EX-10.1 3 ea188792ex10-1_lytustech.htm LYTUS TECEHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS PTV. PLTD. 2023 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN

Exhibit 10.1

 

LYTUS TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS PTV. LTD.

 

2023 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

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1. Purpose. The purpose of the Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. 2023 Employee Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to further and promote the interests of Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. (the “Company”), its Subsidiaries and its shareholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and consultants, or those who will become employees, directors or consultants, and to align the interests of those individuals and the Company’s shareholders. To do this, the Plan offers performance-based incentive awards and equity-based opportunities providing such employees, directors and consultants with a proprietary interest in maximizing the growth, profitability and overall success of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on 24th July 2023 and shall be effective from 30th October, 2023 (the “Effective Date”).

 

2. Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

2.1 “Award” means an award or grant made to a Participant under Sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and/or 10 of the Plan.

 

2.2 “Award Agreement” means the agreement executed by a Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 16.7 of the Plan in connection with the granting of an Award.

 

2.3 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from

time to time.

 

2.4 “Cause” means: With respect to any employee or consultant of the Company, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:

 

(a)If the employee or consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause, the definition contained therein; or

 

(b)If no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause: (i) the conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an affiliate; (ii) conduct that has or reasonably could have a material adverse effect on the business, goodwill, or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an affiliate; (iv) material violation of home country securities laws; or (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including, but not limited to, written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct, the Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. NonDisclosure and Assignment of Inventions Agreement, Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. Policy Regarding Confidentiality and Securities Trades by Company Personnel, and Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd.Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

 

 

 

 

(c)With respect to any member of the Board, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the director has engaged in any of the following: (i) malfeasance in office; (ii) gross misconduct or neglect; (iii) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the director’s appointment; (iv) willful conversion of corporate funds; or (v) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.

 

The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

 

2.5 “Committee” means the committee of the Board established to administer the Plan, as described in Section 3 of the Plan, or if no such committee has been appointed or established, the Board.

 

2.6 “Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, or any security of the Company issued by the Company in substitution or exchange therefor.

 

2.7 “Company” means Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation, or any successor entity to Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd.

 

2.8 “Disqualifying Disposition” is defined in Section 16.8 of the Plan.

 

2.9 “Effective Date” is defined in Section 1 of the Plan.

 

2.10 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect and as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, together with any rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder or with respect thereto.

 

2.11 “Fair Market Value” means on, or with respect to, any given date(s), the average of the highest and lowest market prices of the Common Stock, as reported on a public exchange for such date(s) or, if the Common Stock was not traded on such date(s), on the next preceding day or days on which the Common Stock was traded. If at any time the Common Stock is not traded on an exchange, the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

 

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2.13 “Incentive Stock Option” means any stock option granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Plan (and the relevant Award Agreement) that is intended to be (and is specifically designated as) an “incentive stock option”

 

2.14 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any stock option granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Plan (and the relevant Award Agreement) that is not (and is specifically designated as not being) an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.15 “Participant” means any individual who is selected from time to time under Section 5 to receive an Award under the Plan.

 

2.16 “Performance Units” means the monetary units granted under Section 10 of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement.

 

2.17 “Plan” means the Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. 2023 Employee Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as in effect and as amended from time to time (together with any rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee with respect thereto).

 

2.18 “Restricted Shares” means the restricted shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement.

 

2.19 Restricted Share Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement. Each Restricted Share Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Share Units.

 

2.20 “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award described in Section 7.2 of the Plan and granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 of the Plan.

 

2.21 “Subsidiary(ies)” means any corporation (other than the Company), trust, partnership or limited liability company in an unbroken chain of entities, including and beginning with the Company, if each of such entities, other than the last entity in the unbroken chain, owns, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting shares, partnership, beneficial or membership interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

 

2.22 “Total and Permanent Disability” means a Participant is qualified for long-term disability benefits under the Company’s or Subsidiary’s disability plan or insurance policy; or, if no such plan or policy is then in existence or if the Participant is not eligible to participate in such plan or policy, that the Participant, because of a physical or mental condition resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder, is unable to perform his or her duties of employment for a period of six (6) continuous months, as determined in good faith by the Committee, based upon medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Committee.

 

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3. Administration.

 

3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the last sentence of this Section 3.1, the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by the Board and shall be comprised of not less than two (2) of the then members of the Board who are Non-Employee Directors of the Company. Consistent with the Bylaws of the Company, members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and the Board, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, may at any time and from time to time remove members from, or add members to, the Committee. In the event that the Board has not appointed the Committee, then the Board shall have all the powers of the Committee under the Plan.

 

3.2 Plan Administration and Plan Rules. The Committee is authorized to construe and interpret the Plan and to promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the implementation, administration and maintenance of the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall make all determinations necessary or advisable for the implementation, administration and maintenance of the Plan including, without limitation, (a) selecting the Plan’s Participants, (b) making Awards in such amounts and form as the Committee shall determine, (c) imposing such restrictions, terms and conditions upon such Awards as the Committee shall deem appropriate, and (d) correcting any technical defect(s) or technical omission(s), or reconciling any technical inconsistency(ies), in the Plan and/or any Award Agreement. The Committee may designate persons other than members of the Committee to carry out the day-to-day ministerial administration of the Plan under such conditions and limitations as it may prescribe, except that the Committee shall not delegate its authority with regard to the selection for participation in the Plan and/or the granting of any Awards to Participants. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Any determination, decision or action of the Committee in connection with the construction, interpretation, administration, implementation or maintenance of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Participants and any person(s) claiming under or through any Participants. The Company shall effect the granting of Awards under the Plan, in accordance with the determinations made by the Committee, by execution of written agreements and/or other instruments in such form as is approved by the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, delegate its authority to one or more senior executive officers for the purpose of making Awards to Participants who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

3.3 Liability Limitation. Neither the Board nor the Committee, nor any member of either, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan (or any Award Agreement), and the members of the Board and the Committee shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time.

 

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4. Term of Plan/Common Stock Subject to Plan.

 

4.1 Term. Unless terminated earlier by the Board, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, except with respect to Awards then outstanding. After such date no further Awards shall be granted under the Plan.

 

4.2 Common Stock. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which Awards may be granted or paid out under the Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.2 of the Plan, shall not initially exceed 130 Million (130,000,000) shares (the “Initial Share Limit”); all of which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options. In the event of a change in the Common Stock of the Company that is limited to a change in the designation thereof to “Capital Stock” or other similar designation, or to a change in the par value thereof, or from par value to no par value, without increase or decrease in the number of issued shares, the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be the Common Stock for purposes of the Plan. Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares or issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company (in the open-market or in private transactions) and which are being held as treasury shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued under the Plan.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with the 2023 calendar year, by such number of shares of Common Stock as maybe decided by the Board of Directors determined on a fully diluted basis as of the applicable trading date (the “Stipulated Percentage”); (b) the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given calendar year to provide that (i) there will be no such automatic annual increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan or (ii) the increase in the number of shares for such calendar year will be a lesser number of shares than necessary to maintain the Stipulated Percentage of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; and (c) unless an increase in shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in excess of the Initial Share Limit has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed the Initial Share Limit or, if greater, the number of shares of Common Stock subsequently approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s Board entitled to vote thereon.

 

4.3 Computation of Available Shares. For the purpose of computing the total number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan, there shall be counted against the limitations set forth in Section 4.2 of the Plan the maximum number of shares of Common Stock potentially subject to issuance upon exercise or settlement of Awards granted under Sections 6 and 7 of the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock issued under grants of Restricted Shares pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under grants of Restricted Share Units pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan, and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock potentially issuable under grants or payments of Performance Units pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, in each case determined as of the date on which such Awards are granted. If any Awards expire unexercised or are forfeited, surrendered, cancelled, terminated or settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock which were theretofore subject (or potentially subject) to such Awards shall again be available for Awards under the Plan to the extent of such expiration, forfeiture, surrender, cancellation, termination or settlement of such Awards.

 

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5. Eligibility. Individuals eligible for Awards under the Plan shall consist of current eligible employees, directors and consultants, or those who will become eligible employees, directors or consultants, of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries whose performance or contribution, in the sole discretion of the Committee, benefits or will benefit the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

6. Stock Options.

 

6.1 Terms and Conditions. Stock options granted under the Plan shall be in respect of Common Stock and may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options (sometimes referred to collectively herein as the “Stock Option(s)”). Such Stock Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement.

 

6.2 Grant. Stock Options may be granted under the Plan in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve. Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards under the Plan or in tandem with Stock Appreciation Rights. Special provisions shall apply to Incentive Stock Options granted to any employee who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent corporation or any subsidiary of the Company (a “10% Shareholder”).

 

6.3 Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee;

 

6.4 Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be such period of time as is fixed by the Committee; provided, however, that the term of any Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed ten (10) years (five (5) years, in the case of a 10% Shareholder) after the date immediately preceding the date on which the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

6.5 Method of Exercise. A Stock Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price (and applicable tax withholding) in cash, by certified check, electronic payment or transfer, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company, or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, by delivery of shares of Common Stock satisfying such requirements as the Committee shall establish, or through such other mechanism as the Committee shall permit, in its sole discretion. Payment instruments shall be received by the Company subject to collection. The proceeds received by the Company upon exercise of any Stock Option may be used by the Company for general corporate purposes. Any portion of a Stock Option that is exercised may not be exercised again.

 

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6.6 Tandem Grants. If Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are granted in tandem, as designated in the relevant Award Agreements, the right of a Participant to exercise any such tandem Stock Option shall terminate to the extent that the shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option are used to calculate amounts or shares receivable upon the exercise of the related tandem Stock Appreciation Right.

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

7.1 Terms and Conditions. The grant of Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement.

 

7.2 Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award granted with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock entitling a Participant to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

 

7.3 Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in addition to any other Award under the Plan or in tandem with or independent of a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

7.4 Date of Exercisability. In respect of any Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, unless otherwise (a) determined by the Committee (in its sole discretion) at any time and from time to time in respect of any such Stock Appreciation Right, or (b) provided in the Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by a Participant, in accordance with and subject to all of the procedures established by the Committee, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time during its specified term. The Committee may also provide, as set forth in the relevant Award Agreement and without limitation, that some Stock Appreciation Rights shall be automatically exercised and settled on one or more fixed dates specified therein by the Committee.

 

7.5 Form of Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, payment may be made in cash, in Restricted Shares or in shares of unrestricted Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine and provide in the relevant Award Agreement.

 

7.6 Tandem Grant. The right of a Participant to exercise a tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate to the extent such Participant exercises the Non-Qualified Stock Option to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related.

 

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8. Restricted Shares.

 

8.1 Terms and Conditions. Grants of Restricted Shares shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement. Restricted Shares may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards under the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to a Participant and the Committee may provide or impose different terms and conditions on any particular Restricted Share grant made to any Participant. With respect to each Participant receiving an Award of Restricted Shares, there shall be issued a stock certificate (or certificates) in respect of such Restricted Shares. Such stock certificate(s) shall be registered in the name of such Participant, shall be accompanied by a stock power duly executed by such Participant, and shall bear, among other required legends, the following legend:

 

“The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, forfeiture events) contained in the Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. 2023 Employee Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement entered into between the registered owner hereof and Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. Copies of such Plan and Award Agreement are on file in the office of the Secretary of Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. will furnish to the recordholder of the certificate, without charge and upon written request at its principal place of business, a copy of such Plan and Award Agreement. Lytus Technologies Holdings Ptv. Ltd. reserves the right to refuse to record the transfer of this certificate until all such restrictions are satisfied, all such terms are complied with and all such conditions are satisfied.”

 

Such stock certificate evidencing such shares shall, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be deposited with and held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and all of the terms and conditions applicable to such grant shall have been satisfied.

 

8.2 Restricted Share Grants. A grant of Restricted Shares is an Award of shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant, subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, (a) restrictions on the sale, assignment, transfer, hypothecation or other disposition of such shares, (b) the requirement that the Participant deposit such shares with the Company while such shares are subject to such restrictions, and (c) the requirement that such shares be forfeited upon termination of employment for specified reasons within a specified period of time or for other reasons (including, without limitation, the failure to achieve designated performance goals).

 

8.3 Restriction Period. In accordance with Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of the Plan and unless otherwise determined by the Committee (in its sole discretion) at any time and from time to time, Restricted Shares shall only become unrestricted and vested in the Participant in accordance with such vesting schedule relating to such Restricted Shares, if any, as the Committee may establish in the relevant Award Agreement (the “Restriction Period”). During the Restriction Period, such stock shall be and remain unvested and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of or hypothecate such Award. Upon satisfaction of the vesting schedule and any other applicable restrictions, terms and conditions, the Participant shall be entitled to receive payment of the Restricted Shares or a portion thereof, as the case may be, as provided in Section 8.4 of the Plan.

 

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8.4 Payment of Restricted Share Grants. After the satisfaction and/or lapse of the restrictions, terms and conditions established by the Committee in respect of a grant of Restricted Shares, a new certificate, without the legend set forth in Section 8.1 of the Plan, for the number of shares of Common Stock which are no longer subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, be delivered to the Participant, provided that the removal of such legend is permitted by applicable home country securities laws.

 

8.5 Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying a grant of Restricted Shares, all of the rights of a shareholder of such stock (except as such rights are limited or restricted under the Plan or in the relevant Award Agreement). Any stock dividends paid in respect of unvested Restricted Shares shall be treated as additional Restricted Shares and shall be subject to the same restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the unvested Restricted Shares in respect of which such stock dividends are issued.

 

9. Restricted Share Units.

 

9.1 Terms and Conditions. Grants of Restricted Share Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 9 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement. Restricted Share Units may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards under the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the number of Restricted Share Units to be granted to a Participant and the Committee may provide or impose different terms and conditions on any particular Restricted Share grant made to any Participant.

 

9.2 Restricted Share Unit Grants. The Committee will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will vest with respect to the applicable Participant. The Committee may set vesting criteria based upon the passage of time or the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable home country laws or any other basis determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

9.3 Settlement of Restricted Share Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive one share of Common Stock with respect to each vested Restricted Share Unit, at such time and under such conditions as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met for the settlement of a Restricted Share Unit.

 

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9.4 Form and Timing of Payment. Payment with respect to vested Restricted Share Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may only settle vested Restricted Share Units in shares of Common Stock.

 

10. Performance Units.

 

10.1 Terms and Conditions. Performance Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 10 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement.

 

10.2 Performance Unit Grants. A Performance Unit is an Award of units (with each unit representing such monetary amount as is designated by the Committee in the Award Agreement) granted to a Participant, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the requirement that the Participant forfeit such units (or a portion thereof) in the event certain performance criteria or other conditions are not met within a designated period of time.

 

10.3 Grants. Performance Units may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards under the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the number of Performance Units to be granted to a Participant and the Committee may impose different terms and conditions on any particular Performance Units granted to any Participant.

 

10.4 Performance Goals and Performance Periods. Participants receiving a grant of Performance Units shall only earn into and be entitled to payment in respect of such Awards if the Company and/or the Participant achieves certain performance goals (the “Performance Goals”) during and in respect of a designated performance period (the “Performance Period”). The Performance Goals and the Performance Period shall be established by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee shall establish Performance Goals for each Performance Period prior to, or as soon as practicable after, the commencement of such Performance Period. The Committee shall also establish a schedule or schedules for Performance Units setting forth the portion of the Award which will be earned or forfeited based on the degree of achievement, or lack thereof, of the Performance Goals at the end of the relevant Performance Period. In setting Performance Goals, the Committee may use, but shall not be limited to, such measures as total shareholder return, return on equity, net earnings growth, sales or revenue growth, cash flow, comparisons to peer companies, individual or aggregate Participant performance or such other measure or measures of performance as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate. Such performance measures shall be defined as to their respective components and meaning by the Committee (in its sole discretion). During any Performance Period, the Committee shall have the authority to adjust the Performance Goals and/or the Performance Period in such manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate at any time and from time to time.

 

10.5 Payment of Units. With respect to each Performance Unit, the Participant shall, if the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved, or partially achieved, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, by the Company and/or the Participant during the relevant Performance Period, be entitled to receive payment in an amount equal to the designated value of each Performance Unit times the number of such units so earned. Payment in settlement of earned Performance Units shall be made as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the respective Performance Period in cash, in unrestricted Common Stock, or in Restricted Shares, or in any combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine and provide in the relevant Award Agreement.

 

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11. Other Provisions.

 

11.1 Performance-Based Awards. Performance Units, Restricted Shares, and other Awards subject to performance criteria shall be paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals. Until otherwise determined by the Committee, the performance goals shall be the attainment of pre-established levels of any of net income, market price per share, earnings per share, return on equity, return on capital employed and/or cash flow, regulatory approval of products, strategic alliances and joint ventures and patent issuances.

 

11.2 Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in accordance with any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time (“Clawback Policy”). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by the Clawback Policy, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements).

 

12. Dividend Equivalents. In addition to the provisions of Section 8.5 of the Plan, Awards of Restricted Share Units, Stock Options, and/or Stock Appreciation Rights, may, in the sole discretion of the Committee and if provided for in the relevant Award Agreement, earn dividend equivalents. In respect of any such Award which is outstanding on a dividend record date for Common Stock, the Participant shall be credited with an amount equal to the amount of cash or stock dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award had such covered shares been issued and outstanding on such dividend record date. The Committee shall establish such rules and procedures governing the crediting of such dividend equivalents, including, without limitation, the amount, timing, form of payment and payment contingencies and/or restrictions of such dividend equivalents, as it deems appropriate or necessary.

 

13. Non-transferability of Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, no Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged, or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Participant or any beneficiary(ies) of any Participant, except by testamentary disposition by the Participant or the laws of intestate succession. No such interest shall be subject to execution, attachment or similar legal process, including, without limitation, seizure for the payment of the Participant’s debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance.

 

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Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, during the lifetime of a Participant, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are exercisable only by the Participant.

 

14. Changes in Capitalization and Other Matters.

 

14.1 No Corporate Action Restriction. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreement and/or the Awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s capital structure or its business, (b) any merger, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or affecting the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s capital stock or the rights thereof, (d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary, (e) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s assets or business, or (f) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Company or any Subsidiary. No Participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim against any member of the Board or the Committee, the Company or any Subsidiary, or any employees, officers, shareholders or agents of the Company or any subsidiary, as a result of any such action.

 

14.2 Recapitalization Adjustments. In the event that the Board determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other corporate transaction or event affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, the Board may, in such manner as it in good faith deems equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the exercise price with respect to any Stock Option, or make provision for an immediate cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award.

 

14.3 Mergers and Other Corporate Transactions. If the Company enters into or is involved in any merger, reorganization, recapitalization, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, liquidation, or business combination with any person or entity (such merger, reorganization, recapitalization, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, liquidation, or business combination to be referred to herein as a “Merger Event”), the Board may take such action as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, replacing such Stock Options with substitute stock options and/or stock appreciation rights in respect of the shares, other securities or other property of the surviving corporation or any affiliate of the surviving corporation on such terms and conditions, as to the number of shares, pricing and otherwise, which shall substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder as of the date of the consummation of the Merger Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if any Merger Event occurs, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cancel each Participant’s Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights and to pay to each affected Participant in connection with the cancellation of such Participant’s Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights, an amount (in cash, stock or a combination thereof) equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value, as determined by the Board, of the Common Stock underlying any unexercised Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (whether then exercisable or not) over the aggregate exercise price of such unexercised Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with any such Merger Event, the Company may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor, without the need for obtaining the consent of any such affected Participant.

 

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Upon receipt by any affected Participant of any such substitute stock options, stock appreciation rights (or payment) as a result of any such Merger Event, such Participant’s affected Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights for which such substitute options and/or stock appreciation rights (or payment) were received shall be thereupon cancelled without the need for obtaining the consent of any such affected Participant.

 

15. Amendment, Suspension and Termination.

 

15.1 In General. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan (or any portion thereof) at any time and may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable to insure that any and all Awards conform to or otherwise reflect any change in applicable laws or regulations, or to permit the Company or the Participants to benefit from any change in applicable laws or regulations, or in any other respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company or any Subsidiary. No such amendment, suspension or termination shall (x) materially adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Restricted Share grants, or Restricted Share Unit grants, without the consent of such Participant, or (y) increase the number of shares available for Awards pursuant to Section 4.2 or change the performance criteria listed in Section 11.1, without shareholder approval; provided, however, that the Board may amend the Plan, without the consent of any Participants, in any way it deems appropriate.

 

15.2 Award Agreement Modifications. The Committee may (in its sole discretion) amend or modify at any time and from time to time the terms and provisions of any outstanding Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Restricted Shares, or Restricted Share Unit grants, in any manner to the extent that the Committee under the Plan or any Award Agreement could have initially determined the restrictions, terms and provisions of such Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Restricted Share, and/or Restricted Share Unit grants, including, without limitation, changing or accelerating (a) the date or dates as of which such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable, (b) the date or dates as of which such Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit grants shall become vested, or (c) the performance period or goals in respect of any Performance Units. No such amendment or modification shall, however, materially adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any such Award without the consent of such Participant; provided, however, that the Committee may amend an Award without the consent of the Participant, in any way it deems appropriate.

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16. Miscellaneous.

 

16.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment or settlement under the Plan, including, without limitation, the exercise of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or the delivery, transfer or vesting of any Common Stock, Restricted Shares, or Restricted Share Units, any home country/local or other taxes of any kind which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. Shares of Common Stock may be used to satisfy any such tax withholding. Such Common Stock shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value of such stock as of the date the tax withholding is required to be made, such date to be determined by the Committee. In addition, the Company shall have the right to require payment from a Participant to cover any applicable withholding or other employment taxes due upon any payment or settlement under the Plan.

 

16.2 No Right to Employment. Neither the adoption of the Plan, the granting of any Award, nor the execution of any Award Agreement, shall confer upon any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right, if any, of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any employee or director at any time for any reason.

 

16.3 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets in connection with any Awards under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations that may be created as a result of the Plan or any such award or agreement. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, encumbrance on, or other interest in, any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be construed as creating in respect of any Participant (or beneficiary thereof or any other person) any equity or other interest of any kind in any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company, any Subsidiary and/or any such Participant, any beneficiary thereof or any other person.

 

16.4 Payments to a Trust. The Committee is authorized to cause to be established a trust agreement or several trust agreements or similar arrangements from which the Committee may make payments of amounts due or to become due to any Participants under the Plan.

 

16.5 Other Company Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to the Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Company or any Subsidiary unless expressly provided in such other plans or arrangements, or except where the Board expressly determines in writing that inclusion of an Award or portion of an Award should be included to accurately reflect competitive compensation practices or to recognize that an Award has been made in lieu of a portion of competitive annual base salary or other cash compensation. Awards under the Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, or as alternatives to, grants, awards or payments under any other plans or arrangements of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The existence of the Plan notwithstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary may adopt such other compensation plans or programs and additional compensation arrangements as it deems necessary to attract, retain and motivate employees.

 

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16.6 Listing, Registration and Other Legal Compliance. No Awards or shares of the Common Stock shall be required to be issued or granted under the Plan unless legal counsel for the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance or grant will be in compliance with all applicable home country securities laws and regulations and any other applicable laws or regulations. The Committee may require, as a condition of any payment or share issuance, that certain agreements, undertakings, representations, certificates, and/or information, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable, be executed or provided to the Company to assure compliance with all such applicable laws or regulations. Certificates for shares of the Restricted Shares and/or Common Stock delivered under the Plan may be subject to such stock-transfer orders and such other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and any applicable home country securities law. In addition, if, at any time specified herein (or in any Award Agreement or otherwise) for (a) the making of any Award, or the making of any determination, (b) the issuance or other distribution of Restricted Shares and/or Common Stock, or (c) the payment of amounts to or through a Participant with respect to any Award, any law, rule, regulation or other requirement of any governmental authority or agency shall require either the Company, any Subsidiary or any Participant (or any estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative thereof) to take any action in connection with any such determination, any such shares to be issued or distributed, any such payment, or the making of any such determination, as the case may be, shall be deferred until such required action is taken. With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

16.7 Award Agreements. Each Participant receiving an Award under the Plan shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company in a form specified by the Committee. Each such Participant shall agree to the restrictions, terms and conditions of the Award set forth therein and in the Plan.

 

16.8 Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall dispose off or sell in any manner all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the grant date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock.

 

16.9 Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any option or to receive any payment which under the terms of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement may become exercisable or payable on or after the Participant’s death. At any time, and from time to time, any such designation may be changed or cancelled by the Participant without the consent of any such beneficiary. Any such designation, change or cancellation must be on a form provided for that purpose by the Committee and shall not be effective until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased Participant, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the Participant, the beneficiary shall be the Participant’s estate. If the Participant designates more than one beneficiary, any payments under the Plan to such beneficiaries shall be made in equal shares unless the Participant has expressly designated otherwise, in which case the payments shall be made in the shares designated by the Participant.

 

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16.10 Leaves of Absence/Transfers. The Committee shall have the power to promulgate rules and regulations and to make determinations, as it deems appropriate, under the Plan in respect of any leave of absence from the Company or any Subsidiary granted to a Participant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may determine whether any such leave of absence shall be treated as if the Participant has terminated employment with the Company or any such Subsidiary. If a Participant transfers within the Company, or to or from any Subsidiary, such Participant shall not be deemed to have terminated employment as a result of such transfers.

 

16.12 Governing Law. The Plan and all actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands (Company’s home country), without reference to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Any titles and headings herein are for reference purposes only, and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the meaning, construction or interpretation of any provisions of the Plan.

 

16.13 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective from 30th October 2023.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan is adopted by the Company on this 24th day of July, 2023.

 

  LYTUS TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS PTV. LTD.
     
  By: /s/ Hanish Talsania
  Name: Hanish Talsania
  Title: General Counsel

 

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