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UNITED STATES FORM S-8
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
Nevada (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
98-0399476 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, 78750
Tel: (512) 828-6980
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full Title of Plan)
AMIR ADNANI
President and Chief Executive Officer
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, 78750
(Name and address of agent for service)
Tel: (512) 828-6980
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-25 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] |
Accelerated filer [ ] |
Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company [X] |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered (1) |
Amount to be Registered (2) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share (3) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (4) |
Amount of Registration Fee |
Common Shares |
5,000,000 |
$2.64 |
$13,200,000 |
$736.56 |
(1) This registration statement covers shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable pursuant to stock options and other equity incentive awards under our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2) This registration statement shall also cover an indeterminable number of additional shares which may become issuable under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, re-capitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the registrant's outstanding shares.
(3) The Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share is calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average exercise price of $2.42 per share under outstanding options to purchase 2,002,500 shares that have been granted to date pursuant to our 2009 Stock Inventive Plan and (ii) the average of the high and low prices of our common stock of $2.78 per share, as reported on NYSE Amex Equities Exchange on September 28, 2009.
(4) The Proposed Aggregate Maximum Aggregate Offering Price is based on the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share times the total number of shares to be registered. These amounts are calculated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
This Registration Statement relates to two separate prospectuses.
Section 10(a) Prospectus: Items 1 and 2, from this page, and the documents incorporated by reference pursuant to Part II, Item 3 of this prospectus ("prospectus" or "Registration Statement"), constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Reoffer Prospectus: The material that follows Item 2, beginning on Page P-1 up to but not including Part II of this Registration Statement, beginning on Page II-1, of which the reoffer prospectus is a part, constitutes a "reoffer prospectus," prepared in accordance with the requirements of Part I of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Instruction C of Form S-8, the reoffer prospectus may be used for reoffers or resales of shares which are deemed to be "control securities" under the Securities Act that have been acquired by the selling stockholders named in the reoffer prospectus.
Item 1. Plan Information.
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to a maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable directly by Uranium Energy Corp. ("we" or the "company") under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan or pursuant to the exercise of options or other awards that may be granted under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
We will provide each participant in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (each, a "Participant") with documents that contain information related to our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and other information including, but not limited to, the disclosure required by Item 1 of Form S-8, which information is not filed as a part of this Registration Statement. The foregoing information and the documents incorporated by reference in response to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement taken together constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. A Section 10(a) prospectus will be given to each Participant who receives shares of common stock covered by this Registration Statement, in accordance with Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
We will provide to each Participant a written statement advising it of the availability of documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement and of documents required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act without charge and upon written or oral notice. The statement will include the address and telephone number to which any requests for documents should be directed.
__________
REOFFER PROSPECTUS
The date of this prospectus is September 30, 2009
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, 78750
5,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
This reoffer prospectus relates to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, that may be offered and resold from time to time by certain eligible participants (each, an "Eligible Participant") in our "2009 Stock Incentive Plan" for their own account. Eligible Participants in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan consist of employees, directors, officers and consultants of our company or its related entities. Selling stockholders will consist of those Eligible Participants who are "affiliates" of our company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")).
It is anticipated that the selling stockholders will offer shares for sale at prevailing prices on the NYSE Amex Equities Exchange ("Amex"), or such other securities exchange or securities market (if any) that our common stock may then be traded. We will receive no part of the proceeds from sales made under this reoffer prospectus. The selling stockholders will bear all sales commissions and similar expenses. Any other expenses incurred by us in connection with the registration and offering and not borne by the selling stockholders will be borne by us.
The shares of common stock will be issued pursuant to awards granted under our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and will be "control securities" under the Securities Act before their sale under this reoffer prospectus. This reoffer prospectus has been prepared for the purposes of registering the shares under the Securities Act to allow for future sales by selling stockholders on a continuous or delayed basis to the public without restriction.
The selling stockholders and any brokers executing selling orders on their behalf may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, in which event commissions received by such brokers may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the Securities Act.
Our common stock is traded on Amex under the symbol "UEC." On September 28, 2009, the last reported price of our common stock on such market was $2.80 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "risk factors" starting on page P-3 of this reoffer prospectus. These are speculative securities.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights certain information found in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. We urge you to read this entire prospectus carefully, including the risks of investing in our common stock discussed under "Risk Factors" and the financial statements and other information that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before making an investment decision. In addition, this prospectus summarizes other documents which we urge you to read.
All references in this prospectus to "the Company," "we," "us," "our" or "our company" refer to Uranium Energy Corp. and our consolidated subsidiaries.
All dollar amounts refer to United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.This reoffer prospectus relates to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, that may be offered and resold from time to time by certain Eligible Participants in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan for their own account. Eligible Participants in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan consist of employees, directors, officers and consultants of our company or its related entities. Selling stockholders will consist of those Eligible Participants who are "affiliates" of our company, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
Our Business
We are a natural resource exploration and development company engaged in the exploration and development of properties that may contain uranium minerals in the United States. Our strategy is to acquire properties that are thought to contain economic quantities of uranium ore and have undergone some degree of uranium exploration but have not yet been mined. We have interests in leased, staked or optioned uranium exploration mineral properties consisting of claim blocks located in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, which we intend to explore for economic deposits of uranium. These properties are subject to varying royalty interests, some of which are indexed to the sale price of uranium. Many of these properties have been the subject of historical exploration by other mining companies. We believe that our properties are prospective for mineral exploration based on either prior exploration conducted by other companies, or management information and work products derived from various reports, maps, radioactive rock samples, exploratory drill logs, state organization reports, consultants, geological study, and other exploratory information.
Our principal mineral properties are the Goliad project in Goliad County, Texas and the Cibola Resources LLC, Cebolleta joint venture project in Cibola County, New Mexico.
Our properties do not have any known reserves. We plan to conduct exploration programs on these properties with the objective of ascertaining whether any of our properties contain economic concentrations of uranium that are prospective for mining. As such, we are considered an exploration or exploratory stage company. Since we are an exploration stage company, there is no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of our properties, and a great deal of further exploration will be required before a final evaluation as to the economic and legal feasibility for our future exploration is determined. We have no known reserves of uranium or any other type of mineral. Since inception, we have not established any proven or probable reserves on our mineral property interests.
Corporate Organization
Our company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2003 under the name "Carlin Gold Inc." During 2004 we changed our business operations and focus from precious metals exploration in the State of Nevada to the exploration for economic reserves of uranium throughout the United States. On January 24, 2005, we filed an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation changing our name to "Uranium Energy Corp.". On December 31, 2007, UEC Resources Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uranium Energy Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
On January 24, 2004, we completed a reverse stock split of our shares of common stock on the basis of one share for each two outstanding shares. Effective February 28, 2006, we completed a forward split of our shares
of common stock on the basis of 1.5 shares for each outstanding share to increase liquidity for our shares of common stock. Effective February 28, 2006, we amended our Articles of Incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State increasing our authorized capital stock from 75,000,000 shares of common stock, with a $0.001 par value, to 750,000,000 shares of common stock with a similar par value.
In June 2007, we determined to change our fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31. Accordingly, on October 29, 2007, we filed a Transition Report on Form 10-KSB for the period year ended July 31, 2007, as subsequently amended, with the SEC and commenced a new reporting period.
Our principal offices are located at 9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin Texas, U.S.A., 78750, and our telephone number is (512) 828-6980, and our web site address is www.uraniumenergy.com.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in addition to other information in this prospectus in evaluating our company and its business before purchasing shares of our common stock. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks. The risks described below may not be all of the risks facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
We will require significant additional financing in order to continue our exploration activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our mineral properties.
We will need to raise additional financing to complete further exploration of our mineral properties. Furthermore, if the costs of our planned exploration programs are greater than anticipated, we may have to seek additional funds through public or private share offerings or arrangements with corporate partners. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to raise these require funds, or on terms satisfactory to us. The continued exploration of our mineral properties and the development of our business will depend upon our ability to establish the commercial viability of our mineral properties and to ultimately develop cash flow from operations and reach profitable operations. We currently are in the exploration stage and we have no revenue from operations and we are experiencing significant negative cash flow. Accordingly, the only other sources of funds presently available to us are through the sale of equity. We presently believe that debt financing will not be an alternative to us as all of our properties are in the exploration stage. Alternatively, we may finance our business by offering an interest in our mineral properties to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further exploration thereof or to obtain project or operating financing from financial institutions, neither of which is presently intended. If we are unable to obtain this additional financing, we will not be able to continue our exploration activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our mineral properties.
As our mineral properties do not contain any reserves or any known body of economic mineralization, we may not discover commercially exploitable quantities of ore on our mineral properties that would enable us to enter into commercial production, achieve revenues and recover the money we spend on exploration.
Our properties do not contain reserves in accordance with the definitions adopted by the SEC and there is no assurance that any exploration programs that we carry out will establish reserves. All of our mineral properties are in the exploration stage as opposed to the development stage and have no known body of economic mineralization. The known mineralization at these projects has not yet been determined to be economic ore, and may never be determined to be economic. We plan to conduct further exploration activities on our mineral properties, which future exploration may include the completion of feasibility studies necessary to evaluate
whether a commercial mineable ore body exists on any of our mineral properties. There is a substantial risk that these exploration activities will not result in discoveries of commercially recoverable quantities of ore. Any determination that our properties contain commercially recoverable quantities of ore may not be reached until such time that final comprehensive feasibility studies have been concluded that establish that a potential mine is likely to be economic. There is a substantial risk that any preliminary or final feasibility studies carried out by us will not result in a positive determination that our mineral properties can be commercially developed.
Our exploration activities on our mineral properties may not be successful, which could lead us to abandon our plans to develop the property and its investments in exploration.
We are an exploration stage company and have not as yet established any reserves on our properties. Our long-term success depends on our ability to establish commercially recoverable quantities of ore on our mineral properties that can then be developed into commercially viable mining operations. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently non-productive. These risks include unusual or unexpected geologic formations, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor. The success of uranium exploration is determined in part by the following factors:
○ identification of potential uranium mineralization based on superficial analysis;
○ availability of government-granted exploration permits;
○ the quality of management and geological and technical expertise; and
○ the capital available for exploration.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal, and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Whether a mineral deposit will be established or determined to be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, which include, without limitation, the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which fluctuate widely; and government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. We may invest significant capital and resources in exploration activities and abandon such investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable mineral reserves. The decision to abandon a project may reduce the trading price of our common st ock and impair our ability to raise future financing. We cannot provide any assurance to investors that we will discover any mineralized material in sufficient quantities on any of our properties to justify commercial operations. Further, we will not be able to recover the funds that we spend on exploration if we are not able to establish commercially recoverable quantities of ore on our mineral properties.
Our business is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history.
In considering whether to invest in our common stock, you should consider that our inception was May 16, 2003 and, as a result, there is only limited historical financial and operating information available on which to base your evaluation of our performance.
We have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurances we will be profitable in the future.
We have a history of operating losses, expect to continue to incur losses, and may never be profitable, and we must be considered to be in the exploration stage. Further, we have been dependent on sales of our equity securities and debt financing to meet our cash requirements. We have incurred losses totaling approximately $50,566,284 from May 16, 2003 (inception) to April 30, 2009 ($40,399,888 to our fiscal year ended July 31, 2008). As of April 30, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $50,566,284 (July 31, 2008 - $40,399,888) and incurred net losses totaling approximately $10,166,396 in the nine months ended April 30, 2009, $19,236,124 in the year ended July 31, 2008, $8,044,743 during the seven months ended July 31, 2007 and $11,608,135 during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Further, we do not expect positive cash flow from operations in the near term. There is no assurance that actual cash requirements will not exceed our estimates. In particular, additional capital may be required in the event that: (i) the costs to acquire additional uranium exploration claims are more than we currently anticipate; (ii) exploration costs for additional claims increase beyond our expectations; or (iii) we encounter greater costs associated with general and administrative expenses or offering costs.
Our participation in an increasingly larger number of uranium mineral exploration prospects has required and will continue to require substantial capital expenditures. The uncertainty and factors described throughout this section may impede our ability to economically discover uranium prospects. As a result, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operating activities in the future.
We will require additional funding in the future.
Based upon our historical losses from operations, we will require additional funding in the future. If we cannot obtain capital through financings or otherwise, our ability to execute our exploration programs will be greatly limited. Our current plans require us to make capital expenditures for the exploration of our minerals exploration properties. Historically, we have funded our operations through the issuance of equity and short-term debt financing arrangements. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all. Our future cash flows and the availability of financing will be subject to a number of variables, including the market prices of uranium. Further, debt financing could lead to a diversion of cash flow to satisfy debt-servicing obligations and create restrictions on business operations. If we are unable to raise additional funds, it would have a material adverse effect upon our operations.
As part of our growth strategy, we intend to acquire additional mineral exploration properties.
Such acquisitions may pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In pursuing acquisitions, we will compete with other companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources to acquire attractive properties. Even if we are successful in acquiring additional properties, some of the properties may not produce positive results of exploration, or we may not complete exploration of such prospects within specified time periods may cause the forfeiture of the lease in that prospect. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate acquired properties, which could result in substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical, or financial problems. Further, acquisitions could disrupt ongoing business operations. If any of these events occur, it would have a material adverse effect upon our operations and results from operations.
We are a new entrant into the uranium mineral exploration industry without profitable operating history.
Since inception, our activities have been limited to organizational efforts, obtaining working capital and acquiring and exploring a very limited number of properties. As a result, there is limited information upon which to base our future success.
The business of minerals exploration is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those described in this section, and if uranium is found in economic quantities, the profitability of future uranium mining ventures depends upon factors beyond our control. The profitability of mining uranium properties if economic quantities of Uranium are found is dependent upon many factors and risks beyond our control, including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) geological problems; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) labor disputes; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; a nd (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations.
The risks associated with exploration and, if applicable, mining could cause personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
We are not currently engaged in mining operations because we are in the exploration phase and have not yet any proved uranium reserves. We carry some property and liability insurance. Cost effective insurance contains exclusions and limitations on coverage and may be unavailable in some circumstances.
The uranium exploration industry is highly competitive and there is no assurance that we will be successful in acquiring the leases.
The uranium exploration industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce uranium, but also market uranium and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive uranium properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low uranium market prices. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and
regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to explore them in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects.
The marketability of natural resources will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include macroeconomic factors, market fluctuations in commodity pricing and demand, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment, governmental regulations, land tenure, land use, regulation concerning the importing and exporting of uranium and environmental protection regulations. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
Uranium mining operations are subject to comprehensive regulation, which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, causing an adverse effect on our business operations.
If economic quantities of uranium are found on any lease owned by us in sufficient quantities to warrant uranium mining operations, such mining operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Uranium mining operations are also subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for mining operations to be conducted; no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental standards imposed by federal, provincial, or local authorities may be changed and any such changes may have material adverse effects on our activities. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus resulting in an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which we may elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons. To date we have not been required to spend material amounts on compliance with environmental regulations. However, we may be required to do so in future and this may affect our ability to expand or maintain our operations.
Uranium minerals exploration and development and mining activities are subject to certain environmental regulations, which may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of our operations.
Uranium minerals exploration and development and future potential uranium mining operations are or will be subject to stringent federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations relating to improving or maintaining environmental quality. Environmental laws often require parties to pay for remedial action or to pay damages regardless of fault. Environmental laws also often impose liability with respect to divested or terminated operations, even if the operations were terminated or divested of many years ago.
Future potential uranium mining operations and current exploration activities are or will be subject to extensive laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Uranium mining is also subject to risks and liabilities associated with pollution of the environment and disposal of waste products occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production. Compliance with these laws and regulations will impose substantial costs on us and will subject us to significant potential liabilities. Costs associated with environmental liabilities and compliance are expected to increase with the increasing scale and scope of operations and we expect these costs may increase in the future.
We believe that our operations comply, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental regulations. However, we are not fully insured at the current date against possible environmental risks.
Any change in government regulation/administrative practices may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and our profitability.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, may be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter our ability to carry on business. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect on us. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and/or our profitably.
We may be unable to retain key employees or consultants or recruit additional qualified personnel.
Our extremely limited personnel means that we would be required to spend significant sums of money to locate and train new employees in the event any of our employees resign or terminate their employment with us for any reason. Due to our limited operating history and financial resources, we are entirely dependent on the continued service of Amir Adnani, our President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and a director, and Harry Anthony, our Chief Operating Officer and a director. Further, we do not have key man life insurance on any of these individuals. We may not have the financial resources to hire a replacement if any of our officers were to die. The loss of service of any of these employees could therefore significantly and adversely affect our operations.
Our officers and directors may be subject to conflicts of interest.
Some of our officers and directors serve only part time and may be subject to conflicts of interest. Each may devote part of his working time to other business endeavors, including consulting relationships with other corporate entities, and may have responsibilities to these other entities. Such conflicts may include deciding how much time to devote to our affairs, as well as what business opportunities should be presented to us. Because of these relationships, some of our officers and directors may be subject to conflicts of interest.
Nevada law and our articles of incorporation may protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits.
Nevada law provides that our officers and directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as officers and directors. Our Bylaws permit us broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our officers and directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our officers and directors against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The trading price of our common stock on Amex and previously on the OTC Bulletin Board has been and may continue to fluctuate significantly and stockholders may have difficulty reselling their shares.
Our common stock commenced trading on September 28, 2007 on Amex, and previously traded on the OTCBB, and the trading price has fluctuated. In addition to volatility associated with Bulletin Board securities in general, the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our common stock: (i) disappointing results from our discovery or development efforts; (ii) failure to meet our revenue or profit goals or operating budget; (iii) decline in demand for our common stock; (iv) downward revisions in securities analysts' estimates or changes in general market conditions; (v) technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies; (vi) lack of funding generated for operations; (vii) investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and (viii) general economic trends.
In addition, stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities have been highly volatile. These fluctuations are often unrelated to operating performance and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, investors may be unable to sell their shares at a fair price and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Additional issuances of equity securities may result in dilution to our existing stockholders. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 750,000,000 shares of common stock.
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional shares of our capital stock to provide additional financing in the future and the issuance of any such shares may result in a reduction of the book value or market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If we do issue any such additional shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other stockholders. As a result of such dilution, if you acquire shares of our common stock, your proportionate ownership interest and voting power could be decreased. Further, any such issuances could result in a change of control.
Our common stock is classified as a "penny stock" under SEC rules which limits the market for our common stock.
Because the market price of the common stock has fluctuated and may trade at times at less than $5 per share, the common stock may be classified as a "penny stock." SEC Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who qualify as an "established customer" or an "accredited investor." This includes the requirement that a broker-dealer must make a determination that investments in penny stocks are suitable for the customer and must make special disclosures to the customers concerning the risk of penny stocks. Many broker-dealers decline to participate in penny stock transactions because of the extra requirements imposed on penny stock transactions. Application of the penny stock rules to our common stock reduces the market liquidity of our shares, which in turn affects the ability of holders of our common stock to resell the shares they purchase, and th ey may not be able to resell at prices at or above the prices they paid.
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital and adversely impact our operations.
A decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise additional capital for our operations. Because our operations to date have been principally financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our common stock could have an adverse effect upon our liquidity and our continued operations. A reduction in our ability to raise equity capital in the future would have a material adverse effect upon our business plan and operations, including our ability to continue our current operations. If our stock price declines, we may not be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations.
A majority of our directors and officers are outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our directors or officers.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on our directors or officers, or enforce within the United States or Canada any judgments obtained against us or our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, you may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies under U.S. federal securities laws against them. In addition, investors may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this annual report that are not residents of the United States.
Recent market events and conditions, including disruptions in the U.S. and international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of the U.S. and global economic conditions, has, among other things, impeded access to capital or increased the cost of capital, which has had an adverse effect on our ability to fund our working capital and other capital requirements.
In 2007 and into 2008, the U.S. credit markets began to experience serious disruptions due to a deterioration in residential property values, defaults and delinquencies in the residential mortgage market (particularly, subprime and non-prime mortgages) and a decline in the credit quality of mortgage backed securities. These problems led to a slow-down in residential housing market transactions, declining housing prices, delinquencies in non-mortgage consumer credit and a general decline in consumer confidence. These conditions continued and worsened in 2008, causing a loss of confidence in the broader U.S. and global credit and financial markets and resulting in the collapse of, and government intervention in, major banks, financial institutions and insurers and creating a climate of greater volatility, less liquidity, widening of credit spreads, a lack of price transparency, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions. Notwithstanding various actions by the U.S. and fore ign governments, concerns about the general condition of the capital markets, financial instruments, banks, investment banks, insurers and other financial institutions caused the broader credit markets to further deteriorate and stock markets to decline substantially. In addition, general economic indicators have deteriorated, including declining consumer sentiment, increased unemployment and declining economic growth and uncertainty about corporate earnings.
These unprecedented disruptions in the current credit and financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions have, among other things, made it more difficult for us to obtain, and have increased our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations. Our access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents that are and will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, among others, statements regarding our capital needs, business plans and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties regarding, among others, the success of our business plan, availability of funds, government regulations, operating costs, our ability to achieve significant revenues, our business model and products and other factors. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms or other compara ble terminology. In evaluating these statements, you should consider various factors, including the assumptions, risks and uncertainties outlined in this prospectus under "Risk Factors." These factors or any of them may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement made in this prospectus. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events, our actual results will likely vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus and we do not intend or undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results, except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFERING
This reoffer prospectus relates to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, that may be offered and resold from time to time by certain Eligible Participants in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan for their own account. Eligible Participants in our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan consist of employees, directors, officers and consultants of our company or its related entities. Selling stockholders will consist of those Eligible Participants who are "affiliates" of our company, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The selling stockholders may sell the common shares issued to them from time-to-time at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price, or in negotiated transactions.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus. All of the 5,000,000 common shares which may be offered pursuant to this reoffer prospectus underlie awards that may be granted under our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. We will receive proceeds from the exercise of any stock options that may be granted under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. The exercise or purchase price per share, if any, of each award may not be less than the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan) of our company's common stock on the date of the grant. All proceeds, if any, from the exercise of these future options will be added to our working capital.
The selling stockholders will receive all proceeds from the sales of these shares, and they will pay any and all expenses incurred by them for brokerage, accounting or tax services (or any other expenses incurred by them in disposing of their shares).
DILUTION
Because the selling stockholders who offer and sell shares of common stock covered by this reoffer prospectus may do so at various times, at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price, or in negotiated transactions, we have not included in this reoffer prospectus information about the dilution (if any) to the public arising from these sales.
Our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan provides that we may grant awards providing for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares under such plan, and 5,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under all awards that may be granted under our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. "Eligible Participants" who are entitled to participate in the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan consist of employees, directors and consultants of (a) our company or (b) any of the following entities: (i) any "parent corporation" as defined in section 424(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); (ii) any "subsidiary corporation" as defined in section 424(f) of the Code; or (iii) any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which our company, a parent corporation or a subsidiary corporation holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.
The selling stockholders named in this prospectus in the table below are "affiliates" of our company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act). Such selling stockholders are offering an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares offered through this prospectus, of which all 1,000,000 shares consist of shares underlying stock options that we have granted to the selling stockholders pursuant to our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
If, subsequent to the date of this reoffer prospectus, we grant any further awards under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan to any Eligible Participants who are "affiliates" of our company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), Instruction C of Form S-8 requires that we supplement this reoffer prospectus with the names of such affiliates and the amounts of securities to be reoffered by them as selling stockholders.
The following table provides, as of the date of this prospectus, information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares held by each of the selling stockholders, including:
1. the number of common shares owned by each selling stockholder prior to this offering;
2. the total number of common shares that are to be offered by each selling stockholder;
3. the total number of common shares that will be owned by each selling stockholder upon completion of the offering;
4. the percentage owned by each selling stockholder; and
5. the identity of the beneficial holder of any entity that owns the common shares.
Information with respect to beneficial ownership is based upon information obtained from the selling stockholders. Information with respect to "Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering" includes the shares issuable upon exercise of the stock options held by the selling stockholders as these options are exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.
The "Number of Shares Being Offered" includes the common shares that have been or may be acquired by the selling stockholders pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted to the selling stockholders pursuant to our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Information with respect to "Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering" assumes the sale of all of the common shares offered by this prospectus and no other purchases or sales of our common shares by the selling stockholders. Except as described below and to our knowledge, the named selling stockholder beneficially owns and has sole voting and investment power over all common shares or rights to these common shares.
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Number of Shares Being Offered |
Shares Beneficially Owned Upon Completion |
|||
Name of Selling Stockholder |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
|
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|||||
Amir Adnani |
2,661,801 (2) |
4.6% |
250,000 |
2,411,801 |
4.2% |
Alan P. Lindsay |
2,419,787 (3) |
4.2% |
100,000 |
2,319,787 |
4.0% |
Harry L. Anthony |
1,872,500 (4) |
3.2% |
250,000 |
1,622,500 |
2.8% |
Pat Obara |
500,000 (5) |
* |
150,000 |
350,000 |
* |
Erik Essiger |
225,000 (6) |
* |
75,000 |
150,000 |
* |
Ivan Obolensky |
166,000 (7) |
* |
50,000 |
116,000 |
* |
Vincent Della Volpe |
200,000 (8) |
* |
50,000 |
150,000 |
* |
Mark A. Katsumata |
150,000 (9) |
* |
75,000 |
75,000 |
* |
Directors and Executive Officers as a group (8 persons): |
8,195,088 (10) |
13.5% |
1,000,000 |
7,195,088 |
11.8% |
(1) Under Rule 13d-3, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of shares; and (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares. Certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to acquire the shares (for example, upon exercise of an option) within 60 days of the date as of which the information is provided. In computing the percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares outstanding is deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned by such person (and only such person) by reason of these acqui sition rights. As a result, the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in this table does not necessarily reflect the person's actual ownership or voting power with respect to the number of shares of common stock actually outstanding on the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, there were 56,664,766 shares issued and outstanding.
(2) This figures represents (i) 1,731,301 shares of common stock, (ii) 3,000 shares of common stock held of record by Mr. Adnani's wife and (iii) stock options to purchase 927,500 shares of our common stock.
(3) This figure represents (i) 1,306,287 shares of common stock, (ii) 163,500 shares of common stock held of record by Mr. Lindsay's wife and (iii) stock options to purchase 950,000 shares of our common stock. Mr. Lindsay is the father-in-law of Mr. Adnani.
(4) This figure represents (i) 772,500 shares of common stock and (ii) stock options to purchase 1,100,000 shares of our common stock.
(5) This figure represents stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock.
(6) This figure represents stock options to purchase 225,000 shares of our common stock.
(7) This figure represents (i) 16,000 shares of common stock and (ii) stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock.
(8) This figure represents stock options to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock.
(9) This figure represents stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock.
(10) This figure represents (i) 3,992,588 shares of common stock and (ii) stock options to purchase 4,202,500 shares of our common stock.
* Less than one percent.
2009 Stock Incentive Plan
On June 5, 2009 our Board of Directors adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, under which an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares may be issued.
The purpose of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan is to enhance our long-term stockholder value by offering opportunities to our directors, officers, employees and eligible consultants to acquire and maintain stock ownership in order to give these persons the opportunity to participate in our growth and success, and to encourage them to remain in our service.
The 2009 Stock Incentive Plan is to be administered by our Board of Directors or a committee appointed by and consisting of two or more members of the Board of Directors, which shall determine, among other things, (i) the persons to be granted awards under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan; (ii) the number of shares or amount of other awards to be granted; and (iii) the terms and conditions of the awards granted. The Company may issue shares, options, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock rights, dividend equivalent rights, among others, under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. An aggregate of 5,000,000 of our shares may be issued pursuant to the grant of awards under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
An award may not be exercised after the termination date of the award and may be exercised following the termination of an Eligible Participant's continuous service only to the extent provided by the administrator under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. If the administrator under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan permits an Eligible Participant to exercise an award following the termination of continuous service for a specified period, the award terminates to the extent not exercised on the last day of the specified period or the last day of the original term of the award, whichever occurs first. In the event an Eligible Participant's service has been terminated for "cause," he or she shall immediately forfeit all rights to any of the awards outstanding.
The foregoing summary of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1.
Subject to the foregoing, the selling stockholders may offer and sell the shares covered by this prospectus at various times. The selling stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
No Known Agreements to Resell the Shares
To our knowledge, no selling stockholder has any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to resell the shares covered by this prospectus.
The sales price offered by the selling stockholders to the public may be:
1. the market price prevailing at the time of sale;
2. a price related to such prevailing market price; or
3. such other price as the selling stockholders determine from time to time.
The sales price to the public will vary according to the selling decisions of each selling stockholder and the market for our stock at the time of resale.
The shares may be sold by means of one or more of the following methods:
1. a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
2. purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by that broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;
3. ordinary brokerage transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers;
4. through options, swaps or derivatives;
5. privately negotiated transactions; or
6. in a combination of any of the above methods.
The selling stockholders may sell their shares directly to purchasers or may use brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents to sell their shares. Brokers or dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Brokers or dealers may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling stockholders, or, if any such broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale. The compensation received by brokers or dealers may, but is not expected to, exceed that which is customary for the types of transactions involved.
Broker-dealers may agree with a selling stockholder to sell a specified number of shares at a stipulated price per share, and, to the extent the broker-dealer is unable to do so acting as agent for a selling stockholder, to purchase as principal any unsold shares at the price required to fulfill the broker-dealer commitment to the selling stockholder.
Broker-dealers who acquire shares as principal may thereafter resell the shares from time to time in transactions, which may involve block transactions and sales to and through other broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices then related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions. In connection with resales of the shares, broker-dealers may pay to or receive from the purchasers of shares commissions as described above.
If our selling stockholders enter into arrangements with brokers or dealers, as described above, we are obligated to file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement disclosing such arrangements, including the names of any broker-dealers acting as underwriters.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that participate with the selling stockholders in the sale of the shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. In that event, any commissions received by broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
Any common shares covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling stockholders must comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in the offer and sale of the common stock. In particular we will advise the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. Regulation M under the Exchange Act prohibits, with certain exceptions, participants in a distribution from bidding for, or purchasing for an account in which the participant has a beneficial interest, any of the securities that are the subject of the distribution.
Accordingly, during such times as a selling stockholder may be deemed to be engaged in a distribution of the common stock, and therefore be considered to be an underwriter, the selling stockholder must comply with applicable law and, among other things:
1. may not engage in any stabilization activities in connection with our common stock;
2. may not cover short sales by purchasing shares while the distribution is taking place; and
3. may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities other than as permitted under the Exchange Act.
In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define "penny stock" to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and "institutional accredited investors." The term "institutional accredited investor" refers generally to those accredited investors who are not natural persons and fall into one of the categories of accredited investor specified in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (7) or (8) of Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, including institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000.
The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form required by the SEC, obtain from the customer a signed and dated acknowledgement of receipt of the disclosure document and to wait two business days before effecting the transaction. The risk disclosure document provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account.
The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction.
These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.
Under the securities laws of some states, the common shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common shares may not be sold unless the shares have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
Expenses of Registration
We are bearing all costs relating to the registration of the common stock. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, accounting, printing and mailing fees. The selling stockholders, however, will pay any commissions or other fees payable to brokers or dealers in connection with any sale of the common stock.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the validity of the shares offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Lang Michener LLP of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The consolidated financial statements for our year ended July 31, 2008 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the our Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Accountants ("Ernst & Young"), an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report dated October 22, 2008. Our financial statements for the period May 16, 2003 (inception) through December 31, 2006 were audited by Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP, Chartered Accountants ("DMCL"), an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report dated February 26, 2007. The respective reports of Ernst & Young and DMCL, which are incorporated herein by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008, and the consolidated financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2008, have been so incorporated in reliance upon such reports given upon on the authority of such firms as experts in auditing and accounting.
No expert or counsel named in this prospectus as having prepared or certified any part of this prospectus or having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being registered or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of the common stock was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the registrant, nor was any such person connected with the registrant as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
MATERIAL CHANGES
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you be referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus.
The following documents filed by our company with the SEC are incorporated herein be reference:
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, as filed with the SEC on October 22, 2008;
(b) our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC December 23, 2008 and on January 16, January 22, March 17, May 14, June 2, June 9 (two 8-K filings on such date), June 11, June 16, June 30 and July 27, 2009;
(c) our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2008 (filed with the SEC on December 10, 2008), our fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009 (filed with the SEC on March 12, 2009), and our fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009 (filed with the SEC on June 11, 2009, as amended and filed with the SEC August 7, 2009); and
(d) the description of our common stock which is contained in Part II to the registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC in relation to this prospectus, including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. We will provide this information upon oral or written request at no expense to the requester. Any request for this information shall be directed to Mr. Amir Adnani, our President and Chief Executive Officer, at the following address and phone number:
Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, 78750
Tel: (512) 828-6980
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any supplement that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company under the Exchange Act and we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any material that we file with the SEC at the Public Reference Section, at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-8 that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and the securities offered, including certain exhibits. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at any address listed above or from the SEC's Internet site.
DISCLOSURE OF SEC POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Our directors and officers are indemnified as provided by the Nevada Revised Statutes, our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act might be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company under the provisions described above, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
__________
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
5,000,000 Shares of Common Stock to be Offered and Sold by Selling Stockholders
September 30, 2009
____________________________________
REOFFER PROSPECTUS
____________________________________
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this reoffer prospectus. Any information or representations not herein contained, if given or made, must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Uranium Energy Corp. (the "Company"). This reoffer prospectus does not constitute an offer or solicitation in respect to these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The delivery of this reoffer prospectus shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this reoffer prospectus. However, in the event of a material change, this reoffer prospectus will be amended or supplemented accordingly.
|
__________
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC are incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference:
(a) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, as filed with the SEC on October 22, 2008;
(b) our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC December 23, 2008 and on January 16, January 22, March 17, May 14, June 2, June 9 (two 8-K filings on such date), June 11, June 16, June 30 and July 27, 2009;
(c) our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2008 (filed with the SEC on December 10, 2008), our fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009 (filed with the SEC on March 12, 2009), and our fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009 (filed with the SEC on June 11, 2009, as amended and filed with the SEC August 7, 2009); and
(d) The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2005, as updated in our 10-KSB for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on April 13, 2006, which describes the Company's forward stock split of 1.5-for-one of the Company's total issued and outstanding stock and authorized share capital, effective February 28, 2006, which increased the Company's authorized share capital to 750,000,000 shares of common stock.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this Registration Statement from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
Any statement contained in an incorporated document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed incorporated document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. We will provide this information upon oral or written request at no expense to the requester. Any request for this information shall be directed to Mr. Amir Adnani, our President and Chief Executive Officer, at the following address and phone number:
Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, 78750
Tel: (512) 828-6980
You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we have filed at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our filings are also available on the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
No expert or counsel named in this registration statement as having prepared or certified any part of this registration statement or having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being registered or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of such securities was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in our company, nor was any such person connected with us as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our officers and directors are indemnified as provided by the Nevada Revised Statutes ("NRS"), our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws.
NRS Section 78.7502 provides that:
1. a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful;
2. a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals the refrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper; and
3. to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify him against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense.
NRS Section 78.751 provides that we may make any discretionary indemnification only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made:
(a) by our stockholders;
(b) by our Board of Directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding;
(c) if a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion;
(d) if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
(e) by court order.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Articles provide that no director or officer shall be personally liable to our company, any of our stockholders or any other for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer involving any act or omission of such director or officer unless such acts or omissions involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, or the payment of dividends in violation of the General Corporate Law of Nevada.
Further, our Bylaws provide that we shall, to the fullest and broadest extent permitted by law, indemnify all persons whom we may indemnify pursuant thereto. We may, but shall not be obligated to, maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect ourselves and any other person against any liability, cost or expense. We shall not indemnify persons seeking indemnity in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding voluntarily brought or threatened by such person unless such action, suit or proceeding has been authorized by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act might be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company under the provisions described above, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as a part of this Registration Statement, which Exhibits are incorporated herein.
Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibit |
4.1 |
2009 Stock Incentive Plan.(1) |
5.1 |
Legal Opinion of Lang Michener LLP.(1) |
23.1 |
Consent of Lang Michener LLP.(2) |
23.2 |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP(1) |
23.3 |
Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte, LLP(1) |
24.1 |
Power of Attorney (Included in Signature Page). |
(1) Filed as an exhibit to this registration statement on Form S-8.
(2) Included in Exhibit 5.1
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(b) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement; provided that any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in the volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(c) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution.
provided, however, that paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered hereby which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy as expresse d in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
__________
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing a Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia on the30th day of September, 2009.
URANIUM ENERGY CORP. By: "Amir Adnani" Amir Adnani President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and a director |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Amir Adnani as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
"Amir Adnani" |
|
September 30, 2009 |
Pat Obara |
|
September 30, 2009 |
Alan P. Lindsay |
|
September 30, 2009 |
Harry L. Anthony |
|
September 30, 2009 |
|
|
September 30, 2009 |
|
|
September 30, 2009 |
__________
__________
2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
For:
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
Dated June 5, 2009
Uranium Energy Corp.
9801 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 230, Austin, Texas, U.S.A., 78750
__________
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
1.1 The purpose of this Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of Uranium Energy Corp. (the "Company") by encouraging Eligible Participants (as herein defined) to acquire shares of the Company, thereby increasing their proprietary interest in the Company, encouraging them to remain associated with the Company and furnish them with additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Company in the conduct of their affairs.
1.2 This Plan is specifically designed for Eligible Participants of the Company who are residents of the United States and/or subject to taxation in the United States, although Awards (as herein defined) under this Plan may be issued to other Eligible Participants.
1.3 This Plan is in addition to, and in no manner either alters, amends or is in substitution for, the Company's "2006 Stock Incentive Plan", dated as originally ratified by the Board of Directors of the Company on October 10, 2006, as was ratified by the shareholders of the Company at the Company's annual general meeting held on July 24, 2008.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Administrator" means the Committee or otherwise the Board;
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act;
(c) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to the administration of stock incentive plans, if any, under applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate laws, state or provincial securities laws, the Code, the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, and the rules of any foreign jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein;
(d) "Award" means the grant of an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, unrestricted Shares, Restricted Stock Unit, Deferred Stock Unit or other right or benefit under this Plan;
(e) "Award Agreement" means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an Award executed by the Company and the Grantee, including any amendments thereto;
(f) "Award Right" means each right to acquire a Share pursuant to an Award;
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(g) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company;
(h) "Cause" means, with respect to the termination by the Company or a Related Entity of the Grantee's Continuous Service, that such termination is for "Cause" as such term is expressly defined in a then-effective written agreement between the Grantee and the Company or such Related Entity, or in the absence of such then-effective written agreement and definition, is based on, in the determination of the Administrator, the Grantee's:
(i) refusal or failure to act in accordance with any specific, lawful direction or order of the Company or a Related Entity;
(ii) unfitness or unavailability for service or unsatisfactory performance (other than as a result of Disability);
(iii) performance of any act or failure to perform any act in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company or a Related Entity;
(iv) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement with the Company or a Related Entity; or
(v) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person;
(i) "Change of Control" means, except as provided below, a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through any of the following transactions:
(i) the direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other than an acquisition from or by the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan or by a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company's shareholders which a majority of the Continuing Directors who are not Affiliates or Associates of the offeror do not recommend such shareholders accept;
(ii) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of 36 months or less such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who are Continuing Directors;
(iii) the sale or exchange by the Company (in one or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of its assets to any other person or entity; or
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(iv) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan to dissolve and liquidate the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following transactions shall not constitute a "Change of Control":
(i) the closing of any public offering of the Company's securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
(ii) the closing of a public offering of the Company's securities through the facilities of any stock exchange; or
(iii) with respect to an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, and payment or settlement of such Award is to be accelerated in connection with an event that would otherwise constitute a Change of Control, no event set forth previously in this definition shall constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement unless such event also constitutes a "change in the ownership", a "change in the effective control" or a "change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation" as defined under Section 409A of the Code and Treasury guidance formulated thereunder, which guidance currently provides that:
(A) a change in ownership of a corporation shall be deemed to have occurred if any one person or more than one person acting as a group acquires stock of a corporation that constitutes more than 50% of the total Fair Market Value or total voting power of the stock of the corporation. Stock acquired by any person or group of people who already owns more than 50% of such total Fair Market Value or total voting power of stock shall not trigger a change in ownership;
(B) a change in the effective control of a corporation generally shall be deemed to have occurred if within a 12-month period either:
(I) any one person or more than one person acting as a group acquires ownership of stock possessing 35% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the corporation; or
(II) a majority of the members of the corporation's board of directors is replaced by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the corporation's board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election; and
(C) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the corporation's assets generally is deemed to occur if within a 12-month period any person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires assets from the corporation that have a total gross fair market value at least equal to 40% of the total gross fair market value of all the corporation's assets immediately prior to such acquisition. The gross fair market value of assets is determined without regard to any liabilities;
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(j) "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
(k) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee or any other committee appointed by the Board to administer this Plan in accordance with the provisions of this Plan; provided, however, that:
(i) the Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board;
(iii) the mere fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under either of the foregoing requirements set forth in Section 2.1(k)(ii) shall not invalidate any Award made by the Committee which Award is otherwise validly made under the Plan; and
(iv) members of the Committee may be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board;
(l) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company;
(m) "Company" means Uranium Energy Corp., a Nevada corporation;
(n) "Consultant" means any person (other than an Employee) who is engaged by the Company or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Related Entity;
(o) "Continuing Directors" means members of the Board who either (i) have been Board members continuously for a period of at least 36 months, or (ii) have been Board members for less than 36 months and were appointed or nominated for election as Board members by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such appointment or nomination was approved by the Board;
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(p) "Continuous Service" means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant that is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Service shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or among the Company, any Related Entity, or any successor, in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed 90 calendar days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is gua ranteed by statute or contract;
(q) "Corporate Transaction" means any of the following transactions:
(i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction in which the Company is organized;
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the capital stock of the Company's subsidiary corporations) in connection with the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(iii) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger;
(r) "Covered Employee" means an Employee who is a "covered employee" under Section 162(m)(3) of the Code;
(s) "Deferred Stock Units" means Awards that are granted to Directors and are subject to the additional provisions set out in Subpart A which is attached hereto and which forms a material part hereof;
(t) "Director" means a member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related Entity;
(u) "Disability" or "Disabled" means that a Grantee is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Grantee by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment. A Grantee shall not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its discretion. Notwithstanding the above, (i) with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Disability or Disabled shall mean permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and (ii) to the extent an Option is subject to Section 409A of the Code, and payment or settlement of the Option is to be accelerated solely as a result of the Eligible Participant's Disability, Disability shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder;
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(v) "Disinterested Shareholder Approval" means approval by a majority of the votes cast by all the Company's shareholders at a duly constituted shareholders' meeting, excluding votes attached to shares beneficially owned by Insiders;
(w) "Eligible Participant" means any person who is an Officer, a Director, an Employee or a Consultant, including individuals who are foreign nationals or are employed or reside outside the United States;
(x) "Employee" means any person who is a full-time or part-time employee of the Company or any Related Entity;
(y) "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(z) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined in good faith by the Administrator. By way of illustration, but not limitation, for the purpose of this definition, good faith shall be met if the Administrator employs the following methods:
(i) Listed Stock. If the Common Stock is traded on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market system, Fair Market Value shall be (A) the closing sales price for the Common Stock as quoted on that stock exchange or system for the date the value is to be determined (the "Value Date") as reported in The Wall Street Journal or a similar publication, or (B) if the rules of the applicable stock exchange require, the volume-weighted average trading price for five days prior to the date the Board approves the grant of the Award. If no sales are reported as having occurred on the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall be that closing sales price for the last preceding trading day on which sales of Common Stock is reported as having occurred. If no sales are reported as having occurred during the five trading days before the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall be the closing bid for Common Stock on the Value Date. If the Commo n Stock is listed on multiple exchanges or systems, Fair Market Value shall be based on sales or bids on the primary exchange or system on which Common Stock is traded or quoted. If the rules of any applicable stock exchange or system require a different method of calculating Fair Market Value, then such method as is required by those rules;
(ii) Stock Quoted by Securities Dealer. If Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market system, Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices on the Value Date. If no prices are quoted for the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices on the last preceding trading day on which any bid and asked prices were quoted;
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(iii) No Established Market. If Common Stock is not traded on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market system and is not quoted by a recognized securities dealer, the Administrator will determine Fair Market Value in good faith. The Administrator will consider the following factors, and any others it considers significant, in determining Fair Market Value: (A) the price at which other securities of the Company have been issued to purchasers other than Employees, Directors, or Consultants; (B) the Company's net worth, prospective earning power, dividend-paying capacity, and non-operating assets, if any; and (C) any other relevant factors, including the economic outlook for the Company and the Company's industry, the Company's position in that industry, the Company's goodwill and other intellectual property, and the values of securities of other businesses in the same industry;
(iv) Additional Valuation. For publicly traded companies, any valuation method permitted under Section 20.2031-2 of the Estate Tax Regulations; or
(v) Non-Publicly Traded Stock. For non-publicly traded stock, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date based on an average of the Fair Market Values as of such date set forth in the opinions of completely independent and well-qualified experts (the Participant's status as a majority or minority shareholder may be taken into consideration).
Regardless of whether the Common Stock offered under the Award is publicly traded, a good faith attempt under this definition shall not be met unless the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date is determined with regard to nonlapse restrictions (as defined in Section 1.83-3(h) of the Treasury Regulations) and without regard to lapse restrictions (as defined in Section 1.83-3(i) of the Treasury Regulations);
(aa) "Grantee" means an Eligible Participant who receives an Award pursuant to an Award Agreement;
(bb) "Grant Date" means the date the Administrator approves that grant of an Award. However, if the Administrator specifies that an Award's Grant Date is a future date or the date on which a condition is satisfied, the Grant Date for such Award is that future date or the date that the condition is satisfied;
(cc) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code;
(dd) "Insider" means:
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(i) a Director or Senior Officer of the Company;
(ii) a Director or Senior Officer of a person that is itself an Insider or Subsidiary of the Company;
(iii) a person that has
(A) direct or indirect beneficial ownership of,
(B) control or direction over, or
(C) a combination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of and control or direction over,
securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the Company's outstanding voting securities, excluding, for the purpose of the calculation of the percentage held, any securities held by the person as underwriter in the course of a distribution; or
(iv) the Company itself, if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any securities of its own issue, for so long as it continues to hold those securities;
(ee) "Named Executive Officer" means, if applicable, an Eligible Participant who, as of the date of vesting and/or payout of an Award, is one of the group of Covered Employees as defined;
(ff) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option;
(gg) "Officer" means a person who is an officer, including a Senior Officer, of the Company or a Related Entity within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(hh) "Option" means an option to purchase Shares pursuant to an Award Agreement granted under the Plan;
(ii) "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code;
(jj) "Performance-Based Compensation" means compensation qualifying as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code;
(kk) "Plan" means this 2009 Stock Incentive Plan as amended from time to time;
(ll) "Related Entity" means any Parent or Subsidiary, and includes any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary holds a greater than 50% ownership interest, directly or indirectly;
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(mm) "Related Entity Disposition" means the sale, distribution or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's interests in any Related Entity effected by a sale, merger or consolidation or other transaction involving that Related Entity or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of that Related Entity;
(nn) "Restricted Stock" means Shares issued under the Plan to the Grantee for such consideration, if any, and subject to such restrictions on transfer, rights of first refusal, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, and other terms and conditions as, established by the Administrator and specified in the related Award Agreement;
(oo) "Restricted Stock Unit" means a notional account established pursuant to an Award granted to a Grantee, as described in this Plan, that is (i) valued solely by reference to Shares, (ii) subject to restrictions specified in the Award Agreement, and (iii) payable only in Shares;
(pp) "Restriction Period" means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance objectives, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion) or the Restricted Stock is not vested;
(qq) "SAR" means a stock appreciation right entitling the Grantee to Shares or cash compensation, as established by the Administrator, measured by appreciation in the value of Common Stock;
(rr) "SEC" means the United States Securities Exchange Commission;
(ss) "Senior Officer" means:
(iii) the five highest paid employees of the Company or a Related Entity, including any individual referred to in Section 2.1(ss)(i) or 2.1(ss)(ii) and excluding a commissioned salesperson who does not act in a managerial capacity;
(tt) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock; and
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(uu) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
Number of Shares Available
3.1
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 18, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards (including Incentive Stock Options) under this Plan is 5,000,000 (the "Maximum Number"). See Section 29 for Reservation of Shares.
(b) Shares that have been issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future issuance under the Plan except that Shares (i) covered by an Award (or portion of an Award) which is forfeited or cancelled, expires or is settled in cash, or (ii) withheld to satisfy a Grantee's minimum tax withholding obligations, shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the Maximum Number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan. Also, only the net numbers of Shares that are issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award shall be counted against the Maximum Number.
(c) However, in the event that prior to the Award's cancellation, termination, expiration, forfeiture or lapse, the holder of the Award at any time received one or more elements of beneficial ownership pursuant to such Award (as defined by the SEC, pursuant to any rule or interpretations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), the Shares subject to such Award shall not again be made available for regrant under the Plan.
Shares to Insiders
3.2 Subject to Section 15.1(b) and 15.1(c), no Insider of the Company is eligible to receive an Award where:
(a) the Insider is not a Director or Senior Officer of the Company;
(b) any Award, together with all of the Company's other previously established or proposed Awards under the Plan could result at any time in:
(i) the number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Options granted to Insiders exceeding 50% of the outstanding issue of Common Stock; or
(ii) the issuance to Insiders pursuant to the exercise of Options, within a one year period of a number of Shares exceeding 50% of the outstanding issue of the Common Stock;
provided, however, that this restriction on the eligibility of Insiders to receive an Award shall cease to apply if it is no longer required under any Applicable Laws.
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Limitations on Award
3.3 Unless and until the Administrator determines that an Award to a Grantee is not designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the following limits (the "Award Limits") shall apply to grants of Awards to Grantees subject to the Award Limits by Applicable Laws under this Plan:
(a) Options and SARs. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary (but subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18), the maximum number of Shares with respect to one or more Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights that may be granted during any one calendar year under the Plan to any one Grantee shall be 2,500,000; all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options); and
(b) Other Awards. The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock, unrestricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units (or used to provide a basis of measurement for or to determine the value of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units) in any one calendar year to any one Grantee (determined on the date of payment of settlement) shall be 2,500,000.
Authority of Plan Administrator
4.1 Authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Plan shall be vested in the Administrator.
Powers of the Administrator
4.2 Subject to Applicable Laws and the provisions of the Plan or subplans hereof (including any other powers given to the Administrator hereunder), and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Administrator shall have the exclusive power and authority, in its discretion:
(a) to construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Company and Grantees under this Plan;
(b) to select the Eligible Participants to whom Awards may be granted from time to time hereunder;
(c) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(d) to determine the number of Shares or the amount of other consideration to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(e) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan, which need not be identical for each Grantee;
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(f) to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price or purchase price based on the Fair Market Value of the same, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of the Award, and acceleration or waivers thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines that is not inconsistent with any rule or regulation under any tax or securities laws or includes an alternative right that does not disqualify an Incentive Stock Option under applicable regulations;
(g) to amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted under the Plan, provided that any amendment that would adversely affect the Grantee's rights under an existing Award shall not be made without the Grantee's consent unless as a result of a change in Applicable Law;
(h) to suspend the right of a holder to exercise all or part of an Award for any reason that the Administrator considers in the best interest of the Company;
(i) subject to regulatory approval, amend or suspend the Plan, or revoke or alter any action taken in connection therewith, except that no general amendment or suspension of the Plan, shall, without the written consent of all Grantees, alter or impair any Award granted under the Plan unless as a result of a change in the Applicable Law;
(j) to establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate the rules or laws of applicable foreign jurisdictions and to afford Grantees favorable treatment under such laws; provided, however, that no Award shall be granted under any such additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures with terms or conditions which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan;
(k) to further define the terms used in this Plan;
(l) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any Award Agreement;
(m) to provide for rights of refusal and/or repurchase rights;
(n) to amend outstanding Award Agreements to provide for, among other things, any change or modification which the Administrator could have provided for upon the grant of an Award or in furtherance of the powers provided for herein that does not disqualify an Incentive Stock Option under applicable regulations unless the Grantee so consents;
(o) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan; and
(p) to take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator deems appropriate.
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Effect of Administrator's Decision
4.3 All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. The Administrator shall not be liable for any decision, action or omission respecting this Plan, or any Awards granted or Shares sold under this Plan. In the event an Award is granted in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 4, such Award shall be presumptively valid as of its grant date to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.
Action by Committee
4.4 Except as otherwise provided by committee charter or other similar corporate governance documents, for purposes of administering the Plan, the following rules of procedure shall govern the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved unanimously in writing by the members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Parent or Affiliate, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. P>
Limitation on Liability
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5. ELIGIBILITY
Except as otherwise provided, all types of Awards may be granted to Eligible Participants. An Eligible Participant who has been granted an Award may be, if he or she continues to be eligible, granted additional Awards.
6. AWARDS
Type of Awards
6.1 The Administrator is authorized to award any type of arrangement to an Eligible Participant that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of:
(a) Shares, including unrestricted Shares;
(b) Options;
(c) SARs or similar rights with a fixed or variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares and with an exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions;
(d) any other security with the value derived from the value of the Shares, such as Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units;
(e) Deferred Stock Units;
(f) Dividend Equivalent Rights, as defined in Section 13; or
(g) any combination of the foregoing.
Designation of Award
6.2 Each type of Award shall be designated in the Award Agreement. In the case of an Option, the Option shall be designated as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. But see Section 7.3(a) regarding exceeding the Incentive Stock Option threshold.
7. GRANT OF OPTIONS; TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF GRANT
Grant of Options
7.1
(a) One or more Options may be granted to any Eligible Participant. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall determine from the Eligible Participants those individuals to whom Options under this Plan may be granted. The Shares underlying a grant of an Option may be in the form of Restricted Stock or unrestricted Stock.
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(b) Further, subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall specify the Grant Date, the number of Shares covered by the Option, the exercise price and the terms and conditions for exercise of the Options. As soon as practicable after the Grant Date, the Company shall provide the Grantee with a written Award Agreement in the form approved by the Administrator, which sets out the Grant Date, the number of Shares covered by the Option, the exercise price and the terms and conditions for exercise of the Option.
(c) The Administrator may, in its absolute discretion, grant Options under this Plan at any time and from time to time before the expiration of this Plan.
General Terms and Conditions
7.2 Except as otherwise provided herein, the Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as the Administrator may impose:
(a) Exercise of Option. The Administrator may determine in its discretion whether any Option shall be subject to vesting and the terms and conditions of any such vesting. The Award Agreement shall contain any such vesting schedule;
(b) Option Term. Each Option and all rights or obligations thereunder shall expire on such date as shall be determined by the Administrator, but not later than ten years after the Grant Date (five years in the case of an Incentive Stock Option when the Optionee beneficially owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (a "Ten Percent Stockholder"), as determined with reference to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), and shall be subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided;
(c) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of any Option shall be determined by the Administrator when the Option is granted, at such Exercise Price as may be determined by the Administrator in the Administrator's sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that the Exercise Price may not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Grant Date with respect to any Options which are granted and, provided further, that the Exercise Price of any Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Grant Date. Payment for the Shares purchased shall be made in accordance with Section 16 of this Plan. The Administrator is authorized to issue Options, whether Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options, at an option price in excess of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date, to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted unde r the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of the Award, and acceleration or waivers thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines that is not inconsistent with any rule or regulation under any tax or securities laws or includes an alternative right that does not disqualify an Incentive Stock Option under applicable regulations;
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(d) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised only by delivery to the Company of a stock option exercise agreement (the "Exercise Agreement") in a form approved by the Administrator (which need not be the same for each Grantee), stating the number of Shares being purchased, the restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if any, and such representations and agreements regarding the Grantee's investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, together with payment in full of the exercise price for the number of Shares being purchased;
(e) Exercise After Certain Events.
(i) Termination of Continuous Services.
(A) Options.
(I) Termination of Continuous Services. If for any reason other than Disability or death, a Grantee terminates Continuous Services with the Company or a Subsidiary, vested Options held at the date of such termination may be exercised, in whole or in part, either (i) at any time within three months after the date of such termination, or (ii) during any lesser period as specified in the Award Agreement or (iii) during any lesser period as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, prior the date of such termination (but in no event after the earlier of (A) the expiration date of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement and (B) ten years from the Grant Date (five years for a Ten Percent Stockholder if the Option is an Incentive Stock Option)).
(II) Continuation of Services as Consultant/Advisor. If a Grantee granted an Incentive Stock Option terminates employment but continues as a Consultant (no termination of Continuous Services), the Grantee need not exercise an Incentive Stock Option within either of the termination periods provided for immediately hereinabove but shall be entitled to exercise, in whole or in part, either (i) at any time within three months after the then date of termination of Continuous Services to the Company or a Subsidiary, or (ii) during any lesser period as specified in the Award Agreement or (iii) during any lesser period as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, prior the date of such then termination of Continuous Services to the Company or the Subsidiary (one year in the event of Disability or death) (but in no event after the earlier of (A) the expiration date of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement and (B ) ten years from the Grant Date (five years for a Ten Percent Stockholder if the Option is an Incentive Stock Option)). However, if the Grantee does not exercise within three months of termination of employment, pursuant to Section 422 of the Code the Option shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
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(B) Disability and Death. If a Grantee becomes Disabled while rendering Continuous Services to the Company or a Subsidiary, or dies while employed by the Company or Subsidiary or within three months thereafter, vested Options then held may be exercised by the Grantee, the Grantee's personal representative, or by the person to whom the Option is transferred by the laws of descent and distribution, in whole or in part, at any time within one year after the termination because of the Disability or death or any lesser period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event after the earlier of (i) the expiration date of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement, and (ii) ten years from the Grant Date (five years for a Ten Percent Stockholder if the Option is an Incentive Stock Option).
Limitations on Grant of Incentive Stock Options
7.3
(b) Compliance with Section 422 of the Code. There shall be imposed in the Award Agreement relating to Incentive Stock Options such terms and conditions as are required in order that the Option be an "incentive stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.
(c) Requirement of Employment. No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
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8. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
Grant of Restricted Stock Awards
8.1 Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized to make awards of Restricted Stock to any Eligible Participant in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Administrator. The restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such instalments, time-based or upon the satisfaction of performance goals or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. (See Performance Goals, Section 14.4). All awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by Award Agreements.
Consideration
8.2 Restricted Stock may be issued in connection with:
(a) Services. Services rendered to the Company or an Affiliate (i.e. bonus); and/or
(b) Purchase Price. A purchase price, as specified in the Award Agreement related to such Restricted Stock, equal to not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock on the date of issuance.
Voting and Dividends
8.3 Unless the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to such Restricted Stock. The Administrator may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock must be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. All distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the restrictions applicable to the original Award.
Forfeiture
8.4 In the case of an event of forfeiture pursuant to the Award Agreement, including failure to satisfy the restriction period or a performance objective during the applicable restriction period, any Restricted Stock that has not vested prior to the event of forfeiture shall automatically expire, and all of the rights, title and interest of the Grantee thereunder shall be forfeited in their entirety including but not limited to any right to vote and receive dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may provide in any Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Administrator may in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restric ted Stock, provided such waiver is in accordance with the Applicable Laws.
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Certificates for Restricted Stock
8.5 Restricted Stock granted under this Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine, including by way of certificates. The Administrator may provide in an Award Agreement that either (i) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for the Grantee's benefit until such time as the Restricted Stock is forfeited to the Company or the restrictions lapse, (see Escrow; Pledge of Shares, Section 23) or (ii) such certificates shall be delivered to the Grantee, provided, however, that such certificates shall bear a legend or legends that comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed under this Plan and the Award Agreement.
9. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value or such other higher purchase price determined by the Administrator in the Award Agreement) an Award of unrestricted Shares to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive Shares free of any restrictions under this Plan.
10. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Grant of Restricted Stock Units
10.1 Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized to make awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Participant in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Administrator. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such instalments, time-based or upon the satisfaction of performance goals or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. (See Performance Goals, Section 14.4). All awards of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by Award Agreements.
Number of Restricted Stock Units
10.2 The Award Agreement shall specify the number of Share equivalent units granted and such other provisions as the Administrator determines.
Consideration
10.3 Restricted Stock Units may be issued in connection with:
(a) Services. Services rendered to the Company or an Affiliate (i.e. bonus); and/or
(b) Purchase Price. A purchase price as specified in the Award Agreement related to such Restricted Stock Units, equal to not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units on the date of issuance.
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No Voting Rights
10.4 The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company.
Dividend Equivalency
10.5 The Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units that the holder shall be entitled to receive, upon the Company's payment of a cash dividend on its outstanding Shares, a cash payment for each Restricted Stock Unit. (See Section 13, Dividend Equivalent Right). Such Award Agreement may also provide that such cash payment shall be deemed reinvested in additional Restricted Stock Units at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that such dividend is paid.
Creditor's Rights
10.6 A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.
Settlement of Restricted Stock Units
10.7 Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be paid and settled by the issuance of Restricted Stock or unrestricted Shares in accordance with the Award Agreement and if such settlement is subject to Section 409A of the Code only upon any one or more of the following as provided for in the Award Agreement:
(a) a specific date or date determinable by a fixed schedule;
(b) upon the Eligible Participant's termination of Continuous Services to the extent the same constitutes a separation from services for purposes of Section 409A of the Code except that if an Eligible Participant is a "key employee" as defined in Section 409A of the Code for such purposes, then payment or settlement shall occur 6 months following such separation of service;
(c) as a result of the Eligible Participant's death or Disability; or
(d) in connection with or as a result of a Change of Control in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
Forfeiture
10.8 Upon failure to satisfy any requirement for settlement as set forth in the Award Agreement, including failure to satisfy any restriction period or performance objective, any Restricted Stock Units held by the Grantee shall automatically expire, and all of the rights, title and interest of the Grantee thereunder shall be forfeited in their entirety including but not limited to any right to receive dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock Units.
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11. DIRECTOR SHARES AND DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNITS
The grant of Awards of Shares to Directors and the election by Directors to defer the receipt of the Awards of Shares (the "Deferred Stock Units") shall be governed by the provisions of Subpart A which is attached hereto. The provisions of Subpart A are attached hereto as part of this Plan and are incorporated herein by reference.
Awards of SARs
12.1 An SAR is an award to receive a number of Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock), or cash, or Shares and cash, as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Section 12.4 below, for services rendered to the Company. A SAR may be awarded pursuant to an Award Agreement that shall be in such form (which need not be the same for each Grantee) as the Administrator shall from time to time approve, and shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan. A SAR may vary from Grantee to Grantee and between groups of Grantees, and may be based upon performance objectives (See Performance Goals in Section 14.4).
Term
12.2 The term of a SAR shall be set forth in the Award Agreement as determined by the Administrator.
Exercise
12.3 A Grantee desiring to exercise a SAR shall give written notice of such exercise to the Company, which notice shall state the proportion of Shares and cash that the Grantee desires to receive pursuant to the SAR exercised, subject to the discretion of the Administrator. Upon receipt of the notice from the Grantee, subject to the Administrator's election to pay cash as provided in Section 12.4 below, the Company shall deliver to the person entitled thereto (i) a certificate or certificates for Shares and/or (ii) a cash payment, in accordance with Section 12.4 below. The date the Company receives written notice of such exercise hereunder is referred to in this Section 12 as the "exercise date".
Number of Shares or Amount of Cash
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Effect of Exercise
12.5 A partial exercise of a SAR shall not affect the right to exercise the remaining SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the SAR.
Forfeiture
12.6 In the case of an event of forfeiture pursuant to the Award Agreement, including failure to satisfy any restriction period or a performance objective, any SAR that has not vested prior to the date of termination shall automatically expire, and all of the rights, title and interest of the Grantee thereunder shall be forfeited in their entirety.
A dividend equivalent right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive credits based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the Shares specified in the dividend equivalent right (or other Award to which it relates) if such Shares had been issued to and held by the recipient (a "Dividend Equivalent Right"). A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any Grantee as a component of another Award or as a freestanding Award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Right shall be specified in the grant. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional Shares, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Ri ghts may be settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, in a single instalment or instalments, all determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may also contain terms and conditions different from such other Award.
14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARDS
In General
14.1 Subject to the terms of the Plan and Applicable Laws, the Administrator shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each Award including, but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment (cash, Shares, or other consideration) upon settlement of the Award, payment contingencies, and satisfaction of any performance criteria.
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Term of Award
14.2 The term of each Award shall be the term stated in the Award Agreement.
Transferability
14.3
(b) Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 14.3(a), a Grantee may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Grantee and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Grantee's death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Grantee, except to the extent the Plan and such Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Grantee, payment shall be made to the Grantee's estate. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Grantee at any time, provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator.
Performance Goals
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In addition, to the extent that Section 409A is applicable, (i) performance-based compensation shall also be contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months in which the Eligible Participant performs services and (ii) performance goals shall be established not later than 90 calendar days after the beginning of any performance period to which the performance goal relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the criteria are established.
Acceleration
Compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code
14.6 Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code is required or desired, all Awards granted under this Plan to Named Executive Officers shall comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. In addition, in the event that changes are made to Section 162(m) of the Code to permit greater flexibility with respect to any Award or Awards under this Plan, the Administrator may make any adjustments it deems appropriate.
Compliance with Section 409A of the Code
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Section 280G of the Code
14.8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, unless expressly provided otherwise in the Award Agreement, if the right to receive or benefit from an Award under this Plan, either alone or together with payments that a Grantee has a right to receive from the Company, would constitute a "parachute payment" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), all such payments shall be reduced to the largest amount that shall result in no portion being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.
Exercise of Award Following Termination of Continuous Service
Cancellation of Awards
15. ADDITIONAL TERMS IF THE COMPANY BECOMES LISTED ON A STOCK EXCHANGE
15.1 In the event the Shares become listed on a stock exchange, and to the extent required by the rules of such stock exchange, then the following terms and conditions shall apply to an Award in addition to those contained herein, as applicable:
(a) the exercise price of an Award must not be lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value (without discount) of the Shares on the stock exchange at the time the Award is granted;
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(c) the number of securities issued to Insiders, within any one year period, under all of the Company's security based compensation arrangements (whether entered into prior to or subsequent to such listing), cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, unless the Company obtains Disinterested Shareholder Approval.
16. PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES
Payment
16.1 Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may be made:
(a) Cash. By cash, cashier's check or wire transfer or, at the discretion of the Administrator expressly for the Grantee and where permitted by law as follows:
(b) Surrender of Shares. By surrender of shares of Common Stock of the Company that have been owned by the Grantee for more than six months, or lesser period if the surrender of shares is otherwise exempt from Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (and, if such shares were purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note, such note has been fully paid with respect to such shares);
(c) Deemed Net-Stock Exercise. By forfeiture of Shares equal to the value of the exercise price pursuant to a "deemed net-stock exercise" by requiring the Grantee to accept that number of Shares determined in accordance with the following formula, rounded down to the nearest whole integer:
where:
a = net Shares to be issued to Grantee;
b = number of Awards being exercised;
c = Fair Market Value of a Share; and
d = Exercise price of the Awards; or
(d) Broker-Assisted. By delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay the exercise price and the amount of any required tax or other withholding obligations.
Combination of Methods
16.2 By any combination of the foregoing methods of payment or any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted by applicable corporate law.
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17. WITHHOLDING TAXES
Withholding Generally
17.1 Whenever Shares are to be issued in satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan or Shares are forfeited pursuant to a deemed net-stock exercise, the Company may require the Grantee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy the foreign, federal, state, provincial, or local income and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without limitation, on exercise of an Award. When, under applicable tax laws, a Grantee incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of any Award, the disposition by a Grantee or other person of an Award or an Option prior to satisfaction of the holding period requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the Company shall have the right to require such Grantee or such other person to pay by cash, or check payable to the Company, the amount of any such withholding with r espect to such transactions. Any such payment must be made promptly when the amount of such obligation becomes determinable.
Stock for Withholding
18. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
In General
18.1 Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each such outstanding Award, as well as any other terms that the Administrator determines require adjustment shall be proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been effected without receipt of consideration. The Administrator shall make the appropriate adjustments to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable under this Plan; and (ii) the number and/or class of securities and the exercise price per Share in effect under each outstanding Award in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of benefits thereunder; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number and the Administrator shall make such adjustments as are necessary to insure Awards of whole Shares. Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
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Company's Right to Effect Changes in Capitalization
18.2 The existence of outstanding Awards shall not affect the Company's right to effect adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in its or any other corporation's capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation, any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company's or any other corporation's assets or business or any other corporate act whether similar to the events described above or otherwise.
19. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS/CHANGES IN CONTROL/RELATED ENTITY DISPOSITIONS
Company is Not the Survivor
In addition to the foregoing, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a Corporate Transaction or Related Entity Disposition in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, the Administrator, in its absolute discretion, may accelerate the time within which each outstanding Award may be exercised. Section 19.3 shall control with respect to any acceleration in vesting in the event of Change of Control.
The Administrator shall also have the authority:
(a) to release the Awards from restrictions on transfer and repurchase or forfeiture rights of such Awards on such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify; and
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(b) to condition any such Award's vesting and exercisability or release from such limitations upon the subsequent termination of the Continuous Service of the Grantee within a specified period following the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, Change in Control or Related Entity Disposition.
Effective upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, Change in Control or Related Entity Disposition governed by this Section 19.1, all outstanding Awards under this Plan not exercised by the Grantee or assumed by the successor corporation shall terminate.
Company is the Survivor
19.2 In the event of a Corporate Transaction, Change in Control or Related Entity Disposition in which the Company is the surviving corporation, the Administrator shall determine the appropriate adjustment of the number and kind of securities with respect to which outstanding Awards may be exercised, and the exercise price at which outstanding Awards may be exercised. The Administrator shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, when the Company shall be deemed to survive for purposes of this Plan. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement evidencing an Award, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result.
Change in Control
20. PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
No Grantee shall have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued to the Grantee. After Shares are issued to the Grantee, the Grantee shall be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities the Grantee may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company shall be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Award. P>
21. RESTRICTION ON SHARES
At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) in the Award Agreement that the Grantee not dispose of the Shares for a specified period of time, or that the Shares are subject to a right of first refusal or a right to repurchase by the Company at the Shares' Fair Market Value at the time of sale. The terms and conditions of any such rights or other restrictions shall be set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing the Award.
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22. CERTIFICATES
All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted.
To enforce any restrictions on a Grantee's Shares, the Administrator may require the Grantee to deposit all certificates representing Shares, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer approved by the Administrator, appropriately endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Administrator may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificates.
24. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Compliance With Applicable Law
24.1 An Award shall not be effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the Grant Date and also on the date of exercise or other issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to (i) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and/or (ii) completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal laws or rulings of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. The Company shall be under no obl igation to register the Shares with the Securities Exchange Commission or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company shall have no liability for any inability or failure to do so. Evidences of ownership of Shares acquired pursuant to an Award shall bear any legend required by, or useful for purposes of compliance with, applicable securities laws, this Plan or the Award Agreement.
During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that Awards pursuant to this Plan and the exercise of Awards granted hereunder shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of this Plan or action by the Board or the Administrator does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, it shall be deemed inoperative to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board or the Administrator, and shall not affect the validity of this Plan. In the event that Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Administrator may exercise its discretion to modify this Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the requirements of, or to take advantage of any features of, the revised exemption or its replac ement.
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Investment Representation
24.2 As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any Applicable Laws.
25. NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY
Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan shall confer or be deemed to confer on any Grantee any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or to limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate such Grantee's employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
26. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN
This Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten years unless sooner terminated.
27. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
This Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within 12 months from the date the Plan is adopted by the Company's Board for any and all intended Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable Laws. The Administrator may grant Awards under this Plan prior to approval by the shareholders, however, until such approval is obtained, all Option Awards granted under this Plan shall be deemed Non-Qualified Stock Options. In the event that shareholder approval is not obtained within the 12 month period provided above, all Incentive Stock Option Awards previously granted under this Plan shall be deemed Non-Qualified Stock Options.
28. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN OR AWARDS
The Board may amend, suspend or terminate this Plan at any time and for any reason. To the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required. Shareholder approval shall be required for the following types of amendments to this Plan: (i) any change to those persons who are entitled to become participants under the Plan which would have the potential of broadening or increasing Insider participation; or (ii) the addition of any form of financial assistance or amendment to a financial assistance provision which is more favourable to Grantees.
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Further, the Board may, in its discretion, determine that any amendment should be effective only if approved by the shareholders even if such approval is not expressly required by this Plan or by law. No Award may be granted during any suspension of this Plan or after termination of this Plan.
Any amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan shall not affect Awards already granted, and such Awards shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended, suspended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Grantee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Grantee and the Company. At any time and from time to time, the Administrator may amend, modify, or terminate any outstanding Award or Award Agreement without approval of the Grantee; provided, however, that subject to the applicable Award Agreement, no such amendment, modification or termination shall, without the Grantee's consent, reduce or diminish the value of such Award determined as if the Award had been exercised, vested, cashed in or otherwise settled on the date of such amendment or termination.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Administrator shall have broad authority to amend this Plan or any outstanding Award under this Plan without approval of the Grantee to the extent necessary or desirable: (i) to comply with, or take into account changes in, applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules and other applicable laws, rules and regulations; or (ii) to ensure that an Award is not subject to interest and penalties under Section 409A of the Code or the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.
Further, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, and subject to Applicable Law, the Administrator may, in its absolute discretion, amend or modify this Plan: (i) to make amendments which are of a "housekeeping" or clerical nature; (ii) to change the vesting provisions of an Award granted hereunder, as applicable; (iii) to change the termination provision of an Award granted hereunder, as applicable, which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date of such Award; and (iv) the addition of a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, which provides for a full deduction of the number of underlying securities from the Maximum Number.
The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.
The Shares to be issued hereunder upon exercise of an Award may be either authorized but unissued; supplied to the Plan through acquisitions of Shares on the open market; Shares forfeited back to the Plan; Shares surrendered in payment of the exercise price of an Award; or Shares withheld for payment of applicable employment taxes and/or withholding obligations resulting from the exercise of an Award.
The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
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30. EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS
The Administrator may, at any time or from time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective Grantees, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any or all outstanding Awards. The Administrator may at any time buy from a Grantee an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares (including Restricted Stock) or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator and the Grantee may agree.
31. APPLICABLE TRADING POLICY
The Administrator and each Eligible Participant will ensure that all actions taken and decisions made by the Administrator or an Eligible Participant, as the case may be, pursuant to this Plan comply with any Applicable Laws and policies of the Company relating to insider trading or "blackout" periods.
32. GOVERNING LAW
The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada; provided, however, that any Award Agreement may provide by its terms that it shall be governed by the laws of any other jurisdiction as may be deemed appropriate by the parties thereto.
33. MISCELLANEOUS
Except as specifically provided in a retirement or other benefit plan of the Company or a Related Entity, Awards shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or contributions under any retirement plan of the Company or a Related Entity, and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind or any benefit plan subsequently instituted under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to level of compensation. The Plan is not a "Retirement Plan" or "Welfare Plan" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
__________
SUBPART A
STOCK AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS FOR ELIGIBLE DIRECTORS
A. Stock Award. The Administrator shall pay Eligible Remuneration to each Director pursuant to an Award Agreement.
B. Election. Further, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit each Eligible Director to receive all or any portion of his Eligible Remuneration during the Remuneration Period in the form of Deferred Stock Units under this Plan (an "Election"). All deferrals pursuant to such an Election shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
For purposes of this Subpart A, the following definitions shall apply:
"Annual Retainer" for a particular Director means the retainer (including any additional amounts payable for serving as lead Director or on any committee of the Board), payable to that Director for serving as a Director for the relevant Remuneration Period, as determined by the Board;
"Attendance Fee" means amounts payable annually to a Director as a Board meeting attendance fee or a committee meeting attendance fee, or any portion thereof;
"Canadian Director" means a Director who is a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, and whose income from employment by the Company or Related Entity is subject to Canadian income tax, notwithstanding any provision of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended;
"Canadian Tax Act" and "Canadian Tax Regulations" means respectively the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended and the Income Tax Regulation promulgated thereunder, as amended;
"Deferred Stock Unit" means a right granted by the Company to an Eligible Director to receive, on a deferred payment basis, Shares under this Plan;
"Eligible Director" is any Director of this Company or Related Entity that the Administrator determines is eligible to elect to receive Deferred Stock Units under this Plan;
"Eligible Remuneration" means all amounts payable to an Eligible Director in Shares, including all or part of amounts payable in satisfaction of the Annual Retainer, Attendance Fees or any other fees relating to service on the Board which are payable to an Eligible Director or in satisfaction of rights or property surrendered by an Eligible Director to the Company; it being understood that the amount of Eligible Remuneration payable to any Eligible Director may be calculated by the Administrator in a different manner than Eligible Remuneration payable to another Eligible Director in its sole and absolute discretion;
"Prescribed Plan or Arrangement" means a prescribed plan or arrangement as defined in s.6801(d) of the Canadian Tax Regulation;
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"Remuneration Period" means, as applicable, (a) the period commencing on the Effective Date of this Plan and ending on the last day of the calendar year in which the Effective Date occurs; and (b) thereafter each subsequent calendar year, or where the context requires, any portion of such period; and
"Salary Deferral Arrangement" means a salary deferral arrangement as defined in the Canadian Tax Act.
1. Election. An Eligible Director who desires to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her Eligible Remuneration in any calendar year shall make such election in writing to the Company specifying:
(a)
the dollar amount or percentage of Eligible Remuneration to be deferred; and(b)
the deferral period.Otherwise, such election must be made before the first day of the calendar year in which the Eligible Remuneration shall be payable, however a newly appointed Eligible Director shall be eligible to defer payment of future Eligible Remuneration by providing written election to the Company within 30 calendar days of his or her appointment to the Board of Directors. The elections made pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable with respect to Eligible Remuneration to which such elections pertain and shall also apply to subsequent Eligible Remuneration payable in future calendar years unless such Eligible Director notifies the Company in writing, before the first day of the applicable calendar year, that he or she desires to change such election.
If the Eligible Director does not timely deliver an election in respect of a particular Remuneration Period, the Eligible Director will receive the Eligible Remuneration as provided for in the Award Agreement.
2. Determination Of Deferred Stock Units. The Company will maintain a separate account for each Eligible Director to which it will quarterly credit Deferred Stock Units at the end of March, June, September and December, or as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Deferred Stock Units granted to the Eligible Director for the relevant Remuneration Period. The number of Deferred Stock Units (including fractional Deferred Stock Units, computed to three digits) to be credited to an account for an Eligible Director will be determined on the date approved by the Administrator by dividing the appropriate amount of Eligible Remuneration to be deferred into Deferred Stock Units by the Fair Market Value on that date.
3. No Voting Rights. The holders of Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company.
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4. Dividend Equivalency. The Company will, on any date on which a cash or stock dividend is paid on its outstanding Shares, credit to each Eligible Director's account that number of additional Deferred Stock Units (including fractional Deferred Stock Units, computed to three digits) calculated by (i) multiplying the amount of the dividend per Share by the number of Deferred Stock Units in the account as of the record date for payment of the dividend, and (ii) dividing the amount obtained in (i) by the Fair Market Value on the date on which the dividend is paid. (See Section 13 of the Plan, Dividend Equivalent Right).
5. Eligible Director's Account. A written confirmation of the balance in each Eligible Directors' Account will be sent by the Company to the Eligible Director upon request of the Eligible Director.
6. Creditor's Rights. A holder of Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Deferred Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and condition of the applicable Award Agreement.
(a)
a specific date or date determinable by a fixed schedule;(b)
upon the Eligible Director's termination of Continuous Services to the extent the same constitutes a separation from services for the purposes of Section 409A of the Code except that if an Eligible Director is a "key employee" as defined in Section 409A of the Code for such purposes, then payment or settlement shall occur 6 months following such separation of service;(c)
as a result of the Eligible Director's death or Disability; or(d)
in connection with or as a result of a Change in Control in compliance with 409A of the Code.The Company will issue one Share for each whole Deferred Stock Unit credited to the Eligible Director's account (net of any applicable withholding tax as provided for in this Plan). Such payment shall be made by the Company as soon as reasonably possible following the settlement date. Fractional Shares shall not be issued, and where the Eligible Director would be entitled to receive a fractional Shares in respect of any fractional Deferred Stock Unit, the Company shall pay to such Eligible Director, in lieu of such fractional Shares, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such fractional Shares calculated as of the day before such payment is made, net of any applicable withholding tax.
8. Canadian Directors. If a Deferred Stock Unit is granted to an Eligible Director who is a Canadian Director would otherwise constitute a Salary Deferred Arrangement, the Award Agreement pertaining to that Deferred Stock Unit shall contain such other or additional terms as will cause the Deferred Stock Unit to be a Prescribed Plan or Arrangement.
9. Issuance of Stock Certificates. A stock certificate or certificates shall be registered and issued in the name of the holder of Deferred Stock Units and delivered to such holder as soon as practicable after such Deferred Stock Units have become payable or satisfied in accordance with the terms of the Plan
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10. Non-Exclusivity. Nothing in this Subpart A shall prohibit the Administrator from making discretionary Awards to Eligible Directors pursuant to the other provisions of this Plan or outside this Plan, not otherwise inconsistent with these provisions.
11. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used in this Subpart A and not defined herein have the meaning give in the Plan.
__________
File Number:
57562-0046Web site: www.langmichener.com
September 30, 2009
The Board of Directors
Uranium Energy Corp.
Attention: Mr. Amir Adnani, President and CEO
Dear Sirs:Uranium Energy Corp. (the "Company")
2009 Stock Incentive Plan
We have acted as legal counsel for the Company in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Registration Statement relates to the registration of 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance with respect to the exercise of stock options and other awards that have been granted or may be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the Company's 2009 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan").
In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have reviewed: (a) the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto; (b) the Articles and Bylaws of the Company, as in effect as of the date hereof; (c) certain records of the Company's corporate proceedings as reflected in its minute book, including resolutions of the board of directors approving the Plan and various stock options granted pursuant to the Plan; (d) the Plan; (e) an officer's certificate signed by Amir Adnani, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "Officer's Certificate"); (f) such statutes, records and other documents as we have deemed relevant; and (g) a certificate of good standing for the Company issued by the Secretary of State of Nevada.
Subject to the foregoing and the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in this letter, it is our opinion that the Shares will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Company when issued and sold pursuant to grants of stock options and other awards made pursuant to the Plan, provided that:
(a) such stock options and awards are granted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan; and
(b) the persons receiving any stock options or other awards under the Plan perform their obligations to the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any agreement evidencing the grant of the stock options or other awards, including the payment of the required exercise price with respect to stock options, or the payment of the required purchase price or the performance of the required services with respect to other awards.
Our opinion expressed herein is subject in all respects to the following assumptions, limitations and qualifications:
(a) The foregoing opinion is limited to the State of Nevada, including all applicable provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the "Nevada Statutes"). We have not considered, and have not expressed any opinion with regard to, or as to the effect of, any other law, rule or regulation, state or federal, applicable to the Company. In particular, we express no opinion as to United States federal securities laws.
(b) We have assumed (i) the genuineness of all signatures on documents examined by us, (ii) the legal capacity of the officers of the Company, (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iv) the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or other copies, and (v) that the documents, in the forms submitted to us for our review, have not been and will not be altered or amended in any respect.
(c) We have assumed that (i) each stock option or other award granted or to be granted pursuant to the Plan has been or will be duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company in accordance with the Articles and Bylaws of the Company, the Nevada Statutes and the Plan, and (ii) each agreement governing a stock option or other award under the Plan has been or will be duly executed by each party thereto and constitutes or will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, and that such agreements are or will be enforceable against each of the parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms.
(d) We have assumed that each of the statements made and certified in the Officer's Certificate was true and correct when made, has at no time since being made and certified become untrue or incorrect and remains true and correct on the date hereof.
(e) The opinion expressed in this letter is rendered as of the date hereof and is based on our understandings and assumptions as to present facts and on the application of the laws of the State of Nevada as the same exists on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter after the date hereof with respect to any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or to reflect any changes in the facts or law that may hereafter occur or take effect.
(f) We have assumed that at the time the Company is or becomes obligated to issue any Shares upon exercise of stock options or awards granted pursuant to the Plan, the Company (i) will have adequate authorized and unissued Shares to fulfill such obligations, and (ii) will be in good standing with the Nevada Secretary of State.
(g) We have assumed the absence of fraud in any transaction pursuant to which Shares have been or may be issued pursuant to any option or other award under the Plan, and that the consideration authorized by the board of directors for the Shares will have been received by the Company prior to their issuance.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof, and in any amendment thereto.
Yours truly,
"Lang Michener LLP"
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) and related Prospectus of Uranium Energy Corp. for the registration of up to 5,000,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated October 22, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Uranium Energy Corp. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Uranium Energy Corp., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Vancouver, Canada |
"Ernst & Young LLP" |
A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") of Uranium Energy Corp., dated September 30, 2009, of our report dated February 26, 2007, with respect to the financial statements of Uranium Energy Corp. as at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the period from May 16, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2006, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Uranium Energy Corp. for the period ended July 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2008.
We also consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" in the Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement.
Vancouver, Canada |
"DMCL" Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP Chartered Accountants |
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