Document:

EX. 10.6  06.30.2015

                                                
Exhibit 10.6

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC. 
2015 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE, SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
1.1    Purpose and Scope.  The purpose of the Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) is to assist employees of Digital Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and its Participating Subsidiaries in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company pursuant to a plan which is intended to help such employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Plan is not intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code.
ARTICLE II.DEFINITIONS
Whenever the following terms are used in the Plan, they shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.  The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1    “Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.
2.2    “Administrator” shall mean the Committee, or such individuals to which authority to administer the Plan has been delegated under Section 7.1 hereof.
2.3    “Affiliate” shall mean the Company, the Service Company, and Parent or any Subsidiary.
2.4    “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.5    “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee described in Article 7 hereof.
2.6    “Common Stock” shall mean common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company. 
2.7    “Compensation” of an Employee shall mean the regular straight-time earnings, base salary, annual cash bonus, commissions, vacation pay, holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay or military pay paid to the Employee from the Company or any Participating Subsidiary or any Affiliate on each Payday as compensation for services to the Company or any Participating Subsidiary or any Affiliate before deduction for any salary deferral contributions made by the Employee to any tax-qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan of the Company, any Participating Subsidiary or any Affiliate, including prior week adjustments and overtime, but excluding incentive compensation, one-time bonuses (e.g., retention or sign-on bonuses), fringe benefits (including, without limitation, employer gifts), education or tuition reimbursements, imputed income arising under any Company, Participating Subsidiary or Affiliate group insurance or benefit program, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements, income received in connection with any stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other compensatory equity awards and all contributions made by the Company, any Participating Subsidiary or any Affiliate for the Employee’s benefit under any employee benefit plan now or hereafter established. Such Compensation shall be calculated before deduction of any income or employment tax withholdings, but shall be withheld from the Employee’s net income.
2.8    “Effective Date” shall mean the date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. 
2.9    “Eligible Employee” means an Employee of the Company or any Participating Subsidiary.  

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2.10    “Employee” shall mean any person who renders services to the Company or a Participating Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code.  “Employee” shall not include any director of the Company or a Participating Subsidiary who does not render services to the Company or a Participating Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code.  
2.11    “Enrollment Date” shall mean the first date of each Offering Period.
2.12    “Exercise Date” shall mean the last Trading Day of each Purchase Period, except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.
2.13    “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.14    “Expiration Date” shall mean the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which the Plan is initially approved by the stockholders of the Company.
2.15    “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
(a)    If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(b)    If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(c)    If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.
2.16    “Grant Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of an Offering Period.
2.17    “Initial Offering Period” shall mean the period commencing on September 1, 2015, or such later date as determined by the Administrator, and ending on August 31, 2017.
2.18    “New Exercise Date” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 5.2(b) hereof. 
2.19    “Non-U.S. Subsidiary” shall mean shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated in, or otherwise organized under the laws of, any jurisdiction outside of the United States.
2.20    “Offering Period” shall mean (i) the Initial Offering Period and (ii) each twenty-four (24)-month period commencing on each September 1 and each March 1 to occur during the term of the Plan following the commencement of the Initial Offering Period, except as otherwise provided under Section 5.3 hereof.  
2.21    “Option” shall mean the right to purchase Shares pursuant to the Plan during each Offering Period. 
2.22    “Option Price” shall mean the purchase price of a Share hereunder as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.

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2.23    “Parent” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.24    “Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.
2.25    “Participating Subsidiary” shall mean (i) each U.S. Subsidiary and (ii) each Non-U.S. Subsidiary that has been designated by the Board or Committee in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, in each case, including any Subsidiary in existence on the Effective Date and any Subsidiary formed or acquired following the Effective Date.
2.26    “Partnership” shall mean Digital Realty Trust, L.P. 
2.27    “Payday” shall mean the regular and recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee of the Company or any Participating Subsidiary.
2.28    “Plan Account” shall mean a bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Company in the name of each Participant.
2.29     “Purchase Period” shall mean, with respect to any Offering Period, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, each approximately six (6)-month period (i) commencing on March 1 and ending on August 31 and (ii) commencing on each September 1 and ending on February 28 (or, if applicable, February 29).  
2.30    “REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
2.31    “Services Company” shall mean Digital Services, Inc.
2.32    “Share” shall mean a share of Common Stock.
2.33    “Subsidiary” shall mean (a) a corporation, association or other business entity of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Services Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership or limited liability company of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Partnership, the Services Company and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, and (c) any other entity not described in clauses (a) or (b) above of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the ownership and the power (whether voting interests or otherwise), pursuant to a written contract or agreement, to direct the policies and management or the financial and the other affairs thereof, are owned or controlled by the Company, the Partnership, the Services Company and/or by one or more Subsidiaries.
2.34    “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed is open for trading or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a securities exchange, shall mean a business day, as determined by the Administrator in good faith.
2.35    “U.S. Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated in, or otherwise organized under the laws of, the United States.
2.36    “Withdrawal Election” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof. 
ARTICLE III.

PARTICIPATION

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3.1    Eligibility.  Any Eligible Employee who shall be employed by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Articles IV and V hereof; provided, however, that an Eligible Employee may not participate in more than one Offering Period at a time, and no Eligible Employee participating in an Offering Period (the “Designated Offering Period”) may participate in any subsequent Offering Period that commences prior to the completion of the Designated Offering Period.
3.2    Election to Participate; Payroll Deductions
(a)    Except as provided in Section 3.3 hereof, an Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction.  Subject to the proviso of Section 3.1 above, each individual who is an Eligible Employee as of the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period may elect to participate in such Offering Period and the Plan by delivering to the Company a payroll deduction authorization no later than the tenth (10th) calendar day prior to the applicable Enrollment Date.  
(b)    Payroll deductions with respect to an Offering Period (i) shall be equal to at least one percent (1%) of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday during the applicable Offering Period, but not more than the lesser of fifteen percent (15%) of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday during the applicable Offering Period and (ii) may be expressed either as (A) a whole number percentage or (B) a fixed dollar amount (as determined by the Administrator).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the aggregate amount of a Participant’s payroll deductions under the Plan during any calendar year exceed $25,000.  Amounts deducted from a Participant’s Compensation with respect to an Offering Period pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be deducted each Payday through payroll deduction and credited to the Participant’s Plan Account.  
(c)    Following at least one (1) payroll deduction, a Participant may decrease (to as low as 0%) the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation during an Offering Period upon ten (10) calendar days’ prior written or electronic notice to the Company; provided, however, that a Participant may not decrease the amount deducted more than two (2) times per Purchase Period.  A Participant may not increase the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation during an Offering Period.
(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the completion of an Offering Period, each Participant in such Offering Period shall automatically participate in the Offering Period that commences immediately following the completion of such Offering Period at the same payroll deduction percentage as in effect at the completion of the prior Offering Period, unless such Participant delivers to the Company a different election with respect to the successive Offering Period in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof, or unless such Participant becomes ineligible for participation in the Plan.
3.3    Leave of Absence.  During leaves of absence approved by the Company meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) under the Code, an individual shall be treated as an Employee of the Company or Participating Subsidiary that employs such individual immediately prior to such leave.
ARTICLE IV.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
4.1    Grant of Option.  Each Participant shall be granted an Option with respect to an Offering Period on the applicable Grant Date.  The number of Shares subject to a Participant’s Option shall be determined as of each applicable Exercise Date occurring such an Offering Period by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s Plan Account on such Exercise Date by (b) the applicable Option Price; provided that in no event shall a Participant be permitted to purchase during any Offering Period more than two thousand four hundred (2,400) Shares or during any Purchase Period more than six hundred (600) Shares (in each case, subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof).  The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods and/or Purchase Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of Shares that a Participant may purchase during such future Offering Periods and/or Purchase Periods.  Each Option shall expire on last Exercise Date to occur during the applicable Offering Period immediately after the automatic exercise 

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of the Option in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof, unless such Option terminates earlier in accordance with Article 6 hereof.
4.2    Option Price.  The Option Price per Share to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of the Participant’s Option on each applicable Exercise Date for an Offering Period shall be equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a Share on (a) the applicable Grant Date and (b) such Exercise Date; provided that in no event shall the Option Price per Share be less than the par value per Share.
4.3    Purchase of Shares.
(a)    On each Exercise Date occurring during an Offering Period, subject to Participant remaining an Eligible Employee through such Exercise Date, each Participant shall automatically and without any action on such Participant’s part be deemed to have exercised his or her Option to purchase at the applicable Option Price the largest number of whole Shares which can be purchased with the amount in the Participant’s Plan Account, subject to Sections 4.1 and 5.3 hereof.  The balance, if any, remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account (after exercise of such Participant’s Option) as of such Exercise Date shall be carried forward to the next Purchase Period, unless the Participant has elected to withdraw from the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof or, pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, such Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee.
(b)    As soon as practicable following each applicable Exercise Date (but in no event more than thirty (30) days thereafter), the number of Shares purchased by such Participant pursuant to Section 4.3(a) hereof shall be delivered (either in share certificate or book entry form), in the Company’s sole discretion, to either (i) the Participant or (ii) an account established in the Participant’s name at a stock brokerage or other financial services firm designated by the Company.  If the Company is required to obtain from any commission or agency authority to issue any such Shares, the Company shall seek to obtain such authority.  Inability of the Company to obtain from any such commission or agency authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance of any such shares shall relieve the Company from liability to any Participant except to refund to the Participant such Participant’s Plan Account balance, without interest thereon.
4.4    Transferability of Rights.  An Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable, other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant.  No Option or interest or right to the Option shall be available to pay off any debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempt at disposition of the Option shall have no effect.
ARTICLE V.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON STOCK
5.1    Common Stock Reserved.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be the sum of (a) 1,356,278 Shares and (b) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2016 and ending in 2025, equal to the lesser of (i) one percent (1%) of the Shares outstanding (on an as-converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of Shares as may be determined by the Board; provided, however, that no more than 4,407,905 Shares may be issued under the Plan.  Shares made available for sale under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares reserved for issuance under the Plan. 

5.2    Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

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(a)    Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under an Option, as well as the price per share and the number of Shares covered by each Option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock or any other increase or decrease in the number of Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.”  Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Option.
(b)    Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and such Offering Period shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator.  The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation.  The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the next Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1(a)(i) hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.  
(c)    Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  In the event that the  Option is not assumed or substituted, any Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date.  The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed sale or merger.  The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the next Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Periods as provided in Section 6.1(a)(i) hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.
5.3    Insufficient Shares.  If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of Shares with respect to which Options are to be exercised may exceed the number of Shares remaining available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the Administrator shall make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for issuance on such Exercise Date in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising Options to purchase Shares on such Exercise Date, and unless additional shares are authorized for issuance under the Plan, no further Offering Periods shall take place and the Plan shall terminate pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof.  If an Offering Period is so terminated, then the balance of the amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account which has not been applied to the purchase of Shares shall be paid to such Participant in one (1) lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon. 
5.4    Rights as Stockholders.  With respect to Shares subject to an Option, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder.  A Participant shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company when, but not until, Shares have been deposited in the designated brokerage account following exercise of his or her Option.
ARTICLE VI.
TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

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6.1    Cessation of Contributions; Voluntary Withdrawal.
(a)    A Participant may cease payroll deductions during an Offering Period and elect to withdraw from the Plan by delivering written or electronic notice of such election (a “Withdrawal Election”) to the Company in such form as may be established by the Administrator and not later than ten (10) days prior to the final Exercise Date for such Offering Period (or such other period of time as may be established by the Administrator).  A Participant electing to withdraw from the Plan may elect to either (i) withdraw all of the funds then credited to the Participant’s Plan Account as of the date on which the Withdrawal Election is received by the Company, in which case amounts credited to such Plan Account shall be returned to the Participant in one (1) lump-sum payment in cash within thirty (30) days after such election is received by the Company, without any interest thereon, and the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan and the Participant’s Option for such Offering Period shall terminate; or (ii) subject to Section 6.2 below, exercise the Option for the maximum number of whole Shares on the next Exercise Date to occur during the applicable Offering Period with any remaining Plan Account balance returned to the Participant in one (1) lump-sum payment in cash within thirty (30) days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon, and after such exercise cease to participate in the Plan.  As soon as practicable following the Company’s receipt of a notice of withdrawal from the Plan, the Participant’s payroll deduction authorization and his or her Option to purchase Shares under the Plan shall terminate.
(b)    A Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Periods from which the Participant withdraws.
(c)    A Participant who ceases contributions to the Plan during any Offering Periods shall not be permitted to resume contributions to the Plan during such Offering Period. 
6.2    Termination of Eligibility.  Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee for any reason, such Participant’s Option for the applicable Offering Period shall automatically terminate, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan,  and such Participant’s Plan Account shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto as set forth in an applicable beneficiary designation form (or, if there is no such applicable form, pursuant to applicable law), within thirty (30) days after such cessation of being an Eligible Employee, without any interest thereon.
ARTICLE VII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1    Administration.  
(a)    The Plan shall be administered by the Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan), which, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision.  The Committee may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent and/or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant.
(b)    It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.  The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i)    To establish and terminate Offering Periods and Purchase Periods;
(ii)    To determine when and how Options shall be granted and the provisions and terms of each Offering Period and Purchase Period (which need not be identical);

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(iii)    To select those Non-U.S. Subsidiaries that will be Participating Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof; and
(iv)    To construe and interpret the Plan, the terms of any Offering Period or Purchase Period under the Plan and the terms of the Options and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.  The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, any Offering Period, any Purchase Period or any Option, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.
(c)    The Administrator may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of participation elections, payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements.  In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.
(d)    The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Participating Subsidiaries or locations.  The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 5.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.
(e)    All expenses and liabilities incurred by the Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.  The Administrator may, with the approval of the Committee, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons.  The Administrator, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Board or Administrator shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the options, and all members of the Board or Administrator shall be fully protected by the Company in respect to any such action, determination or interpretation. 
7.2    Designation of Participating Subsidiaries.  The Board or Committee shall have the right, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, to designate the Non-U.S. Subsidiaries that shall constitute Participating Subsidiaries from time to time.  In addition, the Board or Committee may, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, terminate the designation of a Subsidiary as a Participating Subsidiary at any time or from time to time.
7.3    Accounts.  Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant in the Plan.  
7.4    No Right to Employment.  Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary or to affect the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Participant) at any time, with or without cause, which right is expressly reserved.
7.5    Amendment, Suspension and Termination of the Plan
(a)    The Board may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after action by the Board, the Plan may not be amended to increase the maximum number of Shares subject to the Plan or in any other manner that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders under applicable law or applicable stock exchange rules or regulations.  No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan.  For the avoidance of doubt, without the approval of the Company’s 

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stockholders and without regard to whether any Participant rights may be considered to have been “adversely affected,” the Board or the Committee, as applicable, shall be entitled to change the terms of an Offering Period, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Shares for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Board or the Committee, as applicable, determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan.
(b)    In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(i)    altering the Option Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Option Price;
(ii)    shortening any Offering Period and/or Purchase Period so that the Offering Period and/or Purchase Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period and/or Purchase Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and
(iii)    allocating Shares.
Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.
(c)    Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan Account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon.
7.6    Use of Funds; No Interest Paid.  All funds received by the Company by reason of purchase of Shares under the Plan shall be included in the general funds of the Company free of any trust or other restriction and may be used for any corporate purpose.  No interest shall be paid to any Participant or credited under the Plan.
7.7    Term; Approval by Stockholders.  The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan.  Options may be granted prior to such stockholder approval; provided, however, that such Options shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; provided further that if such approval has not been obtained by the end of said twelve (12)-month period, all Options previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon terminate and be canceled and become null and void without being exercised.  The Plan shall terminate upon the expiration of the Purchase Period during which Expiration Date occurs, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Sections 5.3 or 7.5 hereof or unless the Company’s stockholders do not approve the Plan in accordance with this Section 7.7.   For the avoidance of doubt, the Purchase Period during which the Expiration Date occurs shall continue in effect until the expiration of such Purchase Period, but no new Offering Periods or Purchase Periods shall commence on or following the Expiration Date. 
7.8    Effect Upon Other Plans.  The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary.  Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary or (b) to grant or assume Options otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, firm or association.

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7.9    Conformity to Securities Laws.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and the participation in the Plan by any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemption rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b‐3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule. 
7.10    Tax Withholding.  The Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary shall be entitled to require payment in cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each Participant of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to any purchase of Shares under the Plan or any sale of such shares.
7.11    Governing Law.  The Plan and all rights and obligations thereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
7.12    Notices.  All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof (including without limitation the Company’s stock plan administrator). 
7.13    Conditions To Issuance of Shares. 
(a)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option by a Participant, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration.  In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations or requirements.
(b)    All certificates for Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.  The Committee may place legends on any certificate or book entry evidencing Shares to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.
(c)    The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Committee.
(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Option, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
7.14    REIT Status.  The Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Company’s status as a REIT.  No Option shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to any Option granted under the Plan, such Option shall not be exercised, exercisable or settled:
(a)    to the extent that the grant, exercise or settlement of such Option could cause the Participant or any other person to be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock 

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Ownership Limit (each as defined in the Company’s charter, as amended from time to time) or any other provision of Section 6.2.1 of the Company’s charter; or
(b)    if, in the discretion of the Administrator, the grant, exercise or settlement of such Option could impair the Company’s status as a REIT.  
7.15    Section 409A.  Neither the Plan nor any Option granted hereunder is intended to constitute or provide for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance issued after the Effective Date (together, “Section 409A”).  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that any Option may be or become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and/or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or with an available exemption therefrom.

* * * * * *

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I hereby certify that the foregoing Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was duly approved by the Board of Directors of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. on May 11, 2015.
I hereby certify that the foregoing Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was duly approved by the stockholders of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. on May 11, 2015.
Executed on this 11th day of May 2015.
/s/ Joshua A. Mills             
Joshua A. Mills
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, & Secretary

12EX. 10.7  06.30.2015

Exhibit 10.7

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Settlement Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is made by and between Digital Realty Trust, Inc., Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and DLR, LLC (collectively, the “Company”) and Michael F. Foust (“Executive”), effective as of the date of execution (the “Effective Date”) with reference to the following facts:

A.    Executive was employed by the Company as Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement dated August 7, 2008, and later amendment dated  December 24, 2008 (together, the “Employment Agreement”).

B.    Executive signed the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement on April 6, 2009 (the “PIIAA”).

C.    Executive’s position as a Chief Executive Officer was terminated by the Company without cause effective March 17, 2014 and Executive signed a General Release dated March 18, 2014.

D.    The Company contends, and Executive denies, that Executive did not adhere to certain post-employment obligations contained in the Employment Agreement, PIIAA and General Release, and that Executive tortiously interfered with the Company’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region.  The Company withheld from Executive certain cash severance benefits and cancelled 127,644 Profits Interest Units (“PIUs”) that had vested in connection with the termination without cause of Executive’s employment based on the alleged breaches and conduct.

E.    Executive contends, and the Company denies, that the Company breached the Employment Agreement, violated the California Labor Code and acted tortiously by withholding severance benefits and cancelling the PIUs.

F.    The Company filed an action, and Executive filed cross-claims, in the California Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. et al. v. Michael F. Foust, Case No. CGC-14-542455 (the “Litigation”).

G.    Executive and the Company participated in a confidential mediation led by Honorable William J. Cahill (Ret.) on July 22, 2015, and reached agreement on terms to resolve all disputes between them without resort to further litigation as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1.This Agreement is entered into for purposes of settlement and compromise only.  Neither this Agreement nor anything contained herein, nor any act or thing done in connection herewith, is intended to be or shall be construed or deemed to be an admission or presumption by the Company or Executive of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, or an admission or presumption by the Company or Executive of any fact, allegation, claim, or defense whatsoever.
2.    Settlement Payment and Benefits; Executive’s Continuing Obligations.  Without admission of any liability, fact or claim, the Company hereby agrees to provide Executive the payments and benefits, and Executive confirms his continuing obligations, as set forth below.  Specifically, the Company and Executive agree as follows: 
(a)    Severance Payment.  Executive shall be entitled to receive severance pay in the amount of $8,000,000 (eight million dollars) (the “Payment”), less applicable tax withholding.  The Payment shall be made no later than  14 (fourteen) calendar days after the Effective Date. 
(b)    Executive’s Continuing Obligations.  Executive agrees that he is bound by his continuing obligations under Section 8 of this Agreement, the Employment Agreement and Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the PIIAA, and that Executive’s acknowledgment of such continuing obligations is a material part of the consideration for entering into this Agreement.

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(c)    Attorneys’ Fees and Costs.  The Company and Executive shall each bear its or his attorneys’ fees and costs expended in the Litigation.
(d)    Taxes.  Executive understands and agrees that all payments under this Agreement will be subject to appropriate tax withholding and other deductions.  To the extent any taxes may be payable by Executive for the benefits provided to him by this Agreement beyond those withheld by the Company, Executive agrees to pay them himself.
3.    Full Payment.  Executive acknowledges that the payments and arrangements herein shall constitute full and complete satisfaction of any and all amounts properly due and owing to Executive as a result of his employment with the Company and the termination thereof.  For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall have no effect on Executive’s interests in or rights to any Company securities, including any vested profits interest units or common stock, owned by Executive, other than the PIUs as defined in Recital D.
4.    Dismissal of the Litigation.  Within 30 (thirty) days of the Payment, the Company and Executive shall dismiss with prejudice the complaint and cross-complaint, as amended, filed in the Litigation, and the Litigation in its entirety.
5.    Executive’s Release of the Company.  Executive understands that by agreeing to the release provided by this Section 5, Executive is agreeing not to sue, or otherwise file any claim against, the Company or any of its directors, executives, employees or other agents for any reason whatsoever based on anything that has occurred as of the date Executive signs this Agreement.
(a)    On behalf of Executive and Executive’s heirs and assigns, Executive hereby releases and forever discharges the “Company Releasees” hereunder, consisting of the Company, and each of its past and present owners, employees, affiliates, divisions, predecessors, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, partners, executives, shareholders, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, loss, cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called “Claims”), which Executive now has or may hereafter have against the Company Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all Claims asserted or that could have been asserted by Executive in the Litigation; Claims arising out of, based upon, or relating in any manner to Executive’s Employment Agreement, General Release, hire, employment, remuneration, equity grants, failure to grant to Executive equity or debt to which he claims he was entitled, or termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company Releasees, or any of them; Claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, and Claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, including but not limited to any Claims arising under federal laws governing discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon the exercise of protected conduct; the California Labor Code; the employment and civil rights laws of California; Claims for breach of contract; Claims arising in tort, including, without limitation, Claims of wrongful dismissal or discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation,  misrepresentation, defamation, libel, infliction of emotional distress, violation of public policy, and/or breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and Claims for damages or other remedies of any sort, including, without limitation, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.
(b)    Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Executive does not release his rights under this Agreement, his rights of advancement or indemnification, if any, under any applicable charters, bylaws or other organizing documents of the Company or any affiliate thereof, or any Claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including Executive’s rights of advancement or indemnification, if any, under California Labor Code Section 2802 , or Executive’s right to communicate directly with, cooperate with, or provide information to, any federal, state or local government regulator; provided, however, without limiting any right Executive may have to advancement and indemnity as referenced in or pursuant to this Section 5(b), Executive does release to 

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the extent permitted by law his right to secure any payment from the Company as a result of such communication or cooperation.
6.    The Company’s Release of Executive.  The Company voluntarily releases and discharges Executive and his heirs, successors, partners, lawyers, insurers, administrators, representatives and assigns, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them (the “Executive Releasees”) from all Claims which the Company now has or may hereafter have against the Executive Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all Claims asserted by the Company, or that could have been asserted, in the Litigation.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Company does not release its rights under this Agreement.
7.    EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY EACH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”
BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS HE OR IT MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
8.    Additional Covenants.  Executive and the Company further agree as follows:
(a)    Non-Disparagement.  Executive agrees that he shall not disparage, criticize or defame the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, business or services.  Nothing in this Section 8(a) shall have application to any evidence or testimony required by any court, arbitrator or government agency.  The Company agrees that its Section 16 officers and members of its Board of Directors as of the Effective Date, or who become Section 16 officers or members of its Board of Directors within twelve (12) months thereafter, shall not disparage, criticize or defame Executive, either publicly or privately for so long as such individuals remain members of the Board of Directors and Section 16 officers of the Company.
(b)    No Tax Advice. In signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that neither the Company nor the mediator, nor any of their agents or employees has served as an attorney or tax advisor to Executive.  
9.    Representations.  
(a)    Executive Representations.  Executive warrants and represents that (i) other than the Demand for Arbitration filed by him on October 16, 2014 and the Cross-Complaint filed by him in the Litigation, he has not filed or authorized the filing of any complaints, charges or lawsuits against the Company or any released party with any governmental agency or court, and that if, unbeknownst to Executive such a complaint, charge or lawsuit has been filed on his behalf, he will immediately cause it to be withdrawn and dismissed, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject, and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(b)    Company Representations.  The Company warrants and represents that (i) other than the Complaint filed by it in the Litigation, it has not filed or authorized the filing of any complaints, charges or lawsuits against the Executive or any released party with any governmental 

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agency or court, and that if, unbeknownst to the Company such a complaint, charge or lawsuit has been filed on its behalf, it will immediately cause it to be withdrawn and dismissed, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Company is subject, (iii) the person signing this Agreement on behalf of the Company has authority to execute this Agreement and thereby to bind the Company; and (iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
10.    Assumption of Risk of Difference in Facts.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that if the facts with respect to which this Agreement or the matters that are the subject of this Agreement are found hereafter to be different from the facts now believed by them to be true, they expressly accept and assume the risk of such possible differences in facts and agree that this Agreement will be and will remain effective notwithstanding such differences in facts.
11.    Intervening Change in Law.  The Company and Executive intend to be bound by this Agreement regardless of any intervening change in applicable Law. 
12.    No Assignment.  Executive and the Company warrant and represent that no portion of any of the matters released herein, and no portion of any recovery or settlement to which Executive or the Company might be entitled, has been assigned or transferred to any other person, firm or corporation not a party to this Agreement, in any manner, including by way of subrogation or operation of law or otherwise.  If any claim, action, demand or suit should be made or instituted against the Company, Executive or any other released party because of any actual assignment, subrogation or transfer by Executive or the Company, Executive and the Company agree to indemnify and hold harmless the aggrieved party against such claim, action, suit or demand, including necessary expenses of investigation, attorneys’ fees and costs.
13.    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of California without regard to any conflicts of laws provisions of any state.
14.    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be modified only in writing, and such writing must be signed by Executive and the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and recite that it is intended to modify this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.  
(Signature page(s) follow)

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Settlement Agreement and General Release to be duly executed and delivered as of the date indicated next to their respective signatures below. 
 

                                 MICHAEL F. FOUST
 

DATED: July 22, 2015                               By: /s/ Michael F. Foust            
                                            Michael F. Foust

 

 
DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC., DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P., AND DLR, LLC

 
DATED: July 22, 2015                              By: /s/ Joshua A. Mills             
Joshua A. Mills
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Digital Realty Trust, Inc., Digital Realty Trust, L.P., and DLR, LLC

S-1

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