-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, V5zfTbxJa909LJD5E+OHN7l1mlSaea8ZuIwzZm42W5VeU4YHTbsFRe6Q6fXW2uGa 8A/5eBe8wddOR35hUsm4zw== 0000793524-99-000012.txt : 19990615 0000793524-99-000012.hdr.sgml : 19990615 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000793524-99-000012 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990610 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 19990610 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RESEARCH FRONTIERS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000793524 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH [8731] IRS NUMBER: 112103466 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-80575 FILM NUMBER: 99645320 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 240 CROSSWAYS PARK DR CITY: WOODBURY STATE: NY ZIP: 11797-2033 BUSINESS PHONE: 5163641902 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 240 CROSSWAYS PARK DR CITY: WOODBURY STATE: NY ZIP: 11797-2033 S-8 1 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10,1999 Reg. No. 333-___________ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Research Frontiers Incorporated (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction incorporation or organization) 11-2103466 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 240 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, New York 11797-2033 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) 1998 Stock Option Plan (Full title of the Plan) Robert L. Saxe, President Research Frontiers Incorporated 240 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, New York 11797 (Name and address of agent for service) (516) 364-1902 (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) With a copy to: Joseph M. Harary Vice President and General Counsel Research Frontiers Incorporated 240 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, New York 11797 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE Title of Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Amount of Shares Amount to offering price aggregate registra- to be registered be registered(1) per Share offering price tion fee Common Stock,$0.0001 par value per share 1,085,000 shares $7.90024 $8,571,761 $2,382.95(1) (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 based upon the average of (1) the actual exercise price of the Company's Common Stock for options which have already been granted pursuant to the Plan registered hereunder, and (2) the average of the high and low trading prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market System on June 9, 1999 for options which are available for issuance pursuant to the Plan registered hereunder. In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, Common Stock offered hereby shall also be deemed to cover an indeterminate number of securities to be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, and is deemed to include any additional shares of Common Stock that may be issuable upon such exercise as a result of the antidilution provisions thereof or as a result of any adjustment to the exercise price. Page 1 of 7 Pages PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS The Section 10(a) prospectus for the Plan is not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as part of this registration statement. PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference. The following documents, which have been filed by Research Frontiers Incorporated (the "Company") with the SEC, are incorporated by reference in this registration statement as of their respective dates: (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999. (c) The description of the Company's capital stock contained in the latest registration statement of the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. The legality of the securities offered hereby has been passed upon by Joseph M. Harary, Esq., the Company's Vice President and General Counsel. As of June 9, 1999, Mr. Harary holds common stock and options to purchase common stock granted pursuant to the Company'ss 1992 Stock Option Plan and 1998 Stock Option Plan totaling 356,574 shares. Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Article EIGHTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for the indemnification of the Company's officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "GCL"). Section 145 of the GCL provides as follows: 145 Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents; Insurance (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. (b) A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this section. (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation' obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys' fees). Article NINTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for the elimination of any personal liability for monetary damages of directors to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty, for negligence or for taking or omitting to take any action to the fullest extent permitted by Section 102(b) (7) of the GCL. Section 102(b) (7) of the GCL provides as follows: (b) In addition to the matters required to be set forth in the certificate of incorporation by subsection (a) of this section, the certificate of incorporation may also contain any or all of the following matters: (7) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under section 174 of this Title, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective. All references in this paragraph to a director shall also be deemed to refer (x) to a member of the governing body of a corporation which is not authorized to issue capital stock, and (y) to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision of the certificate of incorporation in accordance with section 141(a) of this title, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the board of directors by this title. Item 8. Exhibits. 4.1 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended to date. 5.1 Opinion of counsel re: legality 23.1 Consent of independent auditors 23.2 Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1 above) 24. Power of Attorney. Included as part of signature page to this registration statement on Form S-8. Item 9. Undertakings. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement; (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement.Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value if securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above will not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those subparagraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of this offering. The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Woodbury, State of New York on this 10th day of June , 1999. RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED (Registrant) By:/s/ Robert L. Saxe Robert L. Saxe, President, Treasurer, Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer. POWER OF ATTORNEY We the undersigned directors of Research Frontiers Incorporated hereby severally constitute and appoint Robert L. Saxe and Joseph M. Harary, each individually as our true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for us and in our stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post- effective amendments) to this registration statement and all documents relating thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or advisable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ Robert L. Saxe Chairman of the Board, President June 10, 1999 Robert L. Saxe Treasurer and Director (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Robert M. Budin Director June 10, 1999 Robert M. Budin /s/ Bernard D. Gold Director June 10, 1999 Bernard D. Gold /s/ Joseph M. Harary Director June 10, 1999 Joseph M. Harary EXHIBIT 4.1 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN OF RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED. 1. Purpose. Types of Awards. Construction. The purpose of the 1998 Stock Option Plan of Research Frontiers Incorporated (the "Plan") is to afford an incentive to executive officers, other employees and non-employee directors and consultants of Research Frontiers Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), or any Subsidiary (as defined below), to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to continue as employees or non-employee directors (as the case may be), to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company and to promote the success of the Company's business. To further such purposes the Committee may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. The provisions of the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements thereof, as now or hereafter construed, interpreted and applied by regulations, rulings and cases. 2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings indicated: (a) "Agreement" shall mean an agreement entered into between the Company and a Grantee in connection with an award under the Plan. (b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. (c) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any reference to a section of the Code or regulation promulgated thereunder shall also refer to any successor of such section or regulation. (d) "Committee" shall mean a committee established by the Board to administer the Plan, the composition of which shall at all times satisfy the provisions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. (e) "Common Stock" shall mean shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Company. (f) "Company" shall mean Research Frontiers Incorporated, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor corporation. (g) "Disability" shall mean a Grantee's inability to perform his duties with the Company or any Subsidiary for more than six consecutive months by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, as determined by a physician selected by the Grantee and acceptable to the Company. (h) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and as now or hereafter construed, interpreted and applied by regulations, rulings and cases, and any reference to a section of the Exchange Act or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall also refer to any successor of such section, rule or regulation.. (i) "Fair Market Value" per share as of a particular date shall mean (i) the average high and low trading prices per share of Common Stock on the national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is principally traded for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Common Stock on such exchange, or (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average high and low trading prices per share of Common Stock in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Common Stock in such market, or (iii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. (j) "Grantee" shall mean a person who receives a grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock under the Plan. (k) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean any option intended to be, and designated as, an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. (1) "Insider" shall mean a Grantee who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. (m) "Option" or "Options" shall mean a grant to a Grantee of an option or options to purchase shares of Common Stock. Options granted by the Committee to an employee Grantee pursuant to the Plan shall constitute either Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options. Options granted to any consultant or non-employee director shall be Nonqualified Stock Options. (n) "Option Price" shall mean the exercise price of an Option per share of Common Stock covered by the Option. (o) "Option Term" shall mean the period (determined at the Option's grant) from its date of grant to the last date on which it can be exercised. The Option Term of any Incentive Stock Option or any Option granted to any consultant or non-employee director shall not be longer than ten (10) years. The Option Term of any Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be longer than five (5) years. (p) "Plan" means this 1998 Stock Option Plan of Research Frontiers Incorporated, as amended from time to time. (q) "Retirement" shall mean a Grantee's retirement in accordance with the terms of any pension or retirement plan adopted by the Company (or any Subsidiary), if any, as the case may be, on the normal retirement date prescribed from time to time by the Company or such Subsidiary. (r) "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including any successor to such Rule. (s) "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean the right, granted to a Grantee under Section 9, to be paid an amount measured by the appreciation in the Fair Market Value of Common Stock from the date of grant to the date of exercise of the right, with payment to be made in cash or Common Stock as specified in the award or determined by the Committee. (t) "Subsidiary" shall be as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code and shall include a subsidiary of any subsidiary. (u) "Ten Percent Stockholder" shall mean an employee Grantee who, at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Grantee, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporation. 3. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have the authority in its discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock; to determine which Options shall constitute Incentive Stock Options and which Options shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options; to determine the purchase price of the shares of Common Stock covered by each Option; to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which awards shall be granted; to determine the number of shares to be covered by each award; to interpret the Plan; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of the Agreements (which need not be identical) and to cancel or suspend awards, as necessary; and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more agents such administrative duties as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any person to whom it has delegated duties as aforesaid may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such person may have under the Plan. All decisions, determination and interpretations of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Grantees of any awards under this Plan. The Board shall fill all vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Board may from time to time appoint additional members to the Committee, and may at any time remove one or more Committee members and substitute others. One member of the Committee shall be selected by the Board as chairman. The Committee shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it shall deem advisable. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members either present in person or participating by conference telephone at a meeting or by written consent. The Committee may appoint a secretary and make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable, and shall keep minutes of its meetings. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any award granted hereunder. 4. Eligibility. Awards may be granted to executive officers and other employees, including officers and directors who are employees, and to non-employee directors of and consultants to the Company, except as proscribed by the Exchange Act or the Code. In determining the employees to whom awards shall be granted and the number of shares to be covered by each award, the Committee shall take into account the duties of the respective employees, their present and potential contributions to the success of the Company and such other factors as the Committee shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purpose of the Plan. 5. Stock. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for the grant of awards under the Plan shall be 1,085,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof. Such shares may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company. For purposes of this Section 5, where the exercise price of an Option is paid in Common Stock pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan, only the net number of additional shares issued and which remain outstanding in connection with such exercise shall be deemed "issued" for purposes of the Plan. If any outstanding award under the Plan should, for any reason expire, be canceled or be forfeited (other than in connection with the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right), without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised, canceled or terminated portion of such award shall (unless the Plan shall have been terminated) become available for subsequent grants of awards under the Plan; provided, however, that, in the case of the cancellation or forfeiture of Restricted Stock with respect to which dividends have been paid or accrued, the number of shares with respect to such Restricted Stock shall not be available for subsequent grants hereunder unless, in the case of shares with respect to which dividends were accrued but unpaid, such dividends are also canceled or forfeited. 6. Terms and Conditions of Options. Each Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the Grantee (the "Option Agreement"), in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Committee shall from time to time approve, which Option Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions, unless otherwise specifically provided in such Option Agreement. (a) Number of Shares. Each Option Agreement shall state the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Option relates. (b) Type of Option. Each Option Agreement shall specifically state that the Option constitutes an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. (c) Option Price. Each Option Agreement shall state the Option Price, which, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock covered by the Option on the date of grant, and in any case shall not be less than the par value of a share of the Common Stock covered by the Option. The Option Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof. The effective date as of which the Committee adopts a resolution expressly granting an Option shall be considered the day on which such Option is granted. (d) Medium and Time of Payment. Payment of the Option Price may be made (as determined by the Board) (i) in cash, (ii) by certified check or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the Company in the amount of such Option Price, or, if permitted by the Committee: (iii) by promissory note issued by the Grantee in favor of the Company in an amount equal to such Option Price and payable on terms prescribed by the Committee and which provides for the payment of interest at a fair market rate, as determined by the Committee, (iv) by delivery of capital stock to the Company having a Fair Market Value (determined on the date of exercise) equal to the Option Price, (v) by agreeing with the Company to cancel a portion of the exercisable Options issued hereunder to such Grantee having a value (measured as the difference between the current Fair Market Value (determined on the date of exercise) and the Option Price of the Common Stock subject to such portion) equal to the Option Price; or (vi) by any combination of the methods of payment described in (i) through (v) above. (e) Term and Exercisability of Options. Each Option Agreement shall provide the exercise schedule for the Option as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the exercisability of any outstanding Option at such time and under such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Each Option Agreement shall provide an Option Term which shall be ten (10) years from the date of the grant of the Option, unless otherwise provided in Section 2 hereof or otherwise determined by the Committee. The Option Term shall be subject to earlier expiration as provided in Sections 6(f )and 6(g) hereof. An Option may be exercised, as to any or all full shares of Common Stock as to which the Option has become exercisable, by written notice delivered in person or by mail to any officer of the Company, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised. (f) Termination of Employee Grantee. Except as provided in this Section 6(f) and in Section 6(g) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof may be exercised only if the employee Grantee is then in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof (or a corporation issuing or assuming the Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies (or a parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation)), and the Grantee has remained continuously so employed since the date of grant of the Option. Unless a shorter period is specified in the Option Agreement, in the event that the employment of an employee Grantee shall terminate (other than by reason of death, Disability or Retirement), all Incentive Stock Options of such Grantee that are exercisable on the date of such termination shall continue to be exercisable for three months after the date of such termination (or such longer period as the Committee shall prescribe in the case of Nonqualified Stock Options). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f), no Option may be exercised later than the expiration of its Option Term. To the extent that any Option is not exercisable on the date of such termination of employment, its Option Term shall expire on such date. (g) Termination of Employee Grantee by Death, Disability or Retirement. If an employee Grantee shall die while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, or within three months after the date of termination of such Grantee's employment (or within such longer period as the Committee may have provided for exercise of the Grantee's Options after termination of the Grantee's employment pursuant to Section 6(f) hereof, or if the employee Grantee's employment shall terminate by reason of Disability, all Incentive Stock Options theretofore granted to such Grantee (to the extent such Options are exercisable on the date the Grantee's employment is terminated by such death or Disability) may be exercised by the Grantee or by the Grantee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such Options by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of death or Disability of the Grantee, at any time within six months after the death or Disability of the Grantee. In the event that an Option granted hereunder shall be exercised by the legal representatives of a deceased or Disabled Grantee, written notice of such exercise shall be accompanied by a certified copy of letters testamentary or equivalent proof of the right of such legal representatives to exercise such Option. In the event that the employment of an employee Grantee shall terminate on account of such Grantee's Retirement, all Incentive Stock Options of such Grantee (to the extent such Options are exercisable on the date of the Grantee's retirement) may be exercised at any time within three months after the date of such Retirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(g), no Option may be exercised later than the expiration of its Option Term. To the extent that any Option is not exercisable on the date of such termination of employment by reason of death, Disability or Retirement, its Option Term shall expire on such date. (h) Other Provisions. The Option Agreements evidencing awards under the Plan shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee may determine. 7. Nonqualified Stock Options. Options granted pursuant to this Section 7 are intended to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject only to the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof. At the discretion of the Committee, the early termination provisions contained in Section 6 hereof may be waived by the Committee as evidenced by their exclusion from any Option Agreement. 8. Incentive Stock Options. Options granted pursuant to this Section 8 are intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options and shall be subject to the following special terms and conditions, in addition to the general terms and conditions specified in Section 6 hereof. (a) Value of Shares. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan (and all other plans of an employee Grantee's employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) become exercisable for the first time by the Grantee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that the grant of an Option results in the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the Common Stock (or other capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary) with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and subsidiary corporations) to exceed $100,000, such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option to the extent of such excess. The provisions of this subsection shall be construed and applied in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code and the regulations, if any, promulgated thereunder. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant an Incentive Stock Option and a Nonqualified Stock Option concurrently under a single stock option Agreement so long as each Option is clearly identified as to its status. (b) Ten Percent Stockholder. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, (i) the Option Price shall not be less than one-hundred-ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) the Option Term shall not exceed five (5) years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option. (c) Disqualifying Dispositions of Incentive Stock Options. If Common Stock acquired upon exercise of any Incentive Stock Option is disposed of in a disposition that, under Section 422 of the Code, disqualifies the Grantee from the application of Section 421(a) of the Code, the Grantee immediately before such disposition of Common Stock shall comply with any requirements imposed by the Company in order to enable the Company to secure the related income tax deduction to which it is entitled in such event. 9. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall have authority to grant a Stock Appreciation Right to the employee Grantee of any Option under the Plan with respect to all or some of the shares of Common Stock covered by such related Option. A Stock Appreciation Right shall, except as provided in this Section 9, be subject to the same terms and conditions as the related Option. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Agreement between the Company and the Grantee in such form as the Committee shall time to time approve. (a) Time of Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted either at the time of grant, or at any time thereafter during the term of the Option; provided, however, that Stock Appreciation Rights related to Incentive Stock Options may only be granted at the time of grant of the related Option. (b) Payment. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the holder thereof, upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right or any portion thereof, to receive payment of an amount computed pursuant to Section 9(d). (c) Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable, and will not be transferable except to the extent the related Option may be transferable. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only if the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise exceeds the purchase price specified in the related Incentive Stock Option. (d) Amount Payable. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the Option Price under the related Option, by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right by including such a limit at the time it is granted. (e) Treatment of Related Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Upon Exercise. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the related Option shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised and upon the exercise of an Option granted in connection with a Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Option is exercised or surrendered. (f) Method of Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercised by a Grantee only by a written notice delivered in person or by mail to the Secretary of the Company, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. If requested by the Committee, the Grantee shall deliver the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right being exercised and the Option Agreement evidencing any related Option to the President or any Vice President of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and return such Agreements to the Grantee. (g) Form of Payment. Payment of the amount determined under Section 9(d), may be made solely in whole shares of Common Stock in a number determined based upon their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right or, alternatively, at the sole discretion of the Committee, solely in cash, or in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock as the Committee deems advisable. If the Committee decides to make full payment in shares of Common Stock, and the amount payable results in a fractional share, payment for the fractional share will be made in cash. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required by Rule 16b-3 no payment in the form of cash may be made upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to Section 9(d) to an Insider, unless the exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right is made during the period beginning on the third business day and ending on the twelfth business day following the date of release for publication of the Company's quarterly or annual statements of earnings. 10. Restricted Stock. The Committee may award shares of Restricted Stock to any eligible employee. Each award of Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Agreement between the Company and the Grantee, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve, and shall comply with the following terms and conditions (and with such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as the Committee, in its discretion, shall establish): (a) Number of Shares. Each Agreement shall state the number of shares of Restricted Stock to be subject to an award. (b) Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, for such period as the Committee shall determine from the date on which the award is granted (the "Restricted Period"). The Committee may also impose such other restrictions and conditions on the shares as it deems appropriate including the satisfaction of performance criteria. Certificates for shares of stock issued pursuant to Restricted Stock awards shall bear an appropriate legend referring to such restrictions, and any attempt to dispose of any such shares of stock in contravention of such restrictions shall be null and void and without effect. During the Restricted Period, such certificates shall be held in escrow by an escrow agent appointed by the Committee. In determining the Restricted Period of an award, the Committee may provide that the foregoing restrictions shall lapse with respect to specified percentages of the awarded shares on successive anniversaries of the date of such award. (c) Forfeiture. Subject to such exceptions as may be determined by the Committee, if the Grantee's continuous employment with the Company or any Subsidiary shall terminate for any reason prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period of an award, any shares remaining subject to restrictions (after taking into account the provisions of Section 10(e) hereof shall thereupon be forfeited by the Grantee and transferred to, and reacquired by, the Company or a Subsidiary at no cost to the Company or Subsidiary. (d) Ownership. During the Restricted Period the Grantee shall possess all incidents of ownership of such shares, subject to Section 10(b) hereof, including the right to receive dividends with respect to such shares and to vote such shares. (e) Accelerated Lapse of Restrictions. The Committee shall have the authority (and the Agreement may, but need not, so provide) to cancel all or any portion of any outstanding restrictions prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any or all of the shares of Restricted Stock awarded on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. 11. Effect of Certain Changes. In the event of any extraordinary dividend, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, stock split, warrant or rights issuance, or combination or exchange of such shares, or other similar transactions, the number of shares of Common Stock available for awards, the number of such shares covered by outstanding awards, and the price per share of Options or the applicable market value of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee to reflect such event and preserve the value of such awards; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. If the Company shall be reorganized, consolidated, or merged with another corporation, or if all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be sold or exchanged, a Grantee shall at the time of issuance of the stock under such a corporate event, be entitled to receive upon the exercise of his award the same number and kind of shares of stock or the same amount of property, cash or securities as he would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of any such corporate event as if he had been, immediately prior to such event, the holder of the number of shares covered by his award and that his award shall have been fully vested at the time of such event; provided, however, that in any of such events the Committee shall have the discretionary power to take any action necessary or appropriate to prevent Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder from being disqualified as Incentive Stock Options. Any adjustment under this Section shall apply proportionately to only the unexercised portion of any award granted hereunder. If fractions of a share would result from any such adjustment, the adjustment shall be revised to the next lower whole number of shares. 12. Surrender and Exchange of Awards. The Committee may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of any Option granted under the Plan to an employee or any option granted under any other plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any Subsidiary ("Surrendered Option"), to be conditioned upon the granting to the employee Grantee of a new Option for the same number of shares of Common Stock as the Surrendered Option, or may require such voluntary surrender as a condition precedent to a grant of a new Option to such Grantee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, such new Option may be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and shall be exercisable at the price, during such period and on such other terms and conditions as are specified by the Committee at the time the new Option is granted. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock in exchange for Surrendered Options to any holder of such Surrendered Option. 13. Period During Which Awards May Be Granted. Awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan from time to time within a period of ten (10) years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. 14. Nontransferability of Awards. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Company, Awards granted under the Plan shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and awards may be exercised or otherwise realized, during the lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee or by his guardian or legal representative. No award granted under the Plan shall be subject to execution, attachment or other process. 15. Approval of Shareholders. The Plan shall take effect as of the date determined by the Board in its adoption of the Plan but the Plan (and any grants of awards made prior to the shareholder approval described in this sentence shall be subject to the approval of the holder(s) of a majority of the shares of voting securities of the Company present, or represented, and entitled to vote at the Company's next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which approval must occur within twelve months of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. 16. Agreement by Employee Grantee Regarding Withholding Taxes. If the Committee shall so require, as a condition of exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the expiration of the Restricted Period (each a "Tax Event"), each employee Grantee shall agree that, no later than the date of the Tax Event, the Grantee will pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the Tax Event. Alternatively, the Committee may provide that an employee Grantee may elect, to the extent permitted or required by law, to have the Company deduct federal, state and local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the Tax Event from any payment of any kind due to the Grantee. The withholding obligation may be satisfied by the withholding or delivery of Common Stock. 17. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. (a)The Board at any time and from time to time may suspend, terminate, modify or amend the Plan; provided, however, that an amendment which requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with Rule 16b-3 or any other law, regulation or stock exchange requirement shall not be effective unless approved by the requisite vote of stockholders. Except as provided in Section 11 hereof, no suspension, termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any award previously granted, unless the written consent of the Grantee is obtained. (b) The Plan may from time to time be terminated, modified or amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders duly held in accordance with applicable state law. (c) The Board of the Company may at any time terminate the Plan or from time to time make such modifications or amendments of the Plan as it may deem advisable; provided, however, that the Board shall not (i) modify or amend the Plan in any way that would disqualify any Option issued pursuant to the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) without approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders duly held in accordance with applicable state law increase (except as provided by Section 11) the maximum number of Common Shares as to which awards may be granted under the Plan or change the class of persons eligible to receive an award under the Plan. (d) No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect the rights conferred by any awards without the consent of the Grantee thereof. 18. Rights as a Shareholder. Except as provided in Section 10(d) hereof, a Grantee of an award (or any individual acquiring rights under such award from the Grantee) shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the award until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate for such shares to the Grantee (or such individual). No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distribution of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 11 hereof. 19. No Rights to Employment. Nothing in the Plan or in any award granted or Agreement entered into pursuant hereto shall confer upon any Grantee the right to continue in the employ of, or a consultant relationship with, the Company or any Subsidiary or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in the Plan or such Agreement or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any such Subsidiary to terminate such Grantee's employment or retention as a consultant. Awards granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change in duties or position of a Grantee as long as such Grantee continues to be employed by, or in a consultant relationship with, the Company or any Subsidiary. 20. Beneficiary. A Grantee may file with the Committee a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may be prescribed by the Committee and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Grantee, the executor or administrator of the Grantee's estate shall be deemed to be the Grantee's beneficiary. 21. Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. 22. Effective Date and Duration of the Plan. This Plan shall be effective as of the date determined by the Company, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, and shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of such date, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 17 hereof. No awards shall be granted after termination of the Plan. 23. Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, an individual who is on military or sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (such as temporary employment by the United States or any state government) shall be considered as remaining in the employ of the Company or of a subsidiary corporation, if any, for 90 days or such longer period as shall be determined by the Committee. 24. Further Conditions of Exercise. (a) Unless prior to the exercise of an award, the Common Stock issuable upon such exercise are the subject of a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and there is then in effect a prospectus filed as part of such registration statement meeting the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act, the acceptance of such award and the notice of exercise with respect to such award shall be accompanied by a representation or agreement deemed hereunder to have been made by the Grantee to the Company to the effect that such shares are being acquired for investment only and not with a view to the resale or distribution thereof, or such other documentation as may be required by the Company, unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, such representation, agreement or documentation is not necessary to comply with the Securities Act. (b) Anything in subsection (a) of this Section 24 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or sell any Common Stock until they have been listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed and until and unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, the Company may issue such shares pursuant to a qualification or an effective registration statement, or an exemption from registration, under such state and federal laws, rules or regulations as such counsel may deem applicable. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to effect such listing, qualification and registration, as the case may be. 25. Formula Grants and Certain Restrictions under 1992 Stock Option Plan. The Company's obligation to issue stock options pursuant to the formula specified in Section 4(c) of the Company's Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan, and any prohibition on making discretionary grants of stock options to members of the Company's Stock Option Committee contained in Section 4(d) of the Company's Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan, are hereby terminated , as of the date that this Plan becomes effective. EXHIBIT 5.1 June 10, 1999 Research Frontiers Incorporated 240 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, New York 11797 Gentlemen: I am the Vice President and General Counsel of Research Frontiers Incorporated (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and render this opinion in connection with the registration pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 1,085,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.0001 par value (the "Common Stock"), to be offered for sale by the Company upon the exercise of certain stock options ("Options") from time to time granted under the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan. I have examined the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, both as amended, and minute books and such other documents and records as I have deemed necessary and relevant as a basis for my opinions hereinafter set forth. For the purposes of this opinion, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to original documents of all instruments furnished to me for review or examination as copies. Based on the foregoing and having regard to such legal considerations as I have deemed relevant, it is my opinion that: 1. The Company is a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. 2. The Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement has been validly authorized. 3. When the Common Stock has been duly registered under the Act, when certificates for the Common Stock have been duly delivered, and when the Company shall have received the consideration to be received by it pursuant to and upon exercise of the related Options, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Company, with no personal liability attaching to ownership thereof. I hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion in the Registration Statement and to the references to me contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Joseph M. Harary Joseph M. Harary, Esq. Vice President and General Counsel EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT The Board of Directors Research Frontiers Incorporated We consent to the use of our report dated February 19, 1999, except as to note 11, which is as of March 25, 1999, incorporated herein by reference. /s/ KPMG LLP KPMG LLP Melville, New York June 10, 1999 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----