EX-4.2 3 d356229dex42.htm EX-4.2 EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

ANALOG DEVICES, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

 

    to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

    to provide incentives to individuals who perform services to the Company, and

 

    to promote the success of the Company’s business.

Awards granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, or Performance Units, as the Committee overseeing the plan may determine.

 

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

 

  (a) Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

  (b) Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to equity-based awards or equity compensation programs under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

 

  (c) Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, or Performance Units.

 

  (d) Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

  (e) Award Transfer Program” means any program instituted by the Committee which would permit Participants the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Committee.

 

  (f) Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

  (g) Cash Position” means the Company’s level of cash and cash equivalents.

 

  (h) Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  (i) Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change of Control; or

 

1


  (ii) Change in Effective Control of the Company. If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change of Control; or

 

  (iii) Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3). For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

For purposes of this Section 2(h), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change of Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change of control event within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change of Control if (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

 

  (i)

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or Treasury Regulation thereunder will include such section or

 

2


  regulation, any valid regulation or other official applicable guidance promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

  (j) Committee” means the Board or any standing committee of the Board (or any other committee of two or more Directors or other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof) that oversees, has responsibility for and has decision-making authority regarding the operation and implementation of the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

  (k) Common Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.

 

  (l) Company” means Analog Devices, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

  (m) Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or its Affiliates to render services to such entity other than as an Employee.

 

  (n) Determination Date” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

  (o) Director” means a member of the Board.

 

  (p) Earnings Per Share” means as to any Performance Period, the Company’s or a business unit’s Net Income, divided by a weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common equivalent shares deemed outstanding, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  (q) Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or its Affiliates, other than employees who were employed by the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

  (r) Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  (s) Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock as the Committee may determine in good faith by reference to the price of such stock on any established stock exchange or a national market system on the day of determination if the Common Stock is so listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system. If the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, the value of the Common Stock as the Committee may determine in good faith.

 

  (t) Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.

 

  (u) Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

  (v) Merger” means the Company’s acquisition of Linear Technology Corporation.

 

  (w)

Net Income” means as to any Performance Period, the income after taxes of the Company for the Performance Period determined in accordance with generally accepted

 

3


  accounting principles, provided that prior to the Performance Period, the Committee will determine whether any significant item(s) will be included or excluded from the calculation of Net Income with respect to one or more Participants.

 

  (x) Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not employed by the Company or its Parent or a Subsidiary.

 

  (y) Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

  (z) Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

  (aa) Operating Cash Flow” means the Company’s or a business unit’s sum of Net Income plus depreciation, amortization and other non-cash debits or credits to Net Income (such as expenses relating to equity compensation) less capital expenditures plus changes in working capital.

 

  (bb) Operating Income” means the Company’s or a business unit’s income from operations but excluding any unusual items, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  (cc) Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

  (dd) Parent” means a “parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

  (ee) Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.

 

  (ff) Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Committee (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Committee, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: (a) Cash Position, (b) Earnings Per Share, (c) Net Income, (d) Operating Cash Flow, (e) Operating Income, (f) Return on Assets, (g) Return on Equity, (h) Return on Sales, (i) Revenue and (j) Total Stockholder Return. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) in absolute terms, (ii) in relative terms (including, but not limited to, passage of time and/or against another company or companies), (iii) on a per-share basis, (iv) against the performance of the Company as a whole or a segment of the Company, and (v) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.

 

  (gg) Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

  (hh) Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Committee may determine pursuant to Section 10.

 

  (ii) Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Committee may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10.

 

4


  (jj) Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee.

 

  (kk) Plan” means this Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

  (ll) Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock award under Section 8 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

 

  (mm) Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

  (nn) Return on Assets” means the percentage equal to the Company’s or a business unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by average net Company or business unit, as applicable, assets, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  (oo) Return on Equity” means the percentage equal to the Company’s Net Income divided by average shareholder’s equity, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  (pp) Return on Sales” means the percentage equal to the Company’s or a business unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by the Company’s or the business unit’s revenue, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

  (qq) Revenue” means the Company’s or a business unit’s net sales for a Performance Period, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that prior to the Performance Period, the Committee will determine whether any significant item(s) will be excluded or included from the calculation of Annual Revenue with respect to one or more Participants.

 

  (rr) Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

 

  (ss) Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

  (tt) Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

  (uu) Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

 

  (vv) Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

 

  (ww) Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

  (xx) Total Stockholder Return” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) of a Share.

 

5


3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

  (a) Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 5,000,000 Shares. The Shares may be either authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock.

 

  (b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, only Shares actually issued pursuant to a Stock Appreciation Right will cease to be available under the Plan; all remaining Shares under Stock Appreciation Rights will remain available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the withholding tax and exercise price associated with an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment provided in Section 15, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).

 

4. Oversight and Authority Regarding the Plan.

 

  (a) Procedure.

 

  (i) Oversight and Operational Authority. Other than as provided below, (A) the Board or (B) a Committee constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws shall have responsibility and be the decision-making body for the Plan.

 

  (ii) Multiple Authorities. The Plan may be overseen by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers. Each such Committee shall have responsibility for, and shall be the authorized body that makes decisions regarding, the operation and implementation of the Plan, including the granting of Awards hereunder, with respect to the applicable group of Service Providers.

 

  (iii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Committee determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, a committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code shall be the Committee with respect to such operations of the Plan and the grant of such Awards.

 

6


  (iv) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

 

  (v) Delegation of Authority for Day-to-Day Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Committee may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

 

  (b) Powers of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and, in the case of a committee serving as the Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such committee, the Committee will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

  (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

 

  (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

  (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Awards or any combination thereof, are granted hereunder;

 

  (iv) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

  (v) to approve forms of Award Agreement for use under the Plan;

 

  (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised or other Awards vest (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine;

 

  (vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

  (viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;

 

  (ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option (subject to Section 6(c) regarding Incentive Stock Options). Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Committee may not modify or amend an Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right after it has been granted (except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 15) nor may the Committee cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right and replace it with a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price, unless, in either case, such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders prior to such action being taken;

 

7


  (x) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 16;

 

  (xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Committee;

 

  (xii) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Committee may determine;

 

  (xiii) to determine whether Awards will be settled in Shares, cash or in any combination thereof;

 

  (xiv) to establish a program whereby Service Providers designated by the Committee can reduce compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for Awards under the Plan;

 

  (xv) to implement an Award Transfer Program;

 

  (xvi) to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy, and (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers; and

 

  (xvii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for operation, implementation and oversight of the Plan.

 

  (c) Effect of Committee’s Decision. The Committee’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 

  (d) No Liability. Under no circumstances will the Company, its Affiliates, the Committee, or the Board incur liability for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including lost profits) of any form incurred by any person, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the form of the act in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Plan or the Company’s, its Affiliates’, the Committee’s or the Board’s roles in connection with the Plan.

 

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Awards.

 

6. Stock Options.

 

  (a)

Grant of Stock Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, an Option may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of

 

8


  the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

  (b) Number of Shares. The Committee will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Service Provider, provided that no Service Provider will be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Options to purchase more than 5,000,000 Shares. In connection with his or her initial service as an Employee, a Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 5,000,000 Shares, which will not count against the limit set forth above. The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 15. If an Option is cancelled in the same Fiscal Year in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 15), the cancelled Option will be counted against the limits set forth above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

 

  (c) Term of Option. The Committee will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

 

  (d) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Committee, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Options granted under the Plan, provided, however, that the exercise price will not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(d), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

  (e) Option Agreement.

 

  (i) Terms and Conditions. Each Option grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Option, the acceptable forms of consideration for exercise (which may include any form of consideration permitted by Section 6(e)(ii)), the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

9


  (ii) Form of Consideration. The Committee will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws may include, but is not limited to:

 

  (1) cash;

 

  (2) check;

 

  (3) other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option will be exercised and provided that accepting such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Committee, will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company;

 

  (4) by net exercise;

 

  (5) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

 

  (6) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant’s participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

 

  (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

 

  (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

 

  (f) Exercise of Option.

 

  (i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Committee or its delegate specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable withholding taxes). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.

 

  (ii)

Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death, disability or retirement, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months

 

10


  following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Committee, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

  (iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

  (iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Committee. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

  (a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

  (b) Number of Shares. The Committee will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant will be granted Stock Appreciation Rights covering more than 5,000,000 Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, in connection with a Participant’s initial service as an Employee, an Employee may be granted Stock Appreciation Rights covering up to an additional 5,000,000 Shares. The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 15.

 

11


  (c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Committee, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan, provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(c), Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

  (d) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

  (e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(f) relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

  (f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

  (i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price, times

 

  (ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

8. Restricted Stock.

 

  (a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

  (b)

Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Restricted Stock intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, during any Fiscal Year no Participant will receive more than an aggregate of 1,500,000 Shares of Restricted Stock; provided, however, that in connection with a Participant’s initial service as an Employee, for Restricted Stock intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, an Employee

 

12


  may be granted an aggregate of up to an additional 1,500,000 Shares of Restricted Stock. The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any changes in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 15. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock will be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

  (c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

  (d) Other Restrictions. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

  (e) Removal of Restrictions.

 

  (i) General. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Committee may determine. The restrictions will lapse at a rate determined by the Committee. After the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock and may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

  (ii) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying Awards of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals, which shall be set by the Committee on or before the Determination Date. In this connection, the Committee shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Stock Purchase Right under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

  (f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

  (g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

  (h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

9. Restricted Stock Units.

 

  (a)

Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Committee. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an

 

13


  Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d), may be left to the discretion of the Committee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection (a), for Restricted Stock Units intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, during any Fiscal Year of the Company, no Participant will receive more than an aggregate of 1,500,000 Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that in connection with a Participant’s initial service as an Employee, for Restricted Stock Units intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, an Employee may be granted an aggregate of up to an additional 1,500,000 Restricted Stock Units. The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 15.

 

  (b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms.

 

  (i) General. The Committee will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units upon or in connection with a Change of Control or upon or in connection with a Participant’s termination of service, including, without limitation, due to death or disability.

 

  (ii) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals, which shall be set by the Committee on or before the Determination Date. In this connection, the Committee shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Stock Purchase Right under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

  (c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout and may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

  (d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement or as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or as required by Applicable Laws. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

  (e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

14


10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

  (a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant provided that during any Fiscal Year for Performance Units/Shares intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, no Participant will receive more than 1,500,000 Performance Shares or Performance Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, in connection with a Participant’s initial service as an Employee, for Performance Units/Shares intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, an Employee may be granted up to an additional 1,500,000 Performance Shares or Performance Units. The foregoing limitations will be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 15.

 

  (b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Committee on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

  (c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms.

 

  (i) General. The Committee will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Participant. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

  (ii) Section 162(m) Performance Objectives. For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion, may determine that the performance objectives applicable to Performance Units/Shares will be based on the achievement of Performance Goals. The Committee will set the Performance Goals on or before the Determination Date. In granting Performance Units/Shares which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Performance Units/Shares under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

  (d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share and may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

  (e)

Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the

 

15


  applicable Performance Period, or as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or as required by Applicable Laws. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

  (f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

11. Performance-Based Compensation Under Code Section 162(m).

 

  (a) General. If the Committee, in its discretion, decides to grant an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the provisions of this Section 11 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to such Participants that are based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.

 

  (b) Performance Goals. The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Prior to the Determination Date, the Committee will determine whether any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant. In all other respects, Performance Goals will be calculated in accordance with the Company’s financial statements, generally accepted accounting principles, or under a methodology established by the Committee prior to the issuance of an Award and which is consistently applied with respect to a Performance Goal in the relevant Performance Period.

 

  (c) Procedures. To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance Goals and intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, on or before the Determination Date (i.e., within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any Performance Period or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee will, in writing, (i) designate one or more Participants to whom an Award will be made, (ii) select the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Participant for such Performance Period.

 

  (d) Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Participant and is intended to constitute qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m)) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

16


  (e) Determination of Amounts Earned. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved. In determining the amounts earned by a Participant pursuant to an Award intended to qualified as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will have the right to (i) reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period, (ii) determine what actual Award, if any, will be paid in the event of a termination of employment as the result of a Participant’s death or disability or upon a Change of Control or in the event of a termination of employment following a Change of Control prior to the end of the Performance Period, and (iii) determine what actual Award, if any, will be paid in the event of a termination of employment other than as the result of a Participant’s death or disability prior to a Change of Control and prior to the end of the Performance Period to the extent an actual Award would have otherwise been achieved had the Participant remained employed through the end of the Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

 

17


12. Compliance With Code Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.

 

13. Leaves of Absence/Transfers Between Locations. The Committee shall determine the effect on an Award of the authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the first (1st) day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

14. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee and except as required by Applicable Laws, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the recipient, only by the recipient. If the Committee makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

15. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change of Control.

 

  (a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Committee, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

 

  (b)

Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Committee will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Committee in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award, to the extent applicable, until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Awarded Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Committee may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award will lapse one hundred percent (100%), and that any Award vesting will accelerate one hundred percent (100%), provided the proposed

 

18


  dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised or vested, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

  (c) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Committee determines without a Participant’s consent, including, without limitation, that:

 

  (i) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

 

  (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participant’s Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change of Control;

 

  (iii) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change of Control, and, to the extent the Committee determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger of Change of Control;

 

  (iv) (A) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion; or

 

  (v) any combination of the foregoing.

In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 15, the Committee will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.

In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, unless the Committee provides otherwise, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not assumed or substituted for, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Shares/Units not assumed or substituted for will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting not assumed or substituted for, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change of Control, the Company will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

19


With respect to Awards granted to non-employee Directors that are assumed or substituted for, if on the date of or following such assumption or substitution the Participant’s status as a Director or a director of the successor corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary resignation by the Participant, then the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights as to all of the Shares subject thereto, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met.

For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change of Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Committee determines to pay cash or a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Committee can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change of Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, the number of implied Shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Units, as applicable, by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change of Control), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change of Control.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance objectives (including any Performance Goals) will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance objectives without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance objectives only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change of Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, if a payment under an Award Agreement is subject to Section 409A of the Code and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement or other agreement related to the Award does not comply with the definition of “change in control” for purposes of a distribution under Section 409A of the Code, then any payment of an amount that is otherwise accelerated under this Section will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A of the Code without triggering any penalties applicable under Section 409A of the Code.

 

16. Tax Withholding.

 

  (a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

20


  (b) Withholding Arrangements. The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part (without limitation) by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, provided the delivery of such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences as the Committee determines in its sole discretion, (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (v) retaining from salary or other amounts payable to the Participant in cash having a sufficient value to satisfy the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Committee agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

17. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

18. Date of an Award. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Committee makes the determination to grant such Award, or such other date as is determined by the Committee. Notice of the grant determination will be given to each Service Provider to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

 

19. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 25 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the date adopted by the Board unless terminated earlier under Section 20 of the Plan.

 

20. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

  (a) Amendment and Termination. The Committee may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

  (b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

  (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Committee, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Committee’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

21


21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

  (a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of the Award or the issuance and delivery of such Shares (or with respect to Performance Units, the cash equivalent thereof) will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

  (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

22. Severability. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan or the Awards will be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision will be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan or Award, as applicable, will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

23. Liability of Company.

 

  (a) Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

  (b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Shares covered by an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional stockholder approval, such Award will be void with respect to such excess Shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained in accordance with Section 20(b) of the Plan.

 

24. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

25. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.

 

26. Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.

 

22