1996 Director Option Plan - 8x8 Inc.
8X8, INC.
1996 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1996 Director Option Plan
are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as Outside
Directors (as defined herein) of the Company, to provide additional incentive to
the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage
their continued service on the Board.
All options granted hereunder shall be nonstatutory stock
options.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(c) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(d) "Company" means 8x8, Inc., a California corporation.
(e) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(f) "Employee" means any person, including officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of
itself to constitute "employment" by the Company.
(g) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(h) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of determination, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems
reliable, or;
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(iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Board.
(i) "Inside Director" means a Director who is an Employee.
(j) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan.
(k) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option.
(l) "Optionee" means a Director who holds an Option.
(m) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an
Employee.
(n) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(o) "Plan" means this 1996 Director Option Plan.
(p) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.
(q) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 10
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 150,000 Shares of Common Stock (the "Pool"). The Shares
may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having
been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan.
4. Administration and Grants of Options under the Plan.
(a) Procedure for Grants. The provisions set forth in this
Section 4(a) shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to
comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder. All grants of Options to Outside
Directors under this Plan shall be automatic and nondiscretionary and shall be
made strictly in accordance with the following provisions:
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(i) No person shall have any discretion to select
which Outside Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of
Shares to be covered by Options granted to Outside Directors.
(ii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically
granted an Option to purchase 16,000 Shares (the "First Option") on the date on
which the later of the following events occurs: (A) the effective date of this
Plan, as determined in accordance with Section 6 hereof, or (B) the date on
which such person first becomes an Outside Director, whether through election by
the shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy;
provided, however, that an Inside Director who ceases to be an Inside Director
but who remains a Director shall not receive a First Option.
(iii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically
granted an Option to purchase 4,000 Shares (a "Subsequent Option") on the date
such person is elected or reelected, as the case may be, to the Board by the
shareholders at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders or otherwise, if on
such date, he or she shall have served on the Board for at least six (6) months.
(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections
(ii) and (iii) hereof, any exercise of an Option granted before the Company has
obtained shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof
shall be conditioned upon obtaining such shareholder approval of the Plan in
accordance with Section 16 hereof.
(v) The terms of a First Option granted hereunder
shall be as follows:
(A) the term of the First Option shall be
ten (10) years.
(B) the First Option shall be exercisable
only while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set
forth in Sections 8 and 10 hereof.
(C) the exercise price per Share shall be
equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the First
Option. In the event that the date of grant of the First Option is not a trading
day, the exercise price per Share shall be the Fair Market Value on the next
trading day immediately following the date of grant of the First Option.
(D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the First
Option shall become exercisable as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares
subject to the First Option on each anniversary of its date of grant, provided
that the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.
(vi) The terms of a Subsequent Option granted
hereunder shall be as follows:
(A) the term of the Subsequent Option shall
be ten (10) years.
(B) the Subsequent Option shall be
exercisable only while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company,
except as set forth in Sections 8 and 10 hereof.
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(C) the exercise price per Share shall be
equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Subsequent
Option. In the event that the date of grant of the Subsequent Option is not a
trading day, the exercise price per Share shall be the Fair Market Value on the
next trading day immediately following the date of grant of the Subsequent
Option.
(D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the
Subsequent Option shall become exercisable as to 1/48th of the Shares subject to
the Subsequent Option on each one month anniversary of its date of grant for a
four-year period, provided that the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on
such dates.
(vii) In the event that any Option granted under the
Plan would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the
number of Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then the
remaining Shares available for Option grant shall be granted under Options to
the Outside Directors on a pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made until
such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the
Plan through action of the Board or the shareholders to increase the number of
Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration
of Options previously granted hereunder.
5. Eligibility. Options may be granted only to Outside Directors. All
Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in
Section 4 hereof.
The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a
Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director
or the Company may have to terminate the Director's relationship with the
Company at any time.
6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company as described in Section 16 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect for
a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 of the Plan.
7. Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares
to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall
consist of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) other shares which (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised, (iv) delivery of a properly
executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Company
and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option
and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
exercise price, or (v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
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8. Exercise of Option.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in
Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable until
shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof has been
obtained.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice
of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of
the Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for
the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by
the Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 7 of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the
Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment
shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of
the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease
in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of
the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.
(b) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to Outside Directors must
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or any successor thereto and shall contain such additional
conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify Plan
transactions, and other transactions by Outside Directors that otherwise could
be matched with Plan transactions, for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of
the Exchange Act.
(c) Termination of Continuous Status as a Director. Subject to
Section 10 hereof, in the event an Optionee's status as a Director terminates
(other than upon the Optionee's death or total and permanent disability (as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code)), the Optionee may exercise his or her
Option, but only within three (3) months following the date of such termination,
and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it on the date
of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of its ten (10)
year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an
Option on the date of such termination, and to the extent that the Optionee does
not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(d) Disability of Optionee. In the event Optionee's status as
a Director terminates as a result of total and permanent disability (as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option,
but only within twelve (12) months following the date of such termination, and
only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it on the date of
such termination (but
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in no event later than the expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent
that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an Option on the date of
termination, or if he or she does not exercise such Option (to the extent
otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
(e) Death of Optionee. In the event of an Optionee's death,
the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve (12)
months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it on the date of death (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of death, and to the extent that the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise such Option
does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
9. Non-Transferability of Options. The Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.
10. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action
by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each
outstanding Option, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance
under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well
as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option, and the number
of Shares issuable pursuant to the automatic grant provisions of Section 4
hereof 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 issued 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." 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, to the extent that an Option has not
been previously exercised, it shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation or the sale of substantially all of the
assets of the Company, outstanding Options may be assumed or equivalent options
may be substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary
thereof (the "Successor Corporation"). If an Option is assumed or substituted
for, the Option or equivalent option shall continue to be exercisable as
provided in Section 4 hereof for so long as the Optionee serves as a Director or
a director of the Successor Corporation. Following such assumption
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or substitution, if the Optionee's status as a Director or director of the
Successor Corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary
resignation by the Optionee, the Option or option shall become fully
exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. Thereafter, the Option or option shall remain exercisable in
accordance with Sections 8(c) through (e) above.
If the Successor Corporation does not assume an outstanding Option or
substitute for it an equivalent option, the Option shall become fully vested and
exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. In such event the Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
such notice, and upon the expiration of such period the Option shall terminate.
For the purposes of this Section 10(c), an Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Option confers the right
to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of
assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of
the 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).
If such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to
be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.
11. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. Except as set forth in Section
4, the Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but
no amendment, alteration, suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which
would impair the rights of any Optionee under any grant theretofore made,
without his or her consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable
to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any other applicable law or
regulation), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment
in such a manner and to such a degree as required.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated.
12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
13. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act
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of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange
upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.
14. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
15. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.
16. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company at or prior to the first annual
meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the granting of an Option hereunder.
Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required
under applicable state and federal law.
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8X8, INC.
DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT
8x8, Inc. (the "Company"), has granted to
______________________________________ (the "Optionee"), an option to purchase a
total of __________________ (_________) shares of the Company's Common Stock
(the "Optioned Stock"), at the price determined as provided herein, and in all
respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's 1996
Director Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is incorporated
herein by reference. The terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings herein.
1. Nature of the Option. This Option is a nonstatutory option and is
not intended to qualify for any special tax benefits to the Optionee.
2. Exercise Price. The exercise price is $_______ for each share of
Common Stock.
3. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan as follows:
(i) Right to Exercise.
(a) This Option shall become exercisable in installments
cumulatively with respect to __________ (___) of the Optioned Stock six months
after the date of grant, and ______________ (__) of the Optioned Stock at the
end of each month thereafter, so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Optioned
Stock shall be exercisable _______ years after the date of grant; provided,
however, that in no event shall any Option be exercisable prior to the date the
stockholders of the Company approve the Plan.
(b) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
share.
(c) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of service as a Director, the exercisability of the Option is
governed by Section 8 of the Plan.
(ii) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option and the number of
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised. Such written notice,
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, shall be signed by the Optionee and
shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the
Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise
price.
4. Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
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(i) cash;
(ii) check; or
(iii) surrender of other shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as
to which said Option shall be exercised; or
(iv) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Company and the broker, if applicable, shall
require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the
sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price.
5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulations, or if such issuance
would not comply with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the
Shares may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the
Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
6. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.
7. Term of Option. This Option may not be exercised more than ten (10)
years from the date of grant of this Option, and may be exercised during such
period only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.
8. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon
exercise of this Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an
amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares purchased
over the exercise price paid for such Shares. Since the Optionee is subject to
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, under certain
limited circumstances the measurement and timing of such income (and the
commencement of any capital gain holding period) may be deferred, and the
Optionee is advised to contact a tax advisor concerning the application of
Section 83 in general and the availability a Section 83(b) election in
particular in connection with the exercise of the Option. Upon a resale of such
Shares by the Optionee, any difference between the sale price and the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date
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of exercise of the Option, to the extent not included in income as described
above, will be treated as capital gain or loss.
DATE OF GRANT: ______________
8x8, Inc.
By: __________________________
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, a copy of which is
attached hereto, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms
and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive
and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions
arising under the Plan.
Dated: _________________
________________________________
Optionee
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EXHIBIT A
DIRECTOR OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
8x8, Inc.
2445 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Attention: Sandra L. Abbott
1. Exercise of Option. The undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to
exercise Optionee's option to purchase ______ shares of the Common Stock (the
"Shares") of 8x8, Inc. (the "Company") under and pursuant to the Company's 1996
Director Option Plan and the Director Option Agreement dated _______________
(the "Agreement").
2. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Agreement.
3. Federal Restrictions on Transfer. Optionee understands that the Shares
must be held indefinitely unless they are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or unless an exemption from such registration
is available, and that the certificate(s) representing the Shares may bear a
legend to that effect. Optionee understands that the Company is under no
obligation to register the Shares and that an exemption may not be available or
may not permit Optionee to transfer Shares in the amounts or at the times
proposed by Optionee.
4. Tax Consequences. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse
tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of the
Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultant(s) Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.
5. Delivery of Payment. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the
aggregate purchase price for the Shares that Optionee has elected to purchase
and has made provision for the payment of any federal or state withholding taxes
required to be paid or withheld by the Company.
6. Entire Agreement. The Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.
This Exercise Notice and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the
parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of
the Company and Optionee with respect to the
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subject matter hereof. This Exercise Notice and the Agreement are governed by
[state] law except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.
Submitted by: Accepted by:
OPTIONEE: 8x8, Inc.
_____________________________ By: _______________________________
Its:_______________________________
Address:
Dated:_______________________ Dated:_______________________
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