LivePerson Inc. Contracts
Sample Business Contracts
2000 Stock Incentive Plan - LivePerson Inc.
LIVEPERSON, INC.
2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE ONE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
This 2000 Stock Incentive Plan is intended to promote the interests
of LivePerson, Inc., a Delaware corporation, by providing eligible persons with
the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest, or otherwise increase their
proprietary interest, in the Corporation as an incentive for them to remain in
the service of the Corporation.
Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the attached Appendix.
All share numbers reflect the 3-for-2 split of the Common Stock
effected on March 8, 2000.
II. STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN
A. The Plan shall be divided into five separate equity incentive
programs:
(i) the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which
eligible persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be
granted options to purchase shares of Common Stock,
(ii) the Salary Investment Option Grant Program under
which eligible employees may elect to have a portion of their base salary
invested each year in special options,
(iii) the Stock Issuance Program under which eligible
persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued shares
of Common Stock directly, either through the immediate purchase of such
shares or as a bonus for services rendered the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary),
(iv) the Automatic Option Grant Program under which
eligible non-employee Board members shall automatically receive options at
periodic intervals to purchase shares of Common Stock, and
(v) the Director Fee Option Grant Program under which
non-employee Board members may elect to have all or any portion of their
annual retainer fee otherwise payable in cash applied to a special option
grant.
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B. The provisions of Articles One and Seven shall apply to all
equity programs under the Plan and shall govern the interests of all persons
under the Plan.
III. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
A. Prior to the Section 12 Registration Date, the Discretionary
Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs shall be administered by the Board
unless otherwise determined by the Board. Beginning with the Section 12
Registration Date, the following provisions shall govern the administration of
the Plan:
(i) The Board shall have the authority to administer the
Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to
Section 16 Insiders but may delegate such authority in whole or in part to
the Primary Committee.
(ii) Administration of the Discretionary Option Grant
and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to all other persons eligible to
participate in those programs may, at the Board's discretion, be vested in
the Primary Committee or a Secondary Committee, or the Board may retain
the power to administer those programs with respect to all such persons.
(iii) The Board (or Primary Committee) shall select the
Section 16 Insiders and other highly compensated Employees eligible to
participate in the Salary Investment Option Grant Program. However, all
option grants under the Salary Investment Option Grant Program shall be
made in accordance with the terms of that program and the Primary
Committee shall not exercise any administrative discretion with respect to
option grants made under the program.
(iv) Administration of the Automatic Option Grant and
Director Fee Option Grant Programs shall be self-executing in accordance
with the terms of those programs.
B. Each Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
administrative jurisdiction under the Plan, have full power and authority
subject to the provisions of the Plan:
(i) to establish such rules as it may deem appropriate
for proper administration of the Plan, to make all factual determinations,
to construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan and the awards
thereunder and to resolve any and all ambiguities thereunder;
(ii) to determine, with respect to awards made under the
Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs, which eligible
persons are to receive such awards, the time or times when such awards are
to be made, the number of shares to be covered by each such award, the
vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the award, the status of a granted
option as either an Incentive Option or a Non-Statutory Option and the
maximum term for which the option is to remain outstanding;
(iii) to amend, modify or cancel any outstanding award
with the consent of the holder or accelerate the vesting of such award;
and
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(iv) to take such other discretionary actions as
permitted pursuant to the terms of the applicable program.
Decisions of each Plan Administrator within the scope of its administrative
functions under the Plan shall be final and binding on all parties.
C. Members of the Primary Committee or any Secondary Committee shall
serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and may be removed by
the Board at any time. The Board may also at any time terminate the functions of
any Secondary Committee and reassume all powers and authority previously
delegated to such committee.
D. Service on the Primary Committee or the Secondary Committee shall
constitute service as a Board member, and members of each such committee shall
accordingly be entitled to full indemnification and reimbursement as Board
members for their service on such committee. No member of the Primary Committee
or the Secondary Committee shall be liable for any act or omission made in good
faith with respect to the Plan or any options or stock issuances under the Plan.
IV. ELIGIBILITY
A. The persons eligible to participate in the Discretionary Option
Grant and Stock Issuance Programs are as follows:
(i) Employees,
(ii) non-employee members of the Board or the board of
directors of any Parent or Subsidiary, and
(iii) consultants and other independent advisors who
provide services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
B. Only Employees who are Section 16 Insiders or other highly
compensated individuals shall be eligible to participate in the Salary
Investment Option Grant Program.
C. Only non-employee Board members shall be eligible to participate
in the Automatic Option Grant and Director Fee Option Grant Programs.
V. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
A. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized
but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the
Corporation on the open market. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
initially reserved for issuance over the term of the Plan shall not exceed Ten
Million (10,000,000) shares. Such reserve shall consist of (i) the number of
shares estimated to remain available for issuance, as of the Section 12
Registration Date, under the Predecessor Plan, including the shares subject to
the outstanding options to be incorporated into the Plan and the additional
shares which would otherwise be available for future grant, plus (ii) an
increase of Four Million One Hundred Sixty Five
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Thousand Three Hundred Fifteen (4,165,315) shares authorized by the Board
subject to stockholder approval prior to the Section 12 Registration Date.
B. The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under
the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of January each
calendar year during the term of the Plan, beginning with the calendar year
2001, by an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the total number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately
preceding calendar year, but in no event shall such annual increase exceed One
Million Five Hundred Thousand (1,500,000) shares.
C. No one person participating in the Plan may receive options,
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances for
more than Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of Common Stock in the
aggregate per calendar year.
D. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options (including
options incorporated into this Plan from the Predecessor Plan) shall be
available for subsequent issuance under the Plan to the extent those options
expire, terminate or are cancelled for any reason prior to exercise in full.
Unvested shares issued under the Plan and subsequently repurchased by the
Corporation, at the original exercise or issue price paid per share, pursuant to
the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Plan shall be added back to the
number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan and shall
accordingly be available for reissuance through one or more subsequent options
or direct stock issuances under the Plan. However, should the exercise price of
an option under the Plan be paid with shares of Common Stock or should shares of
Common Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan be withheld by the Corporation in
satisfaction of the withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise
of an option or the vesting of a stock issuance under the Plan, then the number
of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced
by the gross number of shares for which the option is exercised or which vest
under the stock issuance, and not by the net number of shares of Common Stock
issued to the holder of such option or stock issuance. Shares of Common Stock
underlying one or more stock appreciation rights exercised under the Plan shall
NOT be available for subsequent issuance.
E. If any change is made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of
shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without
the Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be
made to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable under the
Plan, (ii) the number and/or class of securities by which the share reserve is
to increase each calendar year pursuant to the automatic share increase
provisions of the Plan, (iii) the number and/or class of securities for which
any one person may be granted options, separately exercisable stock appreciation
rights and direct stock issuances under the Plan per calendar year, (iv) the
number and/or class of securities for which grants are subsequently to be made
under the Automatic Option Grant Program to new and continuing non-employee
Board members, (v) the number and/or class of securities and the exercise price
per share in effect under each outstanding option under the Plan and (vi) the
number and/or class of securities and price per share in effect under each
outstanding option incorporated into this Plan from the Predecessor Plan. Such
adjustments to the outstanding options are to be effected in a manner
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which shall preclude the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under
such options. The adjustments determined by the Plan Administrator shall be
final, binding and conclusive.
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ARTICLE TWO
DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. OPTION TERMS
Each option shall be evidenced by one or more documents in the form
approved by the Plan Administrator; PROVIDED, however, that each such document
shall comply with the terms specified below. Each document evidencing an
Incentive Option shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Plan
applicable to such options.
A. EXERCISE PRICE.
1. The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator at the time of the option grant and may be less than, equal to or
greater than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant
date.
2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall, subject to the provisions of Section II of
Article Seven and the documents evidencing the option, be payable in one or more
of the following forms:
(i) in cash or check made payable to the Corporation;
(ii) shares of Common Stock held for the requisite
period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for
financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the
Exercise Date, or
(iii) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which
the Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions to (a) a
Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds
available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable
Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be
withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the
Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly
to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.
Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.
B. EXERCISE AND TERM OF OPTIONS. Each option shall be exercisable at
such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall be
determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing
the option. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years
measured from the option grant date.
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C. CESSATION OF SERVICE.
3. The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any
options outstanding at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Service or death:
(i) Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee's
cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such
period of time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
and set forth in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option
shall be exercisable after the expiration of the option term.
(ii) Any option exercisable in whole or in part by the
Optionee at the time of death may be subsequently exercised by his or her
Beneficiary.
(iii) During the applicable post-Service exercise
period, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of
the Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable
exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term,
the option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested
shares for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option
shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Service, terminate and
cease to be outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise at that
time exercisable for vested shares.
(iv) Should the Optionee's Service be terminated for
Misconduct or should the Optionee engage in Misconduct while his or her
options are outstanding, then all such options shall terminate immediately
and cease to be outstanding.
4. The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion,
exercisable either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding:
(i) to extend the period of time for which the option is
to remain exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service to
such period of time as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate, but
in no event beyond the expiration of the option term, and/or
(ii) to permit the option to be exercised, during the
applicable post-Service exercise period, for one or more additional
installments in which the Optionee would have vested had the Optionee
continued in Service.
D. STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. The holder of an option shall have no
stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such
person shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a
holder of record of the purchased shares.
E. REPURCHASE RIGHTS. The Plan Administrator shall have the
discretion to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common
Stock. Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares, the
Corporation shall have the right to
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repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of those unvested
shares. The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable
(including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting
schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Plan
Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right.
F. LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the
Optionee, Incentive Options shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall
not be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of
inheritance following the Optionee's death. Non-Statutory Options shall be
subject to the same restrictions, except that a Non-Statutory Option may, to the
extent permitted by the Plan Administrator, be assigned in whole or in part
during the Optionee's lifetime (i) as a gift to one or more members of the
Optionee's immediate family, to a trust in which Optionee and/or one or more
such family members hold more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial
interest or to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting
interests are owned by one or more such family members or (ii) pursuant to a
domestic relations order. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be
the same as those in effect for the option immediately prior to such assignment
and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan
Administrator may deem appropriate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may also designate one
or more persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her outstanding
options, and those options shall, in accordance with such designation,
automatically be transferred to such beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the
Optionee's death while holding those options. Such beneficiary or beneficiaries
shall take the transferred options subject to all the terms and conditions of
the applicable agreement evidencing each such transferred option, including
(without limitation) the limited time period during which the option may be
exercised following the Optionee's death.
II. INCENTIVE OPTIONS
The terms specified below shall be applicable to all Incentive
Options. Except as modified by the provisions of this Section II, all the
provisions of Articles One, Two and Six shall be applicable to Incentive
Options. Options which are specifically designated as Non-Statutory Options when
issued under the Plan shall NOT be subject to the terms of this Section II.
A. ELIGIBILITY. Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees.
B. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share shall not be less
than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common
Stock on the option grant date.
C. DOLLAR LIMITATION. The aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares
of Common Stock (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) for
which one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any other
option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) may for the first
time become exercisable as Incentive Options during any one calendar year shall
not exceed the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). To the extent the
Employee holds two (2) or more such options which become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the
exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such options are granted.
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D. 10% STOCKHOLDER. If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option is
granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the exercise price per share shall not be
less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on the option grant date, and the option term shall not exceed five
(5) years measured from the option grant date.
III. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. Each option outstanding at the time of a Change in Control but
not otherwise fully-vested shall automatically accelerate so that each such
option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control,
become exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. However, an outstanding option shall not so accelerate
if and to the extent: (i) such option is, in connection with the Change in
Control, assumed or otherwise continued in full force and effect by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Change in
Control, (ii) such option is replaced with a cash incentive program of the
successor corporation which preserves the spread existing at the time of the
Change in Control on the shares of Common Stock for which the option is not
otherwise at that time exercisable and provides for subsequent payout in
accordance with the same vesting schedule applicable to those option shares or
(iii) the acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations imposed by
the Plan Administrator at the time of the option grant. Each option outstanding
at the time of the Change in Control shall terminate as provided in Section
III.C. of this Article Two.
B. All outstanding repurchase rights shall also terminate
automatically, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights
shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in Control, except to
the extent: (i) those repurchase rights are assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue in full force and effect
pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control or (ii) such accelerated vesting
is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time
the repurchase right is issued.
C. Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control,
all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise
expressly continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change
in Control.
D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in
Control shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in
Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been
issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Change in Control had the
option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate
adjustments to reflect such Change in Control shall also be made to (i) the
exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option, PROVIDED the
aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same, (ii)
the maximum number and/or class of securities available for issuance over the
remaining term of the Plan and (iii) the maximum number and/or class of
securities for which any one person may be granted options, separately
exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances under the Plan
per calendar year. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation's
outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in
consummation of the Change in Control, the successor
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corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding options,
substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value
equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such
Change in Control.
E. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate in connection with a Change in Control,
whether or not those options are assumed or otherwise continued in full force
and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control. Any such option shall
accordingly become exercisable, immediately prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control, for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator may at any time
provide that one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights shall not be
assignable in connection with such Change in Control and shall terminate upon
the consummation of such Change in Control.
F. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate upon an Involuntary Termination of the
Optionee's Service within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18)
months) following the effective date of any Change in Control in which those
options do not otherwise accelerate. Any options so accelerated shall remain
exercisable for fully-vested shares until the EARLIER of (i) the expiration of
the option term or (ii) the expiration of the one (1) year period measured from
the effective date of the Involuntary Termination. In addition, the Plan
Administrator may at any time provide that one or more of the Corporation's
repurchase rights shall immediately terminate upon such Involuntary Termination.
G. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate in connection with a Hostile Take-Over.
Any such option shall become exercisable, immediately prior to the effective
date of such Hostile Take-Over, for all of the shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares
as fully-vested shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator may
at any time provide that one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights
shall terminate automatically upon the consummation of such Hostile Take-Over.
Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may condition such automatic acceleration
and termination upon an Involuntary Termination of the Optionee's Service within
a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective
date of such Hostile Take-Over. Each option so accelerated shall remain
exercisable for fully-vested shares until the expiration or sooner termination
of the option term.
H. The portion of any Incentive Option accelerated in connection
with a Change in Control or Hostile Take Over shall remain exercisable as an
Incentive Option only to the extent the applicable One Hundred Thousand Dollar
($100,000) limitation is not exceeded. To the extent such dollar limitation is
exceeded, the accelerated portion of such option shall be exercisable as a
Non-Statutory Option under the Federal tax laws.
IV. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
The Plan Administrator may, subject to such conditions as it may
determine, grant to selected Optionees stock appreciation rights which will
allow the holders of those rights to
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elect between the exercise of the underlying option for shares of Common Stock
and the surrender of that option in exchange for a distribution from the
Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the Option Surrender Value
of the number of shares for which the option is surrendered over (b) the
aggregate exercise price payable for such shares. The distribution may be made
in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on the option surrender
date, in cash, or partly in shares and partly in cash, as the Plan Administrator
shall in its sole discretion deem appropriate.
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ARTICLE THREE
SALARY INVESTMENT OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. OPTION GRANTS
The Primary Committee may implement the Salary Investment Option
Grant Program for one or more calendar years beginning after the Underwriting
Date and select the Section 16 Insiders and other highly compensated Employees
eligible to participate in the Salary Investment Option Grant Program for each
such calendar year. Each selected individual who elects to participate in the
Salary Investment Option Grant Program must, prior to the start of each calendar
year of participation, file with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) an
irrevocable authorization directing the Corporation to reduce his or her base
salary for that calendar year by an amount not less than Five Thousand Dollars
($5,000) nor more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000). Each individual who
files such a timely election shall be granted an option under the Salary
Investment Grant Program on the first trading day in January for the calendar
year for which the salary reduction is to be in effect.
II. OPTION TERMS
Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option evidenced by one or more
documents in the form approved by the Plan Administrator; PROVIDED, however,
that each such document shall comply with the terms specified below.
A. EXERCISE PRICE.
1. The exercise price per share shall be thirty-three and
one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock
on the option grant date.
2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall be payable in one or more of the alternative
forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program. Except to the
extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.
B. NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES. The number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the option shall be determined pursuant to the following formula
(rounded down to the nearest whole number):
X = A / (B x 66-2/3%), where
X is the number of option shares,
A is the dollar amount of the approved reduction in the
Optionee's base salary for the calendar year, and
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B is the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
option grant date.
C. EXERCISE AND TERM OF OPTIONS. The option shall become exercisable
in a series of twelve (12) successive equal monthly installments upon the
Optionee's completion of each calendar month of Service in the calendar year for
which the salary reduction is in effect. Each option shall have a maximum term
of ten (10) years measured from the option grant date.
D. CESSATION OF SERVICE. Each option outstanding at the time of the
Optionee's cessation of Service shall remain exercisable, for any or all of the
shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of such cessation of
Service, until the EARLIER of (i) the expiration of the option term or (ii) the
expiration of the three (3)-year period following the Optionee's cessation of
Service. To the extent the option is held by the Optionee at the time of his or
her death, the option may be exercised by his or her Beneficiary. However, the
option shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Service, terminate
and cease to remain outstanding with respect to any and all shares of Common
Stock for which the option is not otherwise at that time exercisable.
III. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. In the event of any Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over while
the Optionee remains in Service, each outstanding option shall automatically
accelerate so that each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective
date of the Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over, become fully exercisable
with respect to the total number of shares of Common Stock at the time subject
to such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as
fully-vested shares of Common Stock. Each such option accelerated in connection
with a Change in Control shall terminate upon the Change in Control, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise
continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in
Control. Each such option accelerated in connection with a Hostile Take-Over
shall remain exercisable until the expiration or sooner termination of the
option term.
B. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in
Control shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to the number and class of
securities which would have been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of
such Change in Control had the option been exercised immediately prior to such
Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise
price payable per share under each outstanding option, PROVIDED the aggregate
exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same. To the extent
the actual holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash
consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control,
the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the
outstanding options, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with
a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of
Common Stock in such Change in Control.
C. Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each of
his or her outstanding options. The Optionee shall in return be entitled to a
cash distribution from the Corporation in an
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amount equal to the excess of (i) the Option Surrender Value of the shares of
Common Stock at the time subject to each surrendered option (whether or not the
Optionee is otherwise at the time vested in those shares) over (ii) the
aggregate exercise price payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall
be paid within five (5) days following the surrender of the option to the
Corporation.
IV. REMAINING TERMS
The remaining terms of each option granted under the Salary
Investment Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for
options made under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
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ARTICLE FOUR
STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM
I. STOCK ISSUANCE TERMS
Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance
Program through direct and immediate issuances without any intervening options.
Shares of Common Stock may also be issued under the Stock Issuance Program
pursuant to share right awards which entitle the recipients to receive those
shares upon the attainment of designated performance goals or Service
requirements. Each such award shall be evidenced by one or more documents which
comply with the terms specified below.
A. PURCHASE PRICE.
1. The purchase price per share of Common Stock subject to
direct issuance shall be fixed by the Plan Administrator and may be less than,
equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
issue date.
2. Subject to the provisions of Section II of Article Seven,
shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program for any of
the following items of consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate in each individual instance:
(i) cash or check made payable to the Corporation, or
(ii) past services rendered to the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary).
B. VESTING/ISSUANCE PROVISIONS.
1. The Plan Administrator may issue shares of Common Stock
which are fully and immediately vested upon issuance or which are to vest in one
or more installments over the Participant's period of Service or upon attainment
of specified performance objectives. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may
issue share right awards which shall entitle the recipient to receive a
specified number of vested shares of Common Stock upon the attainment of one or
more performance goals or Service requirements established by the Plan
Administrator.
2. Any new, substituted or additional securities or other
property (including money paid other than as a regular cash dividend) which the
Participant may have the right to receive with respect to his or her unvested
shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation's
receipt of consideration shall be issued subject to (i) the same vesting
requirements applicable to the Participant's unvested shares of Common Stock and
(ii) such escrow arrangements as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.
<PAGE>
3. The Participant shall have full stockholder rights with
respect to the issued shares of Common Stock, whether or not the Participant's
interest in those shares is vested. Accordingly, the Participant shall have the
right to vote such shares and to receive any regular cash dividends paid on such
shares.
4. Should the Participant cease to remain in Service while
holding one or more unvested shares of Common Stock, or should the performance
objectives not be attained with respect to one or more such unvested shares of
Common Stock, then those shares shall be immediately surrendered to the
Corporation for cancellation, and the Participant shall have no further
stockholder rights with respect to those shares. To the extent the surrendered
shares were previously issued to the Participant for consideration paid in cash
or cash equivalent (including the Participant's purchase-money indebtedness),
the Corporation shall repay to the Participant the cash consideration paid for
the surrendered shares and shall cancel the unpaid principal balance of any
outstanding purchase-money note of the Participant attributable to the
surrendered shares.
5. The Plan Administrator may waive the surrender and
cancellation of one or more unvested shares of Common Stock (or other assets
attributable thereto) which would otherwise occur upon the cessation of the
Participant's Service or the non-attainment of the performance objectives
applicable to those shares. Such waiver shall result in the immediate vesting of
the Participant's interest in the shares of Common Stock as to which the waiver
applies. Such waiver may be effected at any time, whether before or after the
Participant's cessation of Service or the attainment or non-attainment of the
applicable performance objectives.
6. Outstanding share right awards shall automatically
terminate, and no shares of Common Stock shall actually be issued in
satisfaction of those awards, if the performance goals or Service requirements
established for such awards are not attained. The Plan Administrator, however,
shall have the authority to issue shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of one
or more outstanding share right awards as to which the designated performance
goals or Service requirements are not attained.
II. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. All of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights shall
terminate automatically, and all the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in
Control, except to the extent (i) those repurchase rights are assigned to the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue in full force
and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control or (ii) such
accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan
Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.
B. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide for the automatic
termination of one or more of those outstanding repurchase rights and the
immediate vesting of the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated
rights upon (i) a Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over or (ii) an Involuntary
Termination of the Participant's Service within a designated period (not to
exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any
<PAGE>
Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over in which those repurchase rights are
assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue
in full force and effect.
III. SHARE ESCROW/LEGENDS
Unvested shares may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, be held
in escrow by the Corporation until the Participant's interest in such shares
vests or may be issued directly to the Participant with restrictive legends on
the certificates evidencing those unvested shares.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE FIVE
AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. OPTION TERMS
A. GRANT DATES. Options shall be made on the dates specified below:
1. Each individual who is first elected or appointed as a
non-employee Board member at any time after the Underwriting Date shall
automatically be granted, on the date of such initial election or appointment, a
Non-Statutory Option to purchase Fifteen Thousand (15,000) shares of Common
Stock, provided that individual has not previously been in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
2. On the date of each Annual Stockholders Meeting beginning
with the 2001 Annual Stockholder Meeting, each individual who is to continue to
serve as a non-employee Board member shall automatically be granted a
Non-Statutory Option to purchase Five Thousand (5,000) shares of Common Stock,
provided that individual has served as a non-employee Board member for at least
six (6) months.
B. EXERCISE PRICE.
1. The exercise price per share shall be equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option
grant date.
2. The exercise price shall be payable in one or more of the
alternative forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is
utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on
the Exercise Date.
C. OPTION TERM. Each option shall have a term of ten (10) years
measured from the option grant date.
D. EXERCISE AND VESTING OF OPTIONS. Each option shall be immediately
exercisable for any or all of the option shares. However, any unvested shares
purchased under the option shall be subject to repurchase by the Corporation, at
the exercise price paid per share, upon the Optionee's cessation of Board
service prior to vesting in those shares. Each initial 15,000-share option shall
vest, and the Corporation's repurchase right shall lapse, in a series of three
(3) successive equal annual installments over the Optionee's period of continued
service as a Board member, with the first such installment to vest upon the
Optionee's completion of one (1) year of Board service measured from the option
grant date. Each annual 5,000-share option shall vest, and the Corporation's
repurchase right shall lapse, upon the Optionee's completion of one (1) year of
Board service measured from the option grant date.
<PAGE>
E. CESSATION OF BOARD SERVICE. The following provisions shall govern
the exercise of any options outstanding at the time of the Optionee's cessation
of Board service:
(i) Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee's
cessation of Board service for any reason shall remain exercisable for a
twelve (12)-month period following the date of such cessation of Board
service, but in no event shall such option be exercisable after the
expiration of the option term.
(ii) Any option exercisable in whole or in part by the
Optionee at the time of death may be subsequently exercised by his or her
Beneficiary.
(iii) Following the Optionee's cessation of Board
service, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than
the number of shares for which the option was exercisable on the date of
such cessation of Board service. Upon the expiration of the applicable
exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term,
the option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested
shares for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option
shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Board service,
terminate and cease to be outstanding for any and all shares for which the
option is not otherwise at that time exercisable.
(iv) However, should the Optionee cease to serve as a
Board member by reason of death or Permanent Disability, then all shares
at the time subject to the option shall immediately vest so that such
option may, during the twelve (12)-month exercise period following such
cessation of Board service, be exercised for all or any portion of those
shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock.
II. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. In the event of any Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over, the
shares of Common Stock at the time subject to each outstanding option but not
otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so that each such option may,
immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control or Hostile
Take-Over, became fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to such option and maybe exercised for all or any of those shares
as fully-vested shares of Common Stock. Each such option accelerated in
connection with a Change in Control shall terminate upon the Change in Control,
except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or
otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change
in Control. Each such option accelerated in connection with a Hostile Take-Over
shall remain exercisable until the expiration or sooner termination of the
option term.
B. All outstanding repurchase rights shall automatically terminate
and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall
immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in Control or Hostile
Take-Over.
C. Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each of
his or her outstanding options. The Optionee shall in return be entitled to a
cash distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (i)
the Option Surrender Value of the shares of Common Stock at
<PAGE>
the time subject to each surrendered option (whether or not the option is
otherwise at the time exercisable for those shares) over (ii) the aggregate
exercise price payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall be paid
within five (5) days following the surrender of the option to the Corporation.
D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in
Control shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to the number and class of
securities which would have been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of
such Change in Control had the option been exercised immediately prior to such
Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise
price payable per share under each outstanding option, PROVIDED the aggregate
exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same. To the extent
the actual holders of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash
consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control,
the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the
outstanding options, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with
a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of
Common Stock in such Change in Control.
III. REMAINING TERMS
The remaining terms of each option granted under the Automatic
Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for options made
under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE SIX
DIRECTOR FEE OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. OPTION GRANTS
The Board may implement the Director Fee Option Grant Program as of
the first day of any calendar year beginning after the Underwriting Date. Upon
such implementation of the Program, each non-employee Board member may elect to
apply all or any portion of the annual retainer fee otherwise payable in cash
for his or her service on the Board to the acquisition of a special option grant
under this Director Fee Option Grant Program. Such election must be filed with
the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer prior to the first day of the calendar
year for which the election is to be in effect. Each non-employee Board member
who files such a timely election with respect to the annul retainer fee shall
automatically be granted an option under this Director Fee Option Grant Program
on the first trading day in January in the calendar year for which that fee
would otherwise be payable.
II. OPTION TERMS
Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option governed by the terms
and conditions specified below.
A. EXERCISE PRICE.
1. The exercise price per share shall be thirty-three and
one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock
on the option grant date.
2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall be payable in one or more of the alternative
forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program. Except to the
extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.
B. NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES. The number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the option shall be determined pursuant to the following formula
(rounded down to the nearest whole number):
X = A / (B x 66-2/3%), where
X is the number of option shares,
A is the portion of the annual retainer fee subject to the
non-employee Board member's election, and
B is the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
option grant date.
<PAGE>
C. EXERCISE AND TERM OF OPTIONS. The option shall become exercisable
in a series of twelve (12) successive equal monthly installments upon the
Optionee's completion of each month of Board service during the calendar year in
which the option is granted. Each option shall have a maximum term of ten (10)
years measured from the option grant date.
D. CESSATION OF BOARD SERVICE. Should the Optionee cease Board
service for any reason (other than death or Permanent Disability) while holding
one or more options, then each such option shall remain exercisable, for any or
all of the shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of such
cessation of Board service, until the EARLIER of (i) the expiration of the ten
(10)-year option term or (ii) the expiration of the three (3)-year period
measured from the date of such cessation of Board service. However, each option
held by the Optionee at the time of such cessation of Board service shall
immediately terminate and cease to remain outstanding with respect to any and
all shares of Common Stock for which the option is not otherwise at that time
exercisable.
E. DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY. Should the Optionee's service as a
Board member cease by reason of death or Permanent Disability, then each option
held by such Optionee shall immediately become exercisable for all the shares of
Common Stock at the time subject to that option, and the option may be exercised
for any or all of those shares as fully-vested shares until the EARLIER of (i)
the expiration of the ten (10)-year option term or (ii) the expiration of the
three (3)-year period measured from the date of such cessation of Board service.
Should the Optionee die after cessation of Board service but while
holding one or more options, then each such option may be exercised, for any or
all of the shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of the
Optionee's cessation of Board service (less any shares subsequently purchased by
Optionee prior to death), by the Optionee's Beneficiary. Such right of exercise
shall lapse, and the option shall terminate, upon the EARLIER of (i) the
expiration of the ten (10)-year option term or (ii) the three (3)-year period
measured from the date of the Optionee's cessation of Board service.
III. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. In the event of any Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over while
the Optionee remains in Board service, each outstanding option held by such
Optionee shall automatically accelerate so that each such option shall,
immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control or Hostile
Take-Over, become fully exercisable with respect to the total number of shares
of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be exercised for any
or all of those shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock. Each such option
accelerated in connection with a Change in Control shall terminate upon the
Change in Control, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof) or otherwise expressly continued in full force and effect
pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control. Each such option accelerated in
connection with a Hostile Take-Over shall remain exercisable until the
expiration or sooner termination of the option term.
B. Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall
have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each of
his or her outstanding options. The Optionee shall in return be entitled to a
cash distribution from the Corporation in an
<PAGE>
amount equal to the excess of (i) the Option Surrender Value of the shares of
Common Stock at the time subject to each surrendered option (whether or not the
Optionee is otherwise at the time vested in those shares) over (ii) the
aggregate exercise price payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall
be paid within five (5) days following the surrender of the option to the
Corporation.
C. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in
Control shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in
Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been
issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Change in Control had the
option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate
adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per share under
each outstanding option, PROVIDED the aggregate exercise price payable for such
securities shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the
Corporation's outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their
Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation
may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding options under the
Director Fee Option Grant Program, substitute one or more shares of its own
common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid
per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control.
IV. REMAINING TERMS
The remaining terms of each option granted under this Director Fee
Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for options made
under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE SEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS
I. NO IMPAIRMENT OF AUTHORITY
Outstanding awards shall in no way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
II. FINANCING
The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee or Participant to pay
the option exercise price under the Discretionary Option Grant Program or the
purchase price of shares issued under the Stock Issuance Program by delivering a
full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more
installments. The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest rate
and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator in
its sole discretion. In no event may the maximum credit available to the
Optionee or Participant exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise
price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the par value of
such shares) plus (ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax
liability incurred by the Optionee or the Participant in connection with the
option exercise or share purchase.
III. TAX WITHHOLDING
A. The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock
upon the exercise of options or the issuance or vesting of such shares under the
Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and
local income and employment tax withholding requirements.
B. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide any or all
holders of Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares of Common Stock under the
Plan with the right to use shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part
of the Withholding Taxes incurred by such holders in connection with the
exercise of their options or the vesting of their shares. Such right may be
provided to any such holder in either or both of the following formats:
STOCK WITHHOLDING: The election to have the Corporation
withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise
of such Non-Statutory Option or the vesting of such shares, a portion of those
shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the
Withholding Taxes (not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the
holder.
STOCK DELIVERY: The election to deliver to the Corporation, at
the time the Non-Statutory Option is exercised or the shares vest, one or more
shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such holder (other than in
connection with the option exercise or share vesting triggering the Withholding
Taxes) with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the Taxes
(not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the holder.
<PAGE>
IV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN
A. The Plan shall become effective immediately upon the Plan
Effective Date. However, the Salary Investment Option Grant and Director Fee
Option Grant Programs shall not be implemented until such time as the Primary
Committee or the Board may deem appropriate. Options may be granted under the
Discretionary Option Grant Program at any time on or after the Plan Effective
Date. However, no options granted under the Plan may be exercised, and no shares
shall be issued under the Plan, until the Plan is approved by the Corporation's
stockholders. If such stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12)
months after the Plan Effective Date, then all options previously granted under
this Plan shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, and no further options
shall be granted and no shares shall be issued under the Plan.
B. The Plan shall serve as the successor to the Predecessor Plan,
and no further options or direct stock issuances shall be made under the
Predecessor Plan after the Section 12 Registration Date. All options outstanding
under the Predecessor Plan on the Section 12 Registration Date shall be
incorporated into the Plan at that time and shall be treated as outstanding
options under the Plan. However, each outstanding option so incorporated shall
continue to be governed solely by the terms of the documents evidencing such
option, and no provision of the Plan shall be deemed to affect or otherwise
modify the rights or obligations of the holders of such incorporated options
with respect to their acquisition of shares of Common Stock.
C. One or more provisions of the Plan, including (without
limitation) the option/vesting acceleration provisions of Article Two relating
to Changes in Control, may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, be extended
to one or more options incorporated from the Predecessor Plan which do not
otherwise contain such provisions.
D. The Plan shall terminate upon the EARLIEST of (i) March 20, 2010,
(ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall
have been issued as fully-vested shares or (iii) the termination of all
outstanding options in connection with a Change in Control. Upon such plan
termination, all outstanding options and unvested stock issuances shall
thereafter continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions
of the documents evidencing such grants or issuances.
V. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
A. The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority
to amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects. However, no such amendment
or modification shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect
to stock options or unvested stock issuances at the time outstanding under the
Plan unless the Optionee or the Participant consents to such amendment or
modification. In addition, certain amendments may require stockholder approval
pursuant to applicable laws or regulations.
B. Options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be granted under
the Discretionary Option Grant and Salary Investment Option Grant Programs and
shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program that are
in each instance in
<PAGE>
excess of the number of shares then available for issuance under the Plan,
provided any excess shares actually issued under those programs shall be held in
escrow until there is obtained stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently
increasing the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
Plan. If such stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months
after the date the first such excess issuances are made, then (i) any
unexercised options granted on the basis of such excess shares shall terminate
and cease to be outstanding and (ii) the Corporation shall promptly refund to
the Optionees and the Participants the exercise or purchase price paid for any
excess shares issued under the Plan and held in escrow, together with interest
(at the applicable Short Term Federal Rate) for the period the shares were held
in escrow, and such shares shall thereupon be automatically cancelled and cease
to be outstanding.
VI. USE OF PROCEEDS
Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of
shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate
purposes.
VII. REGULATORY APPROVALS
A. The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any stock option
under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock (i) upon the
exercise of any granted option or (ii) under the Stock Issuance Program shall be
subject to the Corporation's procurement of all approvals and permits required
by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the stock options
granted under it and the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to it.
B. No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or
delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with
all applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws, including the
filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements
of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which
Common Stock is then listed for trading.
VIII. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS
Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the
Participant any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration
or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the
Optionee or the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each,
to terminate such person's Service at any time for any reason, with or without
cause.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:
A. AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the automatic option
grant program in effect under the Plan.
B. BENEFICIARY shall mean, in the event the Plan Administrator
implements a beneficiary designation procedure, the person designated by an
Optionee or Participant, pursuant to such procedure, to succeed to such person's
rights under any outstanding awards held by him or her at the time of death. In
the absence of such designation or procedure, the Beneficiary shall be the
personal representative of the estate of the Optionee or Participant or the
person or persons to whom the award is transferred by will or the laws of
inheritance.
C. BOARD shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
D. CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean a change in ownership or control of
the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:
(i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization approved
by the Corporation's stockholders, UNLESS securities representing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting
securities of the successor corporation are immediately thereafter
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same
proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation's
outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction,
(ii) any stockholder-approved transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets, or
(iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any
person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person
that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange
offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which the Board
recommends such stockholders accept.
E. CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
F. COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
G. CORPORATION shall mean LivePerson, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting
stock of LivePerson, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
<PAGE>
H. DIRECTOR FEE OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the director fee
option grant program in effect under the Plan.
I. DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the discretionary
option grant program in effect under the Plan.
J. EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.
K. EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall
have received written notice of the option exercise.
L. FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the
Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such
price is reported on the Nasdaq National Market or any successor system
and in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for
the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall
be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such
quotation exists.
(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any
Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock
Exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for
the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape
of transactions on such exchange and reported in The Wall Street Journal.
If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in
question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on
the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) For purposes of any option grants made on the
Underwriting Date, the Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to
the price per share at which the Common Stock is to be sold in the initial
public offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
(iv) For purposes of any options made prior to the
Underwriting Date, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator, after taking into account such factors as it deems
appropriate.
M. HOSTILE TAKE-OVER shall mean:
(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any
person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person
that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing
<PAGE>
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange
offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which the Board does
not recommend such stockholders to accept, or
(ii) a change in the composition of the Board over a
period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that a majority
of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections
for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have
been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B)
have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such
period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A)
who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or
nomination.
N. INCENTIVE OPTION shall mean an option which satisfies the
requirements of Code Section 422.
O. INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION shall mean the termination of the Service
of any individual which occurs by reason of:
(i) such individual's involuntary dismissal or discharge
by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or
(ii) such individual's voluntary resignation following
(A) a change in his or her position with the Corporation or Parent or
Subsidiary employing the individual which materially reduces his or her
duties and responsibilities or the level of management to which he or she
reports, (B) a reduction in his or her level of compensation (including
base salary, fringe benefits and target bonus under any
corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than
fifteen percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of such individual's place of
employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such
change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Corporation without the
individual's consent.
P. MISCONDUCT shall mean the commission of any act of fraud,
embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use
or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any intentional wrongdoing by such
person, whether by omission or commission, which adversely affects the business
or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material
manner. This shall not limit the grounds for the dismissal or discharge of any
person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
Q. 1934 ACT shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
R. NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy
the requirements of Code Section 422.
S. OPTION SURRENDER VALUE shall mean the Fair Market Value per share
of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to the Corporation or, in
the event of a
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Hostile Take-Over, effected through a tender offer, the highest reported price
per share of Common Stock paid by the tender offeror in effecting such Hostile
Take-Over, if greater. However, if the surrendered option is an Incentive
Option, the Option Surrender Value shall not exceed the Fair Market Value per
share.
T. OPTIONEE shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under
the Discretionary Option Grant, Salary Investment Option Grant, Automatic Option
Grant or Director Fee Option Grant Program.
U. PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.
V. PARTICIPANT shall mean any person who is issued shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.
W. PERMANENT DISABILITY OR PERMANENTLY DISABLED shall mean the
inability of the Optionee or the Participant to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve
(12) months or more. However, solely for purposes of the Automatic Option Grant
and Director Fee Option Grant Programs, Permanent Disability or Permanently
Disabled shall mean the inability of the non-employee Board member to perform
his or her usual duties as a Board member by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to be
of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.
X. PLAN shall mean the Corporation's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as
set forth in this document.
Y. PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the particular entity, whether the
Primary Committee, the Board or the Secondary Committee, which is authorized to
administer the Discretionary Option Grant, Salary Investment Option Grant and
Stock Issuance Programs with respect to one or more classes of eligible persons,
to the extent such entity is carrying out its administrative functions under
those programs with respect to the persons under its jurisdiction. However, the
Primary Committee shall have the plenary authority to make all factual
determinations and to construe and interpret any and all ambiguities under the
Plan to the extent such authority is not otherwise expressly delegated to any
other Plan Administrator.
Z. PLAN EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean March 21, 2000, the date on which
the Plan was adopted by the Board.
AA. PREDECESSOR PLAN shall mean the Corporation's pre-existing Stock
Option and Restricted Stock Purchase Plan in effect immediately prior to the
Plan Effective Date hereunder.
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BB. PRIMARY COMMITTEE shall mean the committee of two (2) or more
non-employee Board members appointed by the Board to administer the
Discretionary Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to Section
16 Insiders and to administer the Salary Investment Option Grant Program with
respect to all eligible individuals.
CC. SALARY INVESTMENT OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the salary
investment grant program in effect under the Plan.
DD. SECONDARY COMMITTEE shall mean a committee of one (1) or more
Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Discretionary Option
Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to eligible persons other than
Section 16 Insiders.
EE. SECTION 12 REGISTRATION DATE shall mean the date on which the
Common Stock is first registered under Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act.
FF. SECTION 16 INSIDER shall mean an officer or director of the
Corporation subject to the short-swing profit liabilities of Section 16 of the
1934 Act.
GG. SERVICE shall mean the performance of services for the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an
Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or
independent advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the
documents evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.
HH. STOCK EXCHANGE shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
the New York Stock Exchange.
II. STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM shall mean the stock issuance program in
effect under the Plan.
JJ. SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the
unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
in one of the other corporations in such chain.
KK. 10% STOCKHOLDER shall mean the owner of stock (as determined
under Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary).
LL. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT shall mean the agreement between the
Corporation and the underwriter or underwriters managing the initial public
offering of the Common Stock.
MM. UNDERWRITING DATE shall mean the date on which the Underwriting
Agreement is executed and priced in connection with an initial public offering
of the Common Stock.
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NN. WITHHOLDING TAXES shall mean the Federal, state and local income
and employment withholding tax liabilities to which the holder of Non-Statutory
Options or unvested shares of Common Stock may become subject in connection with
the exercise of those options or the vesting of those shares.