UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 28, 2014
APPLE INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
California | 000-10030 | 94-2404110 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, California 95014 |
||||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
(408) 996-1010
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
(b),(c)
On March 4, 2014, Apple Inc. (the Company) announced that Peter Oppenheimer, the Companys Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, will retire at the end of September and Luca Maestri, the Companys Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller, will be appointed as CFO and will transition into that role in June.
(e) | 2014 Employee Stock Plan |
The Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company previously adopted, subject to shareholder approval, the Companys 2014 Employee Stock Plan (the 2014 Plan). The Companys shareholders approved the 2014 Plan at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on February 28, 2014 (the Annual Meeting). The Companys grant authority under the Companys 2003 Employee Stock Plan (the 2003 Plan) terminated at that time. The 2014 Plan, which became effective upon shareholder approval, permits the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants and restricted stock units, as well as cash bonus awards. Employees (including executive officers and directors who are also the Companys employees) and consultants of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company are eligible to participate in the 2014 Plan.
The maximum number of shares that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2014 Plan will equal:
| 55 million shares, plus |
| the number of shares available for new award grants under the 2003 Plan on the date of the Annual Meeting (determined before giving effect to the termination of the authority to grant new awards under the 2003 Plan), plus |
| the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 2003 Plan and outstanding as of the date of the Annual Meeting which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after that date without being exercised, plus |
| the number of any shares subject to restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2003 Plan that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Annual Meeting which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled, or otherwise reacquired after that date without having become vested or that are exchanged or withheld by the Company or one of its subsidiaries after that date to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to the award (after giving effect to the 2:1 premium share counting ratio described below). |
The maximum number of shares that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2014 Plan as a result of applying the share limit formula described above will not exceed 109,477,000 shares, which is the sum of (i) the 55 million shares referred to above, plus (ii) the 16,608,000 shares available for new award grants under the 2003 Plan on November 11, 2013, plus (iii) the 3,361,000 shares subject to stock options previously granted and outstanding under the 2003 Plan as of November 11, 2013, plus (iv) two (2) times the 17,254,000 shares subject to restricted stock units previously granted and outstanding under the 2003 Plan as of November 11, 2013.
Shares issued with respect to awards granted under the 2014 Plan other than stock options or stock appreciation rights are counted against the 2014 Plans aggregate share limit as two shares for every one share actually issued in connection with the award. The 2014 Plan also includes other rules for counting shares against the share limits.
The foregoing brief description is qualified in its entirety by the text of the 2014 Plan, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Grants under the 2014 Plan will be made pursuant to the Companys Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and the Companys Performance Award Agreement, forms of which are filed as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
At the Annual Meeting the shareholders of the Company approved amendments (the Amendments) to the Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation (the Articles) to (i) facilitate the implementation of majority voting for the election of directors in an uncontested election by eliminating Article VII, which relates to the term of directors and the transition from a classified board of directors to a declassified structure, (ii) eliminate the blank check authority of the Board to issue preferred stock and (iii) establish a par value for the Companys common stock of $0.00001 per share.
Following the Annual Meeting, on February 28, 2014, the Company filed its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the Articles of Incorporation) with the California Secretary of State, giving effect to the Amendments. The Amendments became effective on February 28, 2014. The foregoing description of the changes contained in the Articles of Incorporation is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Articles of Incorporation, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
On February 28, 2014, the Board adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the Amended and Restated Bylaws). Sections 2.4, 2.5 and 5.11 have been amended to implement majority voting in uncontested elections of directors in accordance with Section 708.5 of the California General Corporation Law, superseding the previous plurality standard. The Amended and Restated Bylaws also include a number of ministerial, clarifying and conforming changes, including, among others, the addition of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to the list of persons specified in Section 5.3 who may call special meetings of shareholders and changes to Sections 5.10, 10.1, 10.2 and 10.6 to conform to current California General Corporation Law.
The foregoing description of the changes contained in the Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.07 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders voted on the following eleven proposals and cast their votes as described below.
1. The individuals listed below were elected at the Annual Meeting to serve as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
For | Authority Withheld | Broker Non-Vote | ||||
William Campbell |
478,766,078 | 9,323,264 | 224,158,837 | |||
Timothy Cook |
482,330,367 | 5,758,975 | 224,158,837 | |||
Millard Drexler |
477,948,520 | 10,140,822 | 224,158,837 | |||
Al Gore |
473,774,698 | 14,312,824 | 224,158,837 | |||
Robert Iger |
482,170,444 | 5,918,898 | 224,158,837 | |||
Andrea Jung |
471,174,705 | 16,914,637 | 224,158,837 | |||
Arthur Levinson |
479,655,122 | 8,434,200 | 224,158,837 | |||
Ronald Sugar |
482,310,361 | 5,778,981 | 224,158,837 |
2. A management proposal to amend the Articles of Incorporation to facilitate the implementation of majority voting for the election of directors in an uncontested election by eliminating Article VII, which relates to the term of directors and the transition from a classified board of directors to a declassified structure, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
483,592,782 | 2,502,519 | 1,993,537 | 224,158,837 |
3. A management proposal to amend the Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the blank check authority of the Board to issue preferred stock, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
482,637,622 | 3,872,558 | 1,579,162 | 224,158,837 |
4. A management proposal to amend the Articles of Incorporation to establish a par value for the Companys common stock of $0.00001 per share, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
698,057,178 | 7,562,831 | 6,628,170 | 0 |
5. A management proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2014, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
705,481,133 | 3,511,751 | 3,255,295 | 0 |
6. A non-binding, advisory resolution to approve executive compensation, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
467,068,345 | 14,821,715 | 6,199,282 | 224,158,837 |
7. A management proposal to approve the 2014 Plan, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
448,891,427 | 36,857,353 | 2,340,562 | 224,158,837 |
8. A shareholder proposal to amend the Companys Bylaws to establish a Board Committee on Human Rights, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was not approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
26,367,755 | 434,915,320 | 26,806,251 | 224,158,837 |
9. A shareholder proposal entitled Report on Company Membership and Involvement with Certain Trade Associations and Business Organizations, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was not approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
9,040,270 | 424,889,535 | 54,159,537 | 224,158,837 |
10. A shareholder proposal entitled Proxy Access for Shareholders, as described in the proxy materials. This proposal was not approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
20,501,016 | 461,103,814 | 6,484,096 | 224,158,837 |
11. A shareholder floor proposal asking the Board to enact a policy to use technical methods and other best practices to protect user data. This proposal was not approved.
For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote | |||
2,612 | 488,085,430 | 1,300 | 224,158,837 |
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
Exhibit |
Description | |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Apple Inc. effective as of February 28, 2014 | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Apple Inc. effective as of February 28, 2014 | |
10.1 | 2014 Employee Stock Plan | |
10.2 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement effective as of February 28, 2014 | |
10.3 | Form of Performance Award Agreement effective as of February 28, 2014 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
APPLE INC. | ||||||||
(Registrant) | ||||||||
Date: March 5, 2014 | By: | /s/ D. Bruce Sewell | ||||||
D. Bruce Sewell | ||||||||
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description | |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Apple Inc. effective as of February 28, 2014 | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Apple Inc. effective as of February 28, 2014 | |
10.1 | 2014 Employee Stock Plan | |
10.2 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement as of February 28, 2014 | |
10.3 | Form of Performance Award Agreement effective as of February 28, 2014 |
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
APPLE INC.
Peter Oppenheimer and D. Bruce Sewell certify that:
1. They are the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, respectively, of Apple Inc., a California corporation.
2. The Restated Articles of Incorporation of this corporation are amended and restated to read as follows:
I
The name of the corporation is Apple Inc.
II
The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code.
III
This corporation is authorized to issue one class of shares designated Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share. The number of shares of Common Stock that this corporation is authorized to issue is 1,800,000,000.
IV
Section 1. Limitation of Directors Liability. The liability of the directors of this corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law.
Section 2. Indemnification of Corporate Agents. The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code with respect to actions for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders.
Section 3. Repeal or Modification. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IV by the shareholders of this corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an agent of this corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
V
There shall be no right with respect to shares of stock of this corporation to cumulate votes in the election of directors.
3. The foregoing amendment and restatement of the Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the board of directors.
4. The foregoing amendment and restatement of the Restated Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the required vote of shareholders in accordance with Section 902, California Corporations Code. The total number of outstanding shares of the corporation that were entitled to vote with respect to the amendment and restatement is 892,553,950 shares of Common Stock. The corporation has no outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The number of shares voting in favor of the amendment and restatement equaled or exceeded the vote required. The percentage vote required was more than 50%.
-2-
We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.
Executed at Cupertino, California on February 28, 2014.
/s/ Peter Oppenheimer |
Peter Oppenheimer |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
/s/ D. Bruce Sewell |
D. Bruce Sewell |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
APPLE INC.
(as of February 28, 2014)
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APPLE INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 Principal Office
The Board of Directors shall fix the location of the principal executive office of Apple Inc. (the Corporation) at any place within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is located outside California and the Corporation has one or more business offices in California, then the Board of Directors shall fix and designate a principal business office in California.
1.2 Other Offices
The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
2.1 Powers
Subject to the provisions of the California General Corporation Law (the Code), any limitations in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the Articles of Incorporation) and these Amended and Restated Bylaws (these Bylaws) relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate the management of the day-to-day operation of the business of the Corporation to a management company or other person provided that the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board of Directors.
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2.2 Number
The number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than five (5) nor more than nine (9). The exact number of directors shall be eight (8) until changed within the limits specified above, by a bylaw amending this Section 2.2, duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders. The indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or by amendment to these Bylaws duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment reducing the fixed number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting of the shareholders, or the shares not consenting in the case of action by written consent, are equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. No amendment may change the stated maximum number of authorized directors to a number greater than two (2) times the stated minimum number of directors minus one.
2.3 Compensation
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and may be reimbursed for expenses, as fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. This Section 2.3 shall not be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for those services.
2.4 Election and Term of Office
Each director shall be elected to serve until the annual meeting of shareholders held in the following fiscal year and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of any incumbent director who fails to be elected by approval of the shareholders as defined in Section 153 of the Code in an Uncontested Election (as such term is defined below) and who has not earlier resigned will end on the date that is the earlier of: (a) ninety (90) days after the date on which the voting results are determined pursuant to Section 707 of the Code; or (b) the date on which the Board of Directors selects a person to fill the office held by that director in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.5. For purposes of these Bylaws, an Uncontested Election means an election of directors in which at the expiration of the time fixed pursuant to Section 5.14 of these Bylaws requiring advance notice of director candidates, the number of candidates for election does not exceed the number of directors to be elected by the shareholders at that election.
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2.5 Vacancies and Resignations
(a) A vacancy or vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist (i) in the event of the death, resignation or removal of any director, (ii) if the authorized number of directors is increased, (iii) if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of directors to be elected at that meeting, (iv) if the Board of Directors declares vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony, or (v) at the end of the term of an incumbent director who fails to be elected by approval of the shareholders as set forth in Section 2.4 of these Bylaws.
(b) Except for a vacancy caused by the removal of a director as provided in Section 2.7 of these Bylaws, a vacancy may be filled (i) by a person selected by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, whether or not less than a quorum or (ii) by a sole remaining director. Vacancies created by the removal of a director shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of shares holding a majority of the voting power represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the voting power required to constitute a quorum), or by the unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote thereon.
(c) The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill a vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors, but any such election by written consent, other than to fill a vacancy created by removal, shall require the consent of shares holding a majority of the voting power that are entitled to vote thereon. A director may not be elected by written consent to fill a vacancy created by removal except by unanimous consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of directors.
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(d) Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the General Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective. A reduction of the authorized number of directors shall not remove any director prior to the expiration of such directors term of office.
2.6 Chairman of the Board and Lead Directors
The Corporation may have at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board of Directors and/or one or more Lead Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if there is one, or a Lead Director, shall have the power to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and shall be subject to such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is more than one Lead Director, the Board of Directors may prescribe different responsibilities to each Lead Director.
2.7 Removal
The entire Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed without cause from office by an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided that, unless the entire Board of Directors is removed, no director shall be removed when the votes cast against removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect such director if voted cumulatively (without regard to whether such shares may be voted cumulatively) at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast, or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted, and either the number of directors elected at the most recent annual meeting of shareholders, or if greater, the number of directors for whom removal is being sought, were then being elected. If any or all directors are so removed, new directors may be elected at the same meeting or at a subsequent meeting. If at any time a class or series of shares is entitled to elect one or more directors under authority granted by the Articles of Incorporation, the provisions of this Section 2.7 shall apply to the vote of that class or series and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.
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ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
3.1 Officers
The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer or a President or both, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board of Directors, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers and such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3 of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
3.2 Appointment of Officers
The officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3 of these Bylaws, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
3.3 Subordinate Officers
The Board of Directors may appoint, or may empower the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President to appoint such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors or such delegatee may from time to time determine.
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3.4 Term of Office and Compensation
The term of office and salary of each of said officers and the manner and time of the payment of such salaries shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors and may be altered by the Board of Directors from time to time at its pleasure, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
3.5 Removal or Resignation
(a) Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, all officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.
(b) Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice, and, unless otherwise necessary to make it effective, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
3.6 Vacancies
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed by these Bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
3.7 Chief Executive Officer
The powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer are:
(a) To act as the general manager and chief executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
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(b) To preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Lead Director or if there is no Chairman of the Board of Directors or Lead Director, at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
(c) To call meetings of the shareholders and meetings of the Board of Directors to be held at such times and, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or by these Bylaws, at such places as he or she shall deem proper.
(d) To affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation; to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation; and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation.
3.8 President
The powers and duties of the President are:
(a) To act as the general manager of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
(b) To preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Lead Director and the Chief Executive Officer or if there be no Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lead Director or Chief Executive Officer, at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
(c) To affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the President, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation; to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation; and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation.
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3.9 President Pro Tem
If none of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, any Lead Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President is present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, a President pro tem may be chosen by the Board of Directors to preside and act at that meeting. If none of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President is present at any meeting of the shareholders, a President pro tem may be chosen to preside at such meeting.
3.10 Vice President
The titles, powers and duties of the Vice President or Vice Presidents shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors. In case of the absence, disability or death of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice President, or one of the Vice Presidents, shall exercise all of his or her powers and perform all of his or her duties. If there is more than one Vice President, the order in which the Vice Presidents shall succeed to the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.
3.11 Secretary
The powers and duties of the Secretary are:
(a) To keep a book of minutes at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, of all meetings of its directors and shareholders with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at directors meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders meetings and the proceedings thereof.
(b) To keep the seal of the Corporation and to affix the same to all instruments which may require it.
(c) To keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or at the office of the transfer agent or agents, a record of the shareholders of the Corporation, giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder, the number and date of any certificates issued for shares, appropriate records with respect to uncertificated shares issued, the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation and the number and date of every replacement certificate or the appropriate records for uncertificated shares issued for surrendered, lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
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(d) To keep a supply of certificates for shares of the Corporation, to fill in and sign all certificates issued or prepare the initial transaction statement or written statements for uncertificated shares, and to make a proper record of each such issuance; provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents.
(e) To transfer upon the share books of the Corporation or in accordance with a direct registration program as provided in Section 7.4(b) of these Bylaws any and all shares of the Corporation; provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents, and the method of transfer of each share shall be subject to the reasonable regulations of the transfer agent to which the shares are presented for transfer and, also, if the Corporation then has one or more duly appointed and acting registrars, subject to the reasonable regulations of the registrar to which a new certificate or a new issuance of shares is presented for registration; and provided, further, that no shares shall be issued, recorded or delivered or, if issued, recorded or delivered, shall have any validity whatsoever until and unless it has been signed or authenticated, as applicable, in the manner provided in Section 7.4 of these Bylaws.
(f) To make service and publication of all notices that may be necessary or proper and without command or direction from anyone. In case of the absence, disability, refusal or neglect of the Secretary to make service or publication of any notices, then such notices may be served and/or published by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, or by any person thereunto authorized by either of them or by the Board of Directors or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation.
(g) Generally to do and perform all such duties as pertain to such office and as may be required by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
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3.12 Chief Financial Officer
The powers and duties of the Chief Financial Officer are:
(a) To supervise and control the keeping and maintaining of adequate and correct accounts of the Corporations properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
(b) To have the custody of all funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness and other valuable documents of the Corporation and, at his or her discretion, to cause any or all thereof to be deposited for the account of the Corporation with such depository as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(c) To receive or cause to be received, and to give or cause to be given, receipts and acquittances for moneys paid in for the account of the Corporation.
(d) To disburse, or cause to be disbursed, all funds of the Corporation as may be directed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements.
(e) To render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or to the Board of Directors, whenever either may require, accounts of all transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
(f) Generally to do and perform all such duties as pertain to such office and as may be required by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
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3.13 Divisional and Other Officers Appointed by Chief Executive Officer
(a) The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall have the power, in the exercise of his or her discretion, to appoint additional persons to hold positions and titles such as vice president of a division of the Corporation or president of a division of the Corporation, or similar such titles, as the business of the Corporation may require, subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.13 and subject to such limits in appointment power as the Board of Directors may determine. The Board of Directors shall be advised of any such appointment at a meeting of the Board of Directors, and the appointment shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting. The minutes shall clearly state that such persons are non-corporate officers appointed pursuant to this Section 3.13.
(b) Each such appointee shall have such title, shall serve in such capacity and shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Chief Executive Officer shall determine. Appointees may hold titles such as president of a division or other group within the Corporation, or vice president of a division or other group within the Corporation. However, any such appointee, absent specific election by the Board of Directors as an elected corporate officer, (i) shall not be considered an officer elected by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article III and shall not have the executive powers or authority of corporate officers elected pursuant to this Article III, (ii) shall not be considered (1) an officer of the Corporation for the purposes of Rule 3b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) or an executive officer of the Corporation for the purposes of Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and similarly shall not be considered an officer of the Corporation for the purposes of Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act or an executive officer of the Corporation for the purposes of Section 14 of the Exchange Act or (2) a corporate officer for the purposes of Section 312 of the Code, except in any such case as otherwise required by law, and (iii) shall be empowered to represent himself or herself to third parties as a divisional or group vice president or other title permitted by this paragraph (b), as applicable, only, and shall be empowered to execute documents, bind the Corporation or otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation only as authorized by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by resolution of the Board of Directors.
(c) An elected officer of the Corporation may also serve as a divisional officer hereunder.
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ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of two (2) or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any such committee shall have authority to act in a manner and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors and may have all the authority of the Board of Directors, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which, under the Code, also requires shareholders approval or approval of the outstanding shares;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors or in any committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of any director or directors for serving on the Board of Directors or on any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of these Bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the Corporation, except at a rate, in a periodic amount or within a price range set forth in the Articles of Incorporation or determined by the Board of Directors; and
(g) the appointment or designation of any other committee of the Board of Directors or the members thereof.
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ARTICLE V
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
5.1 Place of Meetings
(a) Meetings (whether regular, special or adjourned) of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at the principal executive office for the transaction of business of the Corporation, or at any place within or without the State which may be designated by written consent of all the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, or which may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any meeting shall be valid wherever held if held by the written consent of all the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, given either before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary.
(b) A meeting of the shareholders may be conducted in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the Corporation or by electronic video screen communication if:
(i) the Corporation implements reasonable measures to provide shareholders (in person or by proxy) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the shareholders; and
(ii) the Corporation maintains a record of the vote or action and any shareholder votes or other shareholder action is taken at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the Corporation or electronic video screen communication.
Any request by the Corporation to a shareholder under Section 20(b) of the Code for consent to conduct a meeting of shareholders by electronic transmission must include a notice that absent consent of the shareholder, the meeting will be held at a physical location.
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5.2 Annual Meetings
An annual meeting of shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors. The annual meeting shall be held for the purpose of electing directors and for making reports of the affairs of the Corporation. Any other business properly brought before the meeting may be transacted at the annual meeting of shareholders.
5.3 Special Meetings
Special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose or purposes whatsoever may be called at any time by any two (2) or more members of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or by one or more holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes on the record date established pursuant to Section 5.9 of these Bylaws. Upon request in writing sent by registered mail to the Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President or Secretary, or delivered to any such officer in person, by any person or persons entitled to call a special meeting of shareholders (such request, if sent by a shareholder or shareholders, to include the information required by Section 5.14 of these Bylaws), it shall be the duty of such officer, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, to cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote that a meeting has been requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, the date of which meeting, which shall be set by such officer, to be not less than thirty-five (35) days nor more than sixty (60) days after such request or, if applicable, determination of the validity of such request pursuant to the immediately succeeding sentence. Within seven (7) days after receiving such a written request from a shareholder or shareholders of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall determine whether shareholders owning not less than ten percent (10%) of the shares as of the record date established pursuant to Section 5.9 of these Bylaws for such request support the call of a special meeting and notify the requesting party or parties of its finding. Nothing contained in this Section 5.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.
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5.4 Notice of Meetings
Notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given in writing not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or other person charged with that duty, or if there is no such officer or person, or in case of his or her neglect or refusal, by any director or shareholder. The notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and (a) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no other business may be transacted, or (b) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of the mailing of the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders, but any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action except as otherwise provided by Section 601(f) of the Code. The notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the names of nominees intended at the time of the notice to be presented by management for election. If the meeting is to be held in whole or in part by electronic transmission, the notice shall state the means of electronic transmission by and to the Corporation or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which shareholders may participate in the meeting.
5.5 Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice
Written notice shall be given by the Corporation to any shareholder, either (a) personally or (b) by mail or other means of written communication (including electronic transmission by the Corporation), charges prepaid, addressed to such shareholder at such shareholders physical or electronic address appearing on the books of the Corporation or given by such shareholder to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If a shareholder gives no address or no such address appears on the books of the Corporation, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent by mail or other means of written communication addressed to the place where the principal executive office of the Corporation is located, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which such office is located. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, or sent by other means of written communication and addressed as hereinbefore provided. An affidavit of delivery or mailing, or other authorized means of transmitting, of any notice in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice. If any notice addressed to the shareholder at the address of such shareholder appearing on the books of the Corporation is returned to the Corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder at such address, all future notices shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available for the shareholder upon written demand of the shareholder at the principal executive office of the Corporation for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice to all other shareholders. Notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the Corporation after either one of the following: (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver two (2) consecutive notices to the shareholder by that means or (ii) the inability to so deliver such notices to the shareholder becomes known to the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
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5.6 Consent to Shareholders Meetings
The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, however called and noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the shareholders entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by law to be included in the notice but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of shareholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice, except as to approval of contracts between the Corporation and any of its directors, amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, reorganization of the Corporation or winding up the affairs of the Corporation.
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5.7 Quorum
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Shares shall not be counted to make up a quorum for a meeting if voting of such shares at the meeting has been enjoined or for any reason they cannot be lawfully voted at the meeting. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
5.8 Adjourned Meetings
Any shareholders meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares, the holders of which are either present in person or represented by proxy thereat, but, except as provided in Section 5.7 of these Bylaws, in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted at such meeting. When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if its time and place (or the means of electronic transmission by and to the Corporation or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which the shareholders may participate) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. When a meeting is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days or if after adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting. At any adjourned meeting the shareholders may transact any business which might have been properly transacted at the original meeting.
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5.9 Record Date for Shareholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consents
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any other action. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of shareholders, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or the Code. In the absence of any contrary provision in the Articles of Incorporation or in any applicable statute relating to the election of directors or to other particular matters, each such person shall be entitled to one vote for each share.
(b) A determination of the shareholders of record entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting.
(c) If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date:
(i) the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and
(ii) the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to give consent to a corporate action in writing without a meeting (1) when no prior action by the Board of Directors has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (2) when prior action by the Board of Directors has been taken, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto, or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of such other action, whichever is later.
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5.10 Action by Written Consent
(a) Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(b) If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing, the Secretary shall give prompt notice of any corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. Such notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 5.5 of these Bylaws and applicable law.
(c) In the case of approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Code, (ii) an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to Section 902 of the Code, (iii) a reorganization of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of the Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the Corporation pursuant to Section 1900 of the Code or (v) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of any outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of the Code, the notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action authorized by that approval, unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing.
(d) Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholders proxy holder, or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the shareholder or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the Corporation prior to the time that written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary, but may not do so thereafter. Such revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, directors may not be elected by written consent except by unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of directors; provided that the shareholders may elect a director to fill a vacancy not filled by the Board of Directors, other than a vacancy created by removal, by the written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
5.11 Election of Directors
Approval of the shareholders (as defined in Section 153 of the Code) is required to elect a director in any Uncontested Election of directors. In any other election of directors by the shareholders, the candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them up to the number of directors to be elected by such shares are elected; votes against the directors and votes withheld with respect to the election of the directors shall have no legal effect. Elections of directors need not be by ballot except upon demand made by a shareholder at the meeting and before the voting begins.
5.12 Proxies
(a) Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy executed by such person or such persons duly authorized agent and filed with the Secretary. No proxy shall be valid (i) after revocation thereof, unless the proxy is specifically made irrevocable and otherwise conforms to this Section 5.12 and applicable law, or (ii) after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof, unless the person executing it specifies therein the length of time for which such proxy is to continue in force. Revocation may be effected by a writing delivered to the Secretary stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or by attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing the proxy. A proxy is not revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted, a written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the Corporation.
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(b) A proxy which states that it is irrevocable is irrevocable for the period specified therein when it is held by any of the following or a nominee of any of the following: (i) a pledgee, (ii) a person who has purchased or agreed to purchase or holds an option to purchase the shares or a person who has sold a portion of such persons shares in the Corporation to the maker of the proxy, (iii) a creditor or creditors of the Corporation or the shareholder who extended or continued credit to the Corporation or the shareholder in consideration of the proxy if the proxy states that it was given in consideration of such extension or continuation of credit and the name of the person extending or continuing the credit, (iv) a person who has contracted to perform services as an employee of the Corporation, if a proxy is required by the contract of employment and if the proxy states that it was given in consideration of such contract of employment, the name of the employee and the period of employment contracted for, or (v) a person designated by or under a close corporation shareholder agreement or a voting trust agreement. In addition, a proxy may be made irrevocable if it is given to secure the performance of a duty or to protect a title, either legal or equitable, until the happening of events which, by its terms, discharge the obligation secured by it.
(c) Notwithstanding the period of irrevocability specified, the proxy becomes revocable when the pledge is redeemed, the option or agreement to purchase is terminated or the seller no longer owns any shares of the Corporation or dies, the debt of the Corporation or the shareholder is paid, the period of employment provided for in the contract of employment has terminated or the close corporation shareholder agreement or the voting trust agreement has terminated. In addition, a proxy may be revoked, notwithstanding a provision making it irrevocable, by a purchaser of shares without knowledge of the existence of the provision unless the existence of the proxy and its irrevocability appears on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on the initial transaction statement and written statements.
(d) Every form of proxy or written consent, which provides an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval with respect to any proposal, shall also contain an appropriate space marked abstain, whereby a shareholder may indicate a desire to abstain from voting his or her shares on the proposal. A proxy marked abstain by the shareholder with respect to a particular proposal shall not be voted either for or against such proposal. In any election of directors, any form of proxy in which the directors to be voted upon are named therein as candidates and which is marked by a shareholder withhold or otherwise marked in a manner indicating that the authority to vote for the election of directors is withheld shall not be voted either for or against the election of a director.
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5.13 Inspectors of Elections
Before any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholders proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (l) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (l) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholders proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy. These inspectors shall:
(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
(b) receive votes, ballots, or consents;
(c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
(d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) determine when the polls shall close;
(f) determine the result; and
(g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
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5.14 Advance Notice of Shareholder Business and Nominations
(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders only (1) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (2) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, or (3) by any shareholder of the Corporation who was a shareholder of record of the Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section 5.14 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5.14.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of shareholders by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such proposed business must constitute a proper matter for shareholder action under the Code. To be timely, a shareholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of shareholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above. To be in proper written form, a shareholders notice to the Secretary (whether pursuant to this Section 5.14(a)(ii) or Section 5.14(b)) must set forth:
(1) as to each person, if any, whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and (B) such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;
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(2) if the notice relates to any business (other than the nomination of persons for election as directors) that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (C) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (D) any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and
(3) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and by such beneficial owner, (C) any derivative positions with respect to shares of capital stock of the Corporation held or beneficially held by or on behalf of such shareholder and by or on behalf of such beneficial owner, the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into with respect to the shares of capital stock of the Corporation by or on behalf of such shareholder and by or on behalf of such beneficial owner, and the extent to which any other agreement, arrangement or understanding has been made, the effect or intent of which is to increase or decrease the voting power of such shareholder and such beneficial owner with respect to shares of capital stock of the Corporation, (D) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (E) a representation whether the shareholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group that intends (aa) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee or (bb) otherwise to solicit proxies from shareholders in support of such proposal or nomination.
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The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine (x) the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation, and (y) whether such nominee qualifies as an independent director or audit committee financial expert under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any publicly-disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 5.14 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, a shareholders notice required by this Section 5.14 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
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(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders.
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof or (ii) provided that the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any shareholder of the Corporation who is a shareholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 5.14 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5.14. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such shareholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the shareholders notice in the same form as required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 5.14 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above.
(c) General.
(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.14 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.14. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty (1) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.14 and (2) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 5.14, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.14, unless otherwise required by law, if the shareholder (or a qualified representative of the shareholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5.14, to be considered a qualified representative of the shareholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such shareholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such shareholder to act for such shareholder as proxy at the meeting of shareholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of shareholders.
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(ii) For purposes of this Section 5.14, public announcement shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Nothing in this Section 5.14 shall be deemed to affect any rights (1) of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals or nominations in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the Exchange Act (and any proposal included in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to such Rule shall not be subject to any of the advance notice requirements in this Section 5.14) or (2) of the holders of any series of preferred stock to nominate and elect directors pursuant to and to the extent provided in any applicable provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
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ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
6.1 Place of Meetings
Meetings (whether regular, special or adjourned) of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation for the transaction of business, as specified in accordance with Section 1.1 of these Bylaws, or at any other place within or without the State which has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or which is designated in the notice of the meeting. Any meeting (whether regular, special or adjourned) may be held by conference telephone, electronic video screen communication or electronic communication by and to the Corporation. Participation in a meeting through the use of conference telephone or electronic video screen communication pursuant to this Section 6.1 constitutes presence in person at that meeting so long as all members participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation in a meeting through electronic transmission by and to the Corporation (other than conference telephone and electronic video screen communication), pursuant to this Section 6.1 constitutes presence in person at that meeting if both of the following apply:
(a) each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other members concurrently; and
(b) each member is provided the means of participating in all matters before the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose, or to interpose an objection to, a specific action to be taken by the Corporation.
6.2 Regular Annual Meeting; Regular Meetings
After the adjournment of each annual meeting of the shareholders, the Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting (which regular directors meeting shall be designated the Regular Annual Meeting) and no notice need be given for the Regular Annual Meeting unless the Regular Annual Meeting is not held at the principal place of business provided at Section 1.1 of these Bylaws. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice if the time and place of such meetings are fixed by the Board of Directors.
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6.3 Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or a Lead Director, if any, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary, or by any two (2) or more directors.
6.4 Notice of Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held upon no less than four (4) days notice by mail or forty-eight (48) hours notice delivered personally or by telephone to each director, including voice messaging system or by electronic transmission by the Corporation.
6.5 Quorum
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided by Section 6.6 of these Bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the Code (as to the approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of the Code (as to the appointment of committees), Section 317(a) of the Code (as to the indemnification of directors), the Articles of Incorporation or other applicable law. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.
6.6 Adjournment
A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. If the meeting is adjourned for over twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time and place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of adjournment.
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6.7 Waiver and Notice of Consent
Notice of a meeting need not be given to a director who provides a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
6.8 Action without a Meeting
Any action required or permitted by law to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as the unanimous vote of such directors.
6.9 Committees
The provisions of this Article VI also apply to committees of the Board of Directors and action by such committees, mutatis mutandis.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL MATTERS
7.1 Record Date for Purposes Other than Notice and Voting
For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than with respect to notice or voting at a shareholders meeting or action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to any such action. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment or rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided for in the Articles of Incorporation or the Code.
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7.2 Instruments in Writing
All checks, drafts, other orders for payments of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, and all written contracts of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. No officer, agent, or employee of the Corporation shall have the power to bind the Corporation by contract or otherwise unless authorized to do so by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
7.3 Shares Held by the Corporation
Shares in other corporations standing in the name of the Corporation may be voted or represented and all rights incident thereto may be exercised on behalf of the Corporation by any officer of the Corporation authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or by power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
7.4 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares
(a) Certificates for the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued only to the extent as may be required by applicable law or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and if so issued shall be in such form as is consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law. Any such certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
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(b) Unless otherwise required by applicable law or authorized by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, shares of the Corporation shall be issued, recorded and transferred exclusively in uncertificated book-entry form in accordance with a direct registration program operated by a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. Shares of the Corporation represented by certificates that were issued prior to November 17, 2010 shall continue to be certificated securities of the Corporation until the certificates therefor have been surrendered to the Corporation.
7.5 Lost Certificates
Except as provided in this Section 7.5, no new shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the certificate is surrendered to the Corporation or its transfer agent or registrar and cancelled at the same time. When the owner of any certificate for shares of the Corporation claims that the certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, uncertificated shares, in accordance with Section 7.4(b) above, shall be issued in place of the original certificate if the owner (a) so requests before the Corporation has notice that the original certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, (b) files with the Corporation an indemnity bond in such form and in such amount sufficient to protect the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement shares, and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation. The Board of Directors may adopt such other provisions and restrictions with reference to lost certificates, not inconsistent with applicable law, as it shall in its discretion deem appropriate.
7.6 Certification and Inspection of Bylaws
The Corporation shall keep at its principal executive or business office the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours.
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7.7 Interpretation
Reference in these Bylaws to any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof.
7.8 Construction
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the Code shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term person includes both a corporation and a natural person. The term Chief Executive Officer shall be equivalent to the term President under the Code.
ARTICLE VIII
CONSTRUCTION OF BYLAWS WITH REFERENCE TO PROVISIONS OF LAW
8.1 Bylaw Provisions Additional and Supplemental to Provisions of Law
All restrictions, limitations, requirements and other provisions of these Bylaws shall be construed, insofar as possible, as supplemental and additional to all provisions of law applicable to the subject matter thereof and shall be fully complied with in addition to the said provisions of law unless such compliance shall be illegal.
8.2 Bylaw Provisions Contrary to or Inconsistent with Provisions of Law
Any article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of these Bylaws which, upon being construed in the manner provided in Section 8.1 of these Bylaws, shall be contrary to or inconsistent with any applicable provision of law, shall not apply so long as said provisions of law shall remain in effect, but such result shall not affect the validity or applicability of any other portions of these Bylaws, it being hereby declared that these Bylaws, and each article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, would have been adopted irrespective of the fact that any one or more articles, sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses or phrases is or are illegal.
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ARTICLE IX
ADOPTION, AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS
9.1 By Shareholders
These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. Any bylaws specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa may only be adopted by the shareholders; provided, however, that a bylaw or amendment of the Articles of Incorporation reducing the number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting or the shares not consenting in the case of action by written consent are equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
9.2 By the Board of Directors
Subject to the right of shareholders to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa, these Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. A bylaw adopted by the shareholders may restrict or eliminate the power of the Board of Directors to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Code, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code) of the Corporation. For purposes of this Article X, a director or officer of the Corporation includes any person (a) who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, (b) who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (c) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
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10.2 Indemnification of Others
The Corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the Code, to indemnify each of its employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code) of the Corporation. For purposes of this Article X, an employee or agent of the Corporation (other than a director or officer) includes any person (a) who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, (b) who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (c) who was an employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
10.3 Payment of Expenses in Advance
Expenses incurred in defending any proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to Section 10.1 of these Bylaws or for which indemnification is permitted pursuant to Section 10.2 of these Bylaws following authorization thereof by the Board of Directors, may be advanced by the Corporation prior to the final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay that amount if it shall be determined ultimately that the indemnified person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Article X.
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10.4 Indemnification not Exclusive
The indemnification provided by this Article X for acts, omissions or transactions while acting in the capacity of, or while serving as, a director or officer of the Corporation but not involving a breach of duty to the Corporation and its shareholders shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, to the extent the additional rights to indemnification are authorized in the Articles of Incorporation.
10.5 Insurance Indemnification
The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the Corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in that capacity or arising out of that agents status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against that liability under the provisions of this Article X.
10.6 Conflicts
Subject to the requirements of Section 317 of the Code, no indemnification or advance shall be made under this Article X, except where (i) an agent of the Corporation has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding referred to in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 317 of the Code (or any successor statute) or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein or (ii) the court in which the proceeding is or was pending upon application made by Corporation or the agent or the attorney or other person rendering services in connection with the defense, whether or not the application by the agent, attorney or other person is opposed by the Corporation, in any circumstance where it appears:
(a) that it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders or an agreement in effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged cause of the action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or
(b) that it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.
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CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
APPLE INC.
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified and acting Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Apple Inc., a California corporation (the Corporation), and that the foregoing amended and restated bylaws were adopted as the Corporations bylaws as of February 28, 2014, by the Corporations Board of Directors.
The undersigned has executed this Certificate as of February 28, 2014.
/s/ D. Bruce Sewell |
|
D. Bruce Sewell |
Senior Vice President, |
General Counsel and Secretary |
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Exhibit 10.1
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION.
On November 19, 2013 (the Effective Date), the Board adopted this 2014 Employee Stock Plan.
The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by offering Participants the opportunity to share in such long-term success by acquiring a proprietary interest in the Company.
The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for discretionary long-term incentive Awards in the form of Options (which may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options), Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Grants, Restricted Stock Units and Cash Bonus Awards.
The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California (except its choice-of-law provisions). Capitalized terms shall have the meaning provided in Section 2 unless otherwise provided in this Plan or any related Award Agreement.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) 2003 Plan means the Apple Inc. 2003 Employee Stock Plan as amended from time to time.
(b) Applicable Laws means all applicable securities, tax and exchange control laws, rules, regulations and requirements relating to the administration of stock plans, including, but not limited to, all applicable U.S. federal and state laws, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, and the applicable securities, tax and exchange control laws, rules, regulations or requirements of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan or where Participants reside or provide services, as such laws, rules, regulations and requirements shall be in place from time to time.
(c) Award means an Option, SAR, Stock Grant, Restricted Stock Unit or Cash Bonus Award.
(d) Award Agreement means any Stock Option Agreement, SAR Agreement, Stock Grant Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or any written document that evidences a Cash Bonus Award granted under the Plan. Award Agreements shall consist of either (1) a written award agreement in a form approved by the Committee and executed by the Company by an officer duly authorized to act on its behalf, or (2) an electronic notice of award grant in a form approved by the Committee and recorded by the Company (or its designee) in an electronic recordkeeping system used for the purpose of tracking award grants under the Plan generally, as the Committee may provide and, in each case and if required by the Committee, executed or otherwise electronically accepted by the recipient of the Award in such form and manner as the Committee may require. The Committee may authorize any officer of the Company (other than the particular Award recipient) to execute any or all Award Agreements on behalf of the Company.
(e) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(f) Cash Bonus Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Plan.
(g) Cashless Exercise means, to the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides and as permitted by Applicable Laws, a program approved by the Committee in which payment of the aggregate Exercise Price and/or satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares subject to an Option and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company.
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(h) Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.
(i) Committee has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.
(j) Common Stock means the Companys common stock.
(k) Company means Apple Inc., a California corporation.
(l) Consultant means an individual who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary, other than as an Employee or Director.
(m) Covered Employees means those persons who the Committee determines are subject to the limitations of Code Section 162(m).
(n) Director means a member of the Board.
(o) Disability means that the Participant is classified as disabled under the long-term disability policy of the Company or, if no such policy applies, the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; provided, however, that with respect to an Option intended to qualify as an ISO, Disability shall mean a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(p) Employee means any individual who provides services as an employee of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary (including any Director that is also an Employee).
(q) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(r) Exercise Price means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which a Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. Exercise Price, in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value at the time such SAR is exercised in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
(s) Fair Market Value means, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Committee in the circumstances, the closing price (in regular trading) for a Share on the NASDAQ Stock Market (the Market) for the date in question or, if no sales of Common Stock were reported on the Market on that date, the last price (in regular trading) for a Share on the Market for the next preceding day on which sales of Common Stock were reported on the Market. The Committee may, however, provide with respect to one or more Awards that the Fair Market Value shall equal the last price for a Share on the Market on the last trading day preceding the date in question or the average of the high and low trading prices of a Share on the Market for the date in question or the most recent trading day. If the Common Stock is no longer listed or is no longer actively traded on the Market as of the applicable date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Committee for purposes of the Award in the circumstances. The Committee also may adopt a different methodology for determining Fair Market Value with respect to one or more Awards if a different methodology is necessary or advisable to secure any intended favorable tax, legal or other treatment for the particular Award(s) (for example, and without limitation, the Committee may provide that Fair Market Value for purposes of one or more Awards will be based on an average of closing prices (or the average of high and low daily trading prices) for a specified period preceding the relevant date).
(t) Fiscal Year means the Companys fiscal year.
(u) Full-Value Awards means Awards granted under the Plan other than Options and SARs.
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(v) Full-Value Award Ratio means the share-counting ratio applicable to Full-Value Awards as specified in Section 5(b) of the Plan.
(w) Grant Date means the date on which the Committee makes the determination to grant an Award or such later date as the Committee may specify in making such determination.
(x) Incentive Stock Option or ISO means an incentive stock option described in Code Section 422.
(y) Non-Employee Director means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
(z) Nonstatutory Stock Option or NSO means a stock option that is not an ISO.
(aa) Option means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan entitling the Participant to purchase Shares.
(bb) Parent means any corporation or other entity that beneficially owns directly or indirectly a majority of the Companys outstanding voting stock or voting power. An entity that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(cc) Participant means an Employee or Consultant who has been selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan or any individual, estate or other entity that holds an Award.
(dd) Performance Goals means one or more objective measurable performance goals established by the Committee with respect to a Performance Period based upon one or more of the following criteria: (i) operating income; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iii) earnings; (iv) cash flow; (v) market share; (vi) sales or revenue; (vii) expenses; (viii) cost of goods sold; (ix) profit/loss or profit margin; (x) working capital; (xi) return on equity or assets; (xii) earnings per share; (xiii) total shareholder return; (xiv) price/earnings ratio; (xv) debt or debt-to-equity; (xvi) accounts receivable; (xvii) writeoffs; (xviii) cash; (xix) assets; (xx) liquidity; (xxi) operations; (xxii) intellectual property (e.g., patents); (xxiii) product development; (xxiv) manufacturing, production or inventory; (xxv) mergers and acquisitions or divestitures; (xxvi) individual performance objective; and/or (xxvii) stock price. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (a) in absolute terms, (b) in relative terms (including but not limited to, the passage of time and/or against other companies or financial metrics), (c) on a per share and/or share per capita basis, (d) against the performance of the Company as a whole or against particular entities, segments, operating units or products of the Company and /or (e) on a pre-tax or after tax basis. Awards issued to persons who are not Covered Employees may take into account any other factors deemed appropriate by the Committee.
(ee) Performance Period means any period not exceeding 120 months as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may establish different Performance Periods for different Participants, and the Committee may establish concurrent or overlapping Performance Periods.
(ff) Plan means this Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan as it may be amended from time to time.
(gg) Re-Price or Re-Pricing means any of the following actions taken by the Committee: (1) lowering or reducing the Exercise Price of an outstanding Option and/or outstanding SAR, (2) cancelling, exchanging or surrendering any outstanding Option and/or outstanding SAR in exchange for cash or another award for the purpose of repricing the award; and (3) cancelling, exchanging or surrendering any outstanding Option and/or outstanding SAR in exchange for an Option or SAR with an Exercise Price that is less than the Exercise Price of the original award; provided that, in each case, a Re-Pricing (or Re-Price, as the case may be) shall not include (y) any action taken with shareholder approval, and (z) any adjustment of an Option or SAR pursuant to Section 11.
(hh) Restricted Stock Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Share awarded under the Plan and represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
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(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement means the agreement described in Section 9 evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(jj) SAR Agreement means the agreement described in Section 7 evidencing a Stock Appreciation Right.
(kk) SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(ll) Section 16 Persons means those officers, directors or other persons who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(mm) Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(nn) Share means one share of Common Stock.
(oo) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means a stock appreciation right awarded under the Plan.
(pp) Stock Grant means Shares awarded under the Plan pursuant to Section 8.
(qq) Stock Grant Agreement means the agreement described in Section 8 evidencing a Stock Grant.
(rr) Stock Option Agreement means the agreement described in Section 6 evidencing an Option.
(ss) Subsidiary means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company. An entity that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
(tt) 10-Percent Stockholder means an individual who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company or of its parent corporation or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code). In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.
(uu) Termination of Service means (i) in the case of an Employee, a cessation of the provision of employment-related services by the Employee for the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason, including but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability, or retirement, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment by the Company or a Subsidiary and excluding any bona fide and Company (or Subsidiary) approved leave of absence; and (ii) in the case of a Consultant, a cessation of the service relationship (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) between the Consultant and the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason, including but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death or disability, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous re-engagement of the Consultant by the Company or a Subsidiary. For purposes of the Plan and any Award, if an entity ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company, a Termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Employee and Consultant in respect of such Subsidiary who does not continue as an Employee or Consultant in respect of the Company or another Subsidiary that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status unless the Subsidiary that is sold, spun-off or otherwise divested (or its successor or a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or successor) assumes the Employees or Consultants Award(s) in connection with such transaction.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Committee Composition. The Board or a Committee appointed by the Board shall administer the Plan. The Committee shall generally have membership composition which enables (i) Awards to Section 16 Persons to qualify as exempt from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and (ii) Awards to Covered Employees
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to qualify as performance-based compensation as provided under Code Section 162(m). However, the Board may also appoint one or more separate Committees, each composed of two or more directors of the Company who need not qualify under Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m), that may administer the Plan with respect to Participants who are not Section 16 Persons or Covered Employees, respectively, may grant Awards under the Plan to such Participants and may determine all terms of such Awards. Members of any such Committee shall serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time. The Board may also at any time terminate the functions of any Committee and reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to the Committee.
The Board and any Committee appointed to administer the Plan is referred to herein as the Committee.
(b) Authority of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full authority, in its sole discretion, to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Such actions shall include:
(i) selecting Participants who are to receive Awards under the Plan;
(ii) determining the Fair Market Value for purposes of any Award;
(iii) determining the type of and number of securities to be subject to each Award, and the Grant Date, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards;
(iv) approving the forms of Award Agreements to be used under the Plan;
(v) amending any outstanding Awards;
(vi) accelerating the vesting or extending the post-termination exercise term of Awards at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature) subject to any required consent under Section 15;
(vii) construing and interpreting the Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and Participants under the Plan;
(viii) correcting any defect, supplying any omission or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement;
(ix) adopting such rules or guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan;
(x) authorizing any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously authorized by the Committee;
(xi) adjusting the number of Shares subject to any Award, adjusting the price of any or all outstanding Awards or otherwise changing previously imposed terms and conditions, in such circumstances as the Committee may deem appropriate, in each case subject to Sections 5 and 15, and subject to the no Re-Pricing provision below;
(xii) determining whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 13 hereof and authorizing the termination, conversion, substitution or succession of Awards upon the occurrence of an event of the type described in Section 13;
(xiii) acquiring or settling (subject to Sections 13 and 15) rights under Awards in cash, stock of equivalent value, or other consideration, subject to the no Re-Pricing provision below;
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(xiv) making all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan; and
(xv) adopting such plans or subplans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to comply with the laws of other countries, allow for tax-preferred treatment of Awards or otherwise provide for the participation by Participants who reside outside of the U.S.
In no event shall the Committee Re-Price any Option or SAR.
The Committees determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
(c) Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws, each member of the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and (ii) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Companys approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
(d) Reliance on Experts. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under the Plan, the Committee may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including employees and professional advisors to the Company. No director, officer or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.
SECTION 4. GENERAL.
(a) General Eligibility. Only Employees and Consultants shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. Non-Employee Directors are not eligible for Award grants under the Plan.
(b) Incentive Stock Options. Only Participants who are Employees of the Company, a parent corporation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code) or a subsidiary corporation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code) shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition, a 10-Percent Stockholder shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless the requirements set forth in Code Section 422(c)(5) are satisfied.
(c) Restrictions on Transfer.
(i) Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 4(c) or required by Applicable Law: (A) all Awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; (B) Awards shall be exercised only by the Participant; and (C) amounts payable or Shares issuable pursuant to any Award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the Participant.
(ii) The Committee may permit Awards to be exercised by and paid to, or otherwise transferred to, other persons or entities pursuant to such conditions and procedures, including limitations on subsequent transfers, as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish in writing. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to compliance with Applicable Laws and shall not be for value (other than nominal consideration, settlement of marital property rights, or for interests in an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are held by the Participant or by the Participants family members).
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(iii) The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 4(c) shall not apply to:
(A) | transfers to the Company (for example, in connection with the expiration or termination of the Award), |
(B) | the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the Participants death or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the Participants beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution, |
(C) | subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, transfers to a family member (or former family member) pursuant to a domestic relations order if approved or ratified by the Company, |
(D) | if the Participant has suffered a Disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the participant by his or her legal representative, or |
(E) | the authorization by the Committee of Cashless Exercise procedures with third parties who provide financing for the purpose of (or who otherwise facilitate) the exercise of Awards consistent with Applicable Laws and the express authorization of the Committee. |
(d) Beneficiaries. If permitted by the Committee in the Award Agreement, a Participant under the Plan may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any vested but unpaid Award shall be paid in the event of the Participants death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior beneficiary designations by the Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, any vested benefits remaining unpaid at the Participants death shall be paid to the Participants estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan and of the applicable Award Agreement, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the administrator or executor of the Participants estate.
(e) No Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant, or a transferee of a Participant, shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any Common Stock covered by an Award until such person has satisfied all of the terms and conditions to receive such Common Stock, has satisfied any applicable withholding or tax obligations relating to the Award and the Shares have been issued (as evidenced by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).
(f) Termination of Service. The Committee shall establish the effect of a Termination of Service on the rights and benefits under each Award under the Plan and in so doing may make distinctions based upon, inter alia, the cause of termination and type of Award.
(g) Consideration. The purchase price for any Award granted under the Plan or the Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Committee.
SECTION 5. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS.
(a) Basic Limitation. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 11, is equal to:
(i) 55,000,000 Shares, plus
(ii) the number of any Shares that remain available under the 2003 Plan for new award grants on the date the Companys shareholders approve the Plan (the Approval Date), and determined immediately before giving effect to the termination of the authority to grant new awards under the 2003 Plan in connection with such approval, plus
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(iii) the number of any Shares subject to stock options granted under the 2003 Plan and outstanding as of the Approval Date which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after the Approval Date without being exercised, plus
(iv) the number of any Shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2003 Plan that are outstanding and unvested on the Approval Date that are forfeited, terminated, cancelled or otherwise reacquired by the Company after the Approval Date without having become vested or that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries after the Approval Date to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to the award (in each case, with any such Shares increasing the Shares available for issuance under the Plan based on the Full-Value Award Ratio).
provided that in no event shall the Shares available for issuance under the Plan exceed 109,477,027 Shares (which is the sum of (1) the 55,000,000 Shares set forth above, plus (2) the number of Shares available for new award grants under the 2003 Plan on November 11, 2013, plus (3) the aggregate number of Shares subject to stock options previously granted and outstanding under the 2003 Plan as of November 11, 2013, plus (4) two (2) (the Full-Value Award Ratio) times the aggregate number of Shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock units previously granted and outstanding under the 2003 Plan as of November 11, 2013).
(b) Share Count. Shares issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan other than Options or SARs will count against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan as two (2) Shares for every one (1) Share issued in connection with the Award. Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of Options or SARs under the Plan will count against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan as one (1) Share for every one Share to which such exercise relates. For purposes of clarity, the total number of Shares subject to SARs that are exercised and settled in Shares, and the total number of Shares subject to Options that are exercised, shall be counted in full on a one-for-one basis against the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares actually issued upon settlement of the SARs or Options. If Awards are settled in cash, the Shares that would have been delivered had there been no cash settlement shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided in the next sentence, Shares that are subject to Awards that are forfeited, are terminated, fail to vest or for any other reason are not paid or delivered, shall again become available for Awards under the Plan; provided that any one (1) Share issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award (including Shares subject to stock-settled dividend equivalent rights) that is forfeited or terminated shall be credited as two (2) Shares when determining the number of Shares that shall again become available for Awards under the Plan if upon grant, the Shares underlying such forfeited or terminated Awards were counted as two (2) Shares against the Plan reserve. Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any Option or SAR, as well as any Shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Option or SAR, shall not be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any Full-Value Award, as well as any Shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Full-Value Award, shall be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan; provided that any one (1) Share so exchanged or withheld in connection with any Full-Value Award shall be credited as two (2) Shares when determining the number of Shares that shall again become available for Awards under the Plan if upon grant, the Shares underlying the related Full-Value Award were counted as two (2) Shares against the Plan reserve. Refer to Section 15(i) for application of the foregoing share limits with respect to substituted awards.
(c) Share Limits
(i) Limits on Options and SARs. No Participant shall receive Options or SARs during any Fiscal Year covering, in the aggregate, in excess of 1,000,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 11.
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(ii) Limits on Stock Grants and Restricted Stock Units. No Participant shall receive Stock Grants or Restricted Stock Units during any Fiscal Year covering, in the aggregate, in excess of 1,000,000 Shares (for this purpose, counting such Shares on a 1-for-1 basis), subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 11.
(d) Reservation of Shares; No Fractional Shares. The Company shall at all times reserve a number of Shares sufficient to cover the Companys obligations and contingent obligations to deliver Shares with respect to Awards then outstanding under the Plan (exclusive of (i) any Awards payable in cash and (ii) any dividend equivalent obligations to the extent the Company has the right to settle such rights in cash). No fractional Shares shall be delivered under the Plan. The Committee may pay cash in lieu of any fractional Shares in settlements of Awards under the Plan.
SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
(a) Stock Option Agreement. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced and governed exclusively by a Stock Option Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. Dividend equivalent rights shall not be awarded on Options. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO.
(b) Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11.
(c) Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Options Exercise Price which shall be established by the Committee and is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11. The Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (110% for an ISO granted to a 10-Percent Stockholder) on the Grant Date.
(d) Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable and/or any performance conditions or Performance Goals pursuant to Section 10 that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the Option; provided that the maximum term of an Option shall in no event exceed seven (7) years from the Grant Date. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participants death, Disability, retirement or other circumstances that the Committee may determine to be appropriate and may provide for tolling of vesting in the event of a Participants leave of absence. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, no Option can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
(e) Method of Exercise. An Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company or the Companys designee (or, subject to Applicable Laws and if the Company permits, by electronic or voice methods) of the number of Shares to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price, plus any required withholdings (unless satisfactory arrangements have been made to satisfy such withholdings). The Company reserves the right to delay issuance of the Shares until the such payment obligations are fully satisfied.
(f) Payment for Option Shares. The Exercise Price of an Option shall be paid in cash at the time of exercise, except as follows and if so provided for in the applicable Stock Option Agreement:
(i) Cashless Exercise. Payment of all or a part of the Exercise Price may be made through Cashless Exercise.
(ii) Other Forms of Payment. Payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, regulations and rules and approved by the Committee.
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In the case of an ISO granted under the Plan, except to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, payment shall be made only pursuant to the express provisions of the applicable Stock Option Agreement. In the case of an NSO granted under the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion at any time, accept payment in any form(s) described in this Section 6(f).
SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) SAR Agreement. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. A SAR Agreement may provide for a maximum limit on the amount of any payout notwithstanding the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR. Dividend equivalent rights shall not be awarded on SARs. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11.
(c) Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11. A SAR Agreement may specify an Exercise Price that varies in accordance with a predetermined formula while the SAR is outstanding, provided that in all cases the Exercise Price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.
(d) Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable and/or any performance conditions or Performance Goals pursuant to Section 10 that must be satisfied before the SAR is exercised. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the SAR which shall not exceed seven (7) years from the Grant Date. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participants death, Disability, retirement or other circumstances the Committee may determine to be appropriate and may provide for tolling of vesting in the event of a Participants leave of absence. SARs may be awarded in combination with Options or Stock Grants, and such an Award shall provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the related Options or Stock Grants are forfeited. A SAR may be included in an ISO only at the time of grant but may be included in an NSO at the time of grant or at any subsequent time. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the SAR Agreement, no SAR can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable SAR Agreement.
(e) Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Participant (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after Participants death) shall receive from the Company (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant of the SAR, in its sole discretion. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of exercise) of the Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price of the Shares.
SECTION 8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STOCK GRANTS.
(a) Time, Amount and Form of Awards. Awards under this Section 8 may be granted in the form of a Stock Grant.
(b) Stock Grant Agreement. Each Stock Grant awarded under the Plan shall be evidenced and governed exclusively by a Stock Grant Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Each Stock Grant shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the Plan that the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in the applicable Stock Grant Agreement. The provisions of the Stock Grant Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
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(c) Number of Shares. Each Stock Grant Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11.
(d) Vesting Conditions. The Committee shall determine the vesting schedule of each Stock Grant. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Grant Agreement, which may include performance conditions or Performance Goals pursuant to Section 10.
(e) Voting and Dividend Rights. The holder of a Stock Grant awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Companys other shareholders, except as otherwise stated in the Stock Grant Agreement; provided, however, that any dividends as to the portion of a Stock Grant that is subject to performance-based vesting requirements will be subject to forfeiture and termination (or repayment, as applicable) to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the Stock Grant to which such dividends relate. A Stock Grant Agreement may require that the holder of such Stock Grant invest any cash dividends received in additional Shares subject to the Stock Grant. Such additional Shares and any Shares received as a dividend pursuant to the Stock Grant shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Stock Grant with respect to which the dividends were paid.
SECTION 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
(a) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Unit granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Number of Shares. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall specify the number of Restricted Stock Units to which the Restricted Stock Unit Award pertains, which number is subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11.
(c) Vesting Conditions. The Committee shall determine the vesting schedule of each Restricted Stock Unit Award. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, which may include performance conditions or Performance Goals pursuant to Section 10.
(d) Form and Time of Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units may be made in the form of (i) cash, (ii) Shares or (iii) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units, in its sole discretion. Vested Restricted Stock Units may be settled in a lump sum or in installments. The distribution may occur or commence when the vesting conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed, or, if the Committee so provides in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, it may be deferred, in accordance with Applicable Laws, to any later date. The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents, as determined by the Committee and provided in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
(e) Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Restricted Stock Unit awarded under the Plan may, at the Committees discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units and may (and will, to the extent required below) be made subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Units to which they attach. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Shares, or in a combination of both. Dividend equivalents as to Restricted Stock Units that are subject to performance-based vesting requirements will be subject to forfeiture and termination to the same extent as the corresponding Restricted Stock Units to which the dividend equivalents relate.
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(f) Creditors Rights. 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 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS; CASH BONUS AWARDS.
(a) General. The Committee may, in its discretion, include performance conditions in an Award. If performance conditions are included in Awards to Covered Employees and such Awards are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), then such Awards will be subject to the achievement of Performance Goals with respect to a Performance Period established by the Committee. Such Awards shall be granted and administered pursuant to the requirements of Code Section 162(m). The Committee may provide at the time it establishes the applicable Performance Goals for the Performance Goals (or performance against the Performance Goals, as the case may be) to be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of material, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses, accounting changes or other events specified by the the Committee. Before any Shares underlying an Award or any Award payments are released to a Covered Employee with respect to a Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing that the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have been satisfied. Awards with performance conditions that are granted to Participants who are not Covered Employees need not comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m).
(b) Cash Bonus Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Cash Bonus Awards under the Plan to one or more Employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Cash Bonus Awards may be subject to performance conditions as described in Section 10(a) above and, to the extent such Cash Bonus Awards are granted to Covered Persons and intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), shall be subject to the requirements of Section 162(m), including without limitation, the establishment of Performance Goals and certification of performance by the Committee as set forth above. In addition, the aggregate amount of compensation to be paid to any one participant in respect of all Cash Bonus Awards payable only in cash (and exclusive of Restricted Stock Unit awards settled in cash based on the fair market value of a Share in connection with the payment of the Award, which Awards are subject to the limit of Section 5(c)(ii), and exclusive of cash-settled SARs which are subject to the limit of Section 5.2(c)(i)) and granted to that Participant in any one calendar year shall not exceed $10,000,000. Awards that are cancelled during the year shall be counted against this limit to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code.
(c) Expiration of Grant Authority. As required pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Committees authority to grant new Awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (other than Options and SARs with an Exercise Price that is not less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date) shall terminate upon the first meeting of the Companys shareholders that occurs in 2019.
SECTION 11. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.
(a) Adjustments. Subject to Section 12, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to): any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock; or any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Committee shall equitably and proportionately adjust (1) the number and type of Shares (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards (including the specific Share limits, maximums and numbers of Shares set forth elsewhere in the Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to any outstanding Awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or Exercise Price of any outstanding Awards, and/or (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or payment of any outstanding Awards, in each case to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by the Plan and the then-outstanding Awards.
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Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to) any event or transaction described in the preceding paragraph or a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company as an entirety, the Company shall equitably and proportionately adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any then-outstanding performance-based Awards to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by the Plan and the then-outstanding performance-based Awards.
It is intended that, if possible, any adjustments contemplated by the preceding two paragraphs be made in a manner that satisfies applicable legal, tax (including, without limitation and as applicable in the circumstances, Section 424 of the Code, Section 409A of the Code and Section 162(m) of the Code) and accounting (so as to not trigger any charge to earnings with respect to such adjustment) requirements.
Without limiting the generality of Section 3, any good faith determination by the Committee as to whether an adjustment is required in the circumstances pursuant to this Section 11(a), and the extent and nature of any such adjustment, shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
(b) Participant Rights. Except as provided in this Section 11, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issue by the Company of stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. If by reason of an adjustment pursuant to this Section 11 a Participants Award covers additional or different shares of stock or securities, then such additional or different shares and the Award in respect thereof shall be subject to all of the terms, conditions and restrictions which were applicable to the Award and the Shares subject to the Award prior to such adjustment.
SECTION 12. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
Upon the occurrence of any of the following: any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization in which the Company does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock); any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company in which the Company does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock; a sale of all or substantially all the business, stock or assets of the Company; a dissolution of the Company; or any other event in which the Company does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock); then the Committee may make provision for a cash payment in settlement of, or for the assumption, substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding Share-based Awards or the cash, securities or property deliverable to the holder of any or all outstanding Share-based Awards, based upon, to the extent relevant under the circumstances, the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event. Upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sentence, then, unless the Committee has made a provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation or settlement of the Award or the Award would otherwise continue in accordance with its terms in the circumstances, each Award shall terminate upon the related event; provided that the holder of an Option or SAR shall be given reasonable advance notice of the impending termination and a reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her outstanding vested Options and SARs in accordance with their terms before the termination of such Awards (except that in no case shall more than ten days notice of the impending termination be required).
The Committee may adopt such valuation methodologies for outstanding Awards as it deems reasonable in the event of a cash or property settlement and, in the case of Options, SARs or similar rights, but without limitation on other methodologies, may base such settlement solely upon the excess if any of the per share amount payable upon or in respect of such event over the Exercise Price of the Award.
In any of the events referred to in this Section 12, the Committee may take such action contemplated by this Section 12 prior to such event (as opposed to on the occurrence of such event) to the extent that the Committee deems the action necessary to permit the Participant to realize the benefits intended to be conveyed with respect to the underlying Shares.
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Without limiting the generality of Section 3, any good faith determination by the Committee pursuant to its authority under this Section 12 shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
SECTION 13. LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS.
(a) Participant Rights. A Participants rights, if any, in respect of or in connection with any Award are derived solely from the discretionary decision of the Company to permit the individual to participate in the Plan and to benefit from a discretionary Award. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant expressly acknowledges that there is no obligation on the part of the Company to continue the Plan and/or grant any additional Awards. Any Award granted hereunder is not intended to be compensation of a continuing or recurring nature, or part of a Participants normal or expected compensation, and in no way represents any portion of a Participants salary, compensation, or other remuneration for purposes of pension benefits, severance, redundancy, resignation or any other purpose.
Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or director of the Company, a Parent, or any Subsidiary. The Company and its Parent and Subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate the service of any person at any time, and for any reason, subject to applicable laws, the Companys Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and any applicable written employment agreement (if any), and such terminated person shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived any claim to damages or specific performance for breach of contract or dismissal, compensation for loss of office, tort or otherwise with respect to the Plan or any outstanding Award that is forfeited and/or is terminated by its terms or to any future Award.
(b) Shareholders Rights. Except as provided in Section 8(e), a Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by his or her Award prior to the issuance of such Shares (as evidenced by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date when such Shares are issued, except as expressly provided in Sections 8(e), 9(e) and 11.
(c) Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Shares or other securities under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of Shares or other securities pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Shares or other securities, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration, qualification or listing. The person acquiring any securities under the Plan will, if requested by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, provide such assurances and representations to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.
SECTION 14. WITHHOLDING TAXES.
(a) General. A Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with his or her Award. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any amount payable under the Plan, including delivery of Shares to be made pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan, all federal, state, city, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment and the Company may take any such actions as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
(b) Share Withholding. The Committee may (i) permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of his or her withholding or income tax obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that
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otherwise would be issued to him or her, or (ii) permit a Participant to satisfy such obligations by Cashless Exercise or by surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired; provided that Shares withheld or previously owned Shares that are tendered shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Companys tax withholding obligations at the minimum statutory withholding rates, including, but not limited to, U.S. federal and state income taxes, payroll taxes and foreign taxes, if applicable, unless the previously owned Shares have been held for a minimum duration (if any) determined satisfactory as established by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. Any payment of taxes by assigning Shares to the Company may be subject to restrictions, including, but not limited to, any restrictions required by rules of the SEC. If any Shares are used to satisfy withholding taxes, such Shares shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value thereof on the date when the withholding for taxes is required to be made.
SECTION 15. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS; MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Term of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to this Section 15.
(b) Amendment or Termination of the Plan. The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend the Plan, in whole or in part. No awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends the Plan. To the extent then required by Applicable Laws or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the Code to preserve the intended tax consequences of the Plan, or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, any amendment to the Plan shall be subject to shareholder approval.
(c) Amendments to Awards. Without limiting any other express authority of the Committee under (but subject to) the express limits of the Plan, the Committee by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on Awards to Participants that the Committee in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a Participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 3 and 15(d)) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of Awards. No amendment of an Award shall constitute a Re-Pricing without shareholder approval.
(d) Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or amendment of any outstanding Award Agreement shall, without written consent of the Participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the Participant any rights or benefits of the Participant or obligations of the Company under any Award granted under the Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 11 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 15.
(e) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (except its choice-of-law provisions) and applicable U.S. Federal Laws.
(f) Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue in effect.
(g) Section Headings. Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
(h) No Corporate Action Restriction. The existence of the Plan, the Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize: (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the capital stock (or the rights thereof) of the Company
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or any Subsidiary, (iv) any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary, (v) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Company or any Subsidiary. No Participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim under any Award or Award Agreement against any member of the Board or the Committee, or the Company or any Employees, officers or agents of the Company or any Subsidiary, as a result of any such action.
(i) Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Company. Awards may be granted under the Plan in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee, director and/or consultant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons who are or who will become Employees or Consultants in respect of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a distribution, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the granting entity. The Awards so granted may reflect the original terms of the related award being assumed or substituted for and need not comply with other specific terms of the Plan, with Common Stock substituted for the securities covered by the original award and with the number of Shares subject to such awards, as well as any exercise or purchase prices applicable to such awards, adjusted to account for differences in stock prices in connection with the transaction. Any shares that are delivered and any Awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company, as a result of any such assumption or substitution in connection with any such transaction shall not be counted against the Share limit or other limits on the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan, unless determined otherwise by the Company.
(j) An Award granted under the Plan will be subject to any provisions of Applicable Laws providing for the recoupment or clawback of incentive compensation; the terms of any Company recoupment, clawback or similar policy in effect at the time of grant of the Award; and any recoupment, clawback or similar provisions that may be included in the applicable Award Agreement.
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Exhibit 10.2
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF GRANT
Name:
Employee ID:
Grant Number:
No. of Units Subject to Award:
Award Date:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Vesting Schedule:
This restricted stock unit award (the Award) is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan and the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award, which are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
You do not have to accept the Award. If you wish to decline your Award, you should promptly notify Apple Inc.s Stock Plan Group of your decision at stock@apple.com. If you do not provide such notification within thirty (30) days after the Award Date, you will be deemed to have accepted your Award on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD
1. General. These Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award (these Terms) apply to a particular restricted stock unit award (the Award) granted by Apple Inc., a California corporation (the Company), and are incorporated by reference in the Notice of Grant (the Grant Notice) corresponding to that particular grant. The recipient of the Award identified in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Participant. The effective date of grant of the Award as set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Award Date. The Award was granted under and is subject to the provisions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan). Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not defined herein. The Award has been granted to the Participant in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other form of compensation otherwise payable or to be paid to the Participant. The Grant Notice and these Terms are collectively referred to as the Award Agreement applicable to the Award.
2. Stock Units. As used herein, the term Stock Unit shall mean a non-voting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding share of the Companys Common Stock (Share) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to eventually be made to the Participant if such Stock Units vest pursuant to this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.
3. Vesting. Subject to Section 8 below, the Award shall vest and become nonforfeitable as set forth in the Grant Notice. (Each vesting date set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to herein as a Vesting Date).
4. Continuance of Employment. The vesting schedule requires continued employment or service through each applicable Vesting Date as a condition to the vesting of the applicable installment of the Award and the rights and benefits under this Award Agreement. Employment or service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Participant to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment or services as provided in Section 8 below or under the Plan.
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement or the Plan constitutes an employment or service commitment by the Company, affects the Participants status as an employee at will who is subject to termination with or without cause, confers upon the Participant any right to remain employed by or in service to the Company or any Subsidiary, interferes in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time to terminate such employment or services, or affects the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to increase or decrease the Participants other compensation or benefits. Nothing in this paragraph, however, is intended to adversely affect any independent contractual right of the Participant without his consent thereto.
5. Dividend and Voting Rights.
(a) Limitations on Rights Associated with Units. The Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, no dividend rights (except as expressly provided in Section 5(b) with respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights) and no voting rights, with respect to the Stock Units or any Shares underlying or issuable in respect of such Stock Units until such Shares are actually issued to and held of record by the Participant. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights of a holder for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of the stock certificate or book entry evidencing such Shares.
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(b) Dividend Equivalent Rights Distributions. As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its Common Stock, the Company shall credit the Participant with a dollar amount equal to (i) the per share cash dividend paid by the Company on its Common Stock on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total number of Stock Units (with such total number adjusted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan) subject to the Award that are outstanding immediately prior to the record date for that dividend (a Dividend Equivalent Right). Any Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be subject to the same vesting, payment and other terms, conditions and restrictions as the original Stock Units to which they relate; provided, however, that the amount of any vested Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be paid in cash. No crediting of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be made pursuant to this Section 5(b) with respect to any Stock Units which, immediately prior to the record date for that dividend, have either been paid pursuant to Section 7 or terminated pursuant to Section 8.
6. Restrictions on Transfer. Except as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, neither the Award, nor any interest therein or amount or Shares payable in respect thereof may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of, alienated or encumbered, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
7. Timing and Manner of Payment of Stock Units. On or as soon as administratively practical following each vesting of the applicable portion of the total Award pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8 (and in all events not later than two and one-half (2 1/2) months after such vesting event), the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of Stock Units subject to the Award that vest on the applicable Vesting Date, less Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 11 below), unless such Stock Units terminate prior to the given Vesting Date pursuant to Section 8. The Companys obligation to deliver Shares or otherwise make payment with respect to vested Stock Units is subject to the condition precedent that the Participant or other person entitled under the Plan to receive any Shares with respect to the vested Stock Units deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances required pursuant to Section 13(c) of the Plan. The Participant shall have no further rights with respect to any Stock Units that are paid or that terminate pursuant to Section 8.
8. Effect of Termination of Employment. The Participants Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall terminate to the extent such units have not become vested prior to the first date the Participant is no longer employed by or providing services to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the Severance Date), regardless of the reason for the termination of the Participants employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, whether with or without cause, voluntarily or involuntarily; provided, however, that in the event such termination of employment is due to the Participants death or Disability, (a) the Award shall vest with respect to the number of Stock Units determined by multiplying (i) the number of then-outstanding and unvested Stock Units subject to the Award that would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 3 on the next Vesting Date following the Severance Date but for such termination of employment, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed between the Vesting Date that immediately preceded the Severance Date (or, in the case of a termination prior to the initial Vesting Date, the Vesting Commencement Date) and the Severance Date, and the denominator of which shall be the number of whole calendar months between the Vesting Date that immediately preceded the Severance Date (or, in the case of a termination prior to the initial Vesting Date, the Vesting Commencement Date) and the next Vesting Date following the Severance Date that would have occurred but for such termination of employment; and (b) any Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) that are not vested after giving effect to the foregoing clause (a) shall terminate. If any unvested Stock Units are terminated hereunder, such Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall automatically terminate and be cancelled as of the applicable Severance Date without payment of any consideration by the Company and without any other action by the Participant, or the Participants beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be.
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9. Recoupment. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, shall be subject to any recoupment, clawback or similar provisions of applicable law, as well as any recoupment or clawback policies of the Company that may be in effect from time to time. In addition, the Company may require the Participant to deliver or otherwise repay to the Company the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, if the Company reasonably determines that one or more of the following has occurred:
(a) | during the period of the Participants employment or service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the Employment Period), the Participant has committed a felony (under the laws of the United States or any relevant state, or a similar crime or offense under the applicable laws of any relevant foreign jurisdiction); |
(b) | during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in a breach of confidentiality, or an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
(c) | during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, or materially breached any agreement to which the Participant is a party with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. |
10. Adjustments Upon Specified Events. Upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Companys stock contemplated by Section 11 of the Plan (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such stock), the Committee shall make adjustments in accordance with such section in the number of Stock Units then outstanding and the number and kind of securities that may be issued in respect of the Award. No such adjustment shall be made with respect to any ordinary cash dividend for which Dividend Equivalent Rights are credited pursuant to Section 5(b).
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11. Responsibility for Taxes. Regardless of any action the Company and/or the Participants employer (the Employer) take with respect to any or all income tax (including U.S. federal, state and local tax and/or non-U.S. tax), social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participants participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant or deemed by the Company or the Employer to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if technically due by the Company or the Employer (Tax-Related Items), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including the grant of the Stock Units, the vesting of the Stock Units, the delivery of Shares, the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired at vesting and the receipt of any dividends and/or dividend equivalents; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant is or becomes subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant shall pay or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or the Employer. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, at its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, to satisfy withholding and all other obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items legally payable by the Participant by one or a combination of the following:
(a) withholding from any wages or other cash compensation payable to the Participant by the Company and/or the Employer;
(b) withholding otherwise deliverable Shares and/or from otherwise payable Dividend Equivalent Rights to be issued or paid upon vesting/settlement of the Award;
(c) arranging for the sale of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant (on the Participants behalf and at the Participants direction pursuant to this authorization), including selling shares as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan; or
(d) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon vesting/settlement of the Award.
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To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding a number of Shares as described herein, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the Award, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Participants participation in the Plan. The Participant shall pay to the Company and/or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participants participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to deliver to the Participant any Shares pursuant to the Participants Award if the Participant fails to comply with the Participants obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items as described in this Section.
12. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by electronic means or request the Participants consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.
13. Data Privacy. The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as described in this Section 13. The Company, its related entities, and the Participants employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Participants name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participants favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (Data). The Company and its related entities may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of the Participants participation in the Plan, and the Company and its related entities may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company or any such related entity in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participants participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on the Participants behalf to a broker or to other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or otherwise).
14. Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Award Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at its principal office to the attention of the Secretary, and to the Participant at the Participants last address reflected on the Companys records, or at such other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be given only when received, but if the Participant is no longer an employee of the Company, shall be deemed to have been duly given by the Company when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited (postage and registry or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government.
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15. Plan. The Award and all rights of the Participant under this Award Agreement are subject to the terms and conditions of the provisions of the Plan, incorporated herein by reference. The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The Participant acknowledges having read and understood the Plan, the Prospectus for the Plan, and this Award Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly provided in other sections of this Award Agreement, provisions of the Plan that confer discretionary authority on the Board or the Committee do not (and shall not be deemed to) create any rights in the Participant unless such rights are expressly set forth herein or are otherwise in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee so conferred by appropriate action of the Board or the Committee under the Plan after the date hereof.
16. Entire Agreement. This Award Agreement and the Plan together constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Plan and this Award Agreement may be amended pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan. Such amendment must be in writing and signed by the Company. The Company may, however, unilaterally waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent such waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the Participant hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision hereof.
17. Limitation on the Participants Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Award Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Stock Units, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to Stock Units, as and when payable hereunder.
18. Counterparts. This Award Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Section Headings. The section headings of this Award Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect any provision hereof.
20. Governing Law and Choice of Venue. This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of law principles thereunder.
For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
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21. Construction. It is intended that the terms of the Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. This Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Award Agreement are severable and if any one of more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
23. Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants participation in the Plan, on the Stock Units and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
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Exhibit 10.3
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
PERFORMANCE AWARD
NOTICE OF GRANT
Name:
Employee ID:
Grant Number:
Target No. of Units
Subject to Award:
Award Date:
Vesting Schedule:
Performance Period:
This restricted stock unit award (the Award) is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan and the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award - Performance Award (including Exhibit A thereto), which are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
You do not have to accept the Award. If you wish to decline your Award, you should promptly notify Apple Inc.s Stock Plan Group of your decision at stock@apple.com. If you do not provide such notification within thirty (30) days after the Award Date, you will be deemed to have accepted your Award on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD
PERFORMANCE AWARD
1. General. These Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award - Performance Award (these Terms) apply to a particular restricted stock unit award (the Award) granted by Apple Inc., a California corporation (the Company), and are incorporated by reference in the Notice of Grant (the Grant Notice) corresponding to that particular grant. The recipient of the Award identified in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Participant. The effective date of grant of the Award as set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Award Date. The Award was granted under and is subject to the provisions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan). Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not defined herein. The Award has been granted to the Participant in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other form of compensation otherwise payable or to be paid to the Participant. The Grant Notice and these Terms (including Exhibit A hereto, incorporated herein by this reference) are collectively referred to as the Award Agreement applicable to the Award.
2. Stock Units. As used herein, the term Stock Unit shall mean a non-voting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding share of the Companys Common Stock (Share) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to eventually be made to the Participant if such Stock Units vest pursuant to this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.
3. Vesting. Subject to Section 8 below, the Award shall vest and become nonforfeitable as set forth in the Grant Notice and Exhibit A hereto. (The vesting date set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to herein as a Vesting Date).
4. Continuance of Employment. The vesting schedule requires continued employment or service through the Vesting Date as a condition to the vesting of the Award and the rights and benefits under this Award Agreement. Employment or service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Participant to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment or services as provided in Section 8 below or under the Plan.
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement or the Plan constitutes an employment or service commitment by the Company, affects the Participants status as an employee at will who is subject to termination with or without cause, confers upon the Participant any right to remain employed by or in service to the Company or any Subsidiary, interferes in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time to terminate such employment or services, or affects the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to increase or decrease the Participants other compensation or benefits. Nothing in this paragraph, however, is intended to adversely affect any independent contractual right of the Participant without his consent thereto.
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5. Dividend and Voting Rights.
(a) Limitations on Rights Associated with Units. The Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, no dividend rights (except as expressly provided in Section 5(b) with respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights) and no voting rights, with respect to the Stock Units or any Shares underlying or issuable in respect of such Stock Units until such Shares are actually issued to and held of record by the Participant. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights of a holder for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of the stock certificate or book entry evidencing such Shares.
(b) Dividend Equivalent Rights Distributions. As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its Common Stock, the Company shall credit the Participant with a dollar amount equal to (i) the per share cash dividend paid by the Company on its Common Stock on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total target number of Stock Units (with such total number adjusted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan) subject to the Award that are outstanding immediately prior to the record date for that dividend (a Dividend Equivalent Right). Any Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be subject to the same vesting, payment and other terms, conditions and restrictions as the original Stock Units to which they relate; provided, however, that the amount of any vested Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be paid in cash. For purposes of clarity, the percentage of the Dividend Equivalent Rights that are paid will correspond to the percentage of the total target number of Stock Units that vest on the Vesting Date, after giving effect to Exhibit A. No crediting of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be made pursuant to this Section 5(b) with respect to any Stock Units which, immediately prior to the record date for that dividend, have either been paid pursuant to Section 7 or terminated pursuant to Section 8 or Exhibit A.
6. Restrictions on Transfer. Except as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, neither the Award, nor any interest therein or amount or Shares payable in respect thereof may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of, alienated or encumbered, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
7. Timing and Manner of Payment of Stock Units. On or as soon as administratively practical following the vesting of the Award pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8 (and in all events not later than two and one-half (2 1/2) months after such vesting event), the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of Stock Units subject to the Award that vest on the Vesting Date, less Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 11 below), unless such Stock Units terminate prior to the Vesting Date pursuant to Section 8. The Companys obligation to deliver Shares or otherwise make payment with respect to vested Stock Units is subject to the condition precedent that the Participant or other person entitled under the Plan to receive any Shares with respect to the vested Stock Units deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances required pursuant to Section 13(c) of the Plan. The Participant shall have no further rights with respect to any Stock Units that are paid or that terminate pursuant to Section 8.
8. Effect of Termination of Employment. Except as provided in the next sentence, the Participants Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall terminate to the extent such units have not become vested prior to the first date the Participant is no longer employed by or providing services to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the Severance Date), regardless of the reason for the termination of the Participants employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, whether with or without cause, voluntarily or involuntarily. In the event the Participants Severance Date is the result of a termination of the Participants employment due to the Participants death or Disability, and the Severance Date occurs prior to the Vesting Date, on the Vesting Date the Award shall vest with respect to a number of Stock Units determined by multiplying (i) the Stock Units subject to the Award that would have otherwise vested pursuant to the Award on such Vesting Date but for the termination of employment and to the extent the applicable performance-based vesting requirement is satisfied, by (ii) the Severance Fraction (determined as set forth below). Any Stock Units that are unvested on the Severance Date and that are not eligible to vest on the Vesting Date following the Severance Date pursuant to the preceding sentence shall terminate as of the Severance Date, and any Stock Units that remain outstanding and unvested after giving effect to the preceding sentence shall terminate as of the Vesting Date. The Severance Fraction means a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of whole calendar months that have elapsed between the Award Date and the Severance Date, and the denominator of which shall be the number of whole calendar months between the Award Date and the Vesting Date. If any unvested Stock Units are terminated pursuant to this Award Agreement, such Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall automatically terminate and be cancelled as of the applicable Severance Date (or, to the extent the applicable performance-based vesting conditions are not satisfied, the Vesting Date, as provided in Exhibit A) without payment of any consideration by the Company and without any other action by the Participant, or the Participants beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be.
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9. Recoupment. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, shall be subject to any recoupment, clawback or similar provisions of applicable law, as well as any recoupment or clawback policies of the Company that may be in effect from time to time. In addition, the Company may require the Participant to deliver or otherwise repay to the Company the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, if the Company reasonably determines that one or more of the following has occurred:
(a) | during the period of the Participants employment or service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the Employment Period), the Participant has committed a felony (under the laws of the United States or any relevant state, or a similar crime or offense under the applicable laws of any relevant foreign jurisdiction); |
(b) | during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in a breach of confidentiality, or an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
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(c) | during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, or materially breached any agreement to which the Participant is a party with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. |
10. Adjustments Upon Specified Events. Upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Companys stock contemplated by Section 11 of the Plan (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such stock), the Committee shall make adjustments in accordance with such section in the number of Stock Units then outstanding and the number and kind of securities that may be issued in respect of the Award. No such adjustment shall be made with respect to any ordinary cash dividend for which Dividend Equivalent Rights are credited pursuant to Section 5(b).
11. Responsibility for Taxes. Regardless of any action the Company and/or the Participants employer (the Employer) take with respect to any or all income tax (including U.S. federal, state and local tax and/or non-U.S. tax), social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participants participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant or deemed by the Company or the Employer to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if technically due by the Company or the Employer (Tax-Related Items), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including the grant of the Stock Units, the vesting of the Stock Units, the delivery of Shares, the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired at vesting and the receipt of any dividends and/or dividend equivalents; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant is or becomes subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant shall pay or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or the Employer. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, at its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, to satisfy withholding and all other obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items legally payable by the Participant by one or a combination of the following:
(a) withholding from any wages or other cash compensation payable to the Participant by the Company and/or the Employer;
(b) withholding otherwise deliverable Shares and/or from otherwise payable Dividend Equivalent Rights to be issued or paid upon vesting/settlement of the Award;
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(c) arranging for the sale of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant (on the Participants behalf and at the Participants direction pursuant to this authorization), including selling shares as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan; or
(d) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon vesting/settlement of the Award.
To avoid negative accounting treatment, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding a number of Shares as described herein, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the Award, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Participants participation in the Plan. The Participant shall pay to the Company and/or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participants participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to deliver to the Participant any Shares pursuant to the Participants Award if the Participant fails to comply with the Participants obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items as described in this Section.
12. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by electronic means or request the Participants consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.
13. Data Privacy. The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as described in this Section 13. The Company, its related entities, and the Participants employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Participants name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participants favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (Data). The Company and its related entities may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of the Participants participation in the Plan, and the Company and its related entities may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company or any such related entity in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participants participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on the Participants behalf to a broker or to other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or otherwise).
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14. Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Award Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at its principal office to the attention of the Secretary, and to the Participant at the Participants last address reflected on the Companys records, or at such other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be given only when received, but if the Participant is no longer an employee of the Company, shall be deemed to have been duly given by the Company when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited (postage and registry or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government.
15. Plan. The Award and all rights of the Participant under this Award Agreement are subject to the terms and conditions of the provisions of the Plan, incorporated herein by reference. The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The Participant acknowledges having read and understood the Plan, the Prospectus for the Plan, and this Award Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly provided in other sections of this Award Agreement, provisions of the Plan that confer discretionary authority on the Board or the Committee do not (and shall not be deemed to) create any rights in the Participant unless such rights are expressly set forth herein or are otherwise in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee so conferred by appropriate action of the Board or the Committee under the Plan after the date hereof.
16. Entire Agreement. This Award Agreement and the Plan together constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Plan and this Award Agreement may be amended pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan. Such amendment must be in writing and signed by the Company. The Company may, however, unilaterally waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent such waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the Participant hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision hereof.
17. Limitation on the Participants Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Award Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Stock Units, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to Stock Units, as and when payable hereunder.
18. Counterparts. This Award Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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19. Section Headings. The section headings of this Award Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect any provision hereof.
20. Governing Law and Choice of Venue. This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of law principles thereunder.
For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
21. Construction. It is intended that the terms of the Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. This Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Award Agreement are severable and if any one of more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
23. Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants participation in the Plan, on the Stock Units and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
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PERFORMANCE AWARD
EXHIBIT A
PERFORMANCE VESTING REQUIREMENTS
The Stock Units (and related Dividend Equivalent Rights) subject to the Award that will vest on the Vesting Date will be determined based on the Companys relative total shareholder return (TSR) Percentile for the Performance Period.
The percentage of the Stock Units (and related Dividend Equivalent Rights) that vest on the Vesting Date will be determined as follows:
| If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile or greater, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest on the Vesting Date. |
| If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest on the Vesting Date. |
| If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest on the Vesting Date. |
| If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is below the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest on the Vesting Date. |
For TSR Percentile performance for the Performance Period between the levels indicated above, the portion of the Stock Units that will vest on the Vesting Date will be determined on a straight-line basis (i.e., linearly interpolated) between the two nearest vesting percentages indicated above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Companys TSR for the Performance Period is negative, in no event shall more than one hundred percent (100%) of the target Stock Units vest.
The number of Stock Units that vest on the Vesting Date will be rounded to the nearest whole unit, and the balance of the Stock Units will not vest and will terminate on that Vesting Date.
For purposes of the Award, the following definitions will apply:
| TSR Percentile means the percentile ranking of the Companys TSR among the TSRs for the Comparison Group members for the Performance Period. In determining the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period, in the event that the Companys TSR for the Performance Period is equal to the TSR(s) of one or more other Comparison Group members for that same period, the Companys TSR Percentile ranking will be determined by ranking the Companys TSR for that period as being greater than such other Comparison Group members. |
A-1
| Comparison Group means the Company and each other company included in the Standard & Poors 500 index on the first day of the Performance Period and, except as provided below, the common stock (or similar equity security) of which continues to be listed or traded on a national securities exchange through the last trading day of the Performance Period. In the event a member of the Comparison Group files for bankruptcy or liquidates due to an insolvency, such company shall continue to be treated as a Comparison Group member, and such companys Ending Price will be treated as $0 if the common stock (or similar equity security) of such company is no longer listed or traded on a national securities exchange on the last trading day of the Performance Period. In the event of a formation of a new parent company by a Comparison Group member, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of which consist immediately after the transaction of the equity interests in the original Comparison Group member or the assets and liabilities of such Comparison Group member immediately prior to the transaction, such new parent company shall be substituted for the Comparison Group member to the extent (and for such period of time) as its common stock (or similar equity securities) are listed or traded on a national securities exchange but the common stock (or similar equity securities) of the original Comparison Group member are not. In the event of a merger or other business combination of two Comparison Group members (including, without limitation, the acquisition of one Comparison Group member, or all or substantially all of its assets, by another Comparison Group member), the surviving, resulting or successor entity, as the case may be, shall continue to be treated as a member of the Comparison Group, provided that the common stock (or similar equity security) of such entity is listed or traded on a national securities exchange through the last trading day of the Performance Period. With respect to the preceding two sentences, the applicable stock prices shall be equitably and proportionately adjusted to the extent (if any) necessary to preserve the intended incentives of the awards and mitigate the impact of the transaction. |
| TSR shall be determined with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member by dividing: (a) the sum of (i) the difference obtained by subtracting the applicable Beginning Price from the applicable Ending Price plus (ii) all dividends and other distributions during the Performance Period by (b) the applicable Beginning Price. Any non-cash distributions shall be valued at fair market value. For the purpose of determining TSR, the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by treating them as reinvested in additional shares of stock at the closing market price on the date of distribution. |
| Beginning Price means, with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member, the average of the closing market prices of such companys common stock on the principal exchange on which such stock is traded for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending with the last trading day before the beginning of the Performance Period. For the purpose of determining Beginning Price, the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by treating them as reinvested in additional shares of stock at the closing market price on the date of distribution. |
A-2
| Ending Price means, with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member, the average of the closing market prices of such companys common stock on the principal exchange on which such stock is traded for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the Performance Period. For the purpose of determining Ending Price, the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by treating them as reinvested in additional shares of stock at the closing market price on the date of distribution. |
With respect to the computation of TSR, Beginning Price, and Ending Price, there shall also be an equitable and proportionate adjustment to the extent (if any) necessary to preserve the intended incentives of the awards and mitigate the impact of any stock split, stock dividend or reverse stock split occurring during the Performance Period (or during the applicable 20-day period in determining Beginning Price or Ending Price, as the case may be).
In the event of any ambiguity or discrepancy, the determination of the Committee shall be final and binding.
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A-3