Sun Microsystems Inc. Contracts
Sample Business Contracts
Bylaws - Sun Microsystems Inc.
BYLAWS
OF
SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
(As adopted on December 14, 1990
and amended as of December 15, 1999)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES.......................................... 5
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE........................................... 5
1.2 OTHER OFFICES............................................... 5
ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS.............................................. 5
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS........................................... 5
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING.............................................. 5
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING............................................. 6
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS............................ 7
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE................ 7
2.6 QUORUM...................................................... 7
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE................................... 8
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS......................................... 8
2.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE............................................ 8
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A
MEETING..................................................... 8
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING
CONSENTS.................................................... 9
2.12 VOTING...................................................... 10
2.13 PROXIES..................................................... 10
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE....................... 11
2.15 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION...................................... 11
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS................................................ 11
3.1 POWERS...................................................... 11
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS......................................... 11
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS..... 12
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES................................... 12
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE.................... 13
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS............................................ 13
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE.................................... 14
3.8 QUORUM...................................................... 14
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE............................................ 14
3.10 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS......................................... 14
3.11 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING........... 14
3.12 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.......................... 15
3.13 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS............................... 15
3.14 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS........................................ 15
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES................................................ 15
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS..................................... 15
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4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES........................................... 16
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES........................... 16
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS................................................... 16
5.1 GENERAL MATTERS............................................. 16
5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS..................................... 17
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS........................................ 17
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS......................... 17
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES........................................ 17
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD....................................... 17
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER..................................... 17
5.8 PRESIDENT................................................... 18
5.9 VICE PRESIDENTS............................................. 18
5.10 SECRETARY................................................... 18
5.11 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER..................................... 18
5.12 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS.............. 19
5.13 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS............................ 19
ARTICLE VI - INDEMNITY................................................. 19
6.1 THIRD PARTY ACTIONS......................................... 19
6.2 ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION............... 19
6.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE.......................................... 20
6.4 DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT.................................... 20
6.5 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE.............................. 20
6.6 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE..................................... 20
6.7 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION................................... 20
6.8 THE CORPORATION............................................. 21
6.9 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS...................................... 21
6.10 INDEMNITY FUND.............................................. 21
6.11 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHER PERSONS............................ 21
6.12 SAVINGS CLAUSE.............................................. 21
6.13 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF
EXPENSES.................................................... 22
ARTICLE VII - RECORDS AND REPORTS...................................... 22
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS....................... 22
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS..................................... 22
7.3 ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS............................ 22
ARTICLE VIII - GENERAL MATTERS......................................... 23
8.1 CHECKS...................................................... 23
8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS............ 23
8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES...................... 23
8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES......................... 23
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES........................................... 24
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8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS.................................. 24
8.7 DIVIDENDS.................................................. 24
8.8 FISCAL YEAR................................................ 24
8.9 SEAL....................................................... 24
8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK.......................................... 24
8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS.................................. 25
8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS.................................... 25
8.13 NOTICES.................................................... 25
ARTICLE I - AMENDMENTS................................................ 25
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BYLAWS
OF
SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of
Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The name of the registered
agent of the corporation at such location is The Corporation Trust Company.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any
place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the
State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. In the absence of any
such designation, stockholders' meetings shall be held at the registered office
of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of the stockholders of this corporation shall be held
each year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. At the
meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be
transacted. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the
corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders
may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a) pursuant to the
corporation's notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the board of
directors or (c) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of
record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these Bylaws, who is
entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this Bylaw.
For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual
meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of the preceding sentence, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of
the corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for
stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder proposal to be presented at an
annual meeting must be delivered to the secretary of the corporation at the
corporation's principal executive offices not less than 60 or more than 90
calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date that the corporation
first mailed its proxy statement to stockholders in connection with the previous
year's annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held
in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been
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changed by more than 30 calendar days from the first anniversary date of the
previous year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be
received no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day
on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.
In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting
commence a new period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described
above. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all
information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of director in an election contest, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor thereto) (the "Exchange Act")
and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (or any successor thereto) (including such person's
written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting
such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such
stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is
made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and
address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation's books, and such
beneficial owner, and (ii) the class and number of shares for the corporation
which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such
beneficial owner. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, no
business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 2.2. For purposes of Section 2.2 and 3.3 of
these Bylaws "public announcement" shall mean disclosure in a press release
reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable
national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or by any executive officer
of the corporation, or by one or more stockholders holding shares in the
aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent of the votes at that
meeting.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors, the request shall be in writing to the secretary of the
corporation, and shall set forth (a) as to each person whom such person or
persons propose to nominate for election or reelection as a director at such
meeting all information relating to such proposed nominee that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election
contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under
the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto) and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (or any
successor thereto)(including such proposed nominee's written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected); (b) as to any other business to be taken the meeting, a brief
description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business and any
material interest in such business of the person
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or persons calling such meeting and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose
behalf such meeting is called; and (c) as to the person or persons calling such
meeting and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the meeting is called
(i) the name and address of such persons, as they appear on the corporation's
books, and of such beneficial owners, and (ii) the class and number of shares of
the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such persons and
such beneficial owners. No business may be transacted at such special meeting
otherwise than specified in such notice or by or at the direction of the
corporation's board of directors. The corporation's secretary shall cause notice
to be promptly given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with
the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5, that a meeting will be held at the time
reasonably requested by the person or persons who called the meeting, not less
than 60 nor more than 90 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is
not given within 20 days after the receipt of a valid request, the person or
persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this
paragraph 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when
a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be
held.
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders
called by action of the board of directors as shall have been brought before the
meeting pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting.
This Section 2.3 may not be amended to eliminate the right of one or more
stockholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten
percent of the votes at a special meeting of stockholders to call such a special
meeting of stockholders, unless holders of at least seventy-five percent of the
shares entitled to vote thereon approve such an amendment.
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall be
sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these Bylaws not less
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to
each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided
herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time
to time by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or the certificate of
incorporation of the corporation). The notice shall specify the place, date, and
hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called.
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. An
affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of
the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud,
be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
2.6 QUORUM
At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of all of
the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the
extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where a
separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares of
such
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class or classes entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that
matter, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum
shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the
meeting to another place, date or time.
If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to
all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with
those present constituting a quorum, those present at such adjourned meeting
shall constitute a quorum, and all matters shall be determined by a majority of
the votes cast at such meeting, except as otherwise required by law.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws
otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time
and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business that
might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for
more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is
fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be
given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Such person as the board of directors may have designated or, in the
absence of such a person, any executive officer of the corporation, shall call
to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In
the absence of the secretary of the corporation, the secretary of the meeting
shall be such person as the chairman appoints. The chairman of any meeting of
stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the
meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of
discussion as seem to him in order. The date and time of the opening and closing
of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the
meeting shall be announced at the meeting.
2.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so
required by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws.
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Any action required or able to be taken at any annual or special meeting
of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and
without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than
the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present
and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation at its registered office in
Delaware, its principal place of
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business, or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the
book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery to
the corporation's registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested.
Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder
who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the
corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the date
the earliest dated consent is delivered to the corporation, a written consent or
consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered
to the corporation in the manner prescribed in the first paragraph of this
section.
Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing. If the action which is consented to is such as
would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at
a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in
lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of
stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as
provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof
or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any
change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful
action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more
than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor
more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(i) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business
on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice
is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held.
(ii) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to
exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any
other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the
board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors
may fix a record date, which record date shall neither precede nor be more than
ten (10) days after the date upon which such resolution is adopted by the board
of directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders
authorize or take action by written consent shall, by written notice to the
secretary, request the board of directors to fix a record date. The board of
directors shall promptly, but in
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all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such noticed is
received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date.
If the board of directors has not fixed a record date within such time,
the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of
directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written
consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to
the corporation in the manner prescribed in the first paragraph of Section 2.10
of these Bylaws. If the board of directors has not fixed a record date within
such time and prior action by the board of directors is required by law, the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action
in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on
which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.
2.12 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these Bylaws,
subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners
of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).
Each stockholder shall have one (1) vote for every share of stock entitled
to vote that is registered in his or her name on the record date for the meeting
(as determined in accordance with Section 2.11 of these Bylaws), except as
otherwise provided herein or required by law.
At a stockholders' meeting at which directors are to be elected, each
stockholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any candidate a
number of votes greater than the number of votes which such stockholder normally
is entitled to cast) if the candidates' names have been properly placed in
nomination (in accordance with these Bylaws) prior to commencement of the voting
and the stockholder requesting cumulative voting has given notice prior to
commencement of the voting of the stockholder's intention to cumulate votes. If
cumulative voting is properly requested, each holder of stock, or of any class
or classes or of a series or series thereof, who elects to cumulate votes shall
be entitled to as many votes as equals the number of votes which (absent this
provision as to cumulative voting) he would be entitled to cast for the election
of directors with respect to his shares of stock multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected by him, and he may cast all of such votes for a single
director or may distribute them among the number to be voted for, or for any two
or more of them, as he may see fit.
Every stock vote shall be taken by ballots, each of which shall state the
name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be
required under the procedure established for the meeting. All elections shall be
determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by
law or provided herein, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of
the votes cast affirmatively or negatively.
2.13 PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to
express consent or
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dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another
person or persons to act for him by a written or electronic proxy, filed in
accordance with the procedure established for the meeting or taking of action in
writing, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years
from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Any copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or
transmission created pursuant to this Section 2.13 may be substituted or used in
lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which
the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete
reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. An electronic proxy
(which may be transmitted via telephone, e-mail, the Internet or such other
electronic means as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time)
shall be deemed executed if the Company receives an appropriate electronic
transmission from the stockholder or the stockholder's attorney-in-fact along
with a pass code or other indentifier which reasonably establishes the
stockholder or the stockholder's attorney-in-fact as the sender of such
transmission. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is
irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(c) of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a corporation shall
prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to
the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Such list shall
presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
2.15 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION
The corporation may, and to the extent required by law, shall, in advance
of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the
meeting and make a written report thereof. The corporation may designate one or
more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.
If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the
person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall,
appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before
entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath
faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and
according to the best of his ability. Every vote taken by ballots shall be
counted by an inspector or inspectors appointed by the chairman of the meeting.
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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and
any limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws relating to
action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares,
the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The number of directors of the corporation shall be no less than five
(5) or more than nine (9). The exact number of directors shall be eight (8),
until changed, within the limits specified above, by a Bylaw amending this
Section 3.2, duly adopted by the board of directors or by the shareholders. The
indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number fixed
without provision for an indefinite number, by an adopted amendment to this
Bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment
reducing the number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than
five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting
of the shareholders, or the shares not consenting in the case of action by
written consent, are equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%)
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. No amendment may change the
stated maximum number of authorized directors to a number greater than two (2)
times the stated number of directors minus one (1).
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect
of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, directors shall be
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next
annual meeting. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the
certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, wherein other qualifications for
directors may be prescribed. Each director, including a director elected to fill
a vacancy, shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or
until his earlier resignation or removal.
Nominations for election to the board of directors of the corporation at
an annual meeting of stockholders may be made by the board or on behalf of the
board by a nominating committee appointed by the board, or by any stockholder of
the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at such meeting.
Such nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the board, shall be
made by notice in writing received by the secretary of the corporation at the
corporation's principal executive offices not less than 60 or more than 90
calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date that the corporation
first mailed its proxy statement to stockholders in connection with the previous
year's annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held
in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more
than 30 calendar days from the first anniversary date of the previous year's
annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received no later
than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public
announcement (as defined in Section 2.2) of the date of such annual meeting is
first made. Such notice shall set forth as to each proposed nominee who is not
an incumbent director (i) the name, age, business address and, if
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known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (iii) the number of shares
of stock of the corporation beneficially owned by each such nominee and by the
nominating stockholder, and (iv) any other information concerning the nominee
that must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation
14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The chairman of the annual meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine
and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the
foregoing procedure. If such determination and declaration is made, the
defective nomination shall be disregarded.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the attention
of the Secretary of the corporation. When one or more directors so resigns and
the resignation is effective at a future date, only a majority of the directors
then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill
such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation
or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold
office as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws:
(i) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the
stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled only
by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
(ii) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series
thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of
the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created
directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled only by a
majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series
thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.
If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the
corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with
the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, or may apply
to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided
in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship,
the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board
(as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of
Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at
least ten (10) percent of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding
having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be
held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace
the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which
election shall be governed by the provisions of Section
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211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular
and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the
board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or
any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such place or
places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been
established by the board of directors and publicized among all directors. A
notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may
be called at any time by any executive officer of the corporation, or by
one-third of the directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole
number) and shall be held at a place, on a date and at a time as such officer or
such directors shall fix. Notice of the place, date and time of special
meetings, unless waived, shall be given to each director by mailing written
notice not less than two (2) days before the meeting or by sending a facsimile
transmission of the same not less than two (2) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. If the circumstances warrant, notice may also be given
personally or by telephone not less than two (2) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. Oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and
all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
3.8 QUORUM
At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized
number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there
is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of
directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time
to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
is present.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact
business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is
approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, a written waiver thereof,
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signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the
person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning
of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the
purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors, or members of a
committee of directors, need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless
so required by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws.
3.10 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
At any meeting of the board of directors, business shall be transacted in
such order and manner as the board may from time to time determine, and all
matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present,
except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.
3.11 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board
of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all
members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of
the board or committee.
3.12 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation
of directors.
3.13 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS
The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or
otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its
subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the
corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such
loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the
corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without
interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of
directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of
stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.
3.14 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of
incorporation or by these Bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors
may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors; provided, however,
that, so long as shareholders of the corporation are entitled to cumulative
voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be
removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient
to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of
directors.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect
of removing any
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director prior to the expiration of such director's term of office.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole board, designate one or more committees, with each committee to consist of
one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of
directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the
board of directors or in the Bylaws of the corporation, shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the
seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no
such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) amend the certificate of
incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted
by the board of directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, fix the designations and any of the preferences or
rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any
distribution of assets of the corporation or the conversion into, or the
exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other
series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the corporation or
fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or
decrease of the shares of any series), (ii) adopt an agreement of merger or
consolidation under Sections 251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, (iii) recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all
or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, (iv) recommend to
the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a
dissolution, or (v) amend the Bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the board
resolution establishing the committee, a supplemental resolution of the board of
directors, the Bylaws or the certificate of incorporation expressly so provide,
no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend, to
authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt a certificate of ownership and
merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the
same to the board of directors when required.
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these Bylaws, Section
3.5 (place of meetings and
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meetings by telephone), Section 3.6 (regular meetings), Section 3.7 (special
meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum), Section 3.9 (waiver of notice), and
Section 3.11 (action without a meeting), with such changes in the context of
those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for
the board of directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of
regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the
board of directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of
committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors and that
notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate
members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The
board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not
inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 GENERAL MATTERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a secretary, and a
chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the
board of directors, a chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or
more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant
treasurers, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held
by the same person.
5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.3 or 5.5 of these Bylaws, shall
be appointed by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer
or the president to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of
the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or
as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Officers appointed by
the board of directors shall constitute executive officers of the corporation.
Officers appointed by the president or chief executive officer shall be
subordinate officers, unless otherwise specified by the board of directors.
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an
affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or
special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the
board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified
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in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance
of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation
is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any
contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by
the board of directors if such officer was appointed by the board of directors,
or by such other person as appointed by the board of directors to fill such
vacancy.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
board of directors or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no chief
executive officer or president, then the chairman of the board shall also be the
chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties
prescribed in Section 5.7 of these Bylaws.
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board
of directors to the chairman of the board, if there be such an officer, the
chief executive officer of the corporation shall, subject to the control of the
board of directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the
business and the officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the
board, at all meetings of the board of directors. He shall have the general
powers and duties of management usually vested in the chief executive officer of
a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the board of directors or these Bylaws.
5.8 PRESIDENT
Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board
of directors to the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer, if
there be such officers, the president shall have general supervision, direction,
and control of the business and other officers of the corporation. He shall have
the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of
president of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be
prescribed by the board of directors or these Bylaws.
5.9 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the chief executive officer and president,
the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of
directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of
directors, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
president and chief executive officer. The vice presidents shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for
them respectively by the board of directors, these Bylaws, the president, chief
executive officer or the chairman of the board.
5.10 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may
direct, a book of minutes of all
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meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors, and stockholders.
The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or
special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of
those present at directors' meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares
present or represented at stockholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent
or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share
register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders
and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number
and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of
cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by
these Bylaws. He shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in
safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these Bylaws.
5.11 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept
and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital
retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may
be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
chief executive officer, president and directors, whenever they request it, an
account of all his transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial
condition of the corporation, and shall have other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the Bylaws.
5.12 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, any executive officer of this corporation, or
any other person designated by the board of directors, shall be authorized to
vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident
to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the
name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either
by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or
power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
5.13 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the
corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in
the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time
to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.
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ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
6.1 THIRD PARTY ACTIONS
The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or that such
director or officer is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture trust or other enterprise (collectively "Agent"), against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if
such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
6.2 ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION
The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was an Agent (as defined in Section 6.1)
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification
shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or
suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication
of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware
Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
6.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
To the extent that an Agent of the corporation has been successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
Sections 6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he
shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
6.4 DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT
Any indemnification under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 (unless ordered by a court)
shall be made
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by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination
that the indemnification of the Agent is proper in the circumstances because he
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 6.l and 6.2.
Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors or the executive
committee by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding or (2) or if such quorum is not
obtainable or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
stockholders.
6.5 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE
Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it
shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this Article VI.
6.6 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or granted
pursuant to the other sections of this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of
expenses may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
6.7 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain on behalf
any person who is or was an Agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the
provisions of this Article VI.
6.8 THE CORPORATION
For purposes of this Article VI, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors and officers, so that any person who is or
was a director or Agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, shall stand in the same position under and subject to the provisions
of this Article VI (including, without limitation the provisions of Section 6.4)
with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with
respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
6.9 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
For purposes of this Article VI, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall
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include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer,
employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants,
or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this Article
VI.
6.10 INDEMNITY FUND
Upon resolution passed by the board, the corporation may establish a trust
or other designated account, grant a security interest or use other means
(including, without limitation, a letter of credit), to ensure the payment of
certain of its obligations arising under this Article VI and/or agreements which
may be entered into between the company and its officers and directors from time
to time.
6.11 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHER PERSONS
The provisions of this Article VI shall not be deemed to preclude the
indemnification of any person who is not an agent (as defined in Section 6.1),
but whom the corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or
other-wise. The corporation may, in its sole discretion, indemnify an employee,
trustee or other agent as permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware. The corporation shall indemnify an employee, trustee or other agent
where required by law.
6.12 SAVINGS CLAUSE
If this article or any portion thereof shall be invalidated on any ground
by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless
indemnify each agent against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and
whether internal or external, including a grand jury proceeding and an action or
suit brought by or in the right of the corporation, to the full extent permitted
by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated,
or by any other applicable law.
6.13 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this Article VI shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS
The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such
place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its
stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number of class of shares
held by each stockholder, a copy of these Bylaws as
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amended to date, accounting books, and other records.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall,
upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right
during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. In every
instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to
inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or
such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on
behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the
corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of
business.
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation's stock
ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records for a
purpose reasonably related to his position as a director. The Court of Chancery
is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director
is entitled to the inspection sought. The court may summarily order the
corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the
stock ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The
Court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with
reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court
may deem just and proper.
7.3 ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any
special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders,
a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 CHECKS
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in
the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may
authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the
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corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render
it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of a corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided
that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or
resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall
be uncertified shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented
by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation.
Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors,
every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder
of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or
in the name of the corporation by the chairman of or vice-chairman of the board
of directors, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation
representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of
the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or
registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation
with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at
the date of issue.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly
paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid
therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent
any such partly paid shares, upon the books and records of the corporation in
the case or uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the
consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.
Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall
declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the
basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or
more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the
preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights
of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law or
Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations,
the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation
may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of
any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or
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destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on
account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the
issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction, and definitions in the General Corporation Law of Delaware shall
govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this
provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes
the singular, and the term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural
person.
8.7 DIVIDENDS
The directors of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in
(i) the General Corporation Law of Delaware or (ii) the certificate of
incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital
stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
corporation's capital stock.
The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of
the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper
purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be
limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, and meeting contingencies.
8.8 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.
8.9 SEAL
The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which may be altered at
pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof, to be
impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK
Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation
of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of
succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the
corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel
the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.
8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement
with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the
corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of
any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited
by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and
to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and
assessments the person registered on its hooks as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof,
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except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
8.13 NOTICES
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all
notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or
agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand
delivery, by mail, postage paid, or by facsimile transmission. Any such notice
shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at
his last known address as it appears on the books of the corporation. The time
when such notice shall be deemed received, if hand delivered, or dispatched, if
sent by mail or facsimile, transmission, shall be the time of the giving of the
notice.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Any of these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the board of directors or, with respect to Bylaw
amendments placed before the stockholders for approval and except as otherwise
provided herein or required by law, by the affirmative vote of the holders of
seventy-five percent of the shares of the corporation's stock entitled to vote
in the election of directors, voting as one class.
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