Sample Business Contracts

ROVI CORPORATION

2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

As Adopted by the Board of Directors on June 9, 2008

Approved by the Stockholders on July 15, 2008

As amended on May 24, 2011

Section 1. Purpose; Definitions.

 

The name of the plan is the ROVI Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable employees (including officers and Directors) of ROVI Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries, non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and those consultants and other independent contractors who provide services to the Company and its Subsidiaries and upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company and its Subsidiaries depend for the successful conduct of their business to acquire proprietary interests in the Company.  It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

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

 

(b) “Administrator” means the Board or the Committee.

 

(c) “Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, means Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Performance Shares, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units.

 

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

 

(e) “Cause,” as such term relates to the termination of any person’s status as an employee or other service provider of the Company, means the occurrence of one or more of the following:  (i) such person is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or confesses to any felony or any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement which has an immediate and materially adverse effect on the Company or any Subsidiary, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, (ii) such person engages in a fraudulent act to the material damage or prejudice of the Company or any Subsidiary or in conduct or activities materially damaging to the property, business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary, all as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, (iii) any material act or omission by such person involving malfeasance or negligence in the performance of such person’s duties to the Company or any Subsidiary to the material detriment of the Company or any Subsidiary, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, which has not been corrected by such person to the satisfaction of the Board within 30 days after written notice from the Company of any such act or omission, (iv) failure by such person to comply in any material respect with the terms of his employment agreement, if any, or any written policies or directives of the Board as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, which has not been corrected by such person to the satisfaction of the Board within 30 days after written notice from the Company of such failure, or (v) material breach by such person of any other agreement with the Company, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion.

 

(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor tax laws, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

 

(g) “Covered Employees” means any participant who is designated by the Committee prior to the date that the Committee establishes the Performance Goals for a Performance Period, to be a Covered Employee within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

 

(h) “Committee” means a committee of two or more Independent Directors appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

 

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

 

 

(j) “Disability” means an individual’s inability to perform his normal required services for the Company and its Subsidiaries for a period of six consecutive months by reason of the individual’s mental or physical disability, as determined by the Administrator in good faith in its sole discretion.

 

(k) “Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date under the Plan shall be determined as follows:

 

(i) If the Stock is at the time listed on any established stock exchange, then the fair market value shall be the closing selling price per share of the Stock as quoted on such exchange on the date of determination, or if there is no reported sale of the Stock on such exchange on the date of determination, then the fair market value shall be the closing selling price on the exchange on the last preceding trading day on which sales of the Stock are reported as having occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable.

 

(ii) If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the fair market value shall be the mean between the closing high bid and low asked prices for the Stock on the date of determination, or if no prices are quoted for such date, then the mean between the closing high bid and low asked prices on the last, preceding trading day on which any bid and asked prices were quoted, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable.

 

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, then the fair market value shall be determined by the Administrator after taking into account such factors as the Administrator shall deem appropriate.

 

(l) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

(m) “Independent Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(n) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(o) “Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

 

(p) “Performance-Based Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, Nonstatutory Stock Option, Performance Shares, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted to a selected Covered Employee and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 9.  All Performance-Based Awards are intended to qualify as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(q) “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a participant for a Performance Period.  The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following:  net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash or nonrecurring items), net losses, sales or revenue, operating income, operating cash flow, return on net assets, return on stockholders’ equity, return on assets, return on capital, stockholder returns, gross or net profit margin, earnings per share, price per share of Stock, and market share, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.  The Committee shall, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period for such participant.

 

(r) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.  Depending upon the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, or an individual.  The Committee, in its discretion, may, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.  Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Committee.  The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no vesting will occur, levels of performance at which specified vesting will occur, and a maximum level of performance at which full vesting will occur.

 

 

 

(s) “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a participant’s right to a Performance-Based Award.

 

(t) “Performance Shares” mean an Award granted to a participant pursuant to Section 8 that entitles the participant to receive a prescribed number of shares of Stock upon achievement of Performance Goals established by the Committee for such Award.

 

(u) “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation” means any compensation that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

(v) “Restricted Stock” means a Restricted Stock Award granted pursuant to Section 7 by the issuance of Stock subject to restrictions.

 

(w) “Restricted Stock Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

(x) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a Restricted Stock Award granted pursuant to Section 7 to receive the economic equivalent of Restricted Stock without the issuance of Stock at time of grant.

 

(y) “Retirement” means an employee’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries after attainment of age 65 or attainment of age 55 and completion of 10 years of employment.

 

(z) “Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

 

(aa) “Stock Appreciation Right” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 6.

 

(bb) Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities, beginning with the Company if each of the corporations or entities (other than the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain) owns stock or other interests possessing 50% or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or entities in the chain.

 

Section 2. Administration of Plan; Authority to Select Participants and Determine Awards.

 

(a) Powers of Administrator.  The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

 

(i) to select those employees (including officers and Directors) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, Independent Directors, and consultants and other independent contractors in service to the Company and its Subsidiaries to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Performance Shares, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more participants;

 

(iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

 

(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and participants, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the Awards;

 

(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

 

(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised;

 

(vii) to determine at any time whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the participant and whether and

 

        to what extent the Company shall pay or credit amounts constituting interest (at rates determined by the Administrator) or dividends or deemed dividends on such deferrals; and

 

(viii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan (including for any subplan or portion of the Plan that the Administrator may establish for a specific group of employees or other service providers) and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and otherwise to supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

 

(b) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer of the Company all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to Awards, including the granting thereof, to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Act or Covered Employees within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.  The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

Section 3. Stock Issuable Under the Plan; Mergers; Substitution.

 

(a) Stock Issuable.  The maximum number of shares of Stock and Stock equivalents reserved and available for then outstanding Awards and the grant of additional Awards under the Plan is fourteen million three hundred thousand (14,300,000) shares.  For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards which expire or which are forfeited, canceled, reacquired by the Company, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan.  Subject to such overall limitation, shares of Stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units with respect to no more than one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares of Stock and Stock equivalents may be granted to any one individual participant during any one calendar year period.  The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.  Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in shares of Stock, the right to purchase an equal number of shares of Stock covered by a related Stock Option, if any, shall be deemed to have been surrendered and will no longer be exercisable, and said number of shares of Stock shall no longer be available under the Plan.

 

(b) Recapitalizations.  If, through or as a result of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units that can be granted to any one individual participant, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, and (iv) the price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable.  The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive.  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

 

(c) Mergers, etc.  In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the not the surviving corporation (other than a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the stockholders of the Company or their relative stock holdings and the Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all optionees); (iii) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but after which the stockholders of the Company (other than any stockholder which merges (or which owns or controls another corporation which merges) with the Company in such merger) cease to own their shares or other equity interests in the Company; (iv) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (v) any other transaction which qualifies as a “corporate transaction” under Section 424(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, wherein the stockholders of the Company give up all of their equity interest in the Company (except for the acquisition, sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the outstanding shares of the Company from or by the

 

 

(d) Substitute Awards.  The Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees of another corporation who become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation.  The Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances.

 

Section 4. Eligibility.

 

Participants in the Plan shall be such full-time or part-time employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, Independent Directors, and consultants and other independent contractors in service to the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall select from time to time.

 

Section 5. Stock Options.

 

Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.  Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.  To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  The Administrator may from time to time adopt subplans to this Plan containing such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as may be necessary to qualify the grants of Stock Options thereunder for preferential treatment under the laws of any country or other jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has employees, Independent Directors, consultants or other independent contractors.

 

No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after July 15, 2018.

 

(a) Terms and Conditions of Stock Options.  The Administrator in its discretion may grant Stock Options subject to the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable:

 

(i) Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant.  If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any “parent or subsidiary corporation” of the Company (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the exercise price per share for the Stock covered by such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the grant date.

 

(ii) Option Term.  The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than seven (7) years after the date the Option is granted, and the term of each such Option shall expire no more than seven (7) years after the date of grant.  If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any “parent or subsidiary corporation” of the Company (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the term of such Option shall expire no more than five years after the date of grant.

 

(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder.  Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.  The Administrator may at

 

 

(iv) Method of Exercise.  Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares to be purchased.  Payment of the purchase price shall be made in full concurrently with such exercise by any one of the following methods: (A) in cash; (B) if and to the extent the instrument evidencing the Option so provides and if the Company is not then prohibited from purchasing or acquiring shares of Stock, with shares of Stock that have been held by the optionee for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes, delivered in lieu of cash and valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise; (C) through a “same day sale” commitment from the optionee and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  (the “NASD Dealer”) whereby the optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a portion of the shares so purchased to pay for the exercise price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the exercise price directly to the Company; (D) through a “margin” commitment from the optionee and a NASD Dealer whereby the optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to pledge the shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the exercise price , and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the exercise price directly to the Company; or (E) any combination of the foregoing.  The delivery of certificates representing the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Stock Option or applicable provisions of laws.

 

(v) Termination by Reason of Death.  Any Stock Option held by an optionee whose employment by (or other business relationship with) the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of the optionee’s death may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable by the optionee on the date of the optionee’s death, by the legal representative of the optionee’s estate or by any other person who acquires the right to exercise the option by reason of such death under the optionee’s will or the laws of intestate succession, for a period of 12 months (or such other period as the Administrator shall specify in the Stock Option) from the date of death, but not later than the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.

 

(vi) Termination by Reason of Disability.  Any Stock Option held by an optionee whose employment by (or other business relationship with) the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Disability may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable on the date of such termination, for a period of 12 months (or such other period as the Administrator shall specify in the Stock Option) from the date of such termination of employment (or business relationship), but not later than the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.  The Administrator shall have sole authority and discretion to determine whether a participant’s employment (or business relationship) has been terminated by reason of Disability.  The Administrator may specify in any Stock Option that the death of an optionee during the period provided in this Section 5(a)(vi) for the exercise of the Option shall extend such period for a period ending not later than 12 months following the date of the optionee’s death, subject to termination on the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.

 

(vii) Termination by Reason of Retirement.  Any Stock Option held by an optionee whose employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Retirement may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable on the date of such termination, for a period of 12 months (or such other period as the Administrator shall specify) from the date of such termination of employment, but not later than the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.  The Administrator may specify in any Stock Option that the death of an optionee during the period provided in this Section 5(a)(vii) for the exercise of the Option shall extend such period for a period ending not later than 12 months following the date of the optionee’s death, subject to termination on the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.

 

(viii) Termination for Cause.  If any optionee’s employment by (or business relationship with) the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause, any Stock Option held by such optionee, including any Stock Option that is exercisable at the time of such termination, shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and effect; provided, however, that the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide in any Stock Option that such Stock Option can be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable on the date of such termination, for a period of up to 30 days from the date of termination of employment (or business relationship), but not later than the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.

 

(ix) Other Termination.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, if an optionee’s employment by (or business relationship with) the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement, or for Cause, any Stock Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was

 

 

(x) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

(b) Non-Transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee’s lifetime, only by the optionee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may provide in an option agreement evidencing a Nonstatutory Stock Option that the optionee may transfer, without consideration for the transfer, such Nonstatutory Stock Option to members of his immediate family, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, to charitable organizations, or pursuant to a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights (which shall not be a transfer for value), provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable option agreement.

 

(c) Form of Settlement. Shares of Stock issued upon exercise of a Stock Option shall be free of all restrictions under the Plan, except as otherwise provided in the Plan.

 

Section 6. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a) Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive an amount in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over the per share exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right set by the Administrator at the time of grant, which exercise price shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant (or not less than the Option exercise price per share, if the Stock Appreciation Right was granted in tandem with a Stock Option) multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Administrator having the right to determine the form of payment.

 

(b) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator in tandem with, or independently of, any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan. In the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with a Nonstatutory Stock Option, such Stock Appreciation Right may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Option. In the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option, such Stock Appreciation Right may be granted only at the time of the grant of the Option.

 

(c) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined from time to time by the Administrator, subject to the following:

 

(i) Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and to the extent that the related Stock Options shall be exercisable.  A Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted in tandem with a Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option.

 

(ii) Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the applicable portion of any related Option shall be surrendered.  When a stock settled Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, the shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right grant agreement shall be counted against the shares available for issuance, regardless of the number of shares used to settle the Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise.

 

(iii) Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with an Option shall be transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying Option would be transferable.  Stock Appreciation Rights not granted in tandem with an Option shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent or distribution. All Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or the participant’s legal representative.

 

Section 7. Restricted Stock Awards.

 

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards.  A Restricted Stock Award is an Award entitling the participant to receive shares of Stock (“Restricted Stock”) or to receive the economic equivalent of shares of Stock (“Restricted Stock Units”) subject to

 

 

(b) Rights as a Stockholder.  Upon execution of a written instrument for the issuance of Restricted Stock and paying any applicable purchase price, a participant shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award.  Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company or of a third party escrow holder until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in Section 7(d) below.  Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Unit will not be issued until the Restricted Stock Unit has vested as provided in Section 7(d) below.  A participant awarded Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units until such time as the Restricted Stock Units have vested and Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units has been issued.

 

(c) Restrictions.  Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award.  If a participant’s employment (or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the participant or the participant’s legal representative at their purchase price Restricted Stock with respect to which conditions have not lapsed.

 

(d) Vesting of Restricted Stock.  The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the cancellation of Restricted Stock Units and the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company’s right of repurchase shall lapse.  Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established Performance Goals or other performance criteria, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be subject to the restrictions set forth above and shall be “vested.”  Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator, a participant’s rights in any shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall terminate automatically upon the participant’s termination of employment (or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries and shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the Company’s right of repurchase as provided in Section 7(c) above.

 

(e) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends.  The written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver, deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock or their economic equivalent with respect to Restricted Stock Units.

 

Section 8. Performance Shares.

 

(a) Nature of Performance Shares.  An Award of Performance Shares entitles a participant to receive shares of Stock following the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any Performance Period or other period determined by the Administrator.

 

(b) Rights as a Stockholder.  Stock underlying Performance Shares will not be issued until the Performance Shares have vested, pursuant to the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria set by the Administrator.  A participant awarded Performance Shares shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Performance Shares until such time as the Performance Shares have vested and the Stock underlying the Performance Shares has been issued.

 

(c) Vesting of Performance Shares.  The Administrator, at the time of grant, shall specify the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria, objectives and conditions on which the Stock underlying the Performance Shares shall vest.  Except as otherwise may be provided by the Administrator, a participant’s rights in the Stock underlying the Performance Shares that have not vested shall terminate automatically upon the participant’s termination of employment (or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 9. Performance-Based Awards.

 

(a) Purpose.  The purpose of this Section 9 is to provide the Committee the ability to qualify Awards granted under the Plan as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.  If the Committee, in its discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee, the provisions of this Section 9 shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to Covered Employees that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 9.

 

(b) Applicability.  This Section 9 shall apply only to those Covered Employees selected by the Committee to receive Performance-Based Awards.  The designation of a Covered Employee as a participant for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the participant to receive an Award for the period.  Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as a participant for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Covered Employee as a participant in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee as a participant shall not require designation of any other Covered Employees as a participant in such period or in any other period.

 

(c) Procedures With Respect to Performance-Based Awards.  To the extent necessary to comply with the Qualified Performance-Based Compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award that may be granted to one or more Covered Employees, no later than 90 days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (i) designate one or more Covered Employees, (ii) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period.  Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period.  In determining the amount earned by a Covered Employee, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

 

(d) Payment of Performance-Based Awards.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, a participant must be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary on the day a Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period is paid to the participant.  Furthermore, a participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.  In determining the amount earned under a Performance-Based Award, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award earned for the Performance Period, if in its sole and absolute discretion, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.

 

(e) Additional Limitations.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Covered Employee and is intended to constitute Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

Section 10. Tax Withholding.

 

(a) Payment By Participant. Each participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income. The Company and 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 the participant.

 

(b) Payment in Stock. Subject to approval by the Administrator, a participant may elect to have such tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Company shares of Stock owned by the participant with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

 

Section 11. Transfer, Leave of Absence, Etc.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

 

(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

 

(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.

 

Section 12. Amendments and Termination.

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent.  The Board may at time amend the Plan to provide for the grant of automatic nondiscretionary equity grants to Independent Directors without the requirement to obtain approval from the Company’s stockholders.  If and to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights without stockholder approval.

Section 13. Status of Plan.

 

With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

 

Section 14. General Provisions.

 

(a) No Distribution; Compliance With Legal Requirements. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.  No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar requirements have been satisfied. The Administrator may require the placing of such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it considers appropriate.

 

(b) Delivery Of Stock Certificates. Delivery of stock certificates to participants under this Plan shall be deemed effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the participant, at the participant’s last known address on file with the Company.

 

(c) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

Section 15. Effective Date of Plan.

 

This Plan shall become effective when approved by the Company’s stockholders.

 

Section 16. Governing Law.

 

This Plan shall be governed by California law except to the extent such law is preempted by federal law; provided, however, that the Delaware General Corporation Law shall apply to the issuance of Stock and other securities hereunder.