Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.43

Staples1 
Annual Performance Award - APA Fiscal Year 2016
North America

		
	I.
	Summary and Objectives

Staples has developed this Annual Performance Award - APA (the “Plan”) to provide opportunities for eligible associates to earn financial rewards for their role in ensuring Staples meets its annual performance targets. The Plan aims to align the interests of the plan participants with those of our shareholders. Bonus awards are based on actual results measured against pre-established company financial performance. Bonus awards are intended to provide a reward to eligible plan participants and supplement the base salary program.

Bonus awards will be modified based on individual performance. Individual performance for bonus purposes is based on annual performance ratings. See section VII.

		
	II.
	Plan Year

The Plan follows the fiscal year calendar, which runs from January 31, 2016 through January 28, 2017 (the “Plan Year”).

		
	III.
	Plan Participants

The Plan covers all “plan participants,” defined as exempt associates employed by Staples, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries (“Staples”) typically in salary grades of thirty-five and above.

		
	IV.
	Eligibility

Assuming that Staples meets the performance targets set forth below in section VI, the following guidelines will be used to determine plan participants’ bonus award eligibility. Bonus awards are not guaranteed and will not be paid unless Staples meets the required objectives set forth in the Plan.

		
	A.
	General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a bonus award, a plan participant must be:

		
	1.
	In an active ‘regular’ status (temporary associates are not eligible) or on a Staples - approved leave of absence as of the last day of the Plan Year;

		
	2.
	In “good standing” as of the last day of the fiscal year and the date bonus awards are paid (if terminated after the fiscal year ends, associates terminated due to a violation of a company policy are not eligible for payout). For the purpose of this Plan, a plan participant will be deemed to be in “good standing” unless the associate:

		
	(1)
	Is on a Performance Improvement Plan at the end of the Plan Year.

		
	(2)
	Is terminated involuntarily for violating any company policy at any time on or after the last day of the fiscal year, up to and including the date that bonus awards are paid.

		
	(3)
	Receives a performance rating of Does Not Meet Expectations at the performance review for the Plan Year.

1 Associates employed by Staples Inc., Staples the Office Superstore LLC, Staples the Office Superstore East, Inc. Staples Contract & Commercial Inc., Quill Lincolnshire, Inc., PNI Digital Media ULC, Corporate Express Canada, Inc., Staples Canada Inc., and Staples Promotional Products Canada, Ltd. may be eligible to participate in this plan.

		
	B.
	Changes in Position and Transfers to Other Business Units

A plan participant who meets the general eligibility requirements outlined above and who changes from one position to another will be eligible for a prorated bonus award as follows:

		
	1.
	A plan participant, who transfers from an APA eligible position into a position eligible for another bonus plan, is eligible for a partial bonus award based on the number of days the associate was an APA plan participant. The associate’s eligibility for a bonus for the new position, if any, will be determined in accordance with any applicable bonus plan for that position.

		
	2.
	Plan participants who change from one position to another, through a promotion, transfer, or demotion are eligible for a prorated award for each position based on the number of days the associate held each position during the Plan Year.

		
	C.
	Leaves of Absence

A plan participant who is on a company-approved leave of absence, including sick leave or short term disability in excess of 90 days during the fiscal year will not be eligible for a bonus award for the portion of his/her leave over 90 days unless otherwise approved by the Executive Vice President of Human Resources.

		
	D.
	Termination due to: Retirement, Disability or Death

		
	Retirement:
	If a plan participant terminates employment after attaining age 55 and if at the time of such termination of employment the sum of the years of service (as determined by the Board of Directors of Staples) completed by the plan participant plus the plan participant’s age is greater than or equal to 65, the associate will be eligible for a prorated bonus award.

		
	Disability:
	If a plan participant terminates employment due to permanent disability before the end of the Plan Year, the associate will be eligible for a prorated bonus award.

The prorated bonus award for retirement or permanent disability is based on the number of days of active employment in the fiscal year, provided there is an earned payout for that Plan Year and all other eligibility requirements are met.

		
	Death:
	If a plan participant's employment is terminated due to death before the end of the Plan Year, 100% of the plan participant’s Target Award (defined below) for such Plan Year will be paid within 60 days of such termination; provided, that if such termination occurs during the plan participant’s first year of employment, the bonus award will be prorated based on the number of days the associate was employed by Staples during the Plan Year.

		
	V.
	The Plan

The APA is based upon three objective and measurable goals. Bonus awards are based on fiscal year results against budgeted objectives for Staples Inc.’s Earnings Per Share (EPS), Gross Profit $, and Sales (US Stores plan uses AOI in place of Sales). The company must achieve the EPS threshold to be eligible for any bonus award. Thereafter, the target bonus award is earned upon achieving the remaining financial objectives. The following criteria will be used to determine plan participants’ bonus for the Plan Year.

The performance components of the Plan are:

	
		
	EPS
	50%

	Total Sales $
	25%      (US Stores plan uses AOI at 25%)

	Gross Profit $
	25%

	 
	100%

There are five bonus plans, each with EPS, Gross Profit $ and Total Sales $ goals: 

Corporate
North America
Staples Business Advantage (SBA) 
Quill
Canada Stores and Online

There is one plan with EPS, Gross Profit $ and AOI $ goals: 
US Stores

Most Retail Field Management positions are on the Retail Performance Award - RPA, and Direct Sales Management positions are on the Sales Incentive Plan. Neither group is eligible to participate in the Annual Performance Award.

Plan participants have a bonus target award equal to a specific percentage of salary earned during the Plan Year (the “Target Award”). For this purpose, salary is defined as the base pay an individual earns during the fiscal year that corresponds to the Plan Year. The eligible bonus percentage is based on the grade level and job responsibilities of the participant.

The Plan, Target Awards and financial objectives are established at the beginning of the Plan Year by Staples executive management, approved by the Compensation Committee, and then provided to plan participants. Performance objectives are intended to establish the benchmark of success for Staples. The Compensation Committee retains the right to modify the performance components and financial objectives at any time during the Plan Year.

		
	A.
	Earnings Per Share

EPS is defined as our profit divided by our shares outstanding, and is a primary indicator of our profitability. We believe that delivering strong EPS performance for our shareholders is so important that EPS makes up 50% of our bonus plan

		
	B.
	Total Sales $

Sales is defined as net sales of all product categories across both Core and BO$$ categories (excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations)

		
	C.
	Gross Profit $

Gross profit $ is defined as sales, net of direct product costs (including the impact of vendor rebates or other promotional income), reserves for returns and allowances, and charges/credits for obsolescence, shrink, other margin additives, logistics and rent & occupancy (excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations)

		
	D.
	Adjusted Operating Income $ (AOI) - US Stores plan only

AOI is defined as Operating Profit less all Operational G&A expenses

		
	VI.
	Performance Measurement

The total bonus award earned is determined at the end of each Plan Year. If Staples’ financial performance exceeds the objectives, the total award can be as high as 200% of the Target Award. If actual results fall below the threshold for the Sales, AOI, or Gross Profit $ components, the bonus award for that component will be zero.

		
	A.
	Corporate Earnings (EPS) (50% of bonus)

Achievement    Bonus Award
Threshold        25%
Target        100%
Maximum        200%

		
	B.
	Sales $\ AOI $(25% of bonus)

Achievement    Bonus Award

Threshold        50%
Target        100%
Maximum        200%

		
	C.
	Gross Profit $ (25% of bonus)

Achievement    Bonus Award
Threshold        25%
Target        100%
Maximum        200%

		
	VII.
	Payment Calculations

Calculations will be based on the plan participant’s Target Award, company performance, and individual performance. The APA may be prorated based on the number of days worked at particular salary, in a particular bonus eligible position, the target percentage associated with the position, and the Plan attainment results.
Any bonus will be paid by direct deposit within 90 days following the fiscal year close. Calculation formula:
[Target Award] x [Plan Attainment %] x [Proration factor] x [Performance Modifier]

		
	VIII.
	Performance Based Compensation (PBC)

A performance modifier will be applied to the APA based on individual performance. Individual performance for APA purposes is based on the annual performance rating. The performance modifier will adjust APA up or down based on individual performance. Overall bonus spend will remain the same.

The chart below gives general guidelines to the impact of performance on the bonus:

	
		
	FY16 Performance Rating
	Bonus Impact *

	Exceeds Expectations
	Higher Bonus

	Meets Expectations
	Around Target Bonus

	Meets Most Expectations
	Lower Bonus

	Does Not Meet Expectations
	No Bonus

*APA impact is for illustrative purposes only. Actual performance modifier will be at management discretion.

		
	IX.
	Plan Administration

		
	A.
	Employment at Will

US Associates: This Plan does not create an express or implied contract of employment between Staples and a plan participant. Both Staples and the plan participants retain the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason.

Canadian Associates: The APA is not considered to be part of an employment agreement nor an agreement on the part of the management of the company for such employment.

		
	B.
	Bonus Provisions

Bonuses are not earned or vested until actual payments are made; Staples, Inc. reserves the right at any time prior to actual payment of the APA to amend, terminate and/or discontinue the Plan in whole or in part whenever it is considered necessary as determined in Staples’ sole discretion. The components and financial objectives may be modified throughout the Plan Year, or in connection with the evaluation of whether the financial objectives were achieved for the Plan Year, to incorporate unplanned acquisitions or dispositions, or other financial developments not taken into account at the beginning of 

the Plan Year.

Staples executive management, in conjunction with the Compensation Committee, shall be responsible for interpreting the provisions of the Plan, including determining to what extent, if any; specific items are to be considered in the relevant financial measures for any particular business.

		
	C.
	Rights are Non-Assignable

Neither the plan participant nor any beneficiary nor any other person shall have any right to assign the right to receive payments hereunder, in whole or in part, which payments are non- assignable and non-transferable, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.

		
	D.
	Withholding

US Associates: All required deductions will be withheld from the bonus awards prior to distribution. This includes federal, state/provincial or local taxes.

Canadian Associates: The payout of the APA is inclusive of all additional payments required under provincial or federal legislation. All required deductions will be withheld from the bonus awards prior to distribution.

		
	X.
	Forfeiture and Recovery for Misconduct

		
	A.
	Right of Recovery

Canadian Associates: In the event that The Board determines that a plan participant has engaged in misconduct, outstanding awards will be forfeited and repayment of previously paid awards related to the misconduct may be required.

US Associates: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, if the Board of Directors of Staples (or its authorized designee, the “Board”) determines during the Recovery Period (as defined below) that a plan participant has engaged in Misconduct (as defined below), the Board, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section X., may in its sole discretion (1) terminate such plan participant’s participation in the Plan, or with respect to any award under the Plan, and treat any outstanding award as forfeited, (2) require forfeiture, in whole or in part, of payment of any award that has been previously approved for payment under this Plan which remains in whole or in part unpaid, and/or (3) demand that the plan participant pay to Staples in cash the amount described in Section X.B.; provided, however, that in the event the Board determines during the Recovery Period that the plan participant engaged in Misconduct as described in clause (D) of the definition of Misconduct) (“Restatement Misconduct”), the Board shall in all circumstances, in addition to any other recovery action taken, require forfeiture and demand repayment pursuant hereto.

“Recovery Period” means (1) if the Misconduct relates to Restatement Misconduct, or the Misconduct consists of acts or omissions relating to Staples’ financial matters that in the discretion of the Board are reasonably unlikely to be discovered prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the Misconduct occurred and the completion of the outside audit of Staples’ annual financial statements, the period during which the plan participant is employed by Staples and the period ending 18 months after the plan participant’s last day of employment; (2) if the Misconduct relates to the breach of any agreement between the plan participant and Staples, the term of the agreement and the period ending six months following the expiration of the agreement, and (3) in all other cases, the period during which the plan participant is employed by Staples and the period ending six months after the plan participant’s last day of employment. If during the Recovery Period the Board gives written notice to the plan participant of potential Misconduct, the Recovery Period shall be extended for such reasonable time as the Board may specify is appropriate for it to make a final determination of Misconduct and seek enforcement of any of its remedies described above. Staples’ rights pursuant to this Section X. shall terminate on the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined in the Staples, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan) and no Recovery Period shall extend beyond that date except with respect to any plan participant for which the Board prior to such Change in Control gave written notice to such plan participant of potential Misconduct.

For purposes of administratively enforcing its rights under this Section X., during any period for which potential Misconduct has been identified by Staples, the Board may (1) suspend such plan participant’s participation in the Plan, or with respect to any award under the Plan, or (2) temporarily withhold, in whole or in part, payment of any award that has been previously approved by the Board for payment under this Plan which remains in whole or in part unpaid.

		
	B.
	Amount of Recovery (US ONLY)

With respect to Misconduct described in clause (A) of the definition of Misconduct (breach of agreement) and clause (B) of such definition (violation of Code of Ethics), and in addition to its right to effect a termination of participation and a forfeiture of outstanding awards under this Plan, the Board may recover from the plan participant the amount of any payments made to the plan participant during the last 12 months of employment with Staples under this Plan or other annual bonus award plan.

With respect to Misconduct described in clause (C) of the definition of Misconduct (intentional deceitful acts), and in addition to its right to effect a termination of participation and a forfeiture of outstanding awards under this Plan, the Board may recover from the plan participant the greater of (1) the amount paid to the plan participant with respect to any award made under this Plan or other annual bonus award plan with a fiscal year that includes any period during which the Misconduct occurred, or with a fiscal year which was directly impacted by the Misconduct, or (2) the amount determined by the Board in its sole discretion to represent the financial      impact of the Misconduct upon Staples; provided, however, that such recovery amount shall be reduced by the value of any forfeited outstanding awards under this Plan (value to be determined by the Target Award for such awards) and any amounts recovered from the plan participant under Staples’ cash bonus plans and other short term or long term incentive plans as a result of such Misconduct.

With respect to Restatement Misconduct, and in addition to its right to effect a termination of participation and a forfeiture of outstanding awards under this Plan, the Board shall seek to recover the entire amount paid to the plan participant with respect to any award made under this Plan or other annual bonus award plan in the twenty-four (24) month period following the first public issuance of the financial statements that are the subject of an accounting restatement relating to the Misconduct.

The term “recover” or “recovered” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any right of set-off, reduction, recoupment, off-set, forfeiture, or other attempt by Staples to withhold or claim payment of an award or any proceeds thereof. Staples’ right of forfeiture and recovery of awards shall not limit any other right or remedy available to Staples for a plan participant’s Misconduct, whether in law or equity, including but not limited to injunctive relief, terminating the plan participant’s employment with Staples, or taking other legal action against the plan participant.

The amount that may be recovered under this Section X. shall be determined on a gross basis without reduction for taxes paid or payable by a Plan Participant.

		
	C.
	Definition of Misconduct (US ONLY)

“Misconduct,” as determined by Staples (which determination shall be conclusive), shall mean:

A.Breach by the plan participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, proprietary information, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the plan participant and Staples, including, without limitation, the Proprietary and Confidential Information Agreement and/or the Non-Compete and Non- Solicitation Agreement, or the Proprietary Interest Protection Agreement (“PIPA”); or

		
	B.
	Violation by the Plan Participant of the Code of Ethics; or

		
	C.
	The plan participant’s engagement in intentional deceitful act(s) that results in

(i) an improper personal benefit, or (ii) injury to Staples; or

D.The plan participant’s engagement in fraud or willful misconduct (not acting in good faith or with reasonable belief that conduct was in the best interests of Staples) that significantly 

contributes to Staples preparing a material financial restatement, other than a restatement of financial statements that became materially inaccurate because of revisions to generally accepted accounting principles.

For purposes of this Section X. regarding forfeiture and recovery for Misconduct, any reference therein to Staples (other than with respect to defining the Board of Directors) shall also include any entity that Staples directly or indirectly controls.

		
	XI.
	General Provisions

Staples reserves the right to review and change the Annual Performance Award at any time, up to and including discontinuing the program. Please see the latest plan document on the Hub or Staples@work.ex10-3.htm

Exhibit 10.3

 

MEETME, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

MeetMe, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, established and adopted the following 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), effective June 1, 2012, upon approval by the stockholders of the Company. The Plan was amended and restated effective August 11, 2014, upon approval by the stockholders of the Company. This amendment and restatement will be effective December 16, 2016, subject to approval by the holders of the shares entitled to vote at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company on such date (the “Amendment Effective Date”). 

 

Changes made pursuant to this amendment and restatement shall only apply to Awards granted on or after the Amendment Effective Date. Awards granted prior to the Amendment Effective Date shall continue to be governed by the applicable Award Agreements and the terms of the Plan without giving effect to changes made pursuant to this amendment and restatement, and the Committee shall administer such Awards in accordance with the Plan without giving effect to changes made pursuant to this amendment and restatement..

 

1.            PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

 

The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company and its Subsidiaries in attracting and retaining selected individuals to serve as employees, directors, consultants and/or advisors who are expected to contribute to the Company's success and to achieve long-term objectives that will benefit stockholders of the Company through the additional incentives inherent in the Awards hereunder.

 

2.            DEFINITIONS

 

2.1.     “Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Other Share-Based Award, Performance Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

 

2.2.     “Award Agreement” shall mean any agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award hereunder, whether in writing or through an electronic medium.

 

2.3.     “Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

2.4.     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

2.5.     “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof formed by the Compensation Committee to act as the Committee hereunder. The Committee shall consist of no fewer than two Directors, each of whom is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and (iii) an “independent director” for purpose of the rules of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, to the extent required by such rules.

 

2.6.     “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or advisor who is a natural person and who provides services to the Company or any Subsidiary, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company's securities in a capital-raising transaction, (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities and (iii) otherwise qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the SEC for registration of shares of stock on a Form S-8 registration statement.

 

2.7.     “Covered Employee” shall mean an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

2.8.     “Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an employee.

 

 

 

 

  

2.9.      “Dividend Equivalents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.

 

2.10.     “Employee” shall mean any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary and any prospective employee conditioned upon, and effective not earlier than, such person becoming an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

2.11.     “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.12.     “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to Shares as of any date, (i) the closing price of the Shares as reported on the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed and traded on such date, or, if there is no closing price on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a closing price was reported; (ii) if the Shares are not listed on any U.S. national securities exchange but are quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the final ask price of the Shares reported on the inter-dealer quotation system for such date, or, if there is no such sale on such date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Shares are neither listed on a U.S. national securities exchange nor quoted on an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee to be the fair market value of the Shares as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Fair Market Value of any property other than Shares shall mean the market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. 

 

2.13.     “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option which when granted is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.14.     “Option” shall mean any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at such price or prices and during such period or periods as the Committee shall determine.

 

2.15.     “Other Share-Based Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

 

2.16.     “Participant” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.

 

2.17.     “Performance Award” shall mean any Award of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Article 9.

 

2.18.     “Performance Cash” shall mean any cash incentives granted pursuant to Article 9 payable to the Participant upon the achievement of such performance goals as the Committee shall establish.

 

2.19.     “Performance Period” shall mean the period established by the Committee during which any performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to a Performance Award are to be measured.

 

2.20.     “Performance Share” shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such performance goals as the Committee shall establish.

 

2.21.     “Performance Unit” shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or property other than Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish.

 

2.22.     “Permitted Assignee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.

 

2.23.     “Prior Plan” shall mean the Company’s Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

2.24.     “Restricted Stock” shall mean any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 

 

2

 

  

2.25.     “Restricted Stock Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1. 

 

2.26.     “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant in Shares or cash as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion upon the satisfaction of vesting restrictions as the Committee may establish, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 

2.27.     “Restricted Stock Unit Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

2.28.     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2.29.     “Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share.

 

2.30.     “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 6.

 

2.31.     “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the relevant time each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

2.32.     Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

 

2.33.     “Vesting Period” shall mean the period of time specified by the Committee during which vesting restrictions for an Award are applicable.

 

3.            SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

3.1     Number of Shares. (a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2 and 3.1(b) below, Shares authorized for Awards granted under the Plan on and after the Amendment Effective Date shall not exceed 4,087,092, which is calculated as follows: (i) 1,800,000 Shares, plus (ii) 2,287,092 Shares, which is the number of Shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan as of November 7, 2016, minus (iii) the number of Shares subject to Awards granted under the Plan after November 7, 2016 and prior to the Amendment Effective Date. 

 

(b)     If (i) any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or otherwise terminates without issuance of Shares, or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part) or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the Shares subject to such Award (except as described below with respect to stock settled Stock Appreciation Rights), such Shares shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, again be available for grant under the Plan on a one-for-one basis and (ii) after December 31, 2011 any Shares subject to an award under the Prior Plan are forfeited, an award under the Prior Plan expires or otherwise terminates without issuance of such Shares, or an award under the Prior Plan is settled for cash (in whole or in part), or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the Shares subject to such award, then in each such case the Shares subject to the award under the Prior Plan shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, again be available for grant under the Plan on a one-for-one basis. 

 

(c)     The following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for Awards granted under the Plan: (i) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or an option under the Prior Plan, (ii) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan or awards granted under the Prior Plan, (iii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right or a stock appreciation right under the Prior Plan that are not issued in connection with its stock settlement on exercise thereof, and (iv) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options or options under the Prior Plan.

 

 

3

 

  

(d)     Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or the applicable Limitations for grant to a Participant under Section 10.5, nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award again be available for Awards under the Plan as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) above. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, subject to applicable stock exchange requirements. 

 

3.2.      Character of Shares. Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.

 

4.          ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1.      Eligibility. Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be selected as a Participant.

 

4.2.      Administration. (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full power and authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to: (i) select the Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant hereunder; (iii) determine the number of Shares (or dollar value) to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; (iv) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder; (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award made under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under or in connection with the Plan, including any Award Agreement; (ix) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect; (x) establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (xi) determine whether any Award, other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, will have Dividend Equivalents; and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. 

 

(b)     Decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons or entities, including the Company, any Participant, and any Subsidiary. A majority of the members of the Committee may determine its actions, including fixing the time and place of its meetings. 

 

(c)     To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, including Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to Awards intended to comply with the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), or the rules and regulations of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded), the Committee may (i) delegate to a committee of one or more directors of the Company any of the authority of the Committee under the Plan, including the right to grant, cancel or suspend Awards and (ii) authorize one or more executive officers to do one or more of the following with respect to Employees who are not directors or executive officers of the Company (A) designate Employees (including officers) to be recipients of Awards, (B) determine the number of Shares subject to such Awards to be received by such Employees and (C) cancel or suspend Awards to such Employees; provided that (x) any resolution of the Committee authorizing such officer(s) must specify the total number of Shares subject to Awards that such officer(s) may so award and (y) the Committee may not authorize any officer to designate himself or herself as the recipient of an Award.

 

 

4

 

  

5.            OPTIONS

 

5.1.      Grant. Options may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Any Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Article and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable. 

 

5.2.      Award Agreements. All Options shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. The terms and conditions of Options need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Granting an Option pursuant to the Plan shall impose no obligation on the recipient to exercise such Option. Any individual who is granted an Option pursuant to this Article may hold more than one Option granted pursuant to the Plan at the same time. 

 

5.3.      Option Price. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the option price per each Share purchasable under any Option granted pursuant to this Article shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of such Option; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, the option price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant..

 

5.4.      Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that the term of the Option shall not exceed five (5) years from the date the Option is granted in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option the exercise of the Option, other than an Incentive Stock Option, is prohibited by applicable law, the term shall be extended for a period of thirty (30) days following the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement. 

 

5.5.      Exercise of Options. (a) The Award Agreement shall specify when Options vest and become exercisable. Vested Options granted under the Plan shall be exercised by the Participant (or by a Permitted Assignee thereof or the Participant’s executors, administrators, guardian or legal representative, to the extent provided in an Award Agreement) as to all or part of the Shares covered thereby, by giving notice of exercise to the Company or its designated agent, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. The notice of exercise shall be in such form, made in such manner, and shall comply with such other requirements consistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee may prescribe from time to time.

 

(b)     Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, full payment of such purchase price shall be made at the time of exercise and shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents (including certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (ii) by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation) valued at their then Fair Market Value, (iii) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of other consideration having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total purchase price, (iv) with the consent of the Committee, by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option, (v) through any other method specified in an Award Agreement (including same-day sales through a broker), or (vi) any combination of any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Participant must pay in cash an amount not less than the aggregate par value (if any) of the Shares being acquired. The notice of exercise, accompanied by such payment, shall be delivered to the Company at its principal business office or such other office as the Committee may from time to time direct, and shall be in such form, containing such further provisions consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time prescribe. In no event may any Option granted hereunder be exercised for a fraction of a Share. 

 

(c)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Award Agreement may provide that if on the last day of the term of an Option the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the option price per Share, the Participant has not exercised the Option (or a tandem Stock Appreciation Right, if applicable) and the Option has not expired, the Option shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day with payment made by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. In such event, the Company shall deliver to the Participant the number of Shares for which the Option was deemed exercised, less the number of Shares required to be withheld for the payment of the total purchase price and required withholding taxes; provided, however, any fractional Share shall be settled in cash.

 

 

5

 

  

5.6.      Form of Settlement. In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide that the Shares to be issued upon an Option's exercise shall be in the form of Restricted Stock or other similar securities.

 

5.7.      Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options to any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, subject to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Solely for purposes of determining whether Shares are available for the grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be the number of Shares authorized for grant of Awards as of the Amendment Effective Date as set forth in Section 3.1(a), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2. 

 

6.            STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

6.1.      Grant. The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights (a) in tandem with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, (b) in tandem with all or part of any Award (other than an Option) granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Award, or (c) without regard to any Option or other Award in each case upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.

 

6.2.      Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, including the following: 

 

(a)     When Stock Appreciation Rights vest and become exercisable.

 

(b)     Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall have the right to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or such amount less than such Fair Market Value as the Committee shall so determine at any time during a specified period before the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right. 

 

(c)     The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether payment on exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made in cash, in whole Shares or other property, or any combination thereof. 

 

(d)     The terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each recipient. 

  

(e)     The Committee may impose such other terms and conditions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right, as it shall deem appropriate. A Stock Appreciation Right shall (i) have a grant price per Share of not less than the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant or, if applicable, on the date of grant of an Option with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in exchange for or in tandem with, but subsequent to, the Option (subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code) except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided in Section 12.2, and (ii) have a term not greater than ten (10) years. Notwithstanding clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, in the event that on the last business day of the term of a Stock Appreciation Right the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right is prohibited by applicable law, the term shall be extended for a period of thirty (30) days following the end of the legal prohibition.

 

(f)     An Award Agreement may provide that if on the last day of the term of a Stock Appreciation Right the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the grant price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant has not exercised the Stock Appreciation Right or the tandem Option (if applicable), and the Stock Appreciation Right has not otherwise expired, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day. In such event, the Company shall make payment to the Participant in accordance with this Section, reduced by the number of Shares (or cash) required for withholding taxes; any fractional Share shall be settled in cash.

 

 

6

 

  

7.            RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

7.1.     Grants. Awards of Restricted Stock and of Restricted Stock Units may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (a “Restricted Stock Award” or “Restricted Stock Unit Award” respectively), and such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of Performance Awards and other earned cash-based incentive compensation. A Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be subject to vesting restrictions during the Vesting Period as may be specified by the Committee, subject to Section 12.6. The Committee has absolute discretion to determine whether any consideration (other than services) is to be received by the Company or any Subsidiary as a condition precedent to the grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, subject to such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law.

 

7.2.     Award Agreements. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant

 

7.3.     Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, beginning on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award and subject to execution of the Award Agreement, the Participant shall become a stockholder of the Company with respect to all Shares subject to the Award Agreement and shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote such Shares and the right to receive distributions made with respect to such Shares, except as otherwise provided in this Section. A Participant who holds a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall only have those rights specifically provided for in the Award Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall the Participant have voting rights with respect to such Award. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, any Shares or any other property distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award, and the Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine whether, if at all, any cash-denominated amount that is subject to such restrictions shall earn interest and at what rate. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (i) not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated, shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and shall be paid at the time such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.

 

7.4     Issuance of Shares. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Board may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such book entry registration, certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

 

8.            OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS

 

8.1.     Grants. Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property (“Other Share-Based Awards”), including deferred stock units, may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Other Share-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of other Awards granted under the Plan and other earned cash-based compensation.

 

8.2.     Award Agreements. The terms of Other Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee (including without limitation vesting restrictions during the Vesting Period, subject to Section 12.6) and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of such Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, Dividend Equivalents with respect to the Shares covered by an Other Share-Based Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Shares covered by an Other Share-Based Award with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed. 

 

 

7

 

  

8.3.     Payment. Except as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. 

 

8.4.     Deferral of Director Fees. Directors shall, if determined by the Board, receive Other Share-Based Awards in the form of deferred stock units in lieu of all or a portion of their annual retainer. In addition Directors may elect to receive Other Share-Based Awards in the form of deferred stock units in lieu of all or a portion of their annual and committee retainers and annual meeting fees, subject to the discretion of the Committee and provided that such election is made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, establish such rules and procedures as it deems appropriate for such elections and for payment in deferred stock units.

 

9.            PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

9.1.     Grants. Performance Awards in the form of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, may be granted hereunder to Participants, for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The performance goals to be achieved for each Performance Period shall be conclusively determined by the Committee and may be based upon the criteria set forth in Section 10.2 or such other criteria as determined by the Committee in its discretion. 

 

9.2.     Award Agreements. The terms of any Performance Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement (or, if applicable, in a resolution duly adopted by the Committee) which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan, including whether such Awards shall have Dividend Equivalents. The terms of Performance Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

 

9.3.     Terms and Conditions. The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award, subject to Section 12.6. The amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee. 

 

9.4.     Payment. Except as provided in Article 11, as provided by the Committee or as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. 

 

10.          CODE SECTION 162(m) PROVISIONS

 

10.1.     Covered Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Committee determines at the time a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Performance Award or an Other Share-Based Award is granted to a Participant who is, or is likely to be, as of the end of the tax year in which the Company would claim a tax deduction in connection with such Award, a Covered Employee, then the Committee may provide that this Article 10 is applicable to such Award. 

 

 

8

 

  

10.2.     Performance Criteria. If the Committee determines that a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Performance Award or an Other Share-Based Award is intended to be subject to this Article 10, the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance goals established by the Committee, which shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following: sales (including comparable sales); net sales; return on sales; revenue, net revenue, product revenue or system-wide revenue (including growth of such revenue measures); operating income (before or after taxes); pre- or after-tax income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); earnings or loss per share; net income or loss (before or after taxes); return on equity; total stockholder return; return on assets or net assets; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Shares or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; market share; gross profits; gross or net profit margin; gross profit growth; net operating profit (before or after taxes); operating earnings; earnings or losses or net earnings or losses (including earnings or losses before taxes, before interest and taxes, or before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); economic value-added models or equivalent metrics; comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs; cash flow (including operating cash flow and free cash flow) or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; cash flow return on capital; improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels, including cash, inventory and accounts receivable; general and administrative expense savings; inventory control; operating margin; gross margin; year-end cash; cash margin; debt reduction; stockholders equity; operating efficiencies; cost reductions or savings; market share; customer satisfaction; customer growth; employee satisfaction; productivity or productivity ratios; regulatory achievements (including submitting or filing applications or other documents with regulatory authorities or receiving approval of any such applications or other documents; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property; establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products (including with group purchasing organizations, distributors and other vendors); supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers of component materials and manufacturers of the Company’s products); co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements); financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; cost of capital or assets under management; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Company’s equity or debt securities; debt level year-end cash position; book value; factoring transactions; competitive market metrics; timely completion of new product roll-outs; timely launch of new facilities (such as new store openings, gross or net); sales or licenses of the Company’s assets, including its intellectual property, whether in a particular jurisdiction or territory or globally; or through partnering transactions); royalty income; implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, commercialization, products or projects, production volume levels, acquisitions and divestitures, succession and hiring projects, reorganization and other corporate transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets; factoring transactions; and recruiting and maintaining personnel. Any performance goals that are financial metrics, may be determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), or may be adjusted when established to include or exclude any items otherwise includable or excludable under GAAP. Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the performance of the Company relative to performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of Company performance relative to performance of other companies. The Committee may also exclude charges related to an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (a) restructurings, discontinued operations, unusual or infrequently occurring items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, (b) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, or (c) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with GAAP. Such performance goals (and any exclusions) shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations thereunder.

 

10.3.     Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than Article 11), with respect to any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Award or Other Share-Based Award that is subject to this Section 10, the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the amount payable pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance goals except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant or as otherwise determined by the Committee in special circumstances and in accordance with Code Section 162(m), if applicable.

 

 

9

 

  

10.4.     Restrictions. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Article as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

10.5.     Limitations on Grants to Individual Participants. (a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, no Employee may (i) be granted Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any 12-month period with respect to more than 5,000,000 Shares and (ii) earn more than 2,500,000 Shares for each twelve (12) months in the vesting period or Performance Period with respect to Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Awards and/or Other Share-Based Awards that are granted in a single calendar year and are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in Shares. During any calendar year, no Employee may be granted Performance Awards that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in cash under which more than $10,000,000 may be earned for each twelve (12) months in the Performance Period. For dividends and Dividend Equivalents that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m), the maximum amount of dividends and Dividend Equivalents that any Employee may accrue for each twelve (12) months in the vesting period or Performance Period with respect to Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Awards and/or Other Share-Based Awards granted to any individual Employee under the Plan may not exceed $500,000. If an Award is cancelled, the cancelled Award shall continue to be counted toward the applicable limitation in this section. 

 

(b)     The maximum grant date value of Shares subject to Awards granted to any Director during any calendar year, taken together with any cash fees payable to such Director for services rendered during such calendar year, shall not exceed $500,000 in total value. For purposes of this limit, the value of such Awards shall be calculated based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes.

 

11.          CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

 

11.1.     Impact on Certain Awards. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the right to provide that in the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in Section 11.3): (i) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control shall be cancelled and terminated without payment if the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the date of the Change in Control is less than the per Share Option exercise price or Stock Appreciation Right grant price, and (ii) all Performance Awards shall be (x) considered to be earned and payable based on achievement of performance goals or based on target performance (either in full or pro rata based on the portion of Performance Period completed as of the date of the Change in Control), and any limitations or other restrictions shall lapse and such Performance Awards shall be immediately settled or distributed or (y) converted into Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards based on achievement of performance goals or based on target performance (either in full or pro rata based on the portion of Performance Period completed as of the date of the Change in Control) that are subject to Section 11.2.

 

11.2.     Assumption or Substitution of Certain Awards. (a) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Share-Based Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and continues the Award), if a Participant’s employment with such successor company (or the Company) or a subsidiary thereof terminates within 24 months following such Change in Control (or such other period set forth in the Award Agreement, including prior thereto if applicable) and under the circumstances specified in the Award Agreement: (i) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment will immediately vest, become fully exercisable, and may thereafter be exercised for 24 months (or the period of time set forth in the Award Agreement), (ii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment shall lapse and the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, and (iii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Share-Based Awards or any other Awards shall lapse, and such Other Share-Based Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant. For the purposes of this Section 11.2, an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Share-Based Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Share-Based Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Share-Based Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company with a fair market value substantially equal to the per Share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of whether fair market value is substantial equal shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

 

10

 

  

(b)     Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company to the extent the successor company does not assume or substitute for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Other Share-Based Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and does not continue the Award), then immediately prior to the Change in Control: (i) those Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable, (ii) restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse and the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, and (iii) the restrictions, other limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Share-Based Awards or any other Awards that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse, and such Other Share-Based Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant. 

 

(c)     The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per Share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.

  

11.3.     Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Change in Control means the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

(a)     During any twenty-four (24) month period, individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

 

(b)     Any “person” (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (b) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control by virtue of any of the following acquisitions:  (i) by the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction, as defined in paragraph (c), or (v) by any person of Company Voting Securities from the Company, if a majority of the Incumbent Board approves in advance the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 30% or more of Company Voting Securities by such person;

 

 

11

 

  

(c)     The consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a “Business Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (A) the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Corporation”), or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the “Parent Corporation”), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination, (ii) no person (other than any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination (any Business Combination which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”); or

 

(d)     The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 30% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur.

12.          GENERALLY APPLICABLE PROVISIONS

 

12.1.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement for stockholder approval imposed by applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded; provided that the Board may not amend the Plan in any manner that would result in noncompliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; and further provided that the Board may not, without the approval of the Company's stockholders, amend the Plan to (a) increase the number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards under the Plan (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 12.2), (b) expand the types of awards available under the Plan, (c) materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, (d) amend Section 5.3 or Section 6.2(f) to eliminate the requirements relating to minimum exercise price, minimum grant price and stockholder approval, (e) increase the maximum permissible term of any Option specified by Section 5.4 or the maximum permissible term of a Stock Appreciation Right specified by Section 6.2(e), or (f) increase any of the limitations in Section 10.5. The Board may not (except pursuant to Section 12.2 or in connection with a Change in Control), without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or grant price of such outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights; (ii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price or grant price, as applicable, that is less than the exercise price or grant price, as applicable, of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; or (iii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price or grant price, as applicable, above the Fair Market Value of one Share in exchange for cash or other securities. In addition, no amendments to, or termination of, the Plan shall impair the rights of a Participant in any material respect under any Award previously granted without such Participant's consent.

 

 

12

 

  

12.2.     Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares or the value thereof, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the Plan and to Awards in a manner the Committee deems equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the accounting and tax consequences, including such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered under the Plan, the limitations in Section 10.5 (other than to Awards denominated in cash), the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options and, in the aggregate or to any Participant, in the number, class, kind and option or exercise price of securities subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan (including, if the Committee deems appropriate, the substitution of similar options to purchase the shares of, or other awards denominated in the shares of, another company) as the Committee may determine to be appropriate; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.

 

12.3.     Transferability of Awards. Except as provided below, no Award and no Shares that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. To the extent and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, a Participant may assign or transfer an Award without consideration (each transferee thereof, a “Permitted Assignee”) (i) to the Participant’s spouse, children or grandchildren (including any adopted and step children or grandchildren), parents, grandparents or siblings, (ii) to a trust for the benefit of one or more of the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i), (iii) to a partnership, limited liability company or corporation in which the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i) are the only partners, members or stockholders or (iv) for charitable donations; provided that such Permitted Assignee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided further that such Participant shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Company shall cooperate with any Permitted Assignee and the Company’s transfer agent in effectuating any transfer permitted under this Section.

 

 12.4.     Termination of Employment or Services. The Committee shall determine and set forth in each Award Agreement whether any Awards granted in such Award Agreement will continue to be exercisable, continue to vest or be earned and the terms of such exercise, vesting or earning, on and after the date that a Participant ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary (including as a Director), whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. The date of termination of a Participant’s employment or services will be determined by the Committee, which determination will be final.

 

12.5.     Deferral; Dividend Equivalents. The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on Shares (“Dividend Equivalents”) with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may provide that the Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested and may provide that the Dividend Equivalents are subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalents credited in connection with an Award that vests based on the achievement of performance goals shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Award with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents have been credited.

 

12.6     Vesting Limitations. (a) Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Other Share-Based Awards and Performance Awards payable in Shares granted under the Plan shall vest over a period that is not less than one (1) year from the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any adjustments made in accordance with Section 12.2, up to 5% of the aggregate Share limit set forth in Section 3.1(a) may vest (in full or in part) in less than one year from their date of grant. 

 

 

13

 

  

(b)       The Committee shall have the authority to accelerate vesting in connection with a Participant’s death, retirement, disability, in the event of a Change in Control or a corporate transaction or event described in Section 12.2, or in other circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

13.          MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1.     Award Agreements. Each Award Agreement shall either be (a) in writing in a form approved by the Committee and executed by the Company by an officer duly authorized to act on its behalf, or (b) an electronic notice in a form approved by the Committee and recorded by the Company (or its designee) in an electronic recordkeeping system used for the purpose of tracking one or more types of Awards as the Committee may provide; in each case and if required by the Committee, the Award Agreement shall be executed or otherwise electronically accepted by the recipient of the Award in such form and manner as the Committee may require. The Committee may authorize any officer of the Company to execute any or all Award Agreements on behalf of the Company. The Award Agreement shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the Award as established by the Committee consistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

13.2.     Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to make all payments or distributions pursuant to the Plan to a Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof) net of any applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be paid or withheld as a result of (a) the grant of any Award, (b) the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (c) the delivery of Shares or cash, (d) the lapse of any restrictions in connection with any Award or (e) any other event occurring pursuant to the Plan. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the right to withhold from wages or other amounts otherwise payable to a Participant (or Permitted Assignee) such withholding taxes as may be required by law, or to otherwise require the Participant (or Permitted Assignee) to pay such withholding taxes. If the Participant (or Permitted Assignee) shall fail to make such tax payments as are required, the Company or its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant (or Permitted Assignee) or to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations. If the Committee deems it appropriate, the Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants (or Permitted Assignee) to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value), or by directing the Company to retain Shares otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award. 

 

13.3.     Right of Discharge Reserved; Claims to Awards. Nothing in the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Employee, Director or Consultant the right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or affect any right that the Company or any Subsidiary may have to terminate the employment or service of (or to demote or to exclude from future Awards under the Plan) any such Employee, Director or Consultant at any time for any reason. The Company shall not be liable for the loss of existing or potential profit from an Award granted in the event of termination of an employment or other relationship. No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan.

 

13.4.     Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms of Substitute Awards may vary from the terms set forth in the Plan to the extent the Committee deems appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which they are granted.

 

13.5.     Cancellation of Award; Forfeiture of Gain. 

 

(a)         All Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable clawback or recoupment policies, share trading policies and other policies that may be implemented by the Board from time to time, or as required by law, regulation, or rules of an applicable stock exchange.

 

 

14

 

  

(b)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may provide that:

 

(i)      In the event of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements, the Committee shall have the right to review any Award, the amount, payment or vesting of which was based on an entry in the financial statements that are the subject of the restatement. If the Committee determines, based on the results of the restatement, that a lesser amount or portion of an Award should have been paid or vested, it may (x) cancel all or any portion of any outstanding Awards and (y) require the Participant or other person to whom any payment has been made or shares or other property have been transferred in connection with the Award to forfeit and pay over to the Company, on demand, all or any portion of the gain (whether or not taxable) realized upon the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right and the value realized (whether or not taxable) on the vesting or payment of any other Award during the period beginning twelve months preceding the date of the restatement and ending with the date of cancellation of any outstanding Awards.

 

(ii)      If the Participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by or providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary or after termination of such employment or service, violates a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant or agreement or otherwise engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any Subsidiary, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, then (x) any outstanding, vested or unvested, earned or unearned portion of the Award may, at the Committee’s discretion, be canceled and (y) the Committee, in its discretion, may require the Participant or other person to whom any payment has been made or Shares or other property have been transferred in connection with the Award to forfeit and pay over to the Company, on demand, all or any portion of the gain (whether or not taxable) realized upon the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right and the value realized (whether or not taxable) on the vesting or payment of any other Award during the time period specified in the Award Agreement.

 

13.6.     Stop Transfer Orders. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

13.7.     Nature of Payments. All Awards made pursuant to the Plan are in consideration of services performed or to be performed for the Company or any Subsidiary, division or business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any income or gain realized pursuant to Awards under the Plan constitutes a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account, to the extent permissible under applicable law, as compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Subsidiary except as may be determined by the Committee or by the Board or board of directors of the applicable Subsidiary.

 

13.8.     Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

13.9.     Severability. The provisions of the Plan shall be deemed severable. If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of change in a law or regulation, such provision shall (a) be deemed limited to the extent that such court of competent jurisdiction deems it lawful, valid and/or enforceable and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect, and (b) not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect. If the making of any payment or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental regulatory agency, or impermissible under the rules of any securities exchange on which the Shares are listed, such unlawfulness, invalidity, unenforceability or impermissibility shall not prevent any other payment or benefit from being made or provided under the Plan, and if the making of any payment in full or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan in full would be unlawful or otherwise invalid or impermissible, then such unlawfulness, invalidity, unenforceability or impermissibility shall not prevent such payment or benefit from being made or provided in part, to the extent that it would not be unlawful, invalid, unenforceable or impermissible and the maximum payment or benefit that would not be unlawful, invalid, unenforceable or impermissible shall be made or provided under the Plan. 

 

 

15

 

  

13.10.     Construction. As used in the Plan, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” 

 

13.11.     Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver the Shares or payments in lieu of or with respect to Awards hereunder; provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.

 

13.12.     Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken thereunder, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws, and construed accordingly.

 

13.13.     Effective Date of Plan; Termination of Plan. The Plan was first effective on June 1, 2012 and this amendment and restatement is effective of the Amendment Effective Date, which is the date of the approval of this amended and restated Plan by the holders of the shares entitled to vote at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the tenth anniversary of the Amendment Effective Date, on which date the Plan will expire except as to Awards then outstanding under the Plan; provided, however, in no event may an Incentive Stock Option be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of (i) the date of the adoption of this amended and restated Plan by the Board or (ii) the Amendment Effective Date. Such outstanding Awards shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired. 

 

13.14.     Foreign Employees and Consultants. Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Employees or Consultants providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company's obligation with respect to tax equalization for Employees or Consultants on assignments outside their home country.

  

13.15.     Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Plan is intended to comply and shall be administered in a manner that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award shall be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, except as otherwise determined by the Committee. Any provision of this Plan that would cause the grant of an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code. Should any payments made in accordance with the Plan be determined to be payments from a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, as defined by Section 409A of the Code and are payable in connection with a Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A), that are not exempt from Section 409A of the Code as a short-term deferral or otherwise, these payments, to the extent otherwise payable within six (6) months after the Participant’s date of “separation from service,” will be paid in a lump sum on the earlier of the date that is six (6) months after the Participant’s date of “separation from service” or the date of the Participant’s death. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the payments to be made to a Participant in accordance with this Plan shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

13.16.     No Registration Rights; No Right to Settle in Cash. The Company has no obligation to register with any governmental body or organization (including, without limitation, the SEC) any of (a) the offer or issuance of any Award, (b) any Shares issuable upon the exercise of any Award, or (c) the sale of any Shares issued upon exercise of any Award, regardless of whether the Company in fact undertakes to register any of the foregoing. In particular, in the event that any of (i) any offer or issuance of any Award, (ii) any Shares issuable upon exercise of any Award, or (iii) the sale of any Shares issued upon exercise of any Award are not registered with any governmental body or organization (including, without limitation, the SEC), the Company will not under any circumstance be required to settle its obligations, if any, under this Plan in cash. 

 

 

16

 

  

13.17.     Indemnity. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Committee or of the Board and any person to whom the Committee has delegated any of its authority under the Plan shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

13.18.     Captions. The captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein.

 

 

 

17

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00268-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00268-of-00352.parquet"}]]