EX-10.40 11 v107141_ex10-40.htm
EXHIBIT 10.40
 

NUTRACEA STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
SOP07002            
 
 
I.
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
 
Leo Gingras
 
You have been granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as follows:
 
Date of Grant
February 8, 2007
   
Exercise Price per Share
$2.63
   
Total Number of Shares Granted
250,000
   
Term/Expiration Date
February 8, 2017
 
Vesting Schedule:
 
 
This Option shall vest and may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule: This option will vest at the rate of 6,944.45 option shares per month during the next 36 months, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on each such dates.
 
Acceleration of Vesting. If within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the Company or the successor corporation terminates the Optionee’s status as a Service Provider for other than Cause, death or Disability, then the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option as to 100% of the Optioned Stock as of the date of such termination. For purposes of this provision, “Change of Control” shall mean (i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (ii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. The Optionee acknowledges that the provisions of this paragraph shall have no effect on the any resale restriction provisions relating to the shares underlying the Option.
 
No right to any stock is earned or accrued until such time that vesting occurs, nor does the grant confer any right to continue vesting or employment.
 
 
 

 
Termination Period
 
This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option may be exercised for one (1) year after the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider in accordance with Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement. In no event shall this Option be exercised later that the Term/Expiration Date provided above.
 
II.
AGREEMENT
 
1. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
 
(a) Agreement” means this stock option agreement between the Company and Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of this Option.
 
(b) Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock options under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction that may apply to this Option.
 
(c) Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of the Board that has been designated by the Board to administer this Agreement.
 
(d) Cause” shall mean (i) the Optionee’s failure to perform the Optionee’s assigned duties or responsibilities as a Service Provider (other than a failure resulting from the Optionee’s Disability) after notice thereof from the Company describing the Optionee’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) the Optionee engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation; (iii) the Optionee’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the Company’s business; (iv) the Optionee’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement between the Optionee and the Company; or (v) the Optionee being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime or committing any act of moral turpitude.
 
(e) Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
(f) Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
 
(g) Company” means NutraCea, a California corporation.
 
(h) Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.
 
(i) Director” means a member of the Board.
 
(j) Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
 
(k) Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
 
 
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(l) Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(m) Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
(n) Notice of Grant” means a written notice, in Part I of this Agreement, evidencing certain the terms and conditions of this Option grant. The Notice of Grant is part of this Option Agreement.
 
(o) Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
(p) Option” means this stock option.
 
(q) Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to this Option.
 
(r) Optionee” means the person named in the Notice of Grant or such person’s successor.
 
(s) Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
 
(t) Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(u) Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
 
(v) Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement.
 
(w) Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
 
2. Grant of Option. The Board has granted to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Agreement the Option to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
3. Exercise of Option.
 
(a)  Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
 
 
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(b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be completed by the Optionee and delivered to Secretary of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares together with any taxes required to be withheld. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price and the applicable amounts to be withheld by the Company for taxes.
 
(c) Legal Compliance. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.
 
4. Optionee’s Representations. In the event that at the time this Option is exercised (i) the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or (ii) the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, the Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
 
5. Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
 
(a) cash or check; or
 
(b) any other form of consideration allowed in writing by the Company in the Company’s sole discretion.
 
6. Lock-Up Period. Optionee hereby agrees that Optionee shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company or enter into any swap, hedging or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership on ay Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by Optionee for a period of two years from your employment agreement hire date (“Restriction Period”)
 
Optionee agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further effect thereto. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares of Common Stock (or other securities) subject to the foregoing restriction until the end of the Restriction Period. Optionee agrees that any transferee of any Option shall be bound by this Section.
 
7. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
 
 
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8. Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (other than for death or Disability), this Option may be exercised for a period of three (3) months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of such termination. To the extent that the Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
 
9. Disability of Optionee. If the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, this Option may be exercised for a period of twelve (12) months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
 
10. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death. If, after death, the Optionee’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
 
11. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale.
 
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by this Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by this Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to this Option.
 
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Board in its discretion may provide for the Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
 
 
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(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, this Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. If, in such event, this Option is not assumed or substituted, the Board shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically as to the number of Shares underlying this Option that are vested and exercisable and this Option shall be exercisable to the extent vested (unless the Board allows the Optionee to exercise with respect to additional unvested Shares) for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and this Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to this Option immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Board may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.
 
12. Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company hereunder shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the Company. at its then current principal executive office or to such other address as the Company may hereafter designate to the Optionee by notice as provided in this Section. Any notice to be given to the Optionee hereunder shall be addressed to the Optionee at the address set forth beneath Optionee’s signature hereto, or at such other address as the Optionee may hereafter designate to the Company by notice as provided herein. A notice shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail to the party entitled to receive it.
 
13. Withholding Taxes. The Optionee agrees to make appropriate arrangements with the Company (or the Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Optionee) for the satisfaction of all federal, state, local and foreign income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the Option exercise. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver the Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.
 
14. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. This Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.
 
15. Investment Representations. In connection with the issuance of the Option, the Optionee specifically represents to the Company as follows:
 
(a) The Optionee is aware of the Company's business affairs and financial condition, and has acquired information about the Company sufficient to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire this Option. The holder is acquiring this Option for its own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for the resale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
 
 
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(b) The Optionee understands that this Option has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.
 
(c) The Optionee further understands that this Option must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under any applicable state securities laws, or unless exemptions from registration and qualification are otherwise available.
 
16. Tax Consultation. The Optionee understands that the Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Optionee’s receipt of this Option. The Optionee represents that the Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants the Optionee deems advisable in connection with the Optionee’s receipt of this Option and that the Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
 
17. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUES ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
 
 
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By the Optionee’s signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, Optionee and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Optionee has reviewed this Agreement in its entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions relating to this Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

OPTIONEE
 
NUTRACEA
     
        
Signature
 
By
     
       
Print Name
 
Title
     
      
Residence Address
   
     
      
      
 

 
 
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EXHIBIT A
 
NUTRACEA
 
EXERCISE NOTICE
 

 
NutraCea
1261 Hawk’s Flight Court
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Attention: President 

 
1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, 200__, the undersigned (“Purchaser”) hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock of NutraCea (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement dated [_____________] (the “Option Agreement”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be [$_______], as required by the Option Agreement.
 
2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price of the Shares, as set forth in the Option Agreement, and any and all taxes that must be withheld in connection with the exercise of the Option.
 
3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser has received, read and understood the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by its terms and conditions.
 
4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall be issued to the Purchaser as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 11 of the Option Agreement.
 
5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
 
6. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.
 
(a) Legends. Purchaser understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or federal securities laws:
 
 

 
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT AND QUALIFIED UNDER THE APPROPRIATE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPO-THECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
 
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
 
(b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
 
(c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Exercise Notice or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
 
7. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this Exercise Notice shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be binding upon Purchaser and Purchaser’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
 
8. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Exercise Notice shall be submitted by Purchaser or by the Company forthwith to the Board, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Board shall be final and binding on all parties.
 
9. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Option Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, and the Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.
 
 
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Submitted by:
 
Accepted by:
     
OPTIONEE
 
NUTRACEA
     
       
Signature
   
     
       
Print Name
   
     
        
Address
 
Address
     
      
     
       
     
   
Date Received:__________________________
 

 
 
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EXHIBIT B
 
INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT
 

OPTIONEE:
   
   
COMPANY:
NUTRACEA
   
SECURITY:
COMMON STOCK
   
AMOUNT:
   
   
DATE:
   
 
 
In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned Optionee represents to the Company the following:
 
(a) Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Optionee is acquiring these Securities for investment for Optionee’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
 
(b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Securities constitute “restricted securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection, Optionee understands that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the statutory basis for such exemption may be unavailable if Optionee’s representation was predicated solely upon a present intention to hold these Securities for the minimum capital gains period specified under tax statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an increase or decrease in the market price of the Securities, or for a period of one year or any other fixed period in the future. Optionee further understands that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such regis-tration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are registered or such regis-tra-tion is not required in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.
 
 

 
(c) Subject to restrictions on transfer contained in the stock option agreement between the Company and Optionee, the Securities may be resold in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), which requires the resale to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the Securities were sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of acquisition of the Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who subsequently holds the Securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the following conditions: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information about the Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the timely filing of a Form 144, if applicable.
 
(d) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 144 is not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rule 144 is not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any such other registration exemption will be available in such event.
 
(e) In the event the purchase of the Securities by Optionee from the Company is not registered under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell, pledge, agree to sell or otherwise transfer the Securities (a “Transfer”) unless Optionee first (i) delivers to the Company a written notice to Optionor and Optionee describing the Transfer and (ii) provides to the Company evidence satisfactory to the Company that the Transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from registration under federal and state securities laws, including, if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such exemption will allow Optionee to complete the Transfer without registration under federal and state securities laws.

 
 
Signature of Optionee:
     
      
     
 
Date:
   
 

 
 
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