Registration No. 333-
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2019
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CLPS Incorporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands | Not applicable | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
c/o 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park
498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
CLPS Incorporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
(the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”)
(Full title of the plan)
Raymond Ming Hui Lin, Chief Executive Officer
c/o 2nd Floor, Building 18, Shanghai Pudong Software Park
498 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China
Tel: (+86) 21-31268010
With a copy to:
VCorp Services, LLC
25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204,
Monsey, NY 10952
Telephone: (888) 528-2677
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including areas code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Ralph V. De Martino, Esq.
Alec Orudjev, Esq.
Schiff Hardin LLP
901 K Street, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (202) 724-6800
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,” “smaller reporting company” or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller reporting company ☒ |
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities to be registered | Amount to be registered(1) | Proposed maximum offering price per share | Proposed
maximum aggregate offering price(2) | Amount
of registration fee | ||||||||||||
Shares, par value $0.0001 | 2,200,000 | $ | 9.56 | $ | 21,032,000 | $ | 2,549.08 |
(1) | Represents 2,200,000 shares to be issued pursuant to the CLPS Incorporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”). |
(2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low selling prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on April 25, 2019. |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement is being filed by the Registrant in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act in order to register 2,200,000 shares issuable pursuant to the CLPS Incorporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”).
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
* | The documents containing the information specified in this Part I of Form S-8 (Plan Information and Registration Information and Employee Plan Annual Information) will be sent or given to recipients of the grants under the CLPS Incorporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”) as specified by the Commission pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents are not required to be and are not filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. The Registrant will provide a written statement to participants advising them of the availability without charge, upon written or oral request, of the documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II hereof and including the statement in the preceding sentence. The written statement to all participants will indicate the availability without charge, upon written or oral request, of other documents required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 428(b), and will include the address and telephone number to which the request is to be directed. |
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PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
CLPS Incorporation (the “Company”) is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and, accordingly, files periodic reports and other information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company filed with the Commission may be inspected and copies may be obtained (at prescribed rates) at the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Room 1024, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission, including the Company. The address for the Commission’s Web site is “http://www.sec.gov”. The following documents are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a) The Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 filed with the Commission on September 25, 2018,
(b) The Company’s Current Reports on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on November 28, 2018, January 7, February 20, March 6, March 26 and April 22, 2019, respectively; and
(c) The description of the Company’s Shares contained in Item 1 of the registration statement on Form 8-A12B (File No. 001-38505) filed with the Commission on May 22, 2018.
Except to the extent such information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, to the extent specifically designated therein, reports on Form 6-K furnished by the Company to the Commission, in each case, subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement indicating that all securities offered under this Registration Statement have been sold, or deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing or furnishing of such documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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 document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
None.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Companies Law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty of such directors or officers willful default of fraud. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, 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.
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Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
For a list of all exhibits filed or included as part of this Registration Statement, see “Index to Exhibits” at the end of this Registration Statement.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) 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:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the 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 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
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the 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 therein, 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 which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) 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 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.
(c) 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 by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the People’s Republic of China, on April 29, 2019.
CLPS Incorporation | ||
Date: April 29, 2019 | By: | /s/ Raymond Ming Hui Lin |
Raymond Ming Hui Lin Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: April 29, 2019 | By: | /s/ Tian van Acken |
Tian van Acken Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Raymond Ming Hui Lin, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and any subsequent registration statements pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 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 might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or 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 by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Xiao Feng Yang | Chairman, President and Director | April 29, 2019 | ||
Xiao Feng Yang | ||||
/s/ Raymond Ming Hui Lin | Chief Executive Officer and Director | April 29, 2019 | ||
Raymond Ming Hui Lin | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/ Tian van Acken | Chief Financial Officer | April 29, 2019 | ||
Tian van Acken | (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) | |||
/s/ Jin He Shao | Independent Director | April 29, 2019 | ||
Jin He Shao | ||||
/s/ Kewei Huang | Independent Director | April 29, 2019 | ||
Kewei Huang | ||||
/s/ Kathryn Amooi | Independent Director | April 29, 2019 | ||
Kathryn Amooi |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | Description | |
4.1 | Specimen share certificate (1). | |
5.1 | Opinion of Ogier. | |
10.1 | 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
23.1 | Consent of Friedman LLP. | |
24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereof). |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the same number filed with CLPS Incorporation’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 or amendments thereto (File No. 333-223956). |
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Exhibit 5.1
CLPS Incorporation c/o - Ogier Global (Cayman) Limited 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay Grand Cayman KY1-9009 Cayman Islands |
D +852 3656 6054 | |
E nathan.powell@ogier.com | ||
Reference: NMP/FYC/173339.00002 |
24 April 2019
Dear Sirs
CLPS Incorporation (the Company)
We have acted as Cayman Islands counsel to the Company in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the Form S-8), as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the United States Securities Act 1933, as amended (the Act) on or about the date hereof. The Form S-8 relates to the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan adopted by the board of directors of the Company (the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan).
Unless a contrary intention appears, all capitalised terms used in this opinion have the respective meanings set forth in the Documents. A reference to a Schedule is a reference to a schedule to this opinion and the headings herein are for convenience only and do not affect the construction of this opinion.
1 | Documents examined |
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined originals, copies, or drafts of the following documents (the Documents):
(a) | the certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 11 May 2017 issued by the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands (the Registrar); |
(b) | the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company adopted by special resolutions of the Company dated 7 December 2017 (respectively, the Memorandum and the Articles); |
(c) | a certificate of good standing dated 15 April 2019 (the Good Standing Certificate) issued by the Registrar in respect of the Company; |
(d) | a copy of the register of directors of the Company as at 25 May 2018 (the ROD); |
Ogier British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands,
Floor 11 Central Tower 28 Queen’s Road Central Central Hong Kong
T +852 3656 6000 F +852 3656 6001 ogier.com |
Partners Nicholas Plowman Nathan Powell Ray Ng Kate Hodson David Nelson Anthony Oakes Oliver Payne James Bergstrom Marcus Leese |
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(e) | a copy of the register of members of the Company as at 25 May 2018 (the ROM, and together with the ROD, the Registers); |
(f) | the Form S-8; |
(g) | a copy of the written resolutions of the board of directors dated 23 January 2019 and 23 April 2019 (the Board Resolutions); |
(h) | a copy of the minutes of the annual general meeting of the Company held on 22 March 2019 (the Shareholders’ Resolutions, and together with the Board Resolutions, the Resolutions); and |
(i) | a copy of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. |
2 | Assumptions |
In giving this opinion we have relied upon the assumptions set forth in this paragraph 2 without having carried out any independent investigation or verification in respect of those assumptions:
(a) | all original documents examined by us are authentic and complete; |
(b) | all copy documents examined by us (whether in facsimile, electronic or other form) conform to the originals and those originals are authentic and complete; |
(c) | all signatures, seals, dates, stamps and markings (whether on original or copy documents) are genuine; |
(d) | each of the Good Standing Certificate, the Registers and the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is accurate and complete as at the date of this opinion; |
(e) | the Memorandum and Articles provided to you are in full force and effect and have not been amended, varied, supplemented or revoked in any respect; |
(f) | all copies of the Form S-8 are true and correct copies and the Form S-8 conform in every material respect to the latest drafts of the same produced to us and, where the Form S-8 has been provided to us in successive drafts marked-up to indicate changes to such documents, all such changes have been so indicated; |
(g) | the Resolutions have been duly passed in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles and remains in full force and effect and each of the directors of the Company has acted in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and has exercised the standard of care, diligence and skill that is required of him or her in approving the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and no director has a financial interest in or other relationship to a party of the transactions contemplated by the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan which has not been properly disclosed in the Board Resolutions; |
(h) | neither the directors and shareholders of the Company have taken any steps to wind up the Company or to appoint a liquidator of the Company and no receiver has been appointed over any of the Company’s property or assets; |
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(i) | the maximum number of shares which the Company is required to issue under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to fulfil its obligation is 2,200,000 shares of US$0.0001 par value each of the Company (the ESOP Shares) and the consideration payable for each ESOP Shares shall be no less than the par value of US$0.0001 each; and |
(j) | there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein. |
3 | Opinions |
On the basis of the examinations and assumptions referred to above and subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth in paragraph 4 below, we are of the opinion that:
Corporate status
(a) | The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company and is validly existing and in good standing with the Registrar. It is a separate legal entity and is subject to suit in its own name. |
Authorised Shares
(b) | Based solely on the Memorandum, the authorised share capital of the Company is US$10,000 divided into 100,000,000 shares of US$0.0001 par value. |
Valid Issuance of ESOP Shares
(c) | The ESOP Shares to be issued under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan have been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action of the Company under the Memorandum and Articles and, upon the issuance and delivery of the ESOP Shares in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles, Board Resolutions and the terms of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and once consideration of not less than the par value is paid per share in accordance with the Equity Incentive Plan to the Company, the ESOP Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Once the register of members has been updated to reflect the issuance, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their respective name. |
4 | Limitations and Qualifications |
4.1 | We offer no opinion: |
(a) | as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands, and we have not, for the purposes of this opinion, made any investigation of the laws of any other jurisdiction, and we express no opinion as to the meaning, validity, or effect of references in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to statutes, rules, regulations, codes or judicial authority of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands; or |
(b) | except to the extent that this opinion expressly provides otherwise, as to the commercial terms of, or the validity, enforceability or effect of the Form S-8, the accuracy of representations, the fulfilment of warranties or conditions, the occurrence of events of default or terminating events or the existence of any conflicts or inconsistencies among the Form S-8 and any other agreements into which the Company may have entered or any other documents. |
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4.2 | Under the Companies Law (Revised) (Companies Law) of the Cayman Islands annual returns in respect of the Company must be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands, together with payment of annual filing fees. A failure to file annual returns and pay annual filing fees may result in the Company being struck off the Register of Companies, following which its assets will vest in the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands and will be subject to disposition or retention for the benefit of the public of the Cayman Islands. |
4.3 | In good standing means only that as of the date of this opinion the Company is up-to-date with the filing of its annual returns and payment of annual fees with the Registrar of Companies. We have made no enquiries into the Company’s good standing with respect to any filings or payment of fees, or both, that it may be required to make under the laws of the Cayman Islands other than the Companies Law. |
5 | Governing law of this opinion |
5.1 | This opinion is: |
(a) | governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the Cayman Islands; |
(b) | limited to the matters expressly stated in it; and |
(c) | confined to, and given on the basis of, the laws and practice in the Cayman Islands at the date of this opinion. |
5.2 | Unless otherwise indicated, a reference to any specific Cayman Islands legislation is a reference to that legislation as amended to, and as in force at, the date of this opinion. |
6 | Reliance |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-8.
This opinion may be used only in connection with the Form S-8 while the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is effective.
Yours faithfully | |
/s/ Ogier |
Exhibit 10.1
CLPS INCORPORATION
2019 Equity Incentive Plan
Section 1. Establishment and Purpose.
1.1 The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain outstanding individuals as Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to recognize the contributions made to the Company and its Subsidiaries by Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to provide such Employees, Directors and Consultants with additional incentive to expand and improve the profits and achieve the objectives of the Company and its Subsidiaries, by providing such Employees, Directors and Consultants with the opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the Company through receipt of Awards.
Section 2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
2.1 “Award” means any award or benefit granted under the Plan, which shall be a Stock Option, a Stock Award, a Stock Unit Award or an SAR.
2.2 “Award Agreement” means, as applicable, a Stock Option Agreement, Stock Award Agreement, Stock Unit Award Agreement or SAR Agreement evidencing an Award granted under the Plan.
2.3 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.4 “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 of the Plan.
2.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.6 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee as may be designated by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan, or, if no such committee has been designated at the time of any grants, it shall mean the Board.
2.7 “Company” means CLPS Incorporation.
2.8 “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is engaged by the Company or an affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.
2.9 “Director” means a director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.10 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
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2.11 “Fair Market Value” means as of any date, the closing price of a Share on the national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed, or, if the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, the over-the-counter market on which the Shares trades, or, if the Shares is not listed on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter market, as determined by the Board as of such date, or, if no trading occurred on such date, as of the trading day immediately preceding such date.
2.12 “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means a Stock Option granted under Section 5 of the Plan that meets the requirements of Section 422(b) of the Code or any successor provision.
2.13 “Employee” means an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary selected to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 3. A Employee may also include a person who is granted an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) in connection with the hiring of the person prior to the date the person becomes an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that such Award shall not vest prior to the commencement of employment.
2.14 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” or “NSO” means a Stock Option granted under Section 5 of the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.15 “Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant selected to receive an Award under the Plan.
2.16 “Plan” means this 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
2.17 “Shares” means ordinary shares with a par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
2.18 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a grant of a right to receive Shares or cash under Section 8 of the Plan.
2.19 “Stock Award” means a grant of Shares under Section 6 of the Plan.
2.20 “Stock Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted under Section 5 of the Plan.
2.21 “Stock Unit Award” means a grant of a right to receive Shares or cash under Section 7 of the Plan.
2.22 “Subsidiary” means an entity of which the Company is the direct or indirect beneficial owner of not less than 50% of all issued and outstanding equity interest of such entity.
Section 3. Administration.
3.1 The Committee.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be comprised of at least two members of the Board who satisfy the “non-employee director” definition set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, unless the Board otherwise determines.
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3.2 Authority of the Committee.
(a) The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the Employees and Directors to whom, and the time or times at which Awards will be granted, the form and amount of each Award, the expiration date of each Award, the time or times within which the Awards may be exercised, the cancellation of the Awards and the other limitations, restrictions, terms and conditions applicable to the grant of the Awards. The terms and conditions of the Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant or with respect to each Award.
(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation, and rules of a stock exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded, the Committee may delegate its authority to grant Awards to Employees and to determine the terms and conditions thereof to such officer of the Company as it may determine in its discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may impose, except with respect to Awards to officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(c) The Committee may, subject to the provisions of the Plan, establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan, and may make determinations and may take such other action in connection with or in relation to the Plan as it deems necessary or advisable. Each determination or other action made or taken pursuant to the Plan, including interpretation of the Plan and the specific terms and conditions of the Awards granted hereunder, shall be final and conclusive for all purposes and upon all persons.
(d) No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made hereunder in good faith. Service on the Committee shall constitute service as a Director so that the members of the Committee shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement as Directors of the Company pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
3.3 Award Agreements.
(a) Each Award shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the Award. In the sole discretion of the Committee, the Award Agreement may condition the grant of an Award upon the Participant’s entering into one or more of the following agreements with the Company: (i) an agreement not to compete with the Company and its Subsidiaries which shall become effective as of the date of the grant of the Award and remain in effect for a specified period of time following termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company; (ii) an agreement to cancel any employment agreement, fringe benefit or compensation arrangement in effect between the Company and the Participant; and (iii) an agreement to retain the confidentiality of certain information. Such agreements may contain such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. If the Participant shall fail to enter into any such agreement at the request of the Committee, then the Award granted or to be granted to such Participant shall be forfeited and cancelled.
Section 4. Shares Subject to Plan.
4.1 Total Number of Shares.
(a) The total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall be 2,200,000. Such shares may be either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares, and shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Plan.
(b) The number of Shares delivered by a Participant or withheld by the Company on behalf of any such Participant as full or partial payment of an Award, including the exercise price of a Stock Option or of any required withholding taxes, shall not again be available for issuance pursuant to subsequent Awards, and shall count towards the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan. Any Shares purchased by the Company with proceeds from a Stock Option exercise shall not again be available for issuance pursuant to subsequent Awards, shall count against the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the Plan and shall not increase the number of shares available under the Plan.
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(c) If there is a lapse, forfeiture, expiration, termination or cancellation of any Award for any reason (including for reasons described in Section 3.3), or if Shares are issued under such Award and thereafter are reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved by the Company upon issuance thereof, the Shares subject to such Award or reacquired by the Company shall again be available for issuance pursuant to subsequent Awards, and shall not count towards the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan.
4.2 Shares Under Awards.
Of the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1:
(a) The maximum number of Shares as to which an Employee may receive Stock Options or SARs in any calendar year is 200,000, except that the maximum number of Shares as to which a Employee may receive Stock Options or SARs in the calendar year in which such Employee begins employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries is 350,000.
(b) The maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Stock Options (ISOs and/or NSOs) is full amount of the plan.
(c) The maximum number of Shares that may be used for Stock Awards and/or Stock Unit Awards that may be granted to any Employee in any calendar year is 350,000, or, in the event the Award is settled in cash, an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such number of shares on the date on which the Award is settled.
(d) The maximum number of Shares subject to Awards granted under the Plan or otherwise during any one calendar year to any Director, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such Director during such calendar year for service on the Board, will not exceed $1,000,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).
The numbers of shares described herein shall be as adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan.
4.3 Adjustment.
In the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares, any change in the capital structure of the Company or any similar corporate transaction, the Committee shall make such adjustments as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to preserve the benefits or intended benefits of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan. Such adjustments may include: (a) adjustment in the number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; (b) adjustment in the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding Awards; (c) adjustment in the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or SARs or the price of Stock Awards or Stock Unit Awards under the Plan; (d) adjustments to any of the shares limitations set forth in Section 4.1 or 4.2 of the Plan; and (e) any other changes that the Committee determines to be equitable under the circumstances.
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Section 5. Grants of Stock Options.
5.1 Grant.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may from time to time grant Stock Options to Participants. Unless otherwise expressly provided at the time of the grant, Stock Options granted under the Plan to Employees will be NSOs. Stock Options granted under the Plan to Directors who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary will be NSOs.
5.2 Stock Option Agreement.
The grant of each Stock Option shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option Agreement specifying the type of Stock Option granted, the exercise period, the exercise price, the terms for payment of the exercise price, the expiration date of the Stock Option, the number of Shares to be subject to each Stock Option and such other terms and conditions established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, not inconsistent with the Plan.
5.3 Exercise Price and Exercise Period.
With respect to each Stock Option granted to a Participant:
(a) The per share exercise price of each Stock Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock Option on the date on which the Stock Option is granted, but such exercise price shall not be less than its par value.
(b) Each Stock Option shall become exercisable as provided in the Stock Option Agreement; provided that the Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the date as of which any Stock Option shall become exercisable in the event of the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, or service on the Board, without cause (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion).
(c) No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid with respect to any shares subject to a Stock Option prior to the exercise of the Stock Option.
(d) Each Stock Option shall expire, and all rights to purchase Shares thereunder shall expire, on the date ten years after the date of grant.
5.4 Required Terms and Conditions of ISOs.
In addition to the foregoing, each ISO granted to an Employee shall be subject to the following specific rules:
(a) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined with respect to each ISO at the time such Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by an Employee during any calendar year (under all incentive stock option plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000. If the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the Shares subject to an ISO which first becomes exercisable in any calendar year exceeds the limitation of this Section 5.4(a), so much of the ISO that does not exceed the applicable dollar limit shall be an ISO and the remainder shall be a NSO; but in all other respects, the original Stock Option Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if an ISO is granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or its parent or subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code): (i) the purchase price of each Shares subject to the ISO shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the ISO is granted; and (ii) the ISO shall expire, and all rights to purchase Shares thereunder shall expire, no later than the fifth anniversary of the date the ISO was granted.
(c) No ISOs shall be granted under the Plan after ten years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted or approved by shareholders of the Company.
5.5 Exercise of Stock Options.
(a) A Participant entitled to exercise a Stock Option may do so by delivering written notice to that effect specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being exercised and any other information the Committee may prescribe. All notices or requests provided for herein shall be delivered to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
(b) The Committee in its sole discretion may make available one or more of the following alternatives for the payment of the Stock Option exercise price: (i) in cash; (ii) in cash received from a broker-dealer to whom the Participant has submitted an exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sales proceeds from the sale of the shares subject to the Stock Option to pay the exercise price; (iii) by directing the Company to withhold such number of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Stock Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price; (iv) by delivering previously acquired Shares that are acceptable to the Committee and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Stock Option exercise price; or (v) by certifying to ownership by attestation of such previously acquired Shares.
The Committee shall have the sole discretion to establish the terms and conditions applicable to any alternative made available for payment of the Stock Option exercise price.
Section 6. Stock Awards.
6.1 Grant.
The Committee may, in its discretion, (a) grant Shares under the Plan to any Participant without consideration from such Participant or (b) sell Shares under the Plan to any Participant for such amount of cash, Shares or other consideration as the Committee deems appropriate.
6.2 Stock Award Agreement.
Each Shares granted or sold hereunder shall be subject to such restrictions, conditions and other terms as the Board may determine at the time of grant or sale, the general provisions of the Plan, the restrictions, terms and conditions of the related Stock Award Agreement, and the following specific rules:
(a) The Award Agreement shall specify whether the Shares are granted or sold to the Participant and such other provisions, not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.
(b) The restrictions to which the Shares awarded hereunder are subject shall lapse as provided in Stock Award Agreement; provided that the Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the date as of which the restrictions lapse with respect to any Award held by a Participant in the event of the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, or service on the Board, without cause (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion).
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(c) Except as provided in this subsection (c) and unless otherwise set forth in the related Stock Award Agreement, the Participant receiving a grant of or purchasing Shares shall thereupon be a shareholder of the Company with respect to such shares and shall have the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to such shares, including the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares; provided that any dividends or other distributions payable with respect to the Stock Award shall be accumulated and held by the Company and paid to the Participant only upon, and to the extent, the restrictions lapse in accordance with the terms of the applicable Stock Award Agreement. Any such dividends or other distributions held by the Company attributable to the portion of a Stock Award that is forfeited shall also be forfeited.
Section 7. Stock Unit Awards.
7.1 Grant.
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Unit Awards to any Participant. Each Stock Unit subject to the Award shall entitle the Participant to receive, on the date or the occurrence of an event (including the attainment of performance goals) as described in the Stock Unit Award Agreement, a Share or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of such event as provided in the Stock Unit Award Agreement.
7.2 Stock Unit Agreement.
Each Stock Unit Award shall be subject to such restrictions, conditions and other terms as the Committee may determine at the time of grant, the general provisions of the Plan, the restrictions, terms and conditions of the related Stock Unit Award Agreement and the following specific rules:
(a) The Stock Unit Agreement shall specify such provisions, not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.
(b) The restrictions to which the shares of Stock Units awarded hereunder are subject shall lapse as provided in Stock Unit Agreement; provided that the Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the date as of which the restrictions lapse with respect to any Award held by a Participant in the event of the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, or service on the Board, without cause (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion).
(c) Except as provided in this subsection (c) and unless otherwise set forth in the Stock Unit Agreement, the Participant receiving a Stock Unit Award shall have no rights of a shareholder of the Company, including voting or dividends or other distributions rights, with respect to any Stock Units prior to the date they are settled in Shares; provided that a Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide that until the Stock Units are settled in shares or cash, the Participant shall be entitled to receive on each dividend or distribution payment date applicable to the Shares an amount equal to the dividends or other distributions that the Participant would have received had the Stock Units held by the Participant as of the related record date been actual Shares. Such amounts shall be accumulated and held by the Company and paid to the Participant only upon, and to the extent, the restrictions lapse in accordance with the terms of the applicable Stock Unit Award Agreement. Such amounts held by the Company attributable to the portion of the Stock Unit Award that is forfeited shall also be forfeited.
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Section 8. SARs.
8.1 Grant.
The Committee may grant SARs to Participants. Upon exercise, an SAR entitles the Participant to receive from the Company the number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share as of the date on which the SAR is exercised over the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is being exercised. The Committee, in its discretion, shall be entitled to cause the Company to elect to settle any part or all of its obligations arising out of the exercise of an SAR by the payment of cash in lieu of all or part of the shares it would otherwise be obligated to deliver in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of exercise. Cash shall be delivered in lieu of any fractional shares. The terms and conditions of any such Award shall be determined at the time of grant.
8.2 SAR Agreement.
(a) Each SAR shall be evidenced by a written SAR Agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the SAR as the Committee may determine, including the SAR exercise price, expiration date of the SAR, the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains, the form of settlement and such other terms and conditions established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, not inconsistent with the Plan.
(b) The per Share exercise price of each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the SAR is granted.
(c) Each SAR shall expire and all rights thereunder shall cease on the date fixed by the Committee in the related SAR Agreement, which shall not be later than the ten years after the date of grant; provided however, if a Participant is unable to exercise an SAR because trading in the Shares is prohibited by law or the Company’s insider-trading policy, the SAR exercise date shall be extended to the date that is 30 days after the expiration of the trading prohibition.
(d) Each SAR shall become exercisable as provided in the related SAR Agreement; provided that notwithstanding any other Plan provision, the Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the date as of which any SAR shall become exercisable in the event of the Participant’s termination of employment, or service on the Board, without cause (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion).
(e) No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid with respect to any SAR prior to the exercise of the SAR.
(f) A person entitled to exercise an SAR may do so by delivery of a written notice in accordance with procedures established by the Committee specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is being exercised and any other information the Committee may prescribe. As soon as reasonably practicable after the exercise of an SAR, the Company shall (i) issue the total number of full Shares to which the Participant is entitled and cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value, as of the date of exercise, of any resulting fractional share, and (ii) if the Committee causes the Company to elect to settle all or part of its obligations arising out of the exercise of the SAR in cash, deliver to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value, as of the date of exercise, of the shares it would otherwise be obligated to deliver.
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Section 9. Change in Control.
9.1 Effect of a Change in Control.
(a) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of the Plan or any outstanding Award Agreement, upon a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in Section 9.2), the Board is authorized and has sole discretion to provide that (i) all outstanding Awards shall become fully exercisable, (ii) all restrictions applicable to all Awards shall terminate or lapse and (iii) performance goals applicable to any Awards shall be deemed satisfied at the highest level, as applicable, in order that Participants may realize the benefits thereunder.
(b) In addition to the Board’s authority set forth in Section 3, upon such Change in Control of the Company, the Board is authorized and has sole discretion as to any Award, either at the time such Award is granted hereunder or any time thereafter, to take any one or more of the following actions: (i) provide for the purchase of any outstanding Stock Option, for an amount of cash equal to the difference between the exercise price and the then Fair Market Value of the Shares covered thereby had such Stock Option been currently exercisable; (ii) make such adjustment to any such Award then outstanding as the Board deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control; and (iii) cause any such Award then outstanding to be assumed by the acquiring or surviving corporation after such Change in Control.
9.2 Definition of Change in Control.
“Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if at any time during the term of an Award granted under the Plan any of the following events occurs:
(a) any Person (other than the Company, a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Shares) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Person” and “Beneficial Owner” being defined in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Exchange Act);
(b) the Company is party to a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other similar transaction with another corporation or other Person unless, following such transaction, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the surviving, resulting or acquiring corporation or Person or its parent entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or Persons performing similar functions) is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such transaction, of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
(c) the election to the Board, without the recommendation or approval of two-thirds of the incumbent Board, of the lesser of: (i) three Directors; or (ii) Directors constituting a majority of the number of Directors of the Company then in office; provided, however, that Directors whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of Directors of the Company will not be considered as incumbent members of the Board for purposes of this Section; or
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(d) there is a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or the Company sells all or substantially all of its business and/or assets to another corporation or other Person unless, following such sale, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the acquiring corporation or Person or its parent entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or Persons performing similar functions) is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such sale, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale, of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
In no event, however, shall a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred, with respect to a Participant, if that Participant is part of a purchasing group which consummates the Change in Control transaction. A Participant shall be deemed “part of a purchasing group” for purposes of the preceding sentence if the Participant is an equity participant or has agreed to become an equity participant in the purchasing company or group (except for (a) passive ownership of less than 3% of the shares of the purchasing company; or (b) ownership of equity participation in the purchasing company or group which is otherwise not deemed to be significant, as determined prior to the Change in Control by a majority of the disinterested Directors).
Section 10. Payment of Taxes.
(a) In connection with any Award, and as a condition to the issuance or delivery of any Shares to the Participant in connection therewith, the Company shall require the Participant to pay the Company the minimum amount of federal, state, local or foreign taxes required to be withheld, and in the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may permit the Participant to pay the Company up to the maximum individual statutory rate of applicable withholding.
(b) The Company in its sole discretion may make available one or more of the following alternatives for the payment of such taxes: (i) in cash; (ii) in cash received from a broker-dealer to whom the Participant has submitted notice together with irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sales proceeds from the sale of the shares subject to the Award to pay the withholding taxes; (iii) by directing the Company to withhold such number of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the Award having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld; (iv) by delivering previously acquired Shares of the Company that are acceptable to the Board that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld; or (v) by certifying to ownership by attestation of such previously acquired Shares.
The Committee shall have the sole discretion to establish the terms and conditions applicable to any alternative made available for payment of the required withholding taxes.
Section 11. Postponement.
The Committee may postpone any grant or settlement of an Award or exercise of a Stock Option or SAR for such time as the Board in its sole discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Company:
(a) to effect, amend or maintain any necessary registration of the Plan or the Shares issuable pursuant to an Award, including upon the exercise of a Stock Option or SAR, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction;
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(b) to permit any action to be taken in order to (i) list such Shares on a stock exchange if Shares are then listed on such exchange or (ii) comply with restrictions or regulations incident to the maintenance of a public market for its Shares, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed; or
(c) to determine that such Shares and the Plan are exempt from such registration or that no action of the kind referred to in (b)(ii) above needs to be taken; and the Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any terms and conditions of any Award or any provision of the Plan to sell or issue Shares in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 or the law of any government having jurisdiction thereof.
Any such postponement shall not extend the term of an Award and neither the Company nor its Directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Participant, the Participant’s successor or any other person with respect to any Shares as to which the Award shall lapse because of such postponement.
Section 12. Nontransferability.
Awards granted under the Plan, and any rights and privileges pertaining thereto, may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any manner, or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Section 13. Delivery of Shares.
Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Award, the exercise of a Stock or SAR or the settlement of a Stock Unit Award shall be represented by share certificates or on a non-certificated basis, with the ownership of such shares by the Participant evidenced solely by book entry in the records of the Company’s transfer agent; provided, however, that upon the written request of the Participant, the Company shall issue, in the name of the Participant, share certificates representing such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares granted pursuant to a Stock Award shall be held by the Secretary of the Company until such time as the shares are forfeited or settled.
Section 14. Termination or Amendment of Plan and Award Agreements.
14.1 Termination or Amendment of Plan.
(a) Except as described in Section 14.3 below, the Board may terminate, suspend, or amend the Plan, in whole or in part, from time to time, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, unless such approval is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed. No amendment or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the right of any Participant under any outstanding Award in any material way without the written consent of the Participant, unless such amendment or termination is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed. Subject to the foregoing, the Committee may correct any defect or supply an omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award granted hereunder in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable, in its sole discretion, to effectuate the Plan.
(b) The Board shall have the authority to amend the Plan to the extent necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law, regulation or accounting rules in order to permit Participants who are located outside of the United States to participate in the Plan.
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14.2 Amendment of Award Agreements.
The Committee shall have the authority to amend any Award Agreement at any time; provided however, that no such amendment shall adversely affect the right of any Participant under any outstanding Award Agreement in any material way without the written consent of the Participant, unless such amendment is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed.
14.3 No Repricing of Stock Options.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as described in Section 4.3, there shall be no amendment to the Plan or any outstanding Stock Option Agreement or SAR Agreement that results in the repricing of Stock Options or SARs without shareholders’ approval. For this purpose, repricing includes (i) a reduction in the exercise price of the Stock Option or SARs or (ii) the cancellation of a Stock Option in exchange for cash, Stock Options or SARs with an exercise price less than the exercise price of the cancelled Options or SARs, other Awards or any other consideration provided by the Company, but does not include any adjustment described in Section 4.3.
Section 15. No Contract of Employment.
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of any Award under the Plan shall be deemed to obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to continue the employment of any Participant for any particular period, nor shall the granting of an Award constitute a request or consent to postpone the retirement date of any Participant.
Section 16. Applicable Law.
All questions pertaining to the validity, construction and administration of the Plan and all Awards granted under the Plan shall be determined in conformity with the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of any state, and, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code and regulations issued thereunder.
Section 17. Effective Date and Term of Plan.
17.1 Effective Date.
The Plan has been adopted by the Board, and is effective, as of the date of such adoption, subject to the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company.
17.2 Term of Plan.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Awards shall be granted on or after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of this Plan.
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the CLPS Incorporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan of our report dated September 25, 2018 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of CLPS Incorporation and subsidiaries included in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2018. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
/s/ Friedman LLP
New York, New York
April 29, 2019
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