EX-10.1 2 trimble2002stockplanasamen.htm EXHIBIT 10.1
TRIMBLE INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2002 STOCK PLAN
(as amended and restated January 1, 2019)
1.Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan are:

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

• | to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and

• | to promote the success of the Company’s business.

Grants under the Plan may be Awards, Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) “Affiliate” means any “parent” or “subsidiary” as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Administrator shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock incentive plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal, state and foreign securities laws, the Code, the rules of 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 Options or Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(d) “Award” means a grant of Shares, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance-Based Awards, or of any other right to receive Shares or cash pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan.
(e) “Award Agreement” means a written or electronic form of notice or agreement between the Company and an Awardee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(f) “Awarded Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.
(g) “Awardee” means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(h) “Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
(i) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(ii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or
(iii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the Directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means Directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or
(iv) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if it is effected for the purpose of changing the place of incorporation or form of organization of the ultimate parent entity (including where the Company is succeeded by an issuer incorporated under the laws of another state, country or foreign government for such purpose and whether or not the Company remains in existence following such transaction) where all or substantially all of the persons or group that beneficially own all or substantially all of the combined voting power of the Company’s voting securities immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own all or substantially all of the combined voting power of the Company or the ultimate parent entity in substantially the same proportions of their ownership after the transaction.
The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.
(j) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(l) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(m) “Company” means Trimble Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.
(n) “Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, rendering services to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary or Affiliate and the services rendered by the consultant or advisor are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
(o) “Covered Employee” means an Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(p) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(q) “Disability” means that the Awardee or Optionee would qualify to receive benefit payments under the long-term disability policy, as it may be amended from time to time, of the Company or the Subsidiary or Affiliate to which the Awardee or Optionee provides services regardless of whether the Awardee or Optionee is covered by such policy. If the Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate to which the Awardee or Optionee provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that an Awardee or Optionee is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Awardee or Optionee by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. An Awardee or Optionee shall not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan, “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and for purposes of an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, “Disability” shall have the meaning under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to comply with such Section.
(r) “Dividend Equivalents” means rights granted to an Awardee related to the Award of Restricted Stock Units or other Awards for which Shares have not been issued yet, which is a right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on the Shares prior to vesting of the Award. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator.
(s) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, but shall exclude individuals who are classified by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or Affiliate as (a) leased from or otherwise employed by a third party, (b) independent contractors or (c) intermittent or temporary, even if any such classification is changed retroactively as a result of an audit, litigation or otherwise. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or protected under applicable local laws, as interpreted by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three 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 last day of the three month period of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(t) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(u) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the date immediately prior to such date on which sales prices are reported;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board, and to the extent applicable, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for income tax reporting purposes under U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. law and for such other purposes as the Administrator deems appropriate, including, without limitation, where Fair Market Value is used in reference to exercise, vesting, settlement or payout of an Award or an Option, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Company in accordance with Applicable Laws and uniform and nondiscriminatory standards adopted by it from time to time.
(v) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(w) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(x) “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.
(y) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(z) “Option Agreement” means a written or electronic form of notice or agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(aa) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
(bb) “Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option.
(cc) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(dd) “Performance-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 11.
(ee) “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an Awardee for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: earnings or net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), economic value-added, sales or revenue, income, net income (either before or after taxes), operating earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on capital, return on assets or net assets, return on stockholders’ equity, return on capital, stockholder returns, return on sales, gross or net profit margin, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings per Share, price per Share, market share, new products, customer penetration, technology and risk management, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group. The Administrator shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period for such Awardee.
(ff) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance, the performance of a Subsidiary or Affiliate, the performance of a division or a business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, or the performance of an individual. The Administrator, in its discretion, may, to the extent consistent with, and within the time prescribed by, Section 162(m) of the Code, appropriately adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Awardees (a) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual, infrequently occurring or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.
(gg) “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining an Awardee’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance-Based Award.
(hh) “Plan” means this Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan, as amended from time to time.
(ii) “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation” means any compensation that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
(jj) “Restricted Stock” means Shares subject to certain restrictions, granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
(kk) “Restricted Stock Unit” means the right to receive a Share, or the Fair Market Value of a Share in cash, granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.
(ll) “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.
(mm) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(nn) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(oo) “Share” means a share of Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.
(pp) “Stock Appreciation Right” means the right, granted pursuant to Section 10, to receive a payment, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, over the grant price of the Shares.
(qq) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 14 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded or optioned and delivered under the Plan is 74,570,248 Shares; provided, however, that the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall in no event exceed 74,570,248 Shares. Any Shares that are subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share granted. Any Shares that are subject to any Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or other Awards which Awardees pay full value for (as determined on the date of the grant) shall be counted against this limit as 1.69 Shares for every one (1) Share granted. The Shares issued hereunder may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b) If an Award or Option expires, is cancelled or forfeited or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full or otherwise settled in full, or is settled in cash, the undelivered Shares which were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan has terminated, become available for future Awards or Options under the Plan. Any Shares that become available for the grant of Awards or Option pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be added back in accordance with the following: (i) if the Shares were subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, Shares will be added back as one (1) Share for every Share subject to the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; (ii) if the Shares were subject to Awards other than Stock Appreciation Rights, Shares will be added back as 1.69 Shares for every Share subject to the Award. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be counted against Shares available for grant pursuant to this Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalent rights in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following shall not be added to the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under Section 3(a) above: (x) Shares subject to an Option surrendered in payment of the Option exercise price, or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (y) Shares that are not issued as a result of a net settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right, and (z) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. For purposes of this Section 3(c) and for the avoidance of any doubt, “surrendered” includes the tendering of Shares held by the Optionee or Awardee, as applicable, or withheld from an Option or Award, as applicable, voluntarily by the Optionee or Awardee, as applicable, or mandatorily by the Company.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards or Options granted hereunder as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a Committee of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and the transactions contemplated hereunder shall otherwise be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee to which the Board has delegated to serve as the Administrator, which Committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards or Options may be granted hereunder;
(ii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock or other amounts to be covered by each Award or Option granted hereunder and to determine the amount, if any, of cash payment to be made to an Awardee;
(iii) to approve forms of agreements for use under the Plan;
(iv) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award or Option granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), the time or times when Awards vest (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or Option or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(v) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(vi) to establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, including adopting sub-plans to the Plan or special terms for Options or Awards, for the purposes of complying with non-U.S. laws, facilitate the administration of the Plan outside the United States and/or taking advantage of tax favorable treatment for Options and Awards granted to Service Providers outside the United States (as further set forth in Section 5 of the Plan);
(vii) to modify or amend each Award or Option (subject to Section 15(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator shall not have the discretionary authority to accelerate or delay issuance of Shares under an Option or Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, except to the extent that such acceleration or delay may, in the discretion of the Administrator, be effected in a manner that will not cause any person to incur taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code;
(viii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award or Option previously granted by the Administrator; and
(ix) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Awardees and Optionees and any other holders of Awards or Options.
(d) Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Administrator, from time to time, may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards to Employees other than (i) Employees who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) officers of the Company to whom authority to grant Awards has been delegated hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and provided it meets the limitations of this Section 4(d), any delegation hereunder shall include the right to modify Awards as necessary to accommodate changes in Applicable Laws, including in jurisdictions outside the United States. Furthermore, any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limitations that the Administrator specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Administrator may rescind at any time the authority so delegated and/or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 4(d) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Administrator.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Awards may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. In order to comply with, or recognize differences in, the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Service Providers and facilitate the administration of the Plan in other countries, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which Service Providers outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Option or Award granted to Service Providers outside the United States to comply or facilitate compliance with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish sub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable, including adoption of rules, procedures or sub-plans applicable to particular Affiliates or Service Providers in particular locations; provided, however, that no such sub-plans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3 of the Plan; and (v) take any action, before or after an Option or Award is granted, that it deems advisable to obtain or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules, procedures and sub-plans with provisions that limit or modify rights on eligibility to receive an Option or Award under the Plan or on death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service, available methods of exercise or settlement of an Option or Award, payment of income, social insurance contributions and payroll taxes, the shifting of employer tax liability to the Service Provider, the withholding procedures and handling of any stock certificates or other indicia of ownership. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Options or Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act, the Code, any securities law or governing statute or any other Applicable Laws.
6. Limitations.
(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option 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 the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(b) Neither the Plan nor any Award or Option shall confer upon an Awardee or Optionee any right with respect to continuing that individual’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Awardee’s or Optionee’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.
(c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Awards and Options:
(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, Options and Awards covering more than 1,200,000 Shares.
(ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options and Awards covering an additional 1,800,000 Shares, which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.
(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 14.
(iv) If an Award or Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 14), the cancelled Option or Award will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or in any policy of the Company regarding compensation payable to a non-employee Director, the aggregate grant date fair value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all Options and Awards payable in Common Stock that may be granted under the Plan to an individual as compensation for services as a non-employee Director during any calendar year, shall not exceed $750,000.
7. Stock Options. The Administrator is authorized to make grants of Options to any Service Provider on the terms stated below.
(a) Term. The term of each Option shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee 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 shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.
(b) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee 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 shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant (A) when issued in substitution for outstanding options of an entity acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (B) pursuant to a merger or consolidation of or by the Company with or into another corporation, the purchase or acquisition of property or stock by the Company of another corporation, any spin-off or other distribution of stock or property by the Company or another corporation, any reorganization of the Company, or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, if such action by the Company or other corporation results in a significant number of Employees being transferred to a new employer or discharged, or in the creation or severance of the Parent-Subsidiary relationship.
(c) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
(d) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) promissory note;
(iv) other Shares already owned by the Optionee (for the period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes) having a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
(v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program approved by the Company;
(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee’s participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;
(vii) with the consent of the Administrator, Shares withheld by the Company that are otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option;
(viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(ix) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
(e) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards and Options granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company (or its designated agent) receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option or such person’s authorized agent, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. 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 14 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for delivery under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(f) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee’s death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option 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 Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee’s termination. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, for any reason, all unvested Shares covered by his or her Option shall be forfeited. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(g) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option 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 Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(h) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider or within thirty (30) days of ceasing to be a Service Provider (or such longer period of time not exceeding three (3) months as is determined by the Administrator), the Option may be exercised following the Optionee’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Option 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 Option Agreement), by the personal representative of the Optionee’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(i) Option Agreement. All Options granted under this Plan shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator and shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement.
8. Grant of Restricted Stock. The Administrator is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to any Service Provider selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.
(a) Purchase Price. At the time of the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Administrator shall determine the price, if any, to be paid by the Awardee for each Share subject to the Award of Restricted Stock. To the extent required by Applicable Laws, the price to be paid by the Awardee for each Share subject to the Award of Restricted Stock shall not be less than the amount required by Applicable Laws (if any). The purchase price of Shares (if any) acquired pursuant to the Award of Restricted Stock shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the sole discretion of the Administrator, by services rendered or to be rendered to the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion and in compliance with Applicable Laws.
(b) Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Administrator may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.
(c) Certificates for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Awardee, certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
9. Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Service Provider selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate. On or after the vesting date (as further described in Section 13(g) below), the Company shall transfer to the Awardee one Share for each Restricted Stock Unit. Alternatively, settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit may be made in cash (in an amount reflecting the Fair Market Value of Shares that would have been issued) or any combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
10. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator is authorized to make Awards of Stock Appreciation Rights to any Service Provider selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.
(a) Description. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Awardee (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount equal to the product of (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over (B) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right and (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.
(b) Grant Price. The grant price per Share subject to a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, the per Share grant price for any Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Payment and Limitations on Exercise.
(i) Payment of the amounts determined under Section 10(c) hereof shall be in cash, in Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
(ii) To the extent any payment under Section 10(a) is effected in Shares, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all applicable provisions of Section 7 pertaining to Options.
(d) Term. The term of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be no longer than ten (10) years from the date of grant.
11. Performance-Based Awards for Covered Employees.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section 11 is to provide the Administrator the ability to qualify Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation as determined under Code Section 162(m). If the Administrator, in its discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee, the provisions of this Section 11 shall control over any contrary provision contained in this Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator may in its discretion grant Awards to Covered Employees that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.
(b) Applicability. This Section 11 shall apply only to those Covered Employees selected by the Administrator to receive Performance-Based Awards that are intended to qualify as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. The designation of a Covered Employee as an Awardee for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Awardee to receive an Award for the period. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as an for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Covered Employee as an Awardee in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee as an Awardee shall not require designation of any other Covered Employees as an Awardee in such period or in any other period.
(c) Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the Qualified Performance-Based Compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted under this Plan which may be granted to one or more Covered Employees, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Administrator shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Covered Employees, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Employee, the Administrator shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.
(d) Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, an Awardee must be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate on the day a Performance-Based Award for the appropriate Performance Period is paid to the Awardee. Furthermore, an Awardee shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved, unless otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code.
(e) Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Covered Employee shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.
12. Other Awards. The Administrator is authorized under the Plan to make any other Award to a Service Provider that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of (i) Shares, (ii) a right with an exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or (iii) any other right with the value derived from the value of the Shares. The Administrator may establish one or more separate programs under the Plan for the purpose of issuing particular forms of Awards to one or more classes of Awardees on such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator from time to time.
13. General Provisions Applicable to All Awards.
(a) Transferability of Awards and Options. An Incentive Stock Option 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 Optionee, only by the Optionee. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award or Nonstatutory Stock Option 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 (if applicable), during the lifetime of the Optionee or Awardee, only by the Optionee or Awardee. If the Administrator makes an Award or Nonstatutory Stock Option transferable, such Award or Nonstatutory Stock Option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(b) Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any Award or Option (to the extent applicable) shall be no longer than ten (10) years from the date of grant.
(c) Exercise and Vesting upon Termination of Employment or Service. Unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement, all unvested Awards will terminate effective upon termination of employment or service for any reason. Unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement, in the case of Awards that have an exercise period (e.g., Stock Appreciation Rights), if the Awardee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her death or Disability, he or she (or his or her heirs or personal representative of his or her estate in the case of death) will have twelve (12) months after the date of termination to exercise outstanding vested Awards or shorter period if the expiration date for the Award is earlier. All Shares subject to unvested Awards that terminate upon termination of service and all unexercised Awards after expiration of the post termination will revert to the Plan.
(d) Form of Payment. Payments with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made in cash, in Shares, or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
(e) Award Agreement. All Awards under this Plan shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
(f) Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award or Option shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award or Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator in accordance with Applicable Laws. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Awardee and Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
(g) Timing of Settlement. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the settlement date applicable to an Award, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date(s) applicable to the relevant Award and may be later than the vesting date(s) to the extent and under the terms determined by the Administrator, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Until an Award has been settled, the number of Shares subject to the Award shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 14(a) hereof.
(h) Exercise or Purchase Price. The Administrator may establish the exercise or purchase price (if any) of any Award provided however that such price shall not be less than required by Applicable Law.
(i) Vesting Conditions. The Administrator has the discretion to provide for vesting conditions for Awards tied to performance conditions which do not satisfy the requirements for Qualified Performance-Based Compensation as determined under Code Section 162(m).
(j) Dividend Equivalents. The Administrator may determine at the time of grant whether Awards (other than those Awards pursuant to which Shares are issued at grant) will provide for Dividend Equivalent rights on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalents granted with respect to any Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (i) not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated and be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent that the Shares underlying the Award are subject.
14. Adjustments; Dissolution; Merger or Change in 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 or their value occurs, then the Administrator shall make proportional adjustments to (i) the number and class or kind of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan, (ii) the number, class or kind and price of shares covered by each outstanding Award and Option, and (iii) the numerical limits of Section 6(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a regular cash dividend that does not affect the Shares or the value of the Shares shall not result in the proportional adjustment to the Shares, Awards and Options contemplated under the preceding sentence. The determination by the Administrator of the adjustments provided under this Section 14(a) shall be final and binding on the affected Optionee or Awardee and the Company.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Awardee and Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee or Awardee to have the right to exercise his or her Option or Award (if exercisable) until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned/Awarded Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option or Award would not otherwise be exercisable. The Administrator in its discretion may provide that the vesting of an Award or Option accelerate at any time prior to such transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Option or Award (if exercisable) will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, and unvested Awards will be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Merger or Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award and Option shall be assumed or an equivalent award, option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event the successor corporation does not agree to assume the Award or Option, or substitute an equivalent option or right, the Administrator shall, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Awardee or Optionee to have the right to vest in and exercise the Option or Award (if exercisable) as to all of the Optioned/Awarded Stock, including Shares as to which the Option or Award would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, and in the case of an unvested Award, to vest in the entire Award. If the Administrator makes an Option or Award (if exercisable) fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee or Awardee that the Option or Award shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Award (if exercisable) will terminate upon the expiration of such period. If, in such a merger or Change in Control, the Award or Option is assumed or an equivalent award or option or right is substituted by such successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of such successor corporation, and if during a one-year period after the effective date of such merger or Change in Control, the Awardee’s or Optionee’s status as a Service Provider is terminated for any reason other than the Awardee’s or Optionee’s voluntary termination of such relationship, then (i) in the case of an Option or an Award (if exercisable), the Optionee or Awardee shall have the right within three (3) months thereafter to exercise the Option or Award (if exercisable) as to all of the Optioned/Awarded Stock, including Shares as to which the Option or Award (if exercisable) would not be otherwise exercisable, effective as of the date of such termination and (ii) in the case of an unvested Award, the Award shall be fully vested on the date of such termination.
For the purposes of this subsection (c), the Award or Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Award or each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, in each case, immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in 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 in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or an Award (if exercisable), for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option and each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Award, and upon the vesting of an Award, for each Share of Awarded Stock 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 in Control.
15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan, provided that the Board may not do so without stockholder approval, if such approval would be required by Applicable Laws.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan or any Award or Option shall (i) impair the rights of any Awardee or Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Awardee or Optionee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Awardee or Optionee and the Company, except with respect to any amendment made or other action taken pursuant to Section 21 hereof or any amendment or other action with respect to an outstanding Option or Award that may be required or desirable to comply with Applicable Laws, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, or (ii) permit the reduction of the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, after it has been granted, to below the per Share Fair Market Value as of the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right was granted (except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan), unless approved by the Company’s stockholders. Neither may the Administrator, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders and except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan, cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right at any time when the then-current Fair Market Value of a Share is less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right was granted, and replace it with (A) a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price, where the economic effect would be the same as reducing the exercise price of the cancelled Option or Stock Appreciation Right below the per Share Fair Market Value as of the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right was granted, (B) cash or (C) any other Award. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards and Options granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination. Any increase in the number of Shares subject to the Plan, other than pursuant to Section 14 hereof, shall be approved by the Company’s stockholders.
16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Award (if exercisable) or the vesting of an Award unless the exercise of such Option or Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall 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 of an Option or Award (if exercisable), the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise 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.
17. 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, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
19. Stockholder Approval; Plan Term for ISO Grants. The Plan became effective on May 23, 2002. The Plan was most recently approved by stockholders of the Company on May 8, 2017. The Plan, as most recently amended and restated has been adopted by the Board on January 1, 2019. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan after March 15, 2027.
20. Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
21. Section 409A. Except as provided in Section 25 hereof, to the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award or Option granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement or Option Agreement evidencing such Award or Option shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements and Option Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date the Plan first became effective. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the date an Option or an Award is granted the Administrator determines that the Award or Option may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the date the Plan first became effective), the Administrator may, without consent of the Awardee or Optionee, adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or Option Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, including amendments or actions that would result in a reduction to the benefits payable under an Option or an Award, in each case, without the consent of the Optionee or Awardee, as applicable, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award or Option from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award or Option, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section or mitigate any additional tax, interest and/or penalties or other adverse tax consequences that may apply under Section 409A of the Code if compliance is not practical.
22. Tax Withholding. The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, as appropriate, shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require an Awardee or Optionee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state, and local taxes and taxes imposed by jurisdictions outside of the United States (including income tax, social insurance contributions, payment on account and any other taxes that may be due) that the Company or an Affiliate determines are required to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning an Optionee or Awardee arising as a result of this Plan or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, as appropriate, to satisfy withholding obligations for the payment of taxes. Without limitation, the Administrator may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow the Company to withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Option or Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld, which may be determined using rates of up to, but not exceeding, the maximum federal, state, local and/or foreign statutory tax rates applicable in a particular jurisdiction. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld and the applicable rate of tax withholding shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. No Shares shall be delivered hereunder to any Optionee or Awardee or other person until the Optionee or Awardee, or such other person has made arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of these tax obligations with respect to any taxable event concerning the Optionee or Awardee, or such other person arising as a result of the Options or Awards made under this Plan.
23. No Right to Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement or Option Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate any Awardee’s or Optionee’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Awardee or Optionee any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
24. Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to an Awardee pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Awardee any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
25. No Representations or Covenants with respect to Tax Qualification. Although the Company may endeavor to (1) qualify an Award for favorable tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States (e.g., incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code or French-qualified stock options) or (2) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Sections 280G, 409A or 457A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment and any liability to any Optionee or Awardee for failure to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax result. The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Awardees or Optionees under the Plan. Nothing in this Plan or in an Option Agreement or Award Agreement shall provide a basis for any person to take any action against the Company or any Affiliate based on matters covered by Section 409A of the Code, including the tax treatment of any Option or Awards, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate will have any liability under any circumstances to an Optionee or Awardee or any other party if the Option or Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code, is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Administrator with respect thereto.
26. Clawback/Recovery. All Options and Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Laws. In addition, the Administrator may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions on an Option or Award as the Administrator determines necessary or appropriate in view of Applicable Laws, governance considerations or industry best practices.
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