EX-10.2 4 ex102to10q04637_06302007.htm sec document

                                                                    Exhibit 10.2


                            FALCONSTOR SOFTWARE, INC.

                          2005 KEY EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE
                                 PROTECTION PLAN


                        EFFECTIVE AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2005

                            AS AMENDED AUGUST 6, 2007



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


SECTION 1    ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

SECTION 2    DEFINITIONS

    2.1      Base Salary
    2.2      Board
    2.3      Bonus Amount
    2.4      Cause
    2.5      Change in Control
    2.6      Company
    2.7      Effective Date
    2.8      Employer
    2.9      Executive Officer
    2.10     Good Reason
    2.11     Notice of Termination
    2.12     Other Executives
    2.13     Operating Companies
    2.14     Participant
    2.15     Permanent Disability
    2.16     Plan
    2.17     Severance Benefit

SECTION 3    ELIGIBILITY

    3.1      Participation
    3.2      Duration of Participation

SECTION 4    SEVERANCE BENEFITS

    4.1      Right to Severance Benefit
    4.2      Amount of Severance Benefit
    4.3      Options
    4.4      Restricted Stock

SECTION 5    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

    5.1      Written Notice Required
    5.2      Termination Date

SECTION 6    ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY

    6.1      Gross-Up Payment


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    6.2      Determination By Accountant
    6.3      Notification Required
    6.4      Repayment
    6.5      Timing of Payment

SECTION 7    SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY

    7.1      Successors
    7.2      Sale of Operating Companies

SECTION 8    AMENDMENT AND PLAN TERMINATION

    8.1      Amendment and Termination
    8.2      Form of Amendment

SECTION 9    MISCELLANEOUS

    9.1      Indemnification
    9.2      Employment Status
    9.3      No Duty of Mitigation
    9.4      No Setoff
    9.5      Benefits Under Other Plans
    9.6      Validity and Severability
    9.7      Governing Law; Choice of Forum
    9.8      409A

APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II


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                            FALCONSTOR SOFTWARE, INC.
                  2005 KEY EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PROTECTION PLAN

                        EFFECTIVE AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2005

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FalconStor Software, Inc.,
recognizes that the threat of a change in ownership or control of the Company
may occur which can result in significant distractions of its key executive
personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such a situation; and

          WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is essential and in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders to retain the services of its key
executive personnel in the event of a threat of a Change in Control of the
Company and to ensure their continued dedication and efforts in such event
without undue concern for their personal financial and employment security.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following
plan has been developed and is hereby adopted.

                         SECTION 1 ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

          As of the Effective Date, the Company hereby establishes a severance
compensation plan known as the FalconStor Software, Inc. 2005 Key Executive
Severance Protection Plan as set forth in this document.

                              SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS

          As used herein the following words and phrases shall have the
following respective meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2.1   BASE SALARY

          As to any Participant the amount that the Participant is entitled to
receive as wages or salary from his or her Employer on an annualized basis, as
in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control or, if greater, at any time
following the Change in Control.

2.2   BOARD

          The Board of Directors of the Company.

2.3   BONUS AMOUNT

          The term "Bonus Amount" shall mean for any Participant the highest
annual bonus paid or payable to the Participant in respect of any of the three
(3) fiscal years of the Company preceding the Participant's termination of
employment



2.4   CAUSE

          "Cause" for termination by the Employer of the Participant's
employment shall mean (i) willful and continued failure by the Participant to
substantially perform the Participant's duties on behalf of the Employer (other
than any such failure resulting from the Participant's incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the
issuance of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason by the Participant) for a
period of at least thirty consecutive days after a written demand for
substantial performance has been delivered to the Participant by the Responsible
Person, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Responsible
Person believes that the Participant has not substantially performed the
Participant's duties, (ii) willful misconduct or gross negligence by the
Participant which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or (iii) the Participant is convicted of, or has entered a
plea of NOLO CONTENDERE to, (x) a felony or (y) any crime (whether or not a
felony) involving dishonesty, fraud, embezzlement or breach of trust. For
purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of this definition, an act, or failure to act,
on the Participant's part shall not be deemed "willful" if done, or omitted to
be done, by the Participant in good faith and with reasonable belief that the
Participant's act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company.
In addition, as to any Participant who is an Executive Officer, the Participant
shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there
shall have been delivered to the Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted
by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership
of the Board at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to the
Participant and an opportunity for the Participant, together with the
Participant's counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding in good faith that
the Participant has committed Cause as set forth in such clauses and specifying
the circumstances constituting Cause. For purposes of this definition,
"Responsible Person" shall mean (i) for a Participant who is an Executive
Officer, the Board, and (ii) for a Participant who is an Other Executive, the
Executive Officer to whom the Participant ultimately reports.

2.5   CHANGE IN CONTROL

          A "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following after the Effective Date:

          (a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any
voting securities of the Company (the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as
the term "person" is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), immediately
after which such Person has "Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of
(1) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (or any other
securities into which such shares of common stock are changed or for which such
shares of common stock are exchanged) (the "Shares") or (2) the combined voting
power of the Company's then-outstanding Voting Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,


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that in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to this
paragraph (a), the acquisition of Shares or Voting Securities in a "Non-Control
Acquisition" (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute a Change in Control.
A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit
plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B)
any corporation or other Person the majority of the voting power, voting equity
securities or equity interest of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company (for purposes of this definition, a "Related Entity"), (ii) the Company
or any Related Entity, or (iii) any Person in connection with a "Non-Control
Transaction" (as hereinafter defined);

          (b) The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the
board of directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of
the Company or, following a Merger (as hereinafter defined), the board of
directors of (x) the corporation resulting from such Merger (the "Surviving
Corporation"), if fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of
the then-outstanding voting securities of the Surviving Corporation is not
Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by another Person (a "Parent
Corporation") or (y) if there is one or more than one Parent Corporation, the
ultimate Parent Corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if the election, or
nomination for election by the Company's common stockholders, of any new
director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board,
such new director shall, for purposes of the Plan, be considered a member of the
Incumbent Board; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that no individual shall be
considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed
office as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the board of directors of the
Company (a "Proxy Contest"), including by reason of any agreement intended to
avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

          (c) The consummation of:

                   (i) A merger, consolidation or reorganization (1) with or
into the Company or (2) in which securities of the Company are issued (a
"Merger"), unless such Merger is a "Non-Control Transaction." A "Non-Control
Transaction" shall mean a Merger in which:

                   (A) the stockholders of the Company immediately before such
          Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at
          least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the
          outstanding voting securities of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if
          there is no Parent Corporation or (y) if there is one or more than one
          Parent Corporation, the ultimate Parent Corporation;

                   (B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board
          immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such
          Merger constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of
          directors of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if there is no Parent
          Corporation, or (y) if there is one or more than one Parent
          Corporation, the ultimate Parent Corporation; and


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                   (C) no Person other than (1) the Company, (2) any Related
          Entity, or (3) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part
          thereof) that, immediately prior to the Merger, was maintained by the
          Company or any Related Entity, or (4) any Person who, immediately
          prior to the Merger had Beneficial Ownership of twenty percent (20%)
          or more of the then outstanding Shares or Voting Securities, has
          Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of twenty percent (20%)
          or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting
          securities or common stock of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if fifty
          percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the then
          outstanding voting securities of the Surviving Corporation is not
          Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly by a Parent Corporation, or
          (y) if there is one or more than one Parent Corporation, the ultimate
          Parent Corporation;

                   (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

                   (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially
          all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole
          to any Person (other than (x) a transfer to a Related Entity, (y) a
          transfer under conditions that would constitute a Non-Control
          Transaction, with the disposition of assets being regarded as a Merger
          for this purpose or (z) the distribution to the Company's stockholders
          of the stock of a Related Entity or any other assets).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur
solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership
of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding Shares or Voting
Securities as a result of the acquisition of Shares or Voting Securities by the
Company which, by reducing the number of Shares or Voting Securities then
outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by
the Subject Persons; PROVIDED, that if a Change in Control would occur (but for
the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Shares or
Voting Securities by the Company and, after such share acquisition by the
Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional
Shares or Voting Securities and such Beneficial Ownership increases the
percentage of the then outstanding Shares or Voting Securities Beneficially
Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.

2.6   COMPANY

          "Company" shall mean FalconStor Software, Inc.


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2.7   EFFECTIVE DATE

          The "Effective Date" of this Plan is December 1, 2005.

2.8   EMPLOYER

          "Employer" shall mean, as to any Participant on any date, the Company
or the affiliate (including wholly-owned subsidiaries) of the Company that
employs the Participant on such date.

2.9   EXECUTIVE OFFICER

          All employees of the Company designated as "Officers" by the Board
pursuant to Rule 16a1-f of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Company's General Counsel.

2.10  GOOD REASON

          "Good Reason" shall mean, as to any Participant, the occurrence of any
of the following events or conditions following a Change in Control:

          (a) a change in the Participant's title, offices or responsibilities
(including reporting responsibilities) which represents a substantial reduction
of his or her title, offices or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior
thereto; the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities
which are inconsistent with such title, offices or responsibilities; or any
removal of the Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect him or her to
any of such offices, except in connection with the termination of his or her
employment for Cause, Permanent Disability, as a result of his or her death, or
by the Participant other than for Good Reason;

          (b) a reduction in the Participant's annual base salary;

          (c) (x) the Employer's requiring the Participant to change the office
location at which the Participant is based which results in the Participant
having a commute to such location from the Participant's residence in excess of
50 miles or in excess of 120% (in miles) of the Participant's commute
immediately prior to the date of such change of location, whichever is greater;
or (y) the Employer's requiring the Participant to engage in travel on the
Employer's business to an extent substantially greater than the Participant's
business travel obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control;

          (d) the failure by the Company or any of its affiliates to (i)
continue in effect any material compensation or benefit plan, program or
practice in which the Participant was participating immediately prior to the
Change in Control, or (ii) provide the Participant with compensation and
benefits at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities)
to those provided for under each compensation or employee benefit plan, program
and practice of the Company and its affiliates as in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control (or as in effect following the Change in Control, if
greater);

          (e) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Plan;
or


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          (f) any purported termination of the Participant's employment for
Cause by the Company which does not otherwise comply with the terms of this
Plan.

2.11  NOTICE OF TERMINATION

          "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which indicates the
specific provisions in this Plan relied upon as the basis for any termination of
employment and which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant's employment under
the provision so indicated. No purported termination of employment shall be
effective without such Notice of Termination.

2.12  OTHER EXECUTIVES

          Such other employees of the Company who are so designated by a
majority vote of all Independent Directors of the Company. For purposes of this
section, "Independent Directors" shall mean Directors who meet the independence
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules at the time any action
is taken.

2.13  OPERATING COMPANIES

          Subsidiary companies of the Company designated by the Company on
Appendix I of the Plan.

2.14  PARTICIPANT

          An employee of the Company who meets the eligibility requirements of
Section 3.

2.15  PERMANENT DISABILITY

          A Participant shall be deemed to have become permanently disabled for
purposes of this Plan if the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or, in the
case of a determination with respect to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board)
finds, upon the basis of medical evidence satisfactory to him or her, that the
Participant is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so
as to be prevented from engaging in further employment by the Company and that
such disability will be permanent and continuous during the remainder of his or
her life.

2.16  PLAN

          This FalconStor Software, Inc. 2005 Key Executive Severance Protection
Plan.

2.17  SEVERANCE BENEFITS

          The benefits payable in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.


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                              SECTION 3 ELIGIBILITY

3.1   PARTICIPATION

          Executive Officers shall automatically become Participants in this
Plan in Group III when designated Executive Officers by the Board. Other
Executives shall become Participants in the Plan if they are designated by the
Board or Compensation Committee thereof as Participants. Participants shall be
identified on Appendix II of the Plan. The Company shall amend Appendix II from
time to time as necessary to include new Participants in the Plan or remove
Participants from the Plan who are no longer eligible to participate in the
Plan, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

3.2   DURATION OF PARTICIPATION

          A Participant shall cease to be a Participant in the Plan if he or she
ceases to be an Executive Officer of Other Executive at any time prior to a
Change in Control (but subject to Section 4.1(b)) or if his or her employment is
terminated following a Change in Control under circumstances where he or she is
not entitled to a Severance Benefit under the terms of this Plan. A Participant
whose termination of employment entitles him or her to payment of Severance
Benefits shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the
Severance Benefits have been paid to him or her.

                          SECTION 4 SEVERANCE BENEFITS

4.1   RIGHT TO SEVERANCE BENEFITS

          (a) A Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company a
Severance Benefit in the amount provided in Section 4.2 if (i) a Change in
Control has occurred and (ii) within two years thereafter, the Participant's
employment with the Company terminates for any reason, except that
notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.1(a), no benefits under this
Plan will be payable should the Participant's termination of employment be (A)
by the Employer for Cause, (B) by reason of Permanent Disability, (C)
voluntarily initiated by the Participant other than for Good Reason, or (D) by
reason of the Participant's death.

          (b) If (i) a Participant's employment is terminated by the Employer
without Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control or (ii) an action is
taken with respect to the Participant prior to the date of a Change in Control
that would constitute Good Reason if taken after a Change in Control, and the
Participant reasonably demonstrates that such termination or action (A) was at
the request of a third party that has indicated an intention or taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (B) otherwise arose in
connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control that has been
threatened or proposed, such termination or action shall be deemed to have
occurred after such Change in Control for purposes of the Plan, so long as such
Change in Control actually occurs.


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          (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the sale,
divestiture or other disposition of an Operating Company (or part thereof)
before the execution of an agreement providing for a transaction or transactions
which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control or before a Change
in Control shall not be deemed to be a termination of employment of Participants
employed by such Operating Company, and such Participants shall not be entitled
to benefits from the Company under this Plan as a result of such sale,
divestiture or other disposition. The sale, divestiture or other disposition of
an Operating Company (or part thereof) after the execution of an agreement
providing for a transaction or transactions which, if consummated, would
constitute a Change in Control or after a Change in Control shall not be deemed
to be a termination of employment of Participants employed by such Operating
Company, and such Participants shall not be entitled to benefits from the
Company under this Plan as a result of such sale, divestiture or other
disposition, in each case so long as the provisions of Section 7.2 have been
satisfied.

4.2   AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE BENEFIT

          If a Participant's employment is terminated in circumstances entitling
him or her to a Severance Benefit as provided in Section 4.1, such Participant
shall be entitled to the following benefits:

                   (a) the Company shall pay to the Participant, as severance
pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the Termination
Date (as specified in Section 5.2), in a single payment (without any discount
for accelerated payment), an amount in cash equal to a formula, as described
below, and based upon a multiplier, as assigned in the table below to the
Participant according to the Participant's designation on Exhibit II
("Participant Designation"):

                   Multiplier        Participant Designation
                   ----------        -----------------------
                   3 X               Group III
                   2 X               Group II
                   1 X               Group I

          (X) times the sum of (A) the Participant's Base Salary and (B) the
Bonus Amount, plus the prorated portion of the Participant's Bonus Amount for
the year in which the Participant's employment is terminated;

                   (b) for the period of months, as specified for each
Participant Designation Level in the table below, subsequent to the
Participant's termination of employment, the Company shall at its expense
continue on behalf of the Participant and his or her dependents and
beneficiaries, the basic life insurance, flexible spending account, medical and
dental benefits which were being provided to the Participant immediately prior
to the Change in Control (or, if greater, at any time thereafter). The benefits
provided in this Subsection 4.2(b) shall be no less favorable to the
Participant, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than
the coverage provided the Participant under the plans providing such benefits at


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the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company's obligation hereunder to
provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent the Participant
obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer's benefit plans at an
equal or higher level. The amount of the foregoing benefits and reimbursements
provided in a Participant's taxable year cannot affect the amounts provided in
any other taxable year. To the extent the foregoing requires reimbursements be
paid to a Participant, the reimbursement must be made on or before the last day
of the Participant's taxable year following the taxable year in which the
expense was incurred. The Company also shall pay a lump sum equal to the amount
of any additional income tax payable by the Participant and attributable to the
benefits provided under this subparagraph (b) at the earlier of (i) the time
such tax is imposed upon the Participant and (ii) the end of the Participant's
taxable year next following the taxable year in which the Participant remits the
taxes;

          Number of Months of
          Continued Coverage                   Participant Designation
          ------------------                   -----------------------
          36 months                            Group III
          24 months                            Group II
          12 months                            Group I

          The amounts provided for in Section 4.2(a) shall be paid or
transferred within thirty (30) days after the Participant's termination of
employment (or, if Section 4.1(b) applies to the termination, then within 30
days after the Change in Control).

4.3   OPTIONS

          Notwithstanding any provision in the Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan,
as amended, or any other Company Incentive or Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan,
or in this Plan, in the event there is a Change of Control, the Company shall,
at no cost to the Participant, replace any and all stock options granted by the
Company and held by the Participant at the time of the Change of Control,
whether or not vested, with an equal number of unrestricted and fully vested
stock options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Option
Replacement"). With respect to the Option Replacement, all options will become
fully vested. The Option Replacement shall satisfy the requirements of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409-1(b)(5)(v)(D).

          Alternatively, in the event of a Change of Control, in lieu of the
Option Replacement, a Participant may, subject to Board approval at the time,
elect to surrender the Participant's rights to such options, and upon such
surrender, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount in cash per stock
option (whether vested or unvested) then held, which is the difference between
the full exercise price of each option surrendered and the greater of (i) the
average price per share paid in connection with the acquisition of control of
the Company if such control was acquired by the payment of cash or the then fair
market value of the consideration paid for such shares if such control was
acquired for consideration other than cash, (ii) the price per share paid in
connection with any tender offer for shares of the Company's Common Stock
leading to control, or (iii) the mean between the high and low selling price of


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such stock on the Nasdaq National Market or other market on which the Company's
Common Stock is then traded on the date on which the Participant entitled to a
Severance Benefit.

4.4   RESTRICTED STOCK

          Notwithstanding any provision in the Company's 2006 Incentive Stock,
or any other Company Incentive or Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, or in this
Plan, in the event there is a Change of Control, all restrictions on all shares
of restricted Company stock previously granted to each Participant, including,
without limitation, those relating to the Participant's tenure with the Company,
shall lapse and the shares shall have no further restrictions.

                       SECTION 5 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

5.1   WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIRED

          Any purported termination of employment, either by the Company or by
the Participant, shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the
other.

5.2   TERMINATION DATE

          In the case of the Participant's death, the Participant's Termination
Date shall be his her date of death. In all other cases, the Participant's
Termination Date shall be the date specified in the Notice of Termination
subject to the following:

                   (a) If the Participant's employment is terminated by the
Company for Cause or due to Permanent Disability, the date specified in the
Notice of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days from the date the
Notice of Termination is given to the Participant, provided that in the case of
Permanent Disability the Participant shall not have returned to the full-time
performance of his or her duties during such period of at least thirty (30)
days; and

                   (b) If the Participant terminates his or her employment for
Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be more
than sixty (60) days from the date the Notice of Termination is given to the
Company.

                  SECTION 6 ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY

6.1   GROSS-UP PAYMENT

          (a) Other than Severance Benefits due under Section 4.3, hereof, and
subject only to Section 6.1(b) hereof, in the event it shall be determined that
any payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its affiliates
to or for the benefit of the Participant, whether paid or payable or distributed
or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise (the
"Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any interest or
penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any


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such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"),
then the Participant shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
"Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Participant of
all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Participant retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Payment of the
Gross-Up Payment shall be made in accordance with Section 6.3.

          (b) Notwithstanding Section 6.1(a), in the event that a reduction to
the Payments in respect of a Participant of 10% or less would cause no Excise
Tax to be payable, the Participant will not be entitled to a Gross-Up Payment
and the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary
so that the Payments shall not be subject to the Excise Tax. Unless the
Participant shall have given prior written notice specifying a different order
to the Company to effectuate the foregoing, the Company shall reduce or
eliminate the Payments, by first reducing or eliminating the portion of the
Payments which are not payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating cash
payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits
which are to be paid the farthest in time from the date of the Change in
Control. Any notice given by the Participant pursuant to the preceding sentence
shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or
agreement governing the Participant's rights and entitlements to any benefits or
compensation.

6.2   DETERMINATION BY ACCOUNTANT

          All determinations required to be made under this Section 6, including
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment,
shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the
date of Change in Control (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed
supporting calculations both to the Company and the Participant within 15
business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as
is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise
Tax is payable by the Participant, it shall furnish the Participant with an
opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on
his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Participant. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 6.3 and the Participant thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Participant.


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6.3   NOTIFICATION REQUIRED

          The Participant shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the Participant knows
of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Participant shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the
date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending
on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Company notifies the Participant in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Participant shall:

                   (a) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
          the Company relating to such claim,

                   (b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim
          as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
          including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
          respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the
          Company,

                   (c) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to
          effectively contest such claim, and

                   (d) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
          relating to such claim; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall bear
          and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest
          and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall
          indemnify and hold the Participant harmless, on an after-tax basis,
          for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties
          with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and
          payment of costs and expenses, which costs and expenses shall be
          reimbursed no later than the end of the Participant's taxable year
          following the Participant's taxable year in which the proceeding is
          completed. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this
          Section 6.3, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
          connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or
          forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
          conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and
          may, at its sole option, either direct the Participant to pay the tax
          claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible
          manner, and the Participant agrees to prosecute such contest to a
          determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
          initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
          Company shall determine; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company
          directs the Participant to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the
          Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Participant
          (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free
          basis and shall indemnify and hold the Participant harmless, on an


                                       12


          after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest
          or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such
          advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
          advance; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any extension of the statute of
          limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
          Participant with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to
          be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the
          Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with
          respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the
          Participant shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may
          be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any
          other taxing authority.

6.4   REPAYMENT

          If, after the receipt by the Participant of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 6.3, the Participant becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, the Participant shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 6.3) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Participant of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 6.3, a
determination is made that the Participant shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Participant in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be
forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance
shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to
be paid.

6.5   TIMING OF PAYMENT

          All amounts owing under Section 6.1 shall be made no later than the
end of the Participant's taxable year next following the Participant's taxable
year in which the Excise Tax, or taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, as
applicable, is remitted.

                         SECTION 7 SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY

7.1   SUCCESSORS

          This Plan shall bind any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company, in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be obligated under this Plan if no succession had taken
place. In the case of any transaction in which a successor would not by the
foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by this Plan, the Company
shall require such successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree
to perform the Company's obligations under this Plan, in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such
succession had taken place.


                                       13


7.2   SALES OF OPERATING COMPANIES

          If a Participant's employment with his or her Employer terminates in
connection with the sale, divestiture or other disposition of the stock or
assets of any Operating Company (or part thereof) (a "Transaction") after the
execution of an agreement providing for a transaction or transactions which, if
consummated, would constitute a Change in Control or after a Change in Control,
such termination shall not be a termination of employment of the Participant for
purposes of the Plan, and (notwithstanding the rights provided to the
Participant by Section 4.1(a)) the Participant shall not be entitled to a
Severance Benefit as a result of such termination of employment if (i) the
Participant is offered continued employment, or continues in employment, with
the divested Operating Company (or part thereof) or the purchaser of the stock
or assets of the Operating Company (or part thereof), as the case may be, or one
of their respective affiliates (the "Post-Transaction Employer") on terms and
conditions that would not constitute Good Reason and (ii) the Company obtains an
agreement from the acquiror of the stock or assets of the divested Operating
Company (or part thereof), enforceable by the Participant, to provide or cause
the Post-Transaction Employer to provide severance pay and benefits, if the
Participant accepts the offered employment or continues in employment with the
Post-Transaction Employer or its affiliates following the Transaction, (A) at
least equal to the Severance Benefit and (B) payable upon a termination of the
Participant's employment with the Post-Transaction Employer and its affiliates
within the period described in Section 4.1(a)(ii) (or such part of it as is then
remaining) for any reason other than Cause, Permanent Disability, the
Participant's death or a termination by the Participant without Good Reason. For
purposes of this Section 7.2, the terms Cause, Good Reason and Permanent
Disability shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Sections 2.4, 2.10 and
2.15 respectively, but the term Employer as it is used in those Sections shall
be deemed to refer to the entity employing the Participant after the
Transaction, the term Company shall mean such employer or, if there is an
ultimate parent corporation of such employer, such ultimate parent corporation,
and the terms Board and Chief Executive Officer as used in those Sections shall
be deemed to refer to the individuals or bodies serving those functions for such
employer or, if applicable, such ultimate parent corporation.

                    SECTION 8 AMENDMENT AND PLAN TERMINATION

8.1   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

          Prior to a Change in Control, the Plan may be amended or modified in
any respect, and may be terminated, in any such case, by resolution adopted by
two-thirds of the Board; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such amendment, modification
or termination which would adversely affect the benefits or protections
hereunder of any individual who is a Participant as of the date such amendment,
modification or termination is adopted shall be effective as it relates to such
individual unless no Change in Control occurs within one year after such
adoption, any such attempted amendment, modification or termination adopted
within one year prior to a Change in Control being null and void ab initio as it
relates to all such individuals who were Participants prior to such adoption (it


                                       14


being understood that the removal of Participants from participation in the Plan
shall, for purposes of this proviso, constitute an adverse action for the
Participants so removed); PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the Plan may not be
amended, modified or terminated, (i) at the request of a third party who has
indicated an intention or taken steps to effect a Change in Control and who
effectuates a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise in connection with, or in
anticipation of, a Change in Control which actually occurs, any such attempted
amendment, modification or termination being null and void ab initio. Any action
taken to amend, modify or terminate the Plan which is taken after the execution
of an agreement providing for a transaction or transactions which, if
consummated, would constitute a Change in Control shall conclusively be presumed
to have been taken in connection with a Change in Control. From and after the
occurrence of a Change in Control, the Plan may not be amended or modified in
any manner that would in any way adversely affect the benefits or protections
provided hereunder to any individual who is a Participant in the Plan on the
date the Change in Control occurs.

8.2   FORM OF AMENDMENT

          The form of any amendment or termination of the Plan shall be a
written instrument signed by a duly authorized officer or officers of the
Company, certifying that the amendment or termination has been approved by the
Board.

                             SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS

9.1   INDEMNIFICATION

          The Company shall pay as they become due all legal fees, costs of
litigation and other expenses incurred in good faith by any Participant as a
result of the Company's refusal or failure to provide the Severance Benefits to
which the Participant becomes entitled under this Agreement, as a result of the
Company's contesting the validity, enforceability or interpretation of this
Agreement or the Participant's right to Severance Benefits hereunder. The
Participant shall be conclusively presumed to have acted in good faith unless a
court makes a final determination not otherwise subject to appeal to the
contrary.

9.2   EMPLOYMENT STATUS

          This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on
any Employer any obligation to retain the Participant as an employee, to change
the status of the Participant's employment as an Executive Officer or an Other
Executive, or to change any employment policies of any Employer. Without
limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, the Employer of a
Participant may terminate the employment of the Participant at any time
following a Change in Control, with or without Cause, subject to Section 5
hereof.


                                       15


9.3   NO DUTY OF MITIGATION

          The Company acknowledges that it would be very difficult and generally
impracticable to determine a Participant's ability to, or the extent to which a
Participant may, mitigate any damages or injuries the Participant may incur by
reason of the Change of Control. The Company has taken this into account in
adopting this Plan and, accordingly, the Company acknowledges and agrees that no
Participant shall have any duty to mitigate any such damages and that the
Participant shall be entitled to receive all Severance Benefits regardless of
any income which the Participant may receive from other sources following any
Change of Control.

9.4   NO SETOFF

          The Company's obligation to give Severance Benefits to a Participant
pursuant to this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any circumstances, including, but not limited to, any setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have
against a Participant.

9.5   BENEFITS UNDER OTHER PLANS

          The benefits that a Participant may be entitled to receive pursuant to
Section 4.2 of this Plan are not intended to be duplicative of any similar
benefits to which the Participant may be entitled from the Company under any
other severance plan, agreement, policy or program maintained by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries. Accordingly, the benefits to which a Participant is
entitled under Section 4.2 shall be reduced to take account of any other similar
benefits to which the Participant is entitled from the Company; provided,
however, that if the amount of benefits to which the Participant is entitled
under such other severance plan, agreement, policy or program is greater than
the benefits to which the Participant is entitled under Section 4.2 of this
Plan, the Participant will be entitled to receive the full amount of the
benefits to which the Participant is entitled under such other plan, agreement,
policy or program.

9.6   VALIDITY AND SEVERABILITY

          The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan,
which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

9.7   GOVERNING LAW; CHOICE OF FORUM

          The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan
shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of New York. A
Participant shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Plan in any
state or federal court located in the State of New York, in addition to any
other appropriate forum.


                                       16


9.8   409A

          If at the time a Participant's employment is terminated the
Participant is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code and the regulations thereunder, to the extent required to comply with
Section 409A, payment of the Severance Benefits shall not commence until one day
after the day which is six months following the Termination Date, with the first
payment equaling the full amount of such Severance Benefits.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the Plan to be effective as
of the Effective Date.

                                           FALCONSTOR SOFTWARE, INC.





                                           By /s/ Reijane Huai
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Title:  Chairman

ATTEST:


By /s/ Seth R. Horowitz
   -----------------------------
Title: Corporate Secretary


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