target Award Payment.  The Company shall notify you of any Award Payout as soon as practicable following the applicable determination date.  Each Award Payout shall be settled in accordance with Section 4 and any portion of the Target Award Payment amount not earned as of the Extended Performance Period Determination Date shall be canceled and forfeited as of the Extended Performance Period Determination Date, or, in the event that the Extended Performance Period is not reached, the Second Determination Date.
3.Transfer.  Except as may be effected by will or other testamentary disposition or by the laws of descent and distribution, the Award is not transferable, whether by sale, assignment, exchange, pledge, or hypothecation, or by operation of law or otherwise, and any attempt to transfer the Award in violation of this Section 3 will be null and void.
4.Settlement of the Award.  Each Award Payout shall be settled in a number of unrestricted shares of Company common stock, $0.01 par value (“Common Stock”), determined by dividing the applicable Award Payout amount by the closing value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable determination date (the “Shares”), as soon as practicable following the applicable determination date (but in no event later than December 31st of the calendar year in which the related performance period ends), provided in each case that Awardee has satisfied his or her tax withholding obligations with respect to the Award Payout as described in Section 8(a) of this Agreement.  The Shares will be issued by the Company in the name of Awardee by electronic book-entry transfer or credit of such shares to an account of Awardee maintained with such brokerage firm or other custodian as the Company determines. Alternatively, in the Company's sole discretion, such issuance may be effected in such other manner (including through physical certificates) as the Company may determine and/or by transfer or credit to such other account of Awardee as the Company or Awardee may specify.
5.Termination without Cause or for Good Reason; Death or Disability; Change in Control.
		
	(a)
	Except as set forth in Section 5(b), you must remain continuously employed from the Date of Grant through the date that the Award is settled to be eligible for payment.  If you resign or are terminated for Cause you will forfeit any rights relating to the Award and the Award will terminate immediately.

		
	(b)
	In the event of (1) a termination of Awardee's employment as a result of Awardee's death or permanent disability (as defined under the Company's long-term disability policies), or (2) a termination of Awardee's employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in the 

Plan) or by Awardee for Good Reason (as defined below), then the Awardee shall be eligible to earn an Award Payout only with respect to the performance period that ends next following the date of the qualifying termination (for purposes of clarity, for a termination occurring from April 30, 2012 through April 29, 2013, Awardee will only be eligible for an Award Payout with respect to Performance Period 1, for a termination occurring from April 30, 2013 through October 31, 2013, Awardee will only be eligible for an Award Payout with respect to Performance Period 2, and for a termination occurring from November 1, 2013 through April 29, 2014, Awardee will only be eligible for an Award Payout with respect to the Extended Performance Period, if applicable) calculated as follows: on the determination date next following the date on which such termination occurs, the Award Payout shall be determined in accordance with Section 2, and multiplied by a fraction (the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period in which termination occurs and the numerator of which is the number of days since April 30, 2012 until the date of termination), and such pro-rata Award Payout shall be settled in accordance with Section 4.  Any portion of the Target Award Payment that is not earned as of the applicable determination date shall be forfeited.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall exist if Awardee resigns his or her employment following the Company's (x) material reduction of Awardee's base salary, or (y) relocation of Awardee's principal location of employment more than 50 miles from Awardee's current principal location of employment, in each case, without the Awardee's consent; “Good Reason” shall exist only if Awardee has given written notice to the Company within 30 days after the initial occurrence of the event, with a reference to this Agreement, the Company has not cured such event by the 15th day after the date of such notice, and Awardee's employment terminates within 60 days of Awardee's giving of such notice to the Company.
		
	(c)
	For purposes of this Agreement, in the event Awardee has an employment agreement with the Company that provides definitions for the terms “Cause” and/or “Good Reason,” then, during the time in which Awardee's employment agreement is in effect, the definitions provided within Awardee's employment agreement shall be used instead of the definitions provided above.

		
	(c)
	In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), notwithstanding Section 3.6 of the Plan, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, (1) determine to settle the Award with any applicable Company performance criteria deemed earned at the Target Level (or any such other level as the Compensation Committee may determine) with respect to any performance period in effect on the date of the Change in Control; (2) provide that the Award will remain outstanding and eligible for payment following the originally scheduled determination dates (subject to the Awardee's continued employment through such determination date) and subject to such adjusted performance criteria as the Compensation Committee may determine in its sole discretion; or (3) take any other actions necessary or advisable consistent with the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, Section 3.6 thereof.  In the event that the Compensation Committee determines to settle the Award in accordance with Section 5(c)(1), the determination date shall be the date of the Change in Control and the value of the Common Stock in the event of such settlement shall be reasonably determined by the Compensation Committee.

6.Forfeiture. You acknowledge that an essential purpose of the grant of the Award is to ensure the utmost fidelity by yourself to the Company's interests and to your diligent performance of all of your understandings and commitments to the Company. Accordingly, YOU SHALL NOT BE 

ENTITLED TO RETAIN THE AWARD OR RECEIVE THE SHARES IN SETTLEMENT THEREOF, EITHER DURING OR AFTER TERMINATION OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, BELIEVES THAT YOU HAVE AT ANY TIME ENGAGED IN “INJURIOUS CONDUCT” (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED).
In the event of any such determination:
		
	(a)
	the Award shall terminate and be forfeited as of the date of such determination; and

		
	(b)
	Awardee shall (1) transfer back to the Company, for consideration of $0.01 per Share, all Shares that are held, as of the date of such determination, by Awardee and that were acquired upon settlement of the Award on or after the date which is 180 days prior to the date of such conduct (Shares so acquired, the “Acquired Shares”) and (2) to the extent such Acquired Shares have previously been sold or otherwise disposed of by Awardee, repay to the Company the aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of such Acquired Shares on the date of such sale or disposition, less the number of such Acquired Shares times $0.01.

For purposes of the preceding clause (b)(2) of this Section 6, the amount of the repayment described therein shall not be affected by whether Awardee received such Fair Market Value with respect to such sale or other disposition, and repayment may, without limitation, be effected, at the discretion of the Company, by means of offset against any amount owed by the Company to Awardee.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Injurious Conduct” shall mean (i) Awardee's fraud, misappropriation, misconduct or dishonesty in connection with his or her duties, (ii) any act or omission which is, or is reasonably likely to be, materially adverse or injurious (financially, reputationally or otherwise) to the Company or any affiliate of the Company, (iii) Awardee's breach of any material obligations contained in Awardee's employment agreement or offer letter with the Company, including, but not limited to, any restrictive covenants or obligations of confidentiality contained therein, (iv) conduct by Awardee that is in material competition with the Company or any affiliate of the Company or (v) conduct by Awardee that breaches Awardee's duty of loyalty to the Company or any affiliate of the Company.
7.Securities Laws Restrictions. 
		
	(a)
	You represent that when the Award is settled, you will be acquiring Shares for your own account and not on behalf of others. You understand and acknowledge that federal and state securities laws govern and restrict your right to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Shares so received unless otherwise covered by a Form S-8 or unless your offer, sale or other disposition thereof is otherwise registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and state securities laws or, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, such offer, sale or other disposition is exempt from registration thereunder. You agree that you will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any such Shares in any manner which would: (1) require the Company to file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or similar filing under state laws) or to amend or supplement any such filing or (2) violate or cause the Company to violate the 1933 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other state or federal law. You further understand that (x) any sale of the Shares you acquire upon settlement of the Award is subject to the Company's insider trading rules and policies, as they exist from time to time, (y) the certificates for such Shares will bear such legends as the Company deems necessary or desirable in connection with the 1933 Act or other rules, regulations or laws and (z) if you are a director, officer or principal shareholder, Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), further restricts your ability to sell or 

otherwise dispose of Shares acquired upon settlement of the Award.
		
	(b)
	Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Shares will not be issued in settlement of this Award unless such issuance complies with applicable laws.  In the event that the Company determines that the issuance of Shares in settlement of this Award will not comply with applicable laws, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Award shall be settled in the manner and at a time that the Company determines.

8.Taxes.  
		
	(a)
	Withholding Taxes.  Awardee shall pay to the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, the minimum aggregate federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld by applicable law or regulation in respect of the settlement of any portion of the Award hereunder, or otherwise as a result of your receipt of the Shares, no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability.  The Company may, and, in the absence of other timely payment or provision made by Awardee that is satisfactory to the Company, shall, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to Awardee, including, but not limited to, by withholding Shares which otherwise would be delivered hereunder.  In the event that payment to the Company of such tax obligations is made by delivering or withholding of Shares, such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the Plan) on the date of such delivery or withholding.

		
	(b)
	Section 409A.  Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), (including the provisions for exceptions or exemption from Section 409A), and all provisions of the Plan and this Agreement shall be construed, administered and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  If, and only to the extent that, in the good faith of the Compensation Committee, the Award constitutes “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, then (1) if Awardee is deemed to be a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in Section 409A and as determined by the Company), the payment of the Award Payout on account of Awardee's termination of employment shall not be made until the first business day of the seventh month after Awardee's “separation from service” (as such term is defined and used in Section 409A) with the Company, or if earlier, the date of Awardee's death and (2) for purposes of Section 5(c) hereof, a Change of Control shall not have occurred unless such Change of Control is a “change in the ownership or effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, in each case, as determined in accordance with Section 409A.  Each payment under this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treas. Reg. Section l.409A-2(b)(2)(i).

		
	(c)
	Section 162(m).  Awards granted to “covered employees” (as such term is defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”) shall be granted and administered in a manner intended to be deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) and the grant and administration of the Awards will be subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.8.2 of the Plan. The Compensation Committee may take such actions as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, in administering Awards granted to such “covered employees,” including, without limitation, reducing or eliminating the Award Payout.   

9.No Rights as a Stockholder.  Neither the Award nor this Agreement shall entitle Awardee to any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company unless and until Shares have been issued in settlement thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no dividends or dividend equivalents shall accrue or be paid with respect to the Award.
10.Conformity with Plan. This Agreement, and the Award awarded hereby, are intended to 

conform in all respects with, and are subject to all applicable provisions of, the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Any inconsistencies between this Agreement and any mandatory provisions of the Plan shall be resolved in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. By executing and returning this Agreement, you acknowledge your receipt of the Plan and agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan as it shall be amended from time to time.
11.Employment and Successors. Nothing herein confers any right or obligation on you to continue in the employ of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or shall affect in any way your right or the right of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, as the case may be, to terminate your employment at any time. The agreements contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor to the Company by merger or otherwise.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, all of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon Awardee and Awardee's heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
12.Awardee Advised To Obtain Personal Counsel and Tax Representation. IMPORTANT: The Company and its employees do not provide any guidance or advice to individuals who may be granted an Award under the Plan regarding the federal, state or local income tax consequences or employment tax consequences of receiving the Award or participating in the Plan. Notwithstanding any withholding by the Company of taxes hereunder, Awardee remains responsible for determining Awardee's own personal tax consequences with respect to the Award, its being earned, the receipt of Shares upon settlement, any subsequent disposition or transfer of Shares and otherwise of participating in the Plan, and also ultimately remains liable for any tax obligations in connection therewith (including any amounts owed in excess of withheld amounts). Accordingly, Awardee may wish to retain the services of a professional tax advisor in connection with the Award and this Agreement.
13.Beneficiary Designation.  Awardee may designate one or more beneficiaries, from time to time, to whom any benefit under this Agreement is to be paid in case of Awardee's death. Each designation must be in writing, signed by Awardee and delivered to the Company. Each new designation will revoke all prior designations.
14.Disputes. Any question concerning the interpretation of or performance by the Company or Awardee under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Award, its being earned, settled or forfeited, or the issuance or delivery of Shares upon settlement, or any other dispute or controversy that may arise in connection herewith or therewith, shall be determined by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that, following a Change in Control, any determinations by the Company or a successor entity with respect to the existence or not of Injurious Conduct, Cause or Good Reason, or any other post-Change in Control determination that would effect a forfeiture of all or a portion of the Award, must be objectively reasonable.
15.Miscellaneous.
		
	(a)
	References herein to determinations or other decisions or actions to be taken or made by the Company shall be made by the Compensation Committee or such other person or persons to whom the Compensation Committee may from time to time delegate authority or otherwise designate, and any such determinations, decisions or actions shall be final, conclusive and binding on Awardee and all persons claiming under or through Awardee.

		
	(b)
	This Agreement may not be changed or terminated except by a written agreement expressly referencing this Agreement and signed by the parties hereto.  Notwithstanding any provision set forth in this Agreement and subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, the Compensation Committee shall have the power to, without the Awardee's consent:  (1) alter or amend the terms and conditions of the Award in any manner that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to comply with, or take into account changes in, or interpretations or rescissions of, applicable tax laws, securities laws, employment laws, accounting rules or standards and other 

applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidance, ruling, judicial decision or legal requirement; (2) ensure that the Award is not subject to federal, state, local or foreign taxes prior to payment, as applicable; or (3) waive any terms and conditions that operate in favor of the Company.  Any alteration or amendment of the terms of the Award by the Compensation Committee shall, upon adoption, become and be binding on all persons affected thereby without requirement for consent or other action with respect thereto by any such person.  The Compensation Committee shall give notice to the Awardee of any such alteration or amendment as promptly as practicable after the adoption thereof.
		
	(c)
	This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), together with the Plan, constitutes the entire understanding of the parties, and supersedes and cancels all prior agreements, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

		
	(d)
	This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

		
	(e)
	This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.  The interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement shall be resolved and determined exclusively by the state court sitting in Fairfield County, Connecticut or the federal courts in the District of Connecticut and Awardee hereby consents that such courts be granted exclusive jurisdiction for such purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Date of Grant.
UNITED RENTALS, INC.
By:    
Michael J. Kneeland
Chief Executive Officer
AWARDEE:______________________________
                     Awardee

Schedule I
to
2012 Performance Award Agreement

The Performance Goals for the applicable performance period shall be determined as set forth in this schedule.  The Performance Goals are the realization of annualized run-rate cost synergies, consisting of (1) cost synergies - savings realized due to reductions or savings in the cost basis (generally flow to EBITDA) and (2) at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and provided minimum threshold annualized run-rate cost synergies have been achieved, revenue synergies - incremental revenues that can be achieved as a result of the merger (to be converted to operating profit).  The achievement (including, without limitation, the level of achievement) of the Performance Goals and individual performance in 

connection with this Award will be determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, and all such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive. Set forth in the table below are the threshold, target and maximum annualized run-rate synergy goals relating to each performance period.

	
				
	Performance Level
	Performance Period 1*
($M)
	Performance Period 2**
($M)
	Extended Performance Period***
($M)

	Threshold Goal
	134
	204
	204

	Target Goal
	150
	219
	224

	Maximum Goal
	—
	234
	234

		
	*
	Performance Period 1 represents the period of time from April 30, 2012 through April 29, 2013.

		
	**
	Performance Period 2 represents the period of time from April 30, 2012 through October 31, 2013.

		
	***
	Extended Performance Period represents the period of time from April 30, 2012 through April 29, 2014.  Performance will be measured, and a portion of the Award may be earned during this period, only if total annualized run-rate synergies of $226 million are not achieved during Performance Period 2.   

Performance Period 1 (25% of Target Award Payment)

To determine the Award Payout with respect to Performance Period 1, the following steps will be performed:

		
	1.  
	Calculate Formulaic Award Earned:  The portion of the Target Award Payment that will be eligible for payment relating to Performance Period 1 is calculated as follows:

[(Annualized run-rate synergies achieved (up to a maximum of $150M)  - $134M) / $16M] 
x 25% x Target Award Payment

If the annualized run-rate synergies achieved for Performance Period 1 are less than the Threshold Goal for such period, no portion of the Target Award Payment will be paid relating to Performance Period 1.

		
	2. 
	Calculate Discretionary Individual Performance Adjustment:  At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the portion of the Target Award Payment calculated relating to Performance Period 1 may be increased or decreased by an amount not to exceed the Target Award Payment x 6.25% (provided that the Award Payout for Performance Period 1 cannot exceed 25% of the Target Award Payment).

		
	3. 
	Calculate Shares Issued for Performance Period 1:  The total number of Shares to be delivered in settlement of the Award Payout for Performance Period 1 pursuant to Section 4, is calculated as follows:

Award Payout For Performance Period 1 / closing value of a share of Common Stock on the First Determination Date
Performance Period 2 (75% of Target Award Payment)

To determine the Award Payout with respect to Performance Period 2, the following steps will be performed:

		
	1.  
	Calculate Formulaic Award Earned:  The portion of the Target Award Payment that will be eligible for payment relating to Performance Period 2 is calculated as follows:

[(Annualized run-rate synergies achieved (up to a maximum of $234M)  - $204M) / $15M] 
x 75% x Target Award Payment

If the annualized run-rate synergies achieved for Performance Period 2 are less than the Threshold Goal for such period, no portion of the Target Award Payment will be paid relating to Performance Period 2.

		
	2. 
	Calculate Discretionary Individual Performance Adjustment:  At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the portion of the Target Award Payment calculated relating to Performance Period 2 may be increased or decreased by an amount not to exceed the Target Award Payment x 18.75% (provided that the Award Payout for Performance Period 2 cannot exceed 150% of the Target Award Payment).

		
	3. 
	Calculate Shares Issued for Performance Period 2:  The total number of Shares to be delivered in settlement of the Award Payout for Performance Period 2 pursuant to Section 4, is calculated as follows:

Award Payout For Performance Period 2 / closing value of a share of Common Stock on the Second Determination Date
Extended Performance Period

If the annualized run-rate synergies achieved as of October 31, 2013 are below $226 million (the “Total Performance Goal”), an additional Award Payout may be earned.  To determine the Award Payout with respect to the Extended Performance Period, the following steps will be performed:

		
	1.  
	Calculate Formulaic Award Earned:  If the annualized run-rate synergies achieved as of October 31, 2013 are below the Total Performance Goal, the portion of the Target Award Payment that will be eligible for payment relating to the Extended Performance Period is calculated as follows:

[[(Annualized run-rate synergies achieved (up to a maximum of $234M)  - $204M) / $20M]
x 75% x Target Award Payment] - Target Award Earned for Performance Period 2
    
If the annualized run-rate synergies achieved for the Extended Performance Period are less than the Threshold Goal for such period, no portion of the Target Award Payment will be paid relating to the Extended Performance Period.

		
	2. 
	Calculate Discretionary Individual Performance Adjustment:  At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the portion of the Target Award Payment calculated relating to the Extended Performance Period may be increased or decreased by an amount not to exceed the Target Award Payment x 18.75% (provided that the Award Payout for Performance Period 2 together with the Award Payout for the Extended Performance Period cannot exceed 150% of the Target Award Payment).

		
	3. 
	Calculate Shares Issued for the Extended Performance Period:  The total number of Shares to be delivered in settlement of the Award Payout for the Extended Performance Period pursuant to Section 4, is calculated as follows:

Award Payout For The Extended Performance Period / closing value of a share of Common Stock on the Extended Performance Period Determination Date

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