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GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

For Foreign and Domestic Securities

This Custodian Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of March 11, 2011 by and between Harris & Harris Group, Inc. ("Principal") and Union Bank, N.A. ("Custodian").

WHEREAS, the Custodian is a bank meeting the qualifications required by Section 17(f)(1) of the Act to act as custodian of the portfolio securities and other assets of investment companies; and

WHEREAS, Principal wishes to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of its portfolio securities and other assets in compliance with Section 17(f) of the Act (as defined below), and the Custodian has indicated its willingness to so act;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           DEFINITIONS.  Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined as follows:

1.1 "Account" means, collectively, each account maintained by Custodian on behalf of Principal pursuant to Paragraph 4 of this Agreement.

1.2 "Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") thereunder, including §270.17f-4, §270.17f-5 and §270.17f-7, all as may be amended from time to time.

1.3 “Board” means the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of Principal.

1.4 “Depository” means both any “securities depository” within the meaning of §270.17f-4 of the Act and any Eligible Securities Depository

1.5 "Eligible Foreign Custodian" means an entity that is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States and that is a Qualified Foreign Bank, as defined in §270.17f-5(a)(5) of the Act.

1.6 "Eligible Securities Depository", ("Depository", or collectively "Depositories") means a system for the central handling of securities as defined in §270.17f-7(b)(1) of the Act.

1.7 “Emerging Market” means each market so identified in Appendix A attached hereto.

1.8 “Foreign Account” means an Account in which Foreign Currencies or Securities are held by the Custodian for the benefit of clients whether in comingled accounts or accounts designated for each beneficiary owner as is required under the regulatory jurisdiction where the Foreign Account is established.

1.9 “Foreign Assets” has the meaning provided in §270.17f-5(a)(2) of the Act.

1.10 “Foreign Currency” (“Currencies”) means any currency or any composite currency unit issued by a government or entity other than the United States Department of Treasury.

1.11 “Foreign Market” means each market so identified in Appendix A attached hereto.

1.12 “Global Sub-Agent Network” (“Sub-Agent Network” or “Sub-Agents”) means the countries and markets where Eligible Foreign Sub-Custodians and Eligible Foreign Depositories are maintained by Custodian.

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1.13 "Governing Documents" means, with respect to each of the portfolios, (i) the declaration of trust or other constituting document of the Principal of which the portfolio is a series or portfolio, (ii) the currently effective prospectus under the Securities Act, (iii) the most recent statement of additional information, and (iv) a certified copy of the Board approving the engagement of the Custodian to act as custodian of the Securities.

 

1.14“Monitoring System” means the policies and procedures established by Custodian to fulfill its duties to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Securities with a Sub-Custodian or Depository on a continuing basis, pursuant to this Agreement.

1.15"Securities" means securities as defined in §2(a)(36) of the Act together with cash or any currency or other property of Principal and all income and proceeds of sale of such securities or other property of Principal that are held by Custodian in the Account.

1.16 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

1.17“Sub-Custodian” means an entity, including an Eligible Foreign Custodian, that Custodian retains to hold Securities.

2.           APPOINTMENT

2.1 Principal hereby appoints the Custodian as the custodian of the Securities of each of its Portfolios.

2.2 Principal has provided the Custodian with a copy of its Governing Documents, and will provide the Custodian with a copy of amendments, supplements and modifications thereof from time to time.

2.3 The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as custodian of the Securities of Principal and agrees to perform the duties of such custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

3.           REPRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3.1  Power to Enter Agreement.  Principal represents that, with respect to the Account, Principal is authorized to enter into this Agreement and to retain Custodian on the terms and conditions and for the purposes described herein.

3.2  Foreign Custody Manager.  The custodian agrees to serve as Principal’s “Foreign Custody Manager” as defined in Rule §270.17f-5(a)(3) of the Act, in respect of Principal’s Foreign Assets held from time to time by the Custodian with any Sub-Custodian that is an Eligible Foreign Custodian or with any Eligible Securities Depository.

3.3  Custodian’s Sub-Agent Network. Principal hereby acknowledges receiving appropriate notice of Custodian's selection of the use of those Eligible Foreign Custodians and Eligible Securities Depositories that are identified in Appendix A of this Agreement.

4.           ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT.

4.1  Custodian shall open and maintain a separate Account or Accounts in the name of Principal and shall hold in such Account or Accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all Securities and non-cash property received by it from or for the Account of the Principal.  Custodian, in its sole discretion, may reasonably refuse to accept any property now or hereafter delivered to it for inclusion in the Account.  Principal shall be notified promptly of such refusal and any such property shall be immediately returned to Principal. Custodian shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on behalf of the Principal except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by
Custodian and the Principal in a written amendment hereto.

4.2  Subject at all times to the instruction of Principal pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have no power or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such Securities and investments except pursuant to the direction of Principal under terms of the Agreement.

 

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5.           CUSTODY AND REGISTRATION.

Custodian may (i) maintain possession of all or any portion of the Securities, including possession in a foreign branch or other office of Custodian; or (ii) retain, in accordance with this Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, one or more Sub-Custodians to hold all or any portion of the Securities.  Custodian and any Sub-Custodian may, in accordance with this Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, deposit definitive or book-entry Securities with one or more Depositories.

5.1  Identification of Securities.  Custodian shall ensure the Securities are at all times properly identified as being held for the appropriate Account.  Custodian shall segregate physically the Securities and non-cash property from other securities owned by Custodian.  Custodian shall not be required to segregate physically Securities held from other securities or property held by Custodian for third parties as custodian or other representative capacity, but Custodian shall maintain adequate records showing the true ownership of the Securities.

5.2  Use of Depositories and Sub-Custodians.  Custodian may, in its discretion, deposit any Securities which, under applicable law, are eligible to be so deposited in a Depository or Sub-Custodian account. Securities and Foreign Currencies held by a Sub-Custodian or Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such securities markets or securities depositories.  If Custodian deposits Securities with a Sub-Custodian or Depository, Custodian shall maintain adequate records showing the identity and location of the Sub-Custodian or Depository, the Securities held by the Sub-Custodian or Depository and each account to which such Securities belong.  With respect to Securities that are held for
Custodian or any Sub-Custodian at a Depository, as defined in of §270.17f-4 of the Act, Custodian shall satisfy or cause the Sub-Custodian to satisfy the requirements of §270.17f-4 of the Act.

5.3  Use of Nominees.  Custodian shall have the right to hold or cause to be held all Securities in the name of the Custodian, or for any Sub-Custodian or Depository, or in the name of a nominee of any of them as Custodian shall determine to be appropriate under the circumstances.

5.4  Foreign Currency Deposits.  The Custodian may in accordance with customary practices hold any currency in which any cash is denominated on deposit, and effect transaction relating thereto, through an account with an affiliate of Union Bank, or Sub-Custodian or Depository in the country where such currency is the lawful currency or in other countries where such currency may be lawfully held on deposit.

5.5  Transferability and Convertibility of Currency.  Custodian shall have no liability for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may affect the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency in the countries where such Foreign Accounts are maintained and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency whose transferability, convertibility, or availability has been affected by such law, regulation or event.  To the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of
any such currency, such cost or charge shall be for the Account.

5.6 Delivery of Securities.  If Principal directs Custodian to deliver assets, certificates or other physical evidence of ownership of Securities to any broker or other party, other than a Sub-Custodian or Depository employed by Custodian for purposes of maintaining the Account, Custodian’s sole responsibility shall be to exercise care and diligence in effecting the delivery as instructed by Principal.  Upon completion of the delivery, Custodian shall be discharged completely of any further liability or responsibility with respect to the safekeeping and custody of Securities so delivered.

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5.7  Transferability of Securities. Except as otherwise provided under this Agreement or as the parties may otherwise agree, Custodian shall ensure that (i) the Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien, or claim of any kind in favor of Custodian or any Sub-Custodian or any person claiming through any of them except for as discussed in Section 9.2, and in the case of cash deposits at an Eligible Foreign Custodian, liens or rights in favor of the creditors of the Eligible Foreign Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws, and (ii) the beneficial ownership of the Securities will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe
custody or administration.

5.8  Access to Account Records. Principal or its designee, shall have access, upon reasonable prior notice to Custodian, during regular business hours to the books and records relating to the Accounts, or shall be given confirmation of the contents of the books and records, maintained by Custodian or any Sub-Custodian holding Securities hereunder to verify the accuracy of such books and records.  Custodian shall notify Principal promptly of any applicable law or regulation in any country where Securities are held that would restrict such access or confirmation.

6.           SELECTION AND MONITORING OF GLOBAL SUB-AGENT NETWORK.

Upon written notice to Principal, as provided in Subparagraph 6.4 of this Agreement, Custodian may from time to time select one or more Eligible Foreign Custodians and, subject to the provisions of Subparagraph 6.7, one or more Eligible Securities Depositories, to hold Securities hereunder.

 

6.1  Governing Sub-Agent Agreement.  Any relationship Custodian establishes with an Eligible Foreign Custodian with respect to Securities shall be governed by a written contract providing for the reasonable care of Securities based on the standards specified in section §270.17(f)-5(c)(1) of the Act, and including the provisions set forth in sections §270.17(f)-5(c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of the Act, or provisions which Custodian determines provide the same or greater protection of Principal's Securities.

6.2  Sub-Agent Network Selection.

6.2.1  Foreign Sub-Custodian. In selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence and shall consider whether the Securities will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, including (i) the Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices; (ii) the Eligible Foreign Custodian's financial strength,
general reputation and standing in the country in which it is located, its ability to provide efficiently the custodial services required, and the relative cost of such services; and, (iii) whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has branch offices in the United States, or consents to service of process in the United States, in order to facilitate jurisdiction over and enforcement of judgments against it.

6.2.2  Securities Depository.  In selecting an Eligible Securities Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence in evaluating the custody risks associated with maintaining Securities with the Eligible Securities Depository under Custodian's custody arrangements with any relevant Eligible Foreign Custodian and the Eligible Securities Depository.

6.3  Notices to Principal.   Custodian shall give 30 days’ written notice to Principal of its intention to deposit Securities with an Eligible Foreign Custodian or, directly or through an Eligible Foreign Sub-Custodian, with an Eligible Securities Depository.  The notice shall identify the proposed Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository and shall include reasonably available information relied on by Custodian in making the selection.

6.4  Monitoring of Sub-Agent Network. Custodian shall monitor under its Monitoring System the appropriateness of the continued custody or maintenance of Principal's Securities with each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository.

6.4.1 Custodian shall evaluate and determine at least annually the continued eligibility of each Eligible Foreign Custodian and Eligible Securities Depository approved by Principal to act as such hereunder. In discharging this responsibility, Custodian shall (i) monitor on a continuing basis the day to day services and reports provided by each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository; (ii) at least annually, obtain and review the annual financial report published by each Eligible Foreign Custodian, and to the extent such
reports are publicly available, each Eligible Securities Depository, and other reports on each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository which Custodian may obtain from a reputable independent analyst; and, (iii) periodically as deemed appropriate, physically inspect the operations of each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository.

 

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6.4.2  Custodian shall provide to the Board annually and at such other times as the Board may reasonably request based on the circumstances of the Principal’s foreign custody arrangements, written reports notifying the Board of the placement of Securities of the Principal with a particular foreign Eligible Foreign Custodian within a Foreign Market or an Emerging Market and of any material change in the arrangements (including any material changes in any contracts governing such arrangements or any material changes in the established practices or procedures of Depositories) with respect to Securities of the Principal held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian.

6.4.3  If Custodian determines that (i) any Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository no longer satisfies the applicable requirements described in Subparagraph 1.5 of this Agreement (in the case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian) or Subparagraph 1.6 of this Agreement (in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository); or, (ii) any Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository is otherwise no longer capable or qualified to perform the functions contemplated herein; or (iii) any change in a contract with a Eligible Foreign Custodian or any change in established Eligible Securities Depository or market practices or procedures shall cause a custody arrangement to no longer meet the requirements of the Act, Custodian shall promptly give written notice thereof to Principal.  The notice shall, in addition, either indicate Custodian's intention to transfer Securities held by the removed Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository to another Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible Securities Depository previously identified to Principal, or include a notice pursuant to Subparagraph 6.4 of this Agreement of Custodian's intention to deposit Securities with a new Eligible Foreign Custodian or Eligible
Securities Depository, in either instance such transfer of Securities to be effected as soon as reasonably practical.

6.5  Compulsory Depositories.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sub-sections of this Paragraph 6, Custodian shall have no responsibility for the selection or monitoring of any Eligible Securities Depository or Eligible Securities Depository’s agent (“Compulsory Depository”) (i) the use of which is mandated by law or regulation; (ii) because securities cannot be withdrawn from the depository; or (iii) because maintaining securities outside the
securities depository is not consistent with prevailing market practices in the relevant market; provided however, that Custodian shall notify Principal if Principal has directed a trade in a market containing a Compulsory Depository, so Principal and Advisor shall have an opportunity to determine the appropriateness of investing in such market.

6.6  Assessment of Custody Risk.  Principal and Custodian agree that, for purposes of this Paragraph 6, Custodian’s determination of appropriateness shall only include custody risk, and shall not include any evaluation of “country risk” or systemic risk associated with the investment or holding of assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to (i) the use of Compulsory Depositories, (ii) the country’s or market's financial infrastructure, (iii) the country’s or
market's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (iv) risk of nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (v) regulation of the banking or securities industries, (vi) currency controls, restrictions, devaluation or fluctuation, and (vii) country or market conditions which may affect the orderly execution of securities transactions or affect the value of the transactions.  Principal and Custodian further agree that the evaluation of any such country and systemic risks shall be solely the responsibility of Principal.

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7.           TRANSACTIONS

7.1  Instructions and Immediately Available Funds.  Principal is responsible for ensuring that Custodian receives timely instructions and sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate.  As used herein, "sufficient immediately available funds" shall mean either (a) sufficient cash denominated in the currency of Principal's home jurisdiction to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (b) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction.  If Custodian does not receive such timely instructions and/or immediately available funds, Custodian shall have no liability of any kind to any person, including Principal, for failing to
effect settlement.  However, Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to effect settlement as soon as possible after receipt of appropriate instructions.

7.2.1  Customary or Established Settlement Practices.  Principal acknowledges settlement of and payment for Securities received for and delivered from the Account may be made in accordance with the customary or established securities trading and securities processing practices in the market in which the transaction occurs.  Principal understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Foreign Securities or Foreign Currencies against payment, delivery of such Foreign Securities and Foreign Currencies and receipt of payment therefore may not be completed simultaneously.  Principal assumes full responsibility for all credit risks involved in connection with Custodian's delivery of Foreign Securities or Foreign
Currencies pursuant to instructions of Principal.

7.2.2  Additions to and Withdrawals from Account.  Custodian shall make all additions and withdrawals of Securities to and from this Account only upon receipt of and pursuant to written instructions from Principal.

7.3  Purchases or Sales.  Principal from time to time may instruct Custodian regarding the purchase or sale of Securities in accordance with this paragraph 7.3.

7.3.1  Purchases.  Custodian shall settle purchases by charging the Account with the amount necessary to make the purchase and effecting payment to the seller or broker for the Securities. Custodian shall have no liability of any kind to any person, including Principal, if Custodian effects payment on behalf of the Account, and the settler or broker specified by Principal fails to deliver the Securities purchased.  Custodian shall exercise such ordinary care and diligence as would be employed by a reasonably prudent custodian in examining and verifying the certificates or other indicia of ownership of the Securities purchased before accepting them, except with respect to assets described in Paragraph 7.4.

7.3.2  Sales.  Custodian shall settle sales by delivering certificates or other indicia of ownership of the Securities, and as instructed, shall receive cash for such sales.  Custodian shall have no liability of any kind to any person, including Principal, if Custodian exercises due diligence and delivers such certificates or indicia of ownership and the purchaser or broker fails to effect payment.

7.4  Depository Settlement.  If a purchase or sale is settled through a Sub-Custodian or Depository, Custodian shall exercise such ordinary care and diligence as would be employed by a reasonably prudent custodian in verifying proper consummation of the transaction by the Sub-Custodian or Depository.

7.5  Income and Principal.  Custodian or its designated Sub-Agents are authorized, as Principal's agent, to surrender against payment maturing obligations and obligations called for redemption, and to collect and receive payments of interest and principal, dividends, warrants, and other things of value in connection with Securities.   Absent written instructions from Principal, funds will remain in the currency of collection upon receipt of payment.

7.6  Foreign Currency Transactions.  At the direction of Principal, Custodian shall convert currency in the Account to other currencies through customary channels including, without limitation, Custodian or any of its affiliates, as shall be necessary to effect any transaction directed by Principal.

7.7  Taxes. Custodian shall pay or cause to be paid from the Account upon receipt of instructions from Principal all taxes and levies in the nature of taxes imposed on the Account or the Foreign Securities thereof by any country.  Custodian will use reasonable efforts to give the Principal advance notice of the imposition of such taxes. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Principal or the Custodian as custodian of the Principal by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof or any foreign jurisdiction. The sole responsibilities of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use
reasonable efforts to effect the withholding of local taxes and related charges with regard to market entitlement/payment in accordance with local law and subject to local market practice or custom and to assist the Principal with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Principal has provided such information.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing by the Custodian, the Custodian shall have no independent obligation to determine the tax obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Principal by any taxing authority or to obtain or provide information relating thereto, and shall have no obligation or liability with respect to such tax obligations.

 

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7.8  Foreign Tax Reclamation.  Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to obtain refunds of taxes withheld on Foreign Securities or the income thereof that are available under applicable tax laws, treaties and regulations subject to Principal's provision of all documentation and certifications as required by U.S. and foreign tax authorities to establish the eligibility of Principal for tax reclamation under applicable law or treaty.  Principal hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and its agents in respect to any liability arising from any under withholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such
obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of Principal, its successor and assignees, notwithstanding the termination of this agreement.  The Custodian is authorized to disclose any information required by any such tax or other governmental authority in relation to processing any claim for exemption from or reduction or refund of any taxes relating to the Principal’s transactions and holdings.

7.9  Collection Obligations.  Custodian shall diligently collect income and principal of Securities which the Custodian has received actual notice in accordance with normal industry practices.  However, Custodian shall be under no obligation or duty to take any action to effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after due demand.  Custodian shall notify Principal promptly of such default or refusal to pay.  Custodian shall have no duty to file or pursue any bankruptcy or class action claims with respect to Account, unless indemnified by Principal in manner and amount satisfactory to Custodian.

7.10  Capital Changes.Custodian may, without further instruction from Principal, exchange temporary certificates and may surrender and exchange Securities for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction in which the owner of the Securities is not given an option.   Custodian has no responsibility to effect any such exchange unless it has received notice of the event permitting or requiring such exchange at its processing center in San Francisco or at the office of Custodian’s designated agents.

7.11  Fractional Interest.  Custodian shall receive and retain all stock distributed by a corporation as a dividend, stock split, or otherwise; however, in connection therewith, if a fractional share is received, Custodian shall sell such fractional shares when such market facility is available.

8.           CREDITS TO ACCOUNT

8.1  Payment.  Custodian may as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Principal, credit the account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest or dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment; therefore, all such credits shall be conditional until the Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received.  Payment with respect to a transaction will not be final until Custodian receives immediately available funds under which applicable local law, rule and/or practice, are irreversible and not subject to any security
interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.  Principal acknowledges and agrees that any currency risk associated with such credits will be born by Principal.

8.2.  Emerging Market Settlement Dates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing Paragraph 8.1, Principal understands and agrees that settlement of Securities transactions is available only on settlement date basis in certain Emerging Markets, which are identified in Appendix A, as amended from time to time by written notice to Principal.

 

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8.2.1  Cash Deposits.  For Emerging Markets with restricted settlement conditions, cash of any currency deposited or delivered to the Account shall be available for use by Principal only on the business day on which actual receipt of final payment and funds of good value are available to Sub-Custodian in the Account.

8.2.2  Securities.  For Emerging Markets with restricted settlement conditions, Securities deposited or delivered to the Account shall be available for use by Principal only on the business day on which such Securities are held in the nominee name or are otherwise subject to the control of, and in a form for good delivery by, the Sub-Custodian.

9.           OVERDRAFT AND INDEBTEDNESS

9.1  Advance Funds.  If Custodian advances funds to or for the benefit of Account in connection with the settlement of securities or currency transactions or other activity in the Account including overdrafts or other indebtedness incurred in connection with the settlement of securities transactions, maturity or income payments or funds transfers, Principal agrees to reimburse Custodian on demand the amount of the advance or overdraft and all related fees as established in Custodian's published fee schedule. Principal will bear the risk from any currency valuation differences associated with Principal’s reimbursement obligations to Custodian.

9.2  Repayment.  If Principal requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, or if Principal fails to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Paragraph 17 hereof, any cash at any time held for the account of Principal shall be security therefor and should
Principal fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

10.           CORPORATE ACTIONS,  PROXIES AND LITERATURE

10.1  Corporate Actions.  Custodian shall notify Principal of the receipt of notices of redemptions, conversions, exchanges, calls, puts, subscription rights, and scrip certificates ("Corporate Action(s)").  Custodian need not monitor financial publications for notices of Corporate Actions and shall not be obligated to take any action unless actual notice has been received by Custodian at its processing center in San Francisco, California, or at the offices of the Sub-Agent where the security is held in Custodian’s Foreign Account.   Custodian's sole responsibility in this regard shall be to give such notices to Principal within a reasonable time after Custodian receives them.  Custodian has no
responsibility to respond or otherwise act with respect to any such notice unless and until Custodian has received timely and appropriate instructions from Principal.  Principal is responsible for ensuring required documentation and funds are available to Custodian and its agents as required under the terms of the offer or by legal jurisdiction in order for Custodian and its agent to take action on behalf of Account.

10.2  Proxies.  Neither Custodian nor any nominee of Custodian shall vote any of the securities held hereunder by or for the account of Principal, except in accordance with the instructions contained in an officers' certificate. Custodian shall promptly deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to Principal all notices, proxies and proxy soliciting materials with relation to such securities, such proxies to be executed by the beneficial owner of such securities (if registered otherwise than in the name of Principal), but without indicating the manner in which such proxies are to be voted.

Custodian shall transmit promptly to Principal all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith) received by Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for Principal. With respect to tender or exchange offers, Custodian shall transmit promptly to Principal all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer.

 

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Principal acknowledges that proxy services are limited in foreign markets and Custodian’s sole responsibility with respect to such proxy materials will be to forward the proxy and accompanying material received by Custodian to Principal.  Custodian shall have no duty to translate or retain any material received unless required to do so by law.

10.3  Corporate Literature.  Custodian shall have no duty to forward or to retain any other corporate material received by Custodian for the Account unless required to do so by law.  Custodian shall have no duty to translate or retain any material received from its Global Sub-Agent Network unless required to do so by law.

10.4           Disclosure to Issuers of Securities.  Unless Principal directs Custodian in writing to the contrary, Principal agrees that Custodian or its Sub-Agents may disclose the name and address of the party with the authority to vote the proxies of the Securities held in this Account as well as the number of shares held, to any issuer of said Securities or its agents upon the written request of such issuer or agent in conformity with the provisions of the applicable law. Principal acknowledges that Custodian or its Sub-Agents may be required under jurisdictional law to disclose to issuers beneficial owner information regardless of
Principal’s instructions otherwise.

11.           INSTRUCTIONS

11.1  Written.  All instructions from Principal with respect to the Accounts must be from an authorized person and  shall be in writing, and shall continue in force until changed by subsequent instructions.  For purposes of this Paragraph 11, an authorized person means any of the persons duly authorized by the Board to give instructions on behalf of the Principal as set forth in a certificate along with any limitations on such Persons’ scope of authority, such certificate to be executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Principal, as the
same may be revised from time to time. Pending receipt of written authority, Custodian may in its absolute discretion at any time accept oral, faxed, wired and electronically transmitted instructions from Principal provided Custodian believes in good faith that the instructions are genuine.  If oral instructions are received, Principal shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing or by facsimile or other means permitted hereunder.  Principal will hold Custodian harmless for the failure of Principal to send confirmation in writing, the failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone instructions received or Custodian's failure to produce such confirmation at any subsequent time.

11.2  Reliance on Instructions.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all instructions shall be in writing, and shall continue in force until changed by subsequent instructions.

12.           RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE

12.1  Advice of the Principal.  If Custodian is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take under this Agreement, Custodian may request directions or advice, including oral instructions or written instructions, from the Principal.

12.2  Advice of Counsel.  If Custodian shall be in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, Custodian may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Principal or Custodian, at the option of Custodian). Principal shall pay the reasonable cost of any counsel retained by Custodian with prior notice to Principal.

12.3  Conflicting Advice.  In the event of a conflict between directions or advice or oral instructions or written instructions Custodian receives from the Principal, and the advice it receives from counsel, Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon and follow the advice of counsel.

12.4  Protection of Custodian.  Custodian shall be indemnified by Principal and without liability for any action Custodian takes or does not take in reliance upon directions or advice or oral instructions or written instructions Custodian receives from or on behalf of the Principal, or from counsel and which Custodian believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions or advice or oral instructions or written instructions. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon Custodian (i) to seek such directions or advice or oral instructions or written instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions or advice or oral
instructions or written instructions.

 

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13.           ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

13.1   Cost and Nominal Value.  Principal agrees to furnish Custodian with the income tax cost basis and dates of acquisition of all Securities held in the Account to be carried on its records.  If Principal does not furnish such information, Custodian shall carry the Securities at any such nominal value it determines, such value to be for bookkeeping purposes only.  All statements and reporting of any matters requiring this information will use this nominal value.  Custodian shall have no duty to verify the accuracy of the cost basis and dates of acquisition furnished by Principal.  Securities purchased in the Account shall be carried at
cost.

13.2  Valuations.  To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities and pricing services embedded in Custodian's securities processing or accounting systems) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information.  Principal understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments including, without limitation, derivatives, may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be
material.  Where pricing vendors used by Custodian do not provide information for Securities, Principal or authorized party may advise Custodian regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such held Securities. If Principal does not provide such information, Custodian shall use the cost or nominal value for such Securities, solely for administrative convenience.  Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder and shall have no responsibility or duty to ascertain or authenticate the value of pricing applied to any such Security.

 

13.3  Activity Reports.  Custodian shall make available daily to Principal a statement summarizing all transactions and entries for the account of Principal.

13.4  Statements.  Custodian shall provide Principal Account statements and other reports periodically by means of the Custodian’s Online Trust and Custody Service or as otherwise as agreed to by Principal and Custodian showing all income and principal transactions and cash positions, and a list of securities.  Principal may approve or disapprove any such statement within thirty (30) days of its receipt, and, if no written objections are received within the thirty (30) day period, such statement of Account shall be deemed approved.

14.           USE OF OTHER BANK SERVICES

14.1  HighMark Mutual Funds

Principal may direct Custodian to invest available funds in the HighMark SM Funds mutual funds advised by an affiliate of Custodian and for which Custodian may also act as custodian and provide other services for the purpose of cash management.  Principal shall designate the particular HighMark Fund that Principal deems appropriate for the Account. Principal hereby acknowledges that Custodian will receive fees for such services in addition to those fees charged by Custodian as agent for the Principal's custody Account.

14.2  Other Fund Investments.  Principal may invest in third party mutual funds, for which the Custodian or its affiliates may provide shareholder, recordkeeping or other services.  Principal hereby acknowledges that Custodian or its affiliates may receive fees for such services in addition to those fees charged by Custodian under this Agreement.

14.3  Foreign Exchange.  The Custodian makes available to Principal its foreign exchange services to convert currencies in conjunctions with transactions in Principal's Account.  Principal acknowledges that (a) the foreign currency exchange department is a part of Custodian or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries; (b) the Account is not obligated to effect foreign currency exchange with Custodian; (c) Custodian will receive benefits for such foreign currency transactions which are in addition to the compensation which Custodian receives for administering the Account; and (d) Custodian will make available the relevant data so that Principal can determine that the foreign
currency exchange transaction are as favorable to the Account as terms generally available in arm's length transaction between unrelated parties. Principal acknowledges that foreign currency transactions will be performed in accordance with Union Bank’s Foreign Exchange Agreement in the form of Exhibit I hereto and incorporated herein by reference and Principal hereby agrees and acknowledges the terms and conditions thereof.  If Principal elects to give standing instructions to Custodian to execute foreign currency exchange transactions on their behalf, or in the event a foreign currency exchange transaction is initiated in the absence of the specific Foreign Exchange Agreement, such transaction will be performed at the Bank's prevailing rate.

 

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Principal acknowledges that a Foreign Exchange transaction in which Custodian’s foreign exchange services is the counterparty to Principal are subject to Paragraph 9 of this Agreement.

14.4  Interest Bearing Deposits.  Principal may direct that assets of the Account be invested in deposits with Union Bank as a sweep vehicle or other deposit held in the Custodian’s street name for the benefit of it’s clients.  Such deposits are covered by FDIC insurance up to the designated value in effect for each beneficial owner.

14.5  Brokerage Services.  Principal may direct Custodian to utilize for this Account other services or facilities provided by Custodian, its subsidiaries or affiliates.  Such services may include, but are not be limited to (i) the purchase or sale of securities as principal, or (ii) the placing of orders for the purchase, sale, exchange, investment or reinvestment of securities through any affiliated brokerage service, or (iii) the placing of orders for the purchase or sale of units of any investment company that Custodian, UnionBanCal Corporation, or their subsidiaries or affiliates, manage, advise act as custodian or provide other services.

 

14.6  Credit Facilities.  The Custodian may in accordance with its commercial lending practices enter into a credit facility with the Principal for use with the operation of the Account.  Such credit facility will be agreed to under separate agreement and subject to the terms and conditions, therein.  Principal acknowledges that any such credit facility is subject to the lien provisions of Paragraph 9.2 of this Agreement.

15.           CUSTODIAN'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIABILITIES:

15.1  Standard of Care.  In performing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Agreement, the Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence and shall not be liable for any damages arising out of the Custodian's performance of or failure to perform its duties under this Agreement except to the extent that damages arise directly out of the Custodian's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or otherwise from a material breach of the Custodian’s standard of care under this Agreement.

15.2  Investment Authority.  The parties intend that Custodian shall not be considered a fiduciary of the Account.

15.3 Insurance and Force Majeure. Without limiting the generality of Paragraph 14.1 or of any other provision of this Agreement the Custodian shall not be liable so long as and to the extent that it exercises reasonable care, for any defect in the title, validity or genuineness of any Security or in the evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.  In addition, Custodian (i) shall not be required to maintain any special insurance for the benefit of Principal, and (ii) shall not be liable or responsible for any loss, damage, expense, failure to perform or delay caused by accidents, strikes, fire, flood, war, riot, electrical or mechanical or communication line or facility failures, acts of third parties (including without limitation any messenger, telephone or delivery service), acts of God, war, government action, civil commotion, fire, earthquake, or other casualty or disaster or any other cause or causes which are beyond Custodian’s reasonable control. However, Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to replace Securities lost or damaged due to such causes with securities of the same class and issue with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. Custodian shall not be liable to Principal for any loss which shall occur as the result of the failure of a Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of assets.

 

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15.4           Legal Proceedings

15.4.1  Custodian shall not be required to appear in or defend any legal proceedings with respect to the Account or the Securities unless Custodian has been indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction against loss and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees).

15.4.2  With respect to legal proceedings Custodian may consult with counsel acceptable to it after written notification to Principal concerning its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken in good faith on the advice of such counsel.

15.4.3  To the extent permissible by law or regulation and upon Principal’s request, the Principal shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim for any loss, damage or claim suffered by Principal, in each case to the extent that the Custodian fails to pursue any such claim or Principal is not made whole in respect of such loss, damage or claim.

15.4.4  Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet Principal’s obligations under the Act, including Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder.  To the extent that Custodian is able to do so, Custodian shall provide assistance to Principal providing sub-certifications regarding certain of its services performed hereunder to Principal in connection with Principal’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 certification requirements.

16.           INDEMNITIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

16.1  In addition to the indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement, Principal agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Custodian and its affiliates providing services under this Agreement, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements and liabilities ("Claims") arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which Custodian takes in connection with the provision of services to Principal. Neither Custodian, nor any of its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees shall be
indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) caused by Custodian’s or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of Custodian's or its affiliates' activities under this Agreement. The provisions of this Paragraph 16 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

16.2  In all cases, Custodian’s liability under this Agreement shall be limited to the resulting direct loss, if any, incurred by Principal.  Under no circumstances shall Custodian be liable for any incidental, consequential, indirect, punitive, or special damage which Principal may incur or suffer in connection with this Agreement.

17.           COMPENSATION AND OTHER CHARGES

17.11  Compensation.  Principal shall pay Custodian compensation for its services hereunder as specified in Appendix B.  Fees shall accrue and be taken in arrears as specified on the active fee schedule and charged to the Account unless Principal has requested that it be billed directly.  However, any fees not paid within 60 days of billing will be charged to the Account.

17.2  Expenses.  Principal shall reimburse Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and processing costs incurred by Custodian in the administration of the Account including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees incurred by Custodian pursuant to Subparagraph 14.4 of this Agreement.

18.           AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.

 

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18.1  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by a written instrument signed by the parties or by Custodian immediately if required by applicable law or upon thirty (30) days written notice to Principal.

18.2  Termination.

In addition, either party may terminate this Agreement and the Account upon 60 days' written notice.  Upon such termination, Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities, less any amounts due and owing to Custodian under this Agreement, to a successor custodian designated by Principal.  Upon completion of such delivery Custodian shall be discharged of any further liability or responsibility with respect to the Securities so delivered.  In the event that Securities or other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of Principal to provide proper instructions, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian
retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that no proper instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Act of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all Securities held by the Custodian on behalf of Principal and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto held by it under this Agreement on behalf of Principal, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Securities held in an Account.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.  All expenses associated with the transfer of custody hereunder upon termination hereof shall be borne by the Principal (except as may be specifically agreed in writing by the parties in relation to special arrangements).

19.           SUCCESSORS.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors in interest.  This Agreement may not be assigned by either party, nor may the duties of either party hereunder be delegated, without the prior written consent of the other party.

20.           GOVERNING LAW.  The validity, construction, and administration of this Agreement shall be governed by the applicable laws of the United States from time to time in force and effect and, to the extent not preempted by such laws of the United States, by the laws of the State of California from time to time in force and effect.  Any action or proceeding to enforce, interpret or adjudicate the rights and responsibilities of the parties hereunder shall be commenced in the State or Federal courts located in the State of California.

21.           ADDRESSES.  Until further notice from either party, all communications called for under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed as follows:

	  	
If to Principal:

	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
Name:

	
Harris & Harris Group, Inc.

	  
	  	  	
Street Address:

	
1450 Broadway, 24th Floor

	  
	  	  	
City, State, Zip:

	
New York, NY 10018

	  
	  	  	
Attn:

	  	  
	  	  	
Telephone:

	  	  
	  	  	
Facsimile:

	  	  

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If to Custodian:

	  	  	  
	  	  	
Union Bank, N.A.

	  	  	
Institutional Custody Services

	  	  	
Attn: Ms. Margaret Bond, Vice President

	  	  	
350 California Street, 6th Floor

	  	  	
San Francisco, California 94104

	  	  	
Telephone: (415) 705-7205

	  	  	
Facsimile: (877) 823-3601

22.           EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Agreement shall be effective as of the date appearing below, and shall supersede any prior or existing agreements between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

23,           COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement and all exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any reasonable means.  The parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

23.           MISCELLANEOUS.

Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.  The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

	
Date:

	
March 11, 2011

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	
By:

	
Harris & Harris Group, Inc.

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Authorized Signature

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Name & Title

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Date

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Authorized Signature

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Name & Title

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Date

	
 

	  	  	  
	
 

	  	  

 

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By:

	
Union Bank, National Association, "Custodian"

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Authorized Signature

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Name & Title

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Date

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Authorized Signature

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Name & Title

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
Date

	
 

	  	  	  
	
 

	  	  

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Page 15 of 15Unassociated Document

EXHIBIT 10.11

 

WEB.COM GROUP, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE BENEFIT PLAN

 

Section 1. Introduction.

 

The Web.com Group, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) was established effective April 6, 2005, and amended and restated on October 23, 2007, December 11, 2008, October 28, 2009 and March 7, 2011.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide for the payment of severance benefits to certain executive employees of Web.com Group, Inc. (the “Company”) upon the termination of their employment under specified circumstances.  This Plan shall supersede any executive severance benefit plan, policy or practice previously maintained by the Company for any Eligible Employee (as defined in Section 2(a) (1)
below).  This Plan document is also the Summary Plan Description for the Plan.

 

Section 2. Eligibility For Benefits.

 

(a) General Rules.  Subject to the requirements set forth herein, the Company will grant severance benefits under the Plan to Eligible Employees.

 

(1) Definition of “Eligible Employee.” For purposes of this Plan, Eligible Employees shall be those employees of the Company who are approved for participation in the Plan by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) as listed in Appendix A hereto.  The determination of whether an
employee is an Eligible Employee shall be made by the Board, in its sole discretion, and such determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons.  If an employee who is deemed an Eligible Employee by the Board has an individually negotiated employment agreement with the Company relating to severance benefits that is in effect on his or her termination date, the provisions of that agreement relating to severance benefits shall be superseded by the terms of this Plan; provided, however, that all other remaining provisions of that agreement shall remain in effect.

 

(2) Release of Claims.  To be eligible to receive benefits under the Plan, an Eligible Employee must execute a general waiver and release in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, Exhibit B or Exhibit C, as appropriate, within the time provided therein, and such release must become effective in accordance with its terms, but in all cases the release
must become effective within 60 days following the date of the Eligible Employee’s “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), without regard to any alternative definition there under, a “Separation from Service”)).  The Company, in its sole discretion, may modify the form of the required release to comply with applicable law and shall determine the form of the required release, which may be incorporated into a termination agreement or other agreement with the Eligible Employee.  Such release shall include non-competition and non-solicitation provisions as deemed appropriate by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

  

1.

  

(3) Return of Property.  To be eligible to receive benefits under the Plan, an Eligible Employee must return all Company property which he or she has had in his or her possession at any time, including but not limited to any materials which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company and any computers, mobile telephones or other physical property.

 

(b) Exceptions to Benefit Entitlement.  An employee, including an employee who otherwise is an Eligible Employee, will not receive benefits under the Plan if the employee is terminated for Cause (as defined herein), if the employee resigns without Good Reason (as defined herein), or if the employee’s employment is terminated as a result of the employee’s death or disability, in each case as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

Section 3. Amount Of Benefit.

 

(a) Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.  If at any time the Company terminates an Eligible Employee’s employment without Cause (as defined herein), or the Eligible Employee resigns for Good Reason (as defined herein), and such termination constitutes a Separation from Service, the Company shall provide the Eligible Employee with the following severance benefits:

 

(1) The Company shall make a lump sum severance payment to the Eligible Employee in an amount equal to six (6) months of the Eligible Employee’s then-current base salary (as defined herein),  and (ii) 50% of the greater of (A) the Eligible Employee’s Target Bonus (as defined herein) for the year in which the termination occurs and (B) the prior year’s Target Bonus actually earned by the Eligible Employee, subject to withholdings and deductions, provided, however, no payment shall be made prior to the effective date of the Eligible Employee’s release of claims.

 

(2) Acceleration of the vesting of the unvested shares of common stock held by the Eligible Employee that were issued pursuant to his or her compensatory equity awards and the unvested shares of common stock subject to unexercised stock options then held by the Eligible Employee such that the shares that would have vested under such awards had the Eligible Employee remained employed by the Company for six (6) months following the termination of the Eligible Employee’s employment shall vest and, in the case of options, become immediately exercisable (or, if no shares would vest during such time under a specific award due to a cliff vesting provision, then the number
of shares vesting and becoming exercisable pursuant to this paragraph shall equal the product of (i) the total number of shares subject to the award and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is six (6) plus the number of whole months that have elapsed between the Eligible Employee’s vesting commencement date  and the date of termination, and the denominator of which is the total number of months in the vesting schedule), with such vesting occurring as of the date of the Eligible Employee’s termination, such acceleration of vesting, (the “6 Month Acceleration”);

 

(3) Extension of the post-termination exercise period of all non-statutory stock options then held by the Eligible Employee so that such options, to the extent vested, are exercisable until the earlier of (i) the original term expiration date for such award and (ii) the first anniversary of the Eligible Employee’s termination date; and

 

  

2.

  

(4) Provided that the Eligible Employee is eligible to continue coverage under a health, dental, or vision plan sponsored by the Company under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) at the time of the Eligible Employee’s termination and timely elects such continuation of coverage under COBRA, the Company will pay COBRA premiums on behalf of the Eligible Employee for a period of up to six (6) months following the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment (but in no event longer
that the date on which the Eligible Employee ceases to be eligible for COBRA) (the “COBRA Payment Period”).  Upon the conclusion of such period of insurance premium payments made by the Company, the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the entire payment of premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that the payment of the COBRA premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Code or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including but not limited to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company, in its sole discretion, may elect to instead pay the Eligible Employee on the first
day of each month of the COBRA Payment Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings (such amount, the “Special Severance Payment”), for the remainder of the COBRA Payment Period.  The Eligible Employee may, but is not obligated to, use such Special Severance Payment toward the cost of COBRA premiums.  On the sixtieth (60th) day following the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service, the Company will make the first payment in the case of the Special Severance Payment in a lump sum equal to the aggregate amount of payments that the Company would have paid through such date had such payments commenced on the Separation from Service through such sixtieth (60th) day, with the balance of the payments paid thereafter on the schedule described above.  No provision of this Plan will affect the continuation coverage rules under COBRA, except that the Company’s payment of any applicable insurance premiums will be credited as payment by the Eligible Employee for purposes of the Eligible Employee’s payment required under COBRA.  Therefore, the period during which an Eligible Employee may elect to continue the Company’s health, dental, or vision plan coverage at his or her own expense under COBRA, the length of time during which COBRA coverage will be made available to the Eligible Employee, and all other rights and obligations of the Eligible Employee under COBRA (except the obligation to pay insurance premiums that the Company pays in accordance with the foregoing) will be applied in the same manner that such rules would apply in the absence of this Plan.  For purposes of this
Section 3(a) (3), (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by the Eligible Employee under an Internal Revenue Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of the Eligible Employee.

 

(b) Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Following a Change of Control.  If the Company terminates an Eligible Employee’s employment without Cause, or the Eligible Employee resigns for Good Reason, at any time during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change of Control (as defined herein) and ending eighteen (18) months following the effective date of the Change of Control, and provided such termination constitutes a Separation from Service, then the Eligible Employee shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Section 3(a); provided, however, that in lieu of the 6 Month Acceleration, the vesting (and, in the case of options, exercisability) of each then-unvested equity award held by the Eligible Employee shall be accelerated as to that number of shares equal to the greater of (1) the 6 Month Acceleration and (2) fifty percent (50%) of the then-unvested shares subject to such award, with such accelerated vesting (and exercisability) effective as of the date of the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment.  In the event of a termination of employment on the effective date of a Change of Control, the vesting in Section 3(c) shall apply first and the vesting in this Section 3(b) shall apply second.

 

  

3.

  

(c) Single Trigger Vesting.

 

(1) Immediately prior to a Change of Control, and subject to the Eligible Employee’s continued employment with the Company through such time, 25% of the then-unvested shares subject to each then-outstanding equity award (or such lesser number as then remain unvested) held by the Eligible Employee shall become fully vested, and, as applicable, exercisable.

 

(2) In addition, in the event of a Change of Control in which either (i) the acquiring or surviving entity does not agree to assume or otherwise continue an Eligible Employee’s outstanding equity awards, or (ii) the acquiring or surviving entity does assume or otherwise continue the Eligible Employee’s outstanding equity awards but such awards cease to cover shares of common stock that are readily tradable on an established securities market, then 100% of the shares subject to each then-outstanding unvested equity award held by the Eligible Employee shall become fully vested, and, as applicable, exercisable.

 

(d) Definitions.

 

(1) For purposes of this Plan, “Cause” shall mean (A) conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; (B) perpetration of a material fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (C) in the event of a termination prior to a Change of Control, persistent, willful and material breach of the Eligible Employee’s duties that has not been cured within 30 days after written notice from the Company’s Board of Directors of such breach; or (D) material breach of any Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement between the Eligible Employee and
the Company that has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice from the Company’s Board of Directors, or has cause irreparable damage incapable of cure.

 

(2) For purposes of this Plan, “Good Reason” shall mean the Eligible Employee’s resignation from all positions he or she then-holds with the Company if (A) (I) there is a material adverse change in the Eligible Employee’s position causing such position to be of materially reduced stature or responsibility, (II) there is a material reduction of the Eligible Employee’s base compensation, or (III) the Eligible Employee is required to relocate his or her primary work location to a facility or location that would increase the Eligible Employee’s one way commute
distance by more than twenty (20) miles from the Eligible Employee’s primary work location as of immediately prior to such change, (B) the Eligible Employee provides written notice to the Company’s General Counsel within the 60-day period immediately following such material change or reduction, (C) such material change or reduction is not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of such written notice and (D) the Eligible Employee’s resignation is effective not later than ninety (90) days after the expiration of such thirty (30) day cure period.

 

  

4.

  

(3) Change of Control. For purposes of the Plan, a “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following in connection with which the Eligible Employee receives cash or readily marketable securities in exchange for all or substantially all of the Eligible Employee’s shares of capital stock of the Company: (A) a sale, lease or other disposition in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (B) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity
or if the Company is the surviving entity, as a result of which the shares of the Company’s capital stock are converted into or exchanged for cash, securities of another entity, or other property, unless (in any case) the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of capital stock immediately before such transaction own more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the surviving entity immediately after the transaction, (C) the Company’s stockholders approve a plan or proposal to liquidate or dissolve the Company or (D) a person or group hereafter acquires beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (all within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder).

 

(4) For purposes of calculating Plan benefits, “Base Salary” shall mean the Eligible Employee's base pay (excluding incentive pay, premium pay, commissions, overtime, bonuses and other forms of variable compensation), at the rate in effect during the last regularly scheduled payroll period immediately preceding the Eligible Employee's termination (ignoring any reduction in Base Salary that is the basis for the Eligible Employee’s resignation for Good Reason, as applicable).

 

(5) For purposes of calculating Plan benefits, “Target Bonus” shall mean the Eligible Employee’s target bonus amount as most recently determined for the year of termination by the Company, generally (but not necessarily) expressed as a percentage of Base Salary.

 

(e) Other Employee Benefits.  All other benefits (such as life insurance, disability coverage, and 401(k) plan coverage) terminate as of the Eligible Employee’s termination date (except to the extent that a conversion privilege may be available thereunder).

 

(f) Certain Reductions.  The Company shall reduce an Eligible Employee’s severance benefits, in whole or in part, by any other severance benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to the Eligible Employee by the Company that become payable in connection with the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to (i) any applicable legal requirement, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”), or (ii) any
Company policy or practice providing for the Eligible Employee to remain on the payroll for a limited period of time after being given notice of the termination of the Eligible Employee’s employment.  The benefits provided under this Plan are intended to satisfy, in whole or in part, any and all statutory obligations that may arise out of an Eligible Employee’s termination of employment, and the Plan Administrator shall so construe and implement the terms of the Plan.  In the Company’s sole discretion, such reductions may be applied on a retroactive basis, with severance benefits previously paid being recharacterized as payments pursuant to the Company’s statutory obligation.

 

  

5.

  

(g) Clawback.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, any portion of the payments and benefits provided under this Plan, as well as any other payments and benefits which the Eligible Employee receives pursuant to a Company plan or other arrangement, shall be subject to a clawback to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or any Securities and Exchange Commission rule.

 

Section 4. Limitations on Payments.

 

(a) Taxes and Offsets.  All payments under the Plan will be subject to applicable withholding for federal, state and local taxes.  If an Eligible Employee is indebted to the Company at his or her termination date, the Company reserves the right to offset any severance payments under the Plan by the amount of such indebtedness.  In no event shall payment of any Plan benefit be made prior to the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service or prior to the effective date of the release described in Section 2(a)(2).

 

(b) Best After Tax.  If any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) that an Eligible Employee would receive in connection with a Change of Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Payment are paid to the Eligible Employee, which of the following two alternative forms of payment would maximize the Eligible Employee’s after-tax proceeds: (i) payment in full of the entire amount of the Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (ii) payment of only a part of the Payment so that the Eligible Employee receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”), whichever amount results in the Participant’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be
subject to the Excise Tax.  For purposes of determining whether to make a Full Payment or a Reduced Payment, the Company shall cause to be taken into account all applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes).  If a Reduced Payment is made, (i) the Payment shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Payment alternative, and the Eligible Employee shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits paid to the
Eligible Employee.  Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (1), (2), (3) or (4)), a reduction shall occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and then with respect to amounts that are.  In the event that acceleration of compensation from the Eligible Employee’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled in the reverse order of the date of grant.

 

  

6.

  

The independent professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change of Control shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section 4(b).  If the firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent professional firm to make the determinations required hereunder.  The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made hereunder.

 

The firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and the Eligible Employee within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which the Eligible Employee’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or the Eligible Employee) or such other time as requested by the Company or the Eligible Employee.  If the firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and the Eligible Employee with an opinion reasonably acceptable to the Eligible Employee that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment.  Any good faith determinations of
the firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the Eligible Employee.

 

(c) Code Section 409A.  If the Company (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the severance payments and benefits provided under the Plan (the “Plan Payments”) constitute “deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A (together, with any state law of similar effect, “Section 409A”) and an Eligible Employee is a “specified employee” of the Company or any successor entity thereto, as
such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (a “Specified Employee”) on his or her Separation from Service, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Plan Payments shall be delayed as follows:  on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the date of his or her Separation from Service or (ii) the date of the Eligible Employee’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall (A) pay to the Eligible Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Plan Payments that the Eligible Employee would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date (including reimbursement
for any premiums paid by the Eligible Employee for health insurance coverage under COBRA or the Special Severance Payment, as applicable) if the commencement of the payment of the Plan Payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 4(c) and (B) commence paying the balance of the Plan Payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth in Section 3 above.  It is intended that (i) each installment of the Plan Payments provided under this Plan is a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A, (ii) all of the Plan Payments satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Plan will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions.

 

Section 5. Reemployment.

 

In the event of an Eligible Employee’s reemployment by the Company during the period of time in respect of which Plan Payments have been paid, the Company, in its sole discretion, may require such Eligible Employee to repay to the Company all or a portion of such Plan Payments as a condition of reemployment.

 

  

7.

  

Section 6. Right To Interpret Plan; Amendment and Termination.

 

(a) Exclusive Discretion.  The Plan Administrator (set forth in Section 11(d)) shall have the exclusive discretion and authority to establish rules, forms, and procedures for the administration of the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and to decide any and all questions of fact, interpretation, definition, computation or administration arising in connection with the operation of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the eligibility to participate in the Plan and amount of benefits paid under the Plan.  The rules, interpretations, computations and other actions of the Plan
Administrator shall be binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

(b) Amendment or Termination.  The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Plan (including Appendix A) or the benefits provided hereunder at any time prior to a Change of Control; provided, however, that no such amendment or termination shall affect the right to any unpaid benefit of any Eligible Employee whose termination date has occurred prior to amendment or termination of the Plan.  Any purported amendment or termination of this Plan (and the exhibits and appendices hereto) upon or following a Change of Control will not be
effective as to any Eligible Employee who has not consented, in writing, to such amendment or termination.  Any action amending or terminating the Plan shall be in writing and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

 

Section 7. No Implied Employment Contract.

 

The Plan shall not be deemed to (i) give any employee or other person any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or (ii) interfere with the right of the Company to discharge any employee or other person at any time, with or without cause, which right is hereby reserved.

 

Section 8. Legal Construction.

 

This Plan is intended to be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and, to the extent not preempted by ERISA, the laws of the State of Florida.

 

Section 9. Claims, Inquiries And Appeals.

 

(a) Applications for Benefits and Inquiries.  Any application for benefits, inquiries about the Plan or inquiries about present or future rights under the Plan must be submitted to the Plan Administrator in writing by an applicant (or his or her authorized representative).

 

(b) Denial of Claims.  In the event that any application for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Plan Administrator must provide the applicant with written or electronic notice of the denial of the application, and of the applicant’s right to review the denial.  Any electronic notice will comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor.  The notice of denial will be set forth in a manner designed to be understood by the applicant and will include the following:

 

  

8.

  

(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

(2) references to the specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;

 

(3) a description of any additional information or material that the Plan Administrator needs to complete the review and an explanation of why such information or material is necessary; and

 

(4) an explanation of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on review of the claim, as described in Section 9(d) below.

 

This notice of denial will be given to the applicant within ninety (90) days after the Plan Administrator receives the application, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case, the Plan Administrator has up to an additional ninety (90) days for processing the application.  If an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.

 

This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Plan Administrator is to render its decision on the application.

 

(c) Request for a Review.  Any person (or that person’s authorized representative) for whom an application for benefits is denied, in whole or in part, may appeal the denial by submitting a request for a review to the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after the application is denied.  A request for a review shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the Plan Administrator.

 

A request for review must set forth all of the grounds on which it is based, all facts in support of the request and any other matters that the applicant feels are pertinent.  The applicant (or his or her representative) shall have the opportunity to submit (or the Plan Administrator may require the applicant to submit) written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to his or her claim.  The applicant (or his or her representative) shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim.  The review shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the applicant
(or his or her representative) relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

 

(d) Decision on Review.  The Plan Administrator will act on each request for review within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request, unless special circumstances require an extension of time (not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days), for processing the request for a review.  If an extension for review is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant within the initial sixty (60) day period.  This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Plan Administrator is to render its
decision on the review.  The Plan Administrator will give prompt, written or electronic notice of its decision to the applicant. Any electronic notice will comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor.  In the event that the Plan Administrator confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, the notice will set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant, the following:

 

  

9.

  

(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

(2) references to the specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;

 

(3) a statement that the applicant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim; and

 

(4) a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA.

 

(e) Rules and Procedures.  The Plan Administrator will establish rules and procedures, consistent with the Plan and with ERISA, as necessary and appropriate in carrying out its responsibilities in reviewing benefit claims.  The Plan Administrator may require an applicant who wishes to submit additional information in connection with an appeal from the denial of benefits to do so at the applicant’s own expense.

 

(f) Exhaustion of Remedies.  No legal action for benefits under the Plan may be brought until the applicant (i) has submitted a written application for benefits in accordance with the procedures described by Section 9(a) above, (ii) has been notified by the Plan Administrator that the application is denied, (iii) has filed a written request for a review of the application in accordance with the appeal procedure described in Section 9(c) above, and (iv) has been notified that the Plan Administrator has denied the appeal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Plan Administrator
does not respond to a Participant’s claim or appeal within the relevant time limits specified in this Section 9, the Participant may bring legal action for benefits under the Plan pursuant to Section 502(a) of ERISA.

 

Section 10. Basis Of Payments To And From Plan.

 

The Plan shall be unfunded, and all cash payments under the Plan shall be paid only from the general assets of the Company.

 

Section 11. Other Plan Information.

 

(a) Employer and Plan Identification Numbers.  The Employer Identification Number assigned to the Company (which is the “Plan Sponsor” as that term is used in ERISA) by the Internal Revenue Service is 94-3327894.  The Plan Number assigned to the Plan by the Plan Sponsor pursuant to the instructions of the Internal Revenue Service is 510.

 

  

10.

  

(b) Ending Date for Plan’s Fiscal Year.  The date of the end of the fiscal year for the purpose of maintaining the Plan’s records is December 31.

 

(c) Agent for the Service of Legal Process.  The agent for the service of legal process with respect to the Plan is the Plan Administrator.

 

(d) Plan Sponsor and Administrator.  The “Plan Sponsor” and the “Plan Administrator” of the Plan is:

 

Web.com Group, Inc.

12808 Gran Bay Parkway West

Jacksonville, FL  32258

 

The Plan Sponsor’s and Plan Administrator’s telephone number is (904) 680-6600.  The Plan Administrator is the named fiduciary charged with the responsibility for administering the Plan.

 

Section 12. Statement Of ERISA Rights.

 

Participants in this Plan (which is a welfare benefit plan sponsored by Web.com Group, Inc.) are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA.  If you are an Eligible Employee, you are considered a participant in the Plan and, under ERISA, you are entitled to:

 

(a) Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits

 

(1) Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator’s office and at other specified locations, such as worksites, all documents governing the Plan and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), if applicable, filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration;

 

(2) Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series), if applicable, and an updated (as necessary) Summary Plan Description.  The Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies; and

 

(3) Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report, if applicable.  The Plan Administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.

 

(b) Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries.  In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan.  The people who operate the Plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries.  No one, including your employer, your union or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a Plan benefit or exercising your rights under
ERISA.

 

  

11.

  

(c) Enforce Your Rights.  If your claim for a Plan benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules.

 

Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights.  For instance, if you request a copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan, if applicable, and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a Federal court.  In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator.

 

If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court.

 

If you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a Federal court.  The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees.  If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees.  If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.

 

(d) Assistance with Your Questions.  If you have any questions about the Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator.  If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C.
20210.  You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

 

Section 13. General Provisions.

 

(a) Notices.  Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given by either the Company or an Eligible Employee pursuant to the terms of this Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or deposited in the U.S. mail with postage prepaid, and addressed to the parties, in the case of the Company, at the address set forth in Section 11(d) and, in the case of an Eligible Employee, at the address as set forth in the Company’s employment file maintained for the Participant as previously furnished by the Participant or such other address as a party may request by
notifying the other in writing.

 

(b) Transfer and Assignment.  The rights and obligations of an Eligible Employee under this Plan may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.  This Plan shall be binding upon any person who is a successor by merger, acquisition, consolidation or otherwise to the business formerly carried on by the Company without regard to whether or not such person or entity actively assumes the obligations hereunder.

 

  

12.

  

(c) Waiver. Any party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Plan shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent any party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Plan.  The rights granted the parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of any party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.

 

(d) Severability. Should any provision of this Plan (including any appendices hereto) be declared or determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

(e) Section Headings.  Section headings in this Plan are included for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered part of this Plan for any other purpose.

 

Section 14. Circular 230 Disclaimer.

 

THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE’S CIRCULAR 230 (21 CFR PART 10).  ANY ADVICE IN THIS PLAN IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED BY YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING ANY PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON YOU.  ANY ADVICE IN THIS PLAN WAS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPANY’S SEVERANCE BENEFIT PLAN.  YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.

 

Section 15. Execution.

 

To record the adoption of the Plan as amended and restated and as set forth herein, effective as of March 7, 2011, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute the same as of March 7, 2011.

 

	 	 
Web.com Group, Inc.

	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	      /s/ David L. Brown	 
	 	 	David L. Brown	 
	 	 	Chief Executive Officer	 
	 	 	 	 

 

 

 

  

13.

  

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

Exhibit A

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Web.com Group, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

 

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between Web.com Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and me with regard to the subject matter hereof.  I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

 

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

While employed by the Company and for two (2) years immediately following the date on which I cease to be employed by the Company for any reason, I agree not to (whether directly or indirectly, personally or through others): (a) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any employee of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to leave his or her employment with the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, (b) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any customer of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to reduce or terminate its customer relationship with the Company, or (c) be or become an officer, director, stockholder, owner, co-owner, affiliate, partner, promoter, employee, agent, representative, designer,
consultant, advisor, manager, licensor, sublicensor, licensee or sublicensee of, for or to, or otherwise be or become associated with or acquire or hold (of record, beneficially or otherwise) any direct or indirect interest in, any entity that engages directly or indirectly in competition with the Company; provided, however, that I may, without violating this paragraph, provide services to a business division of a competing entity if such business division does not compete with the Company and my services to the competing entity are limited to such business division, and provided further, that I may own, as a passive investor, an equity interest of any competing entity, so long as my holdings in such entity do not in the aggregate constitute more than 1% of the voting stock of such entity.  I acknowledge that, due to the nature of the Company’s business and
the products and services provided by the Company, it is possible to compete with the Company from any location within the world, and I acknowledge and agree that it is thus impossible to identify or otherwise limit the geographic scope of this agreement and that it is reasonable for the restrictions contained herein to apply on a worldwide basis.

 

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release.  This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or
benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), the federal Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the California Labor Code (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law or to prohibit me for contesting a claim for indemnification made by the Company or any of the other persons released hereunder.

 

  

1.

  

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under the Plan for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled.  I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that:  (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date I sign this Release; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although I may choose voluntarily not do so); (c) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose voluntarily to sign this Release earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the
date I sign this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to an officer of the Company; and (e) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after I sign this Release.

 

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”  I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

 

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to FMLA, CFRA, or otherwise, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

  

2.

  

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than twenty-one (21) days following the later of the date of the termination of my employment and the date it is provided to me.

 

 

	 	Employee
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Name: 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Date: 	 
	 	 	 

 

  

3.

  

 

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

 

Exhibit B

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Web.com Group, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

 

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between Web.com Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and me with regard to the subject matter hereof.  I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

 

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

 

While employed by the Company and for two (2) years immediately following the date on which I cease to be employed by the Company for any reason, I agree not to (whether directly or indirectly, personally or through others): (a) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any employee of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to leave his or her employment with the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, (b) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any customer of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to reduce or terminate its customer relationship with the Company, or (c) be or become an officer, director, stockholder, owner, co-owner, affiliate, partner, promoter, employee, agent, representative, designer,
consultant, advisor, manager, licensor, sublicensor, licensee or sublicensee of, for or to, or otherwise be or become associated with or acquire or hold (of record, beneficially or otherwise) any direct or indirect interest in, any entity that engages directly or indirectly in competition with the Company; provided, however, that I may, without violating this paragraph, provide services to a business division of a competing entity if such business division does not compete with the Company and my services to the competing entity are limited to such business division, and provided further, that I may own, as a passive investor, an equity interest of any competing entity, so long as my holdings in such entity do not in the aggregate constitute more than 1% of the voting stock of such entity.  I acknowledge that, due to the nature of the Company’s business and
the products and services provided by the Company, it is possible to compete with the Company from any location within the world, and I acknowledge and agree that it is thus impossible to identify or otherwise limit the geographic scope of this agreement and that it is reasonable for the restrictions contained herein to apply on a worldwide basis.

 

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release.  This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or
benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), the federal Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the California Labor Code (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law or to prohibit me for contesting a claim for indemnification made by the Company or any of the other persons released hereunder.

 

  

1.

  

  
For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under the Plan for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled.  I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that:  (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date I sign this Release; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although I may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose voluntarily to sign this Release earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following
the date I sign this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to an office of the Company; (e) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after I sign this Release; and (f) I have received with this Release a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

 

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”  I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

 

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to FMLA, CFRA, or otherwise, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

  

2.

  

  
For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than forty-five (45) days following the later of the date of the termination of my employment and the date it is provided to me.

 

 

	 	Employee
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Name: 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Date: 	 
	 	 	 

 

                                                  

  

3.

  

 

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

 

Exhibit C

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

I understand and agree completely to the terms set forth in the Web.com Group, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

 

I understand that this Release, together with the Plan, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between Web.com Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and me with regard to the subject matter hereof.  I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated therein.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Plan.

 

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Company’s proprietary information and inventions agreement.

 

While employed by the Company and for two (2) years immediately following the date on which I cease to be employed by the Company for any reason, I agree not to (whether directly or indirectly, personally or through others): (a) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any employee of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to leave his or her employment with the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, (b) encourage, induce, attempt to induce, solicit or attempt to solicit any customer of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to reduce or terminate its customer relationship with the Company, or (c) be or become an officer, director, stockholder, owner, co-owner, affiliate, partner, promoter, employee, agent, representative, designer,
consultant, advisor, manager, licensor, sublicensor, licensee or sublicensee of, for or to, or otherwise be or become associated with or acquire or hold (of record, beneficially or otherwise) any direct or indirect interest in, any entity that engages directly or indirectly in competition with the Company; provided, however, that I may, without violating this paragraph, provide services to a business division of a competing entity if such business division does not compete with the Company and my services to the competing entity are limited to such business division, and provided further, that I may own, as a passive investor, an equity interest of any competing entity, so long as my holdings in such entity do not in the aggregate constitute more than 1% of the voting stock of such entity.  I acknowledge that, due to the nature of the Company’s business and
the products and services provided by the Company, it is possible to compete with the Company from any location within the world, and I acknowledge and agree that it is thus impossible to identify or otherwise limit the geographic scope of this agreement and that it is reasonable for the restrictions contained herein to apply on a worldwide basis.

 

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its parents, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and affiliates, and its and their partners, members, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, agents, attorneys, predecessors, insurers, affiliates and assigns, from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release.  This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or
benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), the federal Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the California Labor Code (as amended), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to agreement or applicable law or to prohibit me for contesting a claim for indemnification made by the Company or any of the other persons released hereunder.

 

  

1.

  

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

 

I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”  I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder.

 

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to FMLA, CFRA, or otherwise, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

I acknowledge that to become effective, I must sign and return this Release to the Company so that it is received not later than fourteen (14) days following the later of the date of the termination of my employment and the date it is provided to me.

 

 

	 	Employee
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Name: 	 
	 	 	 
	 	Date: 	 
	 	 	 

 

            

  

2.

  

 

For Employees Age 40 or Older

Individual Termination

 

Web.com Group, Inc.

Executive Severance Benefit Plan

 

Appendix A

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has deemed the following executive employees to be eligible for severance benefits under the Web.com Group, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (“Eligible Employees”):

 

[Omitted]

 

 

  

1.

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