-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KhJ471XijjHTVAytuotOl4TbJT75LaUGu3iAahAlxpzDeq1oByT0fPgzBBTeFFmY YeZPnEk0pl0W77oI80vu8w== 0000891020-96-001284.txt : 19961031 0000891020-96-001284.hdr.sgml : 19961031 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000891020-96-001284 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 19961030 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 19961030 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000770403 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577] IRS NUMBER: 911618616 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-15111 FILM NUMBER: 96650498 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1201 WILLOWS ROAD STREET 2: P O BOX 97057 CITY: REDMOND STATE: WA ZIP: 98073-9757 BUSINESS PHONE: 2068818004 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10201 WILLOWS ROAD STREET 2: P O BOX 97057 CITY: REDMOND STATE: WA ZIP: 98073-9757 S-8 1 ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION FORM S-8 1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 30, 1996 REGISTRATION NO. 333-_____ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ---------------------- ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) WASHINGTON 91-1618616 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
10201 WILLOWS ROAD REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)(ZIP CODE) ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION 1996 TRANSITION PLAN ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN (FULL TITLES OF THE PLANS) -------------------------- PETER H. VAN OPPEN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION 10201 WILLOWS ROAD REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052 (206) 881-8004 (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ---------------------- COPY TO: LINDA A. SCHOEMAKER PERKINS COIE 1201 THIRD AVENUE, 40TH FLOOR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101-3099 (206) 583-8888 ---------------------- CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
TITLE OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION FEE SHARE(1) PRICE(1) Common Stock, no par 1,101,092 value(2) shares (3) $11.375 $12,524,922 $3,795
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee. The price per share is estimated to be $11.375 based on the average of the high ($11.75) and low ($11.00) sales prices for the Common Stock on October 25, 1996, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. (2) Including associated Preferred Stock Purchase Rights. (3) Includes 625,000 shares issuable pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan and 476,092 shares issuable pursuant to the 1996 Transition Plan (together, the "Plans") together with an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be necessary to adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plans as the result of any future stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. 2 PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: (a) The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 30, 1996 (as amended, the "Form 10"), which contains audited financial statements for the most recent year for which such statements have been filed; (b) All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Form 10; and (c) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Form 10, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters the securities covered hereby then remaining unsold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the respective dates on which such documents are filed. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 of the Washington Business Corporation Act authorize a court to award, or a corporation's board of directors to grant, indemnification to directors and officers on terms sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Section 10 of the Registrant's Restated Bylaws provides for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted by Washington law. Section 23B.08.320 of the Washington Business Corporation Act authorizes a corporation to limit a director's liability to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for acts or omissions as a director, except in certain circumstances involving intentional misconduct, self-dealing or illegal corporate loans or distributions, or any transaction from which the director personally receives a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled. Article 11 of the Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation contains provisions implementing, to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, such limitations on a director's liability to the Registrant and its shareholders. The Registrant has entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each of the its executive officers and directors in which the Registrant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the officer or director to the full extent permitted by Washington law. In addition, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the officer or director against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred in connection with any actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, in which the officer or director is, was or becomes involved by reason of the fact that the officer or director is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant, or that being or having been such a director, officer, employee or agent, such director is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action (or inaction) by the officer or director in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent. The officer or director is not indemnified for any action, suit, claim or proceeding instituted by or at the direction of the officer or director unless such action, suit, claim or proceeding is or was authorized by the Registrant's Board of Directors or unless the action is to enforce the provisions of the Indemnification Agreement. No indemnity pursuant to the Indemnification Agreements may be provided by the Registrant on account of any suit in which a final, unappealable judgment is rendered against an officer or director for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the officer or director of securities of the Registrant in violation of the provisions of II-1 3 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or for damages that have been paid directly to the officer or director by an insurance carrier under a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by the Registrant. ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 5.1 Opinion of Perkins Coie regarding legality of the Common Stock being registered 23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (see page II-5) 23.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (see page II-6) 23.3 Consent of Perkins Coie (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Power of Attorney (see Signature Page) 99.1 1996 Stock Option Plan 99.2 1996 Transition Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (reg. no. 000-21103) filed on July 30, 1996, as amended)
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-2 4 C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer of controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-3 5 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Redmond, State of Washington, on the 29th day of October, 1996. ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION, INC. By: /s/ Peter H. van Oppen _____________________________ Peter H. van Oppen Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Peter H. van Oppen and Charles H. Stonecipher, and each of them, with full power of substitution and full power to act without the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file, any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, including any and all post-effective amendments with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any regulatory authority. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on the 29th day of October, 1996. SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ Peter H. van Oppen Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of ___________________________________ Peter H. van Oppen Directors (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Charles H. Stonecipher Chief Operating Officer ___________________________________ Charles H. Stonecipher (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Christopher T. Bayley Director ___________________________________ Christopher T. Bayley /s/ Walter P. Kistler Director ___________________________________ Walter P. Kistler /s/ Russell F. McNeill Director ___________________________________ Russell F. McNeill /s/ John W. Stanton Director ___________________________________ John W. Stanton /s/ Walter F. Walker Director ___________________________________ Walter F. Walker
II-4 6 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated July 19, 1996 appearing in the Advanced Digital Information Corporation Registration Statement on Form 10. PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Seattle, Washington October 28, 1996 II-5 7 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT The Board of Directors Advanced Digital Information Corporation We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference relating to the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Advanced Digital Information Corporation for the year ended September 30, 1993. KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP Seattle, Washington October 29, 1996 II-6 8 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 5.1 Opinion of Perkins Coie regarding legality of the Common Stock being registered 23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (see page II-5) 23.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (see page II-6) 23.3 Consent of Perkins Coie (included in Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Power of Attorney (see Signature Page) 99.1 1996 Stock Option Plan 99.2 1996 Transition Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (reg. no. 000-21103) filed on July 30, 1996, as amended)
EX-5.1 2 OPINION OF PERKINS COIE 1 EXHIBIT 5.1 [Perkins Coie Letterhead] October 29, 1996 Advanced Digital Information Corporation 10201 Willows Road Redmond, WA 98052 RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 Gentlemen and Ladies: We have acted as counsel to you in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which you are filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to 1,101,092 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Shares"), 476,092 which may be issued under the Advanced Digital Information Corporation 1996 Transition Plan and 625,000 of which may be issued under the Advanced Digital Information Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (together, the "Plans"). We have examined the Registration Statement and such documents and records of the Company and other documents as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted or to be granted pursuant to the Plans have been duly authorized and that, upon the due execution by the Company and the registration by its registrars of the Shares and the sale thereof by the Company in accordance with the terms of the applicable Plan, and the receipt of the consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of the applicable Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act. Very truly yours, PERKINS COIE :syh EX-99.1 3 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN 1 EXHIBIT 99.1 ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN SECTION 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Advanced Digital Information Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the long-term shareholder value of Advanced Digital Information Corporation, a Washington corporation (the "Company"), by offering opportunities to employees, directors, officers, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 2) to participate in the Company's growth and success, and to encourage them to remain in the service of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to acquire and maintain stock ownership in the Company. SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below: 2.1 AWARD "Award" means an award or grant made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan, including awards or grants of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options or any combination thereof. 2.2 BOARD "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. 2.3 CAUSE "Cause" means dishonesty, fraud, misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conviction or confession of a crime punishable by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by the Plan Administrator, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding. 2.4 CODE "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. 2.5 COMMON STOCK "Common Stock" means the common stock, no par value, of the Company. 2 2.6 CORPORATE TRANSACTION "Corporate Transaction" means any of the following events: (a) Consummation of any merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation, or pursuant to which shares of the Common Stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, if following such merger or consolidation the holders of the Company's outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation own less than 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation; (b) Consummation of any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company's assets other than a transfer of the Company's assets to a majority-owned subsidiary corporation (as the term "subsidiary corporation" is defined in Section 8.3) of the Company; (c) Approval by the holders of the Common Stock of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (d) Acquisition by a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section 13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date of adoption of the Plan) of the Exchange Act of a majority or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities (whether directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record). Ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) (as in effect on the date of adoption of the Plan) pursuant to the Exchange Act. 2.7 DISABILITY "Disability" means "disability" as that term is defined for purposes of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. 2.8 ELIGIBLE DIRECTOR "Eligible Director" means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" (as those terms are defined in Section 8.3) of the Company. 2.9 EXCHANGE ACT "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 2.10 FAIR MARKET VALUE "Fair Market Value" shall be as established in good faith by the Plan Administrator or (a) if the Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market, the average of the high and the low selling price for the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market for a single trading day or (b) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the 3 American Stock Exchange, the closing selling price for the Common Stock as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange for a single trading day. If there is no such reported price for the Common Stock for the date in question, then such price on the last preceding date for which such price exists shall be determinative of Fair Market Value. 2.11 GOOD REASON "Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions and the failure of the Successor Corporation to cure such event or condition within 30 days after receipt of written notice by the Holder: (a) a change in the Holder's status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) that, in the Holder's reasonable judgment, represents a substantial reduction in the status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the Holder of any duties or responsibilities that, in the Holder's reasonable judgment, are materially inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the Holder from or failure to reappoint or reelect the Holder to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of the Holder's employment for Cause, for Disability or as a result of his or her death, or by the Holder other than for Good Reason; (b) a reduction in the Holder's annual base salary; (c) the Successor Corporation's requiring the Holder (without the Holder's consent) to be based at any place outside a 35-mile radius of his or her place of employment prior to a Corporate Transaction, except for reasonably required travel on the Successor Corporation's business that is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the Corporate Transaction; (d) the Successor Corporation's failure to (i) continue in effect any material compensation or benefit plan (or the substantial equivalent thereof) in which the Holder was participating at the time of a Corporate Transaction, including, but not limited to, the Plan, or (ii) provide the Holder with compensation and benefits substantially equivalent (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under each material employee benefit plan, program and practice as in effect immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction; (e) any material breach by the Successor Corporation of its obligations to the Holder under the Plan or any substantially equivalent plan of the Successor Corporation; or (f) any purported termination of the Holder's employment or service for Cause by the Successor Corporation that does not comply with the terms of the Plan or any substantially equivalent plan of the Successor Corporation. 2.12 GRANT DATE "Grant Date" means the date the Plan Administrator adopted the granting resolution or a later date designated in a resolution of the Plan Administrator as the date an Award is to be granted, or the date an Option is automatically granted pursuant to Section 9. 4 2.13 HOLDER "Holder" means the Participant to whom an Award is granted or, for a Holder who has died, the personal representative of the Holder's estate, the person(s) to whom the Holder's rights under the Award have passed by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution or the beneficiary designated pursuant to Section 10. 2.14 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 7 with the intention that it qualify as an "incentive stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code. 2.15 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 7 other than an Incentive Stock Option. 2.16 OPTION "Option" means the right to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 7. 2.17 PARTICIPANT "Participant" means an individual who is a Holder of an Award or, as the context may require, any employee, director, officer, consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Subsidiary who has been designated by the Plan Administrator as eligible to participate in the Plan. 2.18 PLAN ADMINISTRATOR "Plan Administrator" means the Board or any committee of the Board designated to administer the Plan under Section 3.1. 2.19 SECURITIES ACT "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 2.20 SUBSIDIARY "Subsidiary," except as provided in Section 8.3 in connection with Incentive Stock Options, means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or in which the Company has a significant ownership interest, as determined by the Plan Administrator, and any entity that may become a direct or indirect parent of the Company. 2.21 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION "Successor Corporation" has the meaning set forth under Section 12.2. 5 SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION 3.1 PLAN ADMINISTRATOR The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee or committees (which term includes subcommittees) appointed by, and consisting of two or more members of, the Board. If and so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Board shall consider in selecting the Plan Administrator and the membership of any committee acting as Plan Administrator of the Plan with respect to any persons subject or likely to become subject to Section 16 under the Exchange Act the provisions regarding (a) "outside directors" as contemplated by Section 162(m) of the Code and (b) "nonemployee directors" as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Board may delegate the responsibility for administering the Plan with respect to designated classes of eligible Participants to different committees, subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate. Committee members shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject to removal by the Board at any time. 3.2 ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have exclusive authority, in its discretion, to determine all matters relating to Awards under the Plan, including the selection of individuals to be granted Awards, the type of Awards, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, all terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations, if any, of an Award and the terms of any instrument that evidences the Award. The Plan Administrator shall also have exclusive authority to interpret the Plan and may from time to time adopt, and change, rules and regulations of general application for the Plan's administration. The Plan Administrator's interpretation of the Plan and its rules and regulations, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Plan Administrator pursuant to the Plan, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties involved or affected. The Plan Administrator may delegate administrative duties to such of the Company's officers as it so determines. SECTION 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN 4.1 AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 12.1, a maximum of 625,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares. 4.2 LIMITATIONS Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 12.1, not more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock may be made subject to Awards under the Plan to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company, such limitation to be applied in a manner consistent with the requirements of, and only to the extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from the limitation on deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. 6 4.3 REUSE OF SHARES Any shares of Common Stock that have been made subject to an Award that cease to be subject to the Award (other than by reason of exercise or payment of the Award to the extent it is exercised for in shares), shall again be available for issuance in connection with future grants of Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that any such shares shall be counted in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY Awards may be granted under the Plan to those officers, directors and key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Plan Administrator from time to time selects; provided, however, that Eligible Directors shall be eligible to receive Awards only under Section 9. Awards may also be made to consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors who provide services to the Company and its Subsidiaries. SECTION 6. AWARDS 6.1 FORM AND GRANT OF AWARDS The Plan Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the type or types of Awards to be made under the Plan. Such Awards may consist of Incentive Stock Options and/or Nonqualified Stock Options. Awards may be granted singly or in combination. 6.2 ACQUIRED COMPANY AWARDS Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for awards issued under other plans, or assume under the Plan awards issued under other plans, if the other plans are or were plans of other acquired entities ("Acquired Entities") (or the parent of the Acquired Entity) and the new Award is substituted, or the old award is assumed, by reason of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or of stock, reorganization or liquidation (the "Acquisition Transaction"). In the event that a written agreement pursuant to which the Acquisition Transaction is completed is approved by the Board and said agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of the Acquired Entity, said terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action of the Plan Administrator without any further action by the Plan Administrator, except as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and the persons holding such Awards shall be deemed to be Participants and Holders. SECTION 7. AWARDS OF OPTIONS 7.1 GRANT OF OPTIONS The Plan Administrator is authorized under the Plan, in its sole discretion, to issue Options as Incentive Stock Options or as Nonqualified Stock Options, which shall be appropriately designated. 7 7.2 OPTION EXERCISE PRICE The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be as determined by the Plan Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date. 7.3 TERM OF OPTIONS The term of each Option shall be as established by the Plan Administrator or, if not so established, shall be five years from the Grant Date. 7.4 EXERCISE OF OPTIONS The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option the time at which or the installments in which the Option shall become exercisable, which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option will become exercisable according to the following schedule, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time:
Period of Holder's Continuous Employment or Service With the Company or Its Subsidiaries Percent of Total Option From the Option Grant Date That Is Exercisable -------------------------- ------------------- After 1 year 25% After 2 years 50% After 3 years 75% After 4 years 100%
To the extent that the right to purchase shares has accrued thereunder, an Option may be exercised from time to time by written notice to the Company, in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator, setting forth the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and accompanied by payment in full as described in Section 7.5. The Plan Administrator may determine at any time that an Option may not be exercised as to less than 100 shares at any one time (or the lesser number of remaining shares covered by the Option). 7.5 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration must be paid in cash or check, or, unless the Plan Administrator at any time determines otherwise, a combination of cash and/or check and one or both of the following alternative forms: (a) tendering (either actually or, if and so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, by attestation) Common Stock already owned by the Holder for at least six months (or any shorter period 8 necessary to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings for financial reporting purposes) having a Fair Market Value on the day prior to the exercise date equal to the aggregate Option exercise price; or (b) if and so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, delivery of a properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions, to (i) a brokerage firm designated by the Company to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option exercise price and any withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise and (ii) the Company to deliver the certificates for such purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board. In addition, the exercise price for shares purchased under an Option may be paid either singly or in combination with one or more of the alternative forms of payment authorized by this Section 7.5, by (y) a promissory note delivered pursuant to Section 10 or (z) such other consideration as the Plan Administrator may permit. 7.6 POST-TERMINATION EXERCISES The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option whether the Option will continue to be exercisable, and the terms and conditions of such exercise, if a Holder ceases to be employed by, or to provide services to, the Company or its Subsidiaries, which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option will be exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. In case of termination of the Holder's employment or services other than by reason of death or Cause, the Option shall be exercisable, to the extent of the number of shares purchasable by the Holder at the date of such termination, only within three months after the date the Holder ceases to be an employee, director, officer, consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Subsidiary if termination of the Holder's employment or services is for any reason other than Disability and only within one year after the date of such termination by reason of Disability, but in no event later than the remaining term of the Option. Any Option exercisable at the time of the Holder's death may be exercised, at any time or from time to time within one year after the date of death, but in no event later than the remaining term of the Option, to the extent of the number of shares purchasable by the Holder at the date of the Holder's death, by the personal representative of the Holder's estate, the person(s) to whom the Holder's rights under the Award have passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution or the beneficiary designated pursuant to Section 11. Any portion of an Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination of the Holder's employment or services shall terminate on such date, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise. In case of termination of the Holder's employment or services for Cause, the Option shall automatically terminate upon first notification to the Holder of such termination, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise. If a Holder's employment or services with the Company are suspended pending an investigation of whether the Holder shall be terminated for Cause, all the Holder's rights under any Option likewise shall be suspended during the period of investigation. A transfer of employment or services between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment or services. The effect of a 9 Company-approved leave of absence on the terms and conditions of an option shall be determined by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion. SECTION 8. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS To the extent required by Section 422 of the Code, Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following additional terms and conditions: 8.1 DOLLAR LIMITATION To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other stock option plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such portion in excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. In the event the Participant holds two or more such Options that become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted. 8.2 10% SHAREHOLDERS If a Participant owns more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of the Company's stock, then the exercise price per share of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date and the Option term shall not exceed five years. The determination of 10% ownership shall be made in accordance with Section 422 of the Code. 8.3 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent corporations or subsidiary corporations may not be granted Incentive Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 8.3, "parent corporation" and "subsidiary corporation" shall have the meanings attributed to those terms for purposes of Section 422 of the Code. 8.4 TERM The term of an Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 10 years. 8.5 EXERCISABILITY To qualify for Incentive Stock Option tax treatment, an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death, except that, in the case of termination of employment due to total disability, such Option must be exercised within one year after such termination. Employment shall not be deemed to continue beyond the first 90 days of a leave of absence unless the Participant's reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or contract. For purposes of this Section 8.5, "total disability" shall mean a mental or physical impairment of the Participant which is expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months 10 or more and which causes the Participant to be unable, in the opinion of the Company and two independent physicians, to perform his or her duties for the Company and to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity. Total disability shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day after the Company and the two independent physicians have furnished their opinion of total disability to the Plan Administrator. 8.6 TAXATION OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS In order to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options under Section 422 of the Code, the Participant must hold the shares issued upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option for two years after the Grant Date of the Incentive Stock Option and one year from the date of exercise. A Participant may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. The Plan Administrator may require a Participant to give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares acquired by the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of such holding periods. 8.7 PROMISSORY NOTES The amount of any promissory note delivered pursuant to Section 10 in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall bear interest at a rate specified by the Plan Administrator but in no case less than the rate required to avoid imputation of interest (taking into account any exceptions to the imputed interest rules) for federal income tax purposes. SECTION 9. AWARDS OF OPTIONS TO NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, grants to Eligible Directors shall be made only pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth below. 9.1 ANNUAL GRANTS Commencing with the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each Eligible Director shall automatically receive a grant of an Option to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock immediately following each year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Annual Grants"). Annual Grants shall vest and become exercisable upon the optionee's continued service as a director until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders after the Grant Date. 9.2 INITIAL GRANTS Each Eligible Director shall automatically receive a grant of an Option to purchase 5,500 shares of Common Stock immediately following his or her initial election or appointment to the Board ("Initial Grants"). Initial Grants shall vest and become exercisable as follows: Options for 1,375 shares shall become exercisable on and after one year after the Grant Date, and Options for an additional 1,375 shares shall become exercisable on and after each of the three succeeding anniversaries of the Grant Date. 11 9.3 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS; TERM OF OPTIONS Options granted to an Eligible Director under the Plan shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options. The term of each Option granted under this Section 9 shall be five years from the Grant Date. 9.4 OPTION EXERCISE PRICE The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option granted under this Section 9 shall be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date. 9.5 POST-TERMINATION EXERCISES In case of termination of the Holder's services other than by reason of death or Cause, the Option shall be exercisable, to the extent of the number of shares purchasable by the Holder at the date of such termination, only within three months after the date the Holder ceases to be a director of the Company if such termination is for reasons other than Disability and only within one year if such termination is by reason of Disability, but in no event later than the remaining term of the Option. Any Option exercisable at the time of the Holder's death may be exercised, to the extent of the number of shares purchasable by the Holder at the date of the Holder's death, by the personal representative of the Holder's estate entitled thereto at any time or from time to time within one year after the date of death, but in no event later than the remaining term of the Option. In case of termination of the Holder's services for Cause, the Option shall automatically terminate upon first notification to the Holder of such termination. If a Holder's services with the Company are suspended pending an investigation of whether the Holder shall be terminated for Cause, all the Holder's rights under any Option likewise shall be suspended during the period of investigation. 9.6 CORPORATE TRANSACTION In the event of a Corporate Transaction, each Award that is at the time outstanding shall automatically accelerate so that each such Award shall, immediately prior to the specified effective date for the Corporate Transaction, become 100% vested, except that such acceleration will not occur if, in the opinion of the Company's accountants, it would render unavailable "pooling of interests" accounting for a Corporate Transaction that would otherwise qualify for such accounting treatment. All such Awards not exercised prior to that time shall terminate and cease to remain outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction. 9.7 AVAILABILITY OF SHARES The Options provided for in this Section 9 are subject to the availability of shares under the Plan. If at the date of any grant under this Section 9 there are insufficient shares of Common Stock available to satisfy the grants in whole, then the shares available shall be divided by the number of Eligible Directors then entitled to a grant and each such Eligible Director shall be granted an Option for that number of shares. 12 9.8 OTHER TERMS APPLICABLE Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9, Options granted to Eligible Directors shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan applicable to other Participants. SECTION 10. LOANS, INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS AND LOAN GUARANTEES To assist a Holder (including a Holder who is an officer or director of the Company) in acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may authorize, either at the Grant Date or at any time before the acquisition of Common Stock pursuant to the Award, (a) the extension of a loan to the Holder by the Company, (b) the payment by the Holder of the purchase price, if any, of the Common Stock in installments, or (c) the guarantee by the Company of a loan obtained by the Holder from a third party. The terms of any loans, installment payments or loan guarantees, including the interest rate and terms of repayment, will be subject to the Plan Administrator's discretion. Loans, installment payments and loan guarantees may be granted with or without security. The maximum credit available is the purchase price, if any, of the Common Stock acquired, plus the maximum federal and state income and employment tax liability that may be incurred in connection with the acquisition. SECTION 11. ASSIGNABILITY No Award granted under the Plan may be pledged, assigned or transferred by the Holder other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Holder's lifetime, such Awards may be exercised only by the Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit such assignment, transfer and exercisability and may permit a Holder of such Awards to designate a beneficiary who may exercise the Award or receive compensation under the Award after the Holder's death; provided, however, that any Award so assigned or transferred shall be subject to all the same terms and conditions contained in the instrument evidencing the Award. SECTION 12. ADJUSTMENTS 12.1 ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES In the event that, at any time or from time to time, a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, distribution to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company's corporate or capital structure results in (a) the outstanding shares, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in their place, being exchanged for a different number or class of securities of the Company or of any other corporation or (b) new, different or additional securities of the Company or of any other corporation being received by the holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, then the Plan Administrator shall make proportional adjustments in (i) the maximum number and class of securities subject to the Plan as set forth in Section 4.1, (ii) the number and class of securities that may be made subject to Awards to any individual Participant as 13 set forth in Sections 4.2, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 and (iii) the number and class of securities subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor. The determination by the Plan Administrator as to the terms of any of the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding. 12.2 CORPORATE TRANSACTION Except as otherwise provided in the instrument that evidences the Award, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, each Award that is at the time outstanding shall automatically accelerate so that each such Award shall, immediately prior to the specified effective date for the Corporate Transaction, become 100% vested, except that such acceleration will not occur if, in the opinion of the Company's accountants, it would render unavailable "pooling of interests" accounting for a Corporate Transaction that would otherwise qualify for such accounting treatment. Except for Options granted pursuant to Section 9, such Award shall not so accelerate, if and to the extent (a) such Award is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, either to be assumed by the successor corporation or parent thereof (the "Successor Corporation") or to be replaced with a comparable award for the purchase of shares of the capital stock of the Successor Corporation or, (b) such Award is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the Successor Corporation that preserves the spread existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same vesting schedule applicable to such Award. The determination of Award comparability under clause (a) above shall be made by the Plan Administrator, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding. All such Awards shall terminate and cease to remain outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction, except to the extent such Awards (other than Options granted pursuant to Section 9) are assumed by the Successor Corporation. Any such Awards that are assumed or replaced in the Corporate Transaction and do not otherwise accelerate at that time shall be accelerated in the event the Holder's employment or services should subsequently terminate within two years following such Corporate Transaction, unless such employment or services are terminated by the Successor Corporation for Cause or by the Holder voluntarily without Good Reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Option shall become exercisable pursuant to this Section 12.2 without the Holder's consent, if the result would be to cause such Option not to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option (whether by reason of the annual dollar limitation described in Section 8.1 or otherwise). 12.3 FURTHER ADJUSTMENT OF AWARDS Subject to the preceding Section 12.2, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or change in control of the Company, as defined by the Plan Administrator, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or advisable, and fair and equitable to Participants, with respect to Awards (other than Options granted pursuant to Section 9). Such authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing, amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for exercise, alternate forms and amounts of payments and other modifications, and the Plan Administrator may take such actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants or only to individual Participants. The Plan Administrator may take such actions 14 before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or change in control that is the reason for such action. 12.4 LIMITATIONS The grant of Awards will in no way affect the Company's right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. SECTION 13. WITHHOLDING The Company may require the Holder to pay to the Company the amount of any withholding taxes that the Company is required to withhold with respect to the grant or exercise of any Award. In such instances, subject to the Plan and applicable law and unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise, the Holder may satisfy withholding obligations, in whole or in part, by paying cash, by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock or by transferring shares of Common Stock to the Company, in such amounts as are equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the withholding obligation. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to an Award or from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant an amount equal to such taxes. The Company may also deduct from any Award any other amounts due from the Participant to the Company or a Subsidiary. SECTION 14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN 14.1 AMENDMENT OF PLAN The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Board may also amend the Plan in such respects as it shall deem advisable; however, to the extent required for compliance with Section 422 of the Code or any applicable law or regulation, shareholder approval will be required for any amendment that will (a) increase the aggregate number of shares as to which Awards may be granted, (b) modify the class of employees eligible to receive Awards, or (c) otherwise require shareholder approval under any applicable law or regulation. 14.2 TERMINATION OF PLAN The Company's shareholders or the Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. The Plan will have no fixed expiration date; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than 10 years after the earlier of the Plan's adoption by the Board or approval by the shareholders. 14.3 CONSENT OF HOLDER The amendment or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the Holder of any Award under the Plan, impair or diminish any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan. 15 Any change or adjustment to an outstanding Incentive Stock Option shall not, without the consent of the Holder, be made in a manner so as to constitute a "modification" that would cause such Incentive Stock Option to fail to continue to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. SECTION 15. GENERAL 15.1 AWARD AGREEMENTS Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement which shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Plan Administrator shall deem advisable and which are not inconsistent with the Plan. 15.2 CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES; RIGHTS IN AWARDS None of the Plan, participation in the Plan as a Participant or any action of the Plan Administrator taken under the Plan shall be construed as giving any Participant or employee of the Company any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or limit the Company's right to terminate the employment or services of the Participant. 15.3 REGISTRATION; CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for offering or resale or to qualify for exemption under the Securities Act, or to register or qualify under state securities laws, any shares of Common Stock, security or interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan, or to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made. The Company may issue certificates for shares with such legends and subject to such restrictions on transfer and stop-transfer instructions as counsel for the Company deems necessary or desirable for compliance by the Company with federal and state securities laws. Inability of the Company to obtain, from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, the authority deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder or the unavailability of an exemption from registration for the issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the nonissuance or sale of such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. 15.4 NO RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER No Award shall entitle the Holder to any dividend, voting or other right of a shareholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award, free of all applicable restrictions. 15.5 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board, in its sole discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the Plan to Participants who are officers or directors subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so 16 restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants. Additionally, in interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by law, be construed as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. 15.6 NO TRUST OR FUND The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or shares of Common Stock, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. 15.7 SEVERABILITY If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Plan Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Plan Administrator's determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE DATE The Plan's effective date is the date on which it is adopted by the Board, so long as it is approved by the Company's shareholders at any time within 12 months of such adoption. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----