S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2019

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

The Securities Act of 1933

 

 

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-2530195

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3000 Tannery Way

Santa Clara, California 95054

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

 

Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

 

 

Nikesh Arora

Chief Executive Officer

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

3000 Tannery Way

Santa Clara, California 95054

(408) 753-4000

(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Brandon C. Parris

Morrison & Foerster LLP

425 Market Street

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 268-7000

 

Jeffrey C. True

General Counsel

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

3000 Tannery Way

Santa Clara, California 95054

(408) 753-4000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Securities

to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, reserved for issuance pursuant to the Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

  3,353   $203.21(2)   $681,363.13   $88.44

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant’s common stock that become issuable under the Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective September 20, 2019, by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without receipt of consideration that increases the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)

Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of $203.21 per share, which is the average of the high and low prices of Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on September 30, 2019.

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

On September 20, 2019, pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”), dated September 2, 2019, by and among Palo Alto Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), Zebra Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant (“Merger Sub”), Zingbox, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Zingbox”), and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, solely in its limited capacity as Stockholder Representative (each capitalized term used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Merger Agreement), Merger Sub merged with and into Zingbox, with Zingbox being the surviving corporation and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant (the “Merger”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, certain shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of Zingbox with respect to restricted stock units granted under the Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective September 20, 2019 (the “Plan”), were assumed by the Registrant and converted into restricted stock units with respect to the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Registrant Common Stock”), of the Registrant. The shares of Registrant Common Stock will be issued under the Plan, which was assumed by the Registrant in the Merger.

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 registers 3,353 shares of Registrant Common Stock, that are issuable by the Registrant upon settlement of the outstanding restricted stock units issued under the Plan and assumed by the Registrant in connection with the Merger.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be delivered to the participants in the equity benefit plans covered by this Registration Statement as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3.

Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”):

 

  a)

The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 filed with the Commission on September 9, 2019 (the “Annual Report”); and

 

  c)

The description of the Registrant’s Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-35594) filed with the Commission on July 9, 2012, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.


All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the Commission shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

Item 4.

Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.

Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents under certain circumstances.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Registrant’s certificate of incorporation includes provisions that may eliminate the personal liability of its directors and officers for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duties as directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In addition, the certificate of incorporation provides that the Registrant is required to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any director or officer of the Registrant who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant that has not been approved by the Registrant’s board of directors) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving in such capacity or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against expenses, judgments and other amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Registrant provide that:

 

   

The Registrant is required to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any director or officer of the Registrant who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving in such capacity or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against expenses, judgments and other amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably


 

incurred by such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful;

 

   

The Registrant is required to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving in such capacity or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, unless the court in which such proceeding is brought determines that such person is liable to the Registrant and does not determine that, despite such liability, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses;

 

   

The Registrant is required to advance expenses, as incurred, to its directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, provided that such director or officer must undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification; and

 

   

The rights conferred in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws are not exclusive, and the Registrant is authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons.

In addition, the Registrant’s policy is to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers that require the Registrant to indemnify its directors and officers, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and also provide for certain procedural protections.

The indemnification obligations described above may be sufficiently broad to permit the indemnification of the Registrant’s directors and officers for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.

 

Item 7.

Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.


Item 8.

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit

Description

  4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Palo Alto Networks, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, as filed with the Commission on October 4, 2012).
  4.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Palo Alto Networks, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on September 14, 2018).
  4.3    Specimen common stock certificate of the Registrant (which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-180620), as declared effective by the Commission on July 19, 2012).
  5.1    Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP.
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2    Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1    Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
99.1    Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.

 

Item 9.

Undertakings.

 

  A.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.


Provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  B.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  C.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Clara, State of California, on October 2, 2019.

 

PALO ALTO NETWORKS, INC.
By:  

/s/ NIKESH ARORA

  Nikesh Arora
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL THESE PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Nikesh Arora, Kathleen Bonanno, and Jean Compeau, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, his or her substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title   Date

/s/ NIKESH ARORA

   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   October 2, 2019
Nikesh Arora

/s/ KATHLEEN BONANNO

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   October 2, 2019
Kathleen Bonanno

/s/ JEAN COMPEAU

   Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   October 2, 2019
Jean Compeau

/s/ MARK D. MCLAUGHLIN

   Vice Chairman and Director   October 2, 2019
Mark D. McLaughlin

/s/ NIR ZUK

   Chief Technical Officer and Director   October 2, 2019
Nir Zuk

/s/ FRANK CALDERONI

   Director   October 2, 2019
Frank Calderoni

/s/ ASHEEM CHANDNA

   Director   October 2, 2019
Asheem Chandna

/s/ JOHN M. DONOVAN

   Director   October 2, 2019
John M. Donovan

/s/ CARL ESCHENBACH

   Director   October 2, 2019
Carl Eschenbach

/s/ JAMES J. GOETZ

   Director   October 2, 2019
James J. Goetz

/s/ RT HON SIR JOHN KEY

   Director   October 2, 2019
Rt Hon Sir John Key


/s/ MARY PAT MCCARTHY

   Director   October 2, 2019
Mary Pat McCarthy     

/s/ SRIDHAR RAMASWAMY

   Director   October 2, 2019
Sridhar Ramaswamy

/s/ LORRAINE TWOHILL

   Director   October 2, 2019
Lorraine Twohill

/s/ DANIEL J. WARMENHOVEN

   Director   October 2, 2019
Daniel J. Warmenhoven
EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

 

2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., NW

WASHINGTON, D.C.

20006-1888

 

TELEPHONE: 202.887.1500

FACSIMILE: 202.887.0763

 

WWW.MOFO.COM

  

MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP

 

BEIJING, BERLIN, BOSTON,

BRUSSELS, DENVER, HONG KONG,

LONDON, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK,

NORTHERN VIRGINIA, PALO ALTO,

SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SHANGHAI,

SINGAPORE, TOKYO, WASHINGTON, D.C.

October 2, 2019

Board of Directors

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

3000 Tannery Way

Santa Clara, California 95054

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to Palo Alto Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the proposed offering of up to 3,353 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which Shares may be issued pursuant to awards under the Company’s Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

As counsel for the Company, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion, and we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as currently in effect. We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations.

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that following (i) effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (ii) issuance of the Shares pursuant to awards under the terms of the Plan, and (iii) receipt by the Company of the consideration for the Shares specified in the applicable resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof and the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


LOGO

 

This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we consent to the reference of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Morrison & Foerster LLP
EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Zingbox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. of our reports dated September 9, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Palo Alto Networks, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Palo Alto Networks, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Jose, California

October 2, 2019

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

ZINGBOX, INC.

STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 20, 2019)

PREFACE

This Plan is divided into two separate equity programs: (1) the option and stock appreciation rights grant program set forth in Section 5 under which Eligible Persons (as defined in Section 3) may, at the discretion of the Administrator, be granted Options and/or SARs, and (2) the stock award program set forth in Section 6 under which Eligible Persons may, at the discretion of the Administrator, be awarded restricted or unrestricted shares of, or units relating to, Common Stock. Section 2 of this Plan contains the general rules regarding the administration of this Plan. Section 3 sets forth the requirements for eligibility to receive an Award grant under this Plan. Section 4 describes the capital stock of the Corporation that may be subject to Awards granted under this Plan. Section 7 contains other provisions applicable to all Awards granted under this Plan. Section 8 provides definitions for certain capitalized terms used in this Plan and not otherwise defined herein.

 

1.

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.

The purpose of this Plan is to promote the success of the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders by providing a means through which the Corporation may grant equity-based incentives to attract, motivate, retain and reward certain officers, employees, directors and other eligible persons and to further link the interests of Award recipients with those of the Corporation’s stockholders generally.

 

2.

ADMINISTRATION.

 

  2.1

Administrator. This Plan shall be administered by and all Awards under this Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The “Administrator” means the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of this Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, to one or more officers of the Corporation, its powers under this Plan (a) to designate the officers and employees of the Corporation and its Affiliates who will receive grants of Awards under this Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such Awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under this Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (a) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (b) the vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute action by the acting Administrator.


  2.2

Plan Awards; Interpretation; Powers of Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization of Awards and the administration of this Plan (in the case of a committee or delegation to one or more officers, within the authority delegated to that committee or person(s)), including, without limitation, the authority to:

 

  (a)

determine eligibility and, from among those persons determined to be eligible, the particular Eligible Persons who will receive Awards;

 

  (b)

grant Awards to Eligible Persons, determine the price and number of securities to be offered or awarded to any of such persons, determine the other specific terms and conditions of Awards consistent with the express limits of this Plan, establish the installments (if any) in which such Awards will become exercisable or will vest (which may include, without limitation, performance and/or time-based schedules) or determine that no delayed exercisability or vesting is required, establish any applicable performance targets, and establish the events of termination or reversion of such Awards;

 

  (c)

approve the forms of Award Agreements, which need not be identical either as to type of Award or among Participants;

 

  (d)

construe and interpret this Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Corporation, its Affiliates, and Participants under this Plan, make factual determinations with respect to the administration of this Plan, further define the terms used in this Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan or the Awards;

 

  (e)

cancel, modify, or waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding Awards, subject to any required consent under Section 7.7.4;

 

  (f)

accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all outstanding Awards (within the maximum ten-year term of Awards under Sections 5.4.2 and 6.5) in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature);

 

  (g)

determine Fair Market Value for purposes of this Plan and Awards;


  (h)

determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence that may be granted to Participants without constituting a termination of their employment for purposes of this Plan;

 

  (i)

determine whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof and authorize the termination, conversion, substitution or succession of awards upon the occurrence of an event of the type described in Section 7.3; and

 

  (j)

implement any procedures, steps, additional or different requirements as may be necessary to comply with any laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) that may be applicable to this Plan, any Award or any related documents, including but not limited to foreign exchange laws, tax laws and securities laws of the PRC.

 

  2.3

Binding Determinations. Any action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Affiliate, the Board or the Administrator relating or pursuant to this Plan and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any Award), and all such persons shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Corporation in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time.

 

  2.4

Reliance on Experts. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Administrator may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including employees of and professional advisors to the Corporation. No director, officer or agent of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.

 

  2.5

Delegation. The Administrator may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or to third parties.

 

3.

ELIGIBILITY.

Awards may be granted under this Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be Eligible Persons. An “Eligible Person” means any person who qualifies as one of the following at the time of grant of the respective Award:

 

  (a)

an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates;


  (b)

any member of the Board; or

 

  (c)

any director of one of the Corporation’s Affiliates, or any individual consultant or advisor who renders or has rendered bona fide services (other than services in connection with the offering or sale of securities of the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, as applicable, in a capital raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of that entity’s securities) to the Corporation or one of its Affiliates.

An advisor or consultant may be selected as an Eligible Person pursuant to clause (c) above only if such person’s participation in this Plan would not adversely affect (1) the Corporation’s eligibility to rely on the Rule 701 exemption from registration under the Securities Act for the offering of shares issuable under this Plan by the Corporation, or (2) the Corporation’s compliance with any other applicable laws.

An Eligible Person may, but need not, be granted one or more Awards pursuant to Section 5 and/or one or more Awards pursuant to Section 6. An Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under this Plan may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Awards under this Plan if the Administrator so determines. However, a person’s status as an Eligible Person is not a commitment that any Award will be granted to that person under this Plan. Furthermore, an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under Section 5 is not necessarily entitled to an Award under Section 6, or vice versa, unless otherwise expressly determined by the Administrator.

Each Award granted under this Plan must be approved by the Administrator at or prior to the grant of the Award.

 

4.

STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

  4.1

Shares Available. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.3.1, the capital stock that may be delivered under this Plan will be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock and any of its shares of Common Stock held as treasury shares. The shares of Common Stock issued and delivered may be issued and delivered for any lawful consideration.

 

  4.2

Share Limit. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.3.1 and further subject to the share counting rules of Section 4.3, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan will not exceed 12,850,338 shares (the “Share Limit”) in the aggregate. As required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-2(b)(3)(i), in no event will the number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan exceed the Share Limit.

 

  4.3

Replenishment and Reissue of Unvested Awards. To the extent that an Award is settled in cash or a form other than shares of Common Stock, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under this Plan. No Award may be granted under this Plan unless, on the date of grant, the sum of (a) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable at any time


  pursuant to such Award, plus (b) the number of shares of Common Stock that have previously been issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan, plus (c) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued at any time after such date of grant pursuant to Awards that are outstanding on such date, does not exceed the Share Limit. Shares of Common Stock that are subject to or underlie Options or SARs granted under this Plan that expire or for any reason are canceled or terminated without having been exercised (or shares of Common Stock subject to or underlying the unexercised portion of such Options or SARs in the case of Options or SARs that were partially exercised), as well as shares of Common Stock that are subject to Stock Awards made under this Plan that are forfeited to the Corporation or otherwise repurchased by the Corporation prior to the vesting of such shares for a price not greater than the original purchase or issue price of such shares (as adjusted pursuant to Section 7.3.1) will again, except to the extent prohibited by law or applicable listing or regulatory requirements, be available for subsequent Award grants under this Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Corporation as full or partial payment in connection with any Award under this Plan, as well as any shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Corporation or one of its Affiliates to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Award, shall be available for subsequent Awards under this Plan. In the case of an exercise of a SAR, only the number of shares actually issued in respect of such exercise shall be charged against this Plan’s Share Limit. Adjustments to the Share Limit pursuant to this Section 4.3 are subject to any applicable limitations of the Code in the case of Awards intended to be Incentive Stock Options.

 

  4.4

Reservation of Shares. The Corporation shall at all times reserve a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to cover the Corporation’s obligations and contingent obligations to deliver shares with respect to Awards then outstanding under this Plan.

 

5.

OPTION AND SAR GRANT PROGRAM.

 

  5.1

Option and SAR Grants in General. Each Option or SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form approved by the Administrator. The Award Agreement evidencing an Option or SAR shall contain the terms established by the Administrator for that Award, as well as any other terms, provisions, or restrictions that the Administrator may impose on the Option or SAR or any shares of Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR; in each case subject to the applicable provisions and limitations of this Section 5 and the other applicable provisions and limitations of this Plan. The Administrator may require that the recipient of an Option or SAR promptly execute and return to the Corporation his or her Award Agreement evidencing the Award. In addition, the Administrator may require that the spouse of any married recipient of an Option or SAR also promptly execute and return to the Corporation the Award Agreement evidencing the Award granted to the recipient or such other spousal consent form that the Administrator may require in connection with the grant of the Award.


  5.2

Incentive Stock Option Status. The Administrator will designate each Option granted under this Plan to a U.S. resident as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, and such designation shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under this Plan to a U.S. resident that is not expressly designated in the applicable Award Agreement as an Incentive Stock Option will be deemed to be designated a Nonqualified Stock Option under this Plan and not an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5.5 in addition to the provisions of this Plan applicable to Options generally. The Administrator may designate any Option granted under this Plan to a non-U.S. resident in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to options in the jurisdiction in which such person is a resident.

 

  5.3

Option or SAR Price.

 

  5.3.1

Option Pricing Limits. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 5.3.1, the Administrator will determine the purchase price per share of the Common Stock covered by each Option (the “exercise price” of the Option) at the time of the grant of the Option, which exercise price will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In no case will the exercise price of an Option be less than the greatest of:

 

  (a)

the par value of the Common Stock;

 

  (b)

subject to clause (c) below, 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; or

 

  (c)

in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant described in Section 5.5.4, 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

  5.3.2

Payment Provisions. The Corporation will not be obligated to deliver certificates for the shares of Common Stock to be purchased on exercise of an Option unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise price therefor, all related withholding obligations under Section 7.6 have been satisfied, and all other conditions to the exercise of the Option set forth herein or in the Award Agreement have been satisfied. The purchase price of any shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of an Option must be paid in full at the time of each purchase in such lawful consideration as may be permitted or required by the Administrator, which may include, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

 

  (a)

cash, check payable to the order of the Corporation, or electronic funds transfer;

 

  (b)

notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;


  (c)

the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock;

 

  (d)

by a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable pursuant to the Award;

 

  (e)

subject to such procedures as the Administrator may adopt, pursuant to a “cashless exercise”; or

 

  (f)

if authorized by the Administrator or specified in the applicable Award Agreement, by a promissory note of the Participant consistent with the requirements of Section 5.3.3.

In no event shall any shares newly-issued by the Corporation be issued for less than the minimum lawful consideration for such shares or for consideration other than consideration permitted by applicable state law. Shares of Common Stock used to satisfy the exercise price of an Option (whether previously-owned shares or shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the terms of the Option) shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Administrator may eliminate or limit a Participant’s ability to pay the purchase or exercise price of any Award by any method other than cash payment to the Corporation. The Administrator may take all actions necessary to alter the method of Option exercise and the exchange and transmittal of proceeds with respect to Participants resident in the PRC not having permanent residence in a country other than the PRC in order to comply with applicable PRC foreign exchange and tax regulations and any other applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

  5.3.3

Acceptance of Notes to Finance Exercise. The Corporation may, with the Administrator’s approval in each specific case, accept one or more promissory notes from any Eligible Person in connection with the exercise of any Option; provided that any such note shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

  (a)

The principal of the note shall not exceed the amount required to be paid to the Corporation upon the exercise, purchase or acquisition of one or more Awards under this Plan and the note shall be delivered directly to the Corporation in consideration of such exercise, purchase or acquisition.

 

  (b)

The initial term of the note shall be determined by the Administrator; provided that the term of the note, including extensions, shall not exceed a period of five years.

 

  (c)

The note shall provide for full recourse to the Participant and shall bear interest at a rate determined by the Administrator, but not less than the interest rate necessary to avoid the imputation of interest


  under the Code or other applicable tax law, rules or regulations, and to avoid any adverse accounting consequences in connection with the exercise, purchase or acquisition.

 

  (d)

If the employment or services of the Participant by or to the Corporation and its Affiliates terminates, the unpaid principal balance of the note shall become due and payable on the 30th business day after such termination; provided, however, that if a sale of the shares acquired on exercise of the Option would cause such Participant to incur liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the unpaid balance shall become due and payable on the 10th business day after the first day on which a sale of such shares could have been made without incurring such liability assuming for these purposes that there are no other transactions (or deemed transactions) in securities of the Corporation by the Participant subsequent to such termination.

 

  (e)

If required by the Administrator or by applicable law, the note shall be secured by a pledge of any shares or rights financed thereby or other collateral, in compliance with applicable law.

The terms, repayment provisions, and collateral release provisions of the note and the pledge securing the note shall conform with all applicable rules and regulations, including those of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States and any applicable state law, as then in effect.

 

  5.3.4

Base Price of SARs. The Administrator will determine the base price per share of the Common Stock covered by each SAR at the time of grant of the SAR, which base price will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the SAR.

 

  5.4

Vesting; Term; Exercise Procedure.

 

  5.4.1

Vesting. Except as provided in Section 5.8, an Option or SAR may be exercised only to the extent that it is vested and exercisable. The Administrator will determine the vesting and/or exercisability provisions of each Option or SAR (which may be based on performance criteria, passage of time or other factors or any combination thereof), which provisions will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Unless the Administrator otherwise expressly provides, once exercisable an Option or SAR will remain exercisable until the expiration or earlier termination of the Option or SAR.

 

  5.4.2

Term. Each Option or SAR shall expire not more than 10 years after its date of grant. Each Option or SAR will be subject to earlier termination as provided in or pursuant to Sections 5.6 and 7.3 or the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.


  5.4.3

Exercise Procedure. Any exercisable Option or SAR will be deemed to be exercised when (a) the applicable exercise procedures in the related Award Agreement have been satisfied (or, in the absence of any such procedures in the related Award Agreement, the Corporation has received written notice of such exercise from the Participant ), (b) in the case of an Option, the Corporation has received any required payment made in accordance with Section 5.3, (c) in the case of an Option or SAR, all withholding obligations arising in connection with the exercise have been satisfied in accordance with Section 7.6, and (d) in the case of an Option or SAR, the Corporation has received any written statement required pursuant to Section 7.5.1.

 

  5.4.4

Fractional Shares/Minimum Issue. Fractional share interests will be disregarded, but may be accumulated. The Administrator, however, may determine that cash, other securities, or other property will be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional share interests. No Option or SAR may be exercised as to fewer than 100 shares (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.3.1) at one time unless the number as to which the Award is exercised is the total number at the time then subject to the vested and exercisable portion of the Award.

 

  5.5

Limitations on Grant and Terms of Incentive Stock Options.

 

  5.5.1

US$100,000 Limit. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of stock with respect to which incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) first become exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year exceeds US$100,000, taking into account both Common Stock subject to Incentive Stock Options under this Plan and stock subject to incentive stock options under all other plans of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such options will be treated as nonqualified stock options. For this purpose, the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to options will be determined as of the date the options were awarded. In reducing the number of options treated as incentive stock options to meet the US$100,000 limit, the most recently granted options will be reduced (recharacterized as nonqualified stock options) first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the US$100,000 limit, the Administrator may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which shares of Common Stock are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option.

 

  5.5.2

Other Code Limits. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to individuals that are employees of the Corporation or one of its Affiliates and satisfy the other eligibility requirements of the Code. Any Award


  Agreement relating to Incentive Stock Options will contain or shall be deemed to contain such other terms and conditions as from time to time are required in order that the Option be an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

  5.5.3

ISO Notice of Sale Requirement. Any Participant who exercises an Incentive Stock Option shall give prompt written notice to the Corporation of any sale or other transfer of the shares of Common Stock acquired on such exercise if the sale or other transfer occurs within (a) one year after the exercise date of the Option, or (b) two years after the grant date of the Option.

 

  5.5.4

Limits on 10% Holders. No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any person who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns (or is deemed to own under Section 424(d) of the Code) shares of outstanding stock of the Corporation (or any of its Affiliates) possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation (or any of its Affiliates), unless the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option and the Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable more than five years after the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

  5.6

Effects of Termination of Employment on Options and SARs.

 

  5.6.1

Dismissal for Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement and subject to earlier termination pursuant to or as contemplated by Section 5.4.2 or 7.3, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates is terminated by such entity for Cause, the Participant’s Option or SAR will terminate on the Participant’s Severance Date, whether or not the Option or SAR is then vested and/or exercisable.

 

  5.6.2

Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement (consistent with applicable securities laws) and subject to earlier termination pursuant to or as contemplated by Section 5.4.2 or 7.3, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates terminates as a result of the Participant’s death or Total Disability:

 

  (a)

the Participant (or his or her Personal Representative or Beneficiary, in the case of the Participant’s Total Disability or death, respectively), will have until the date that is 12 months after the Participant’s Severance Date to exercise the Participant’s Option or SAR (or portion thereof) to the extent that it was vested and exercisable on the Severance Date;


  (b)

the Option or SAR, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the Participant’s Severance Date, shall terminate on the Severance Date; and

 

  (c)

the Option or SAR, to the extent exercisable for the 12-month period following the Participant’s Severance Date and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 12-month period.

 

  5.6.3

Other Terminations of Employment. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement (consistent with applicable securities laws) and subject to earlier termination pursuant to or as contemplated by Section 5.4.2 or 7.3, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates terminates for any reason other than a termination by such entity for Cause or because of the Participant’s death or Total Disability:

 

  (a)

the Participant will have until the date that is 3 months after the Participant’s Severance Date to exercise his or her Option or SAR (or portion thereof) to the extent that it was vested and exercisable on the Severance Date;

 

  (b)

the Option or SAR, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the Participant’s Severance Date, shall terminate on the Severance Date; and

 

  (c)

the Option or SAR, to the extent exercisable for the 3-month period following the Participant’s Severance Date and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 3-month period.

 

  5.7

Option and SAR Repricing/Cancellation and Regrant/Waiver of Restrictions. Subject to Section 4 and Section 7.7 and the specific limitations on Options and SARs contained in this Plan, the Administrator from time to time may authorize, generally or in specific cases only, for the benefit of any Eligible Person, any adjustment in the exercise or base price, the vesting schedule, the number of shares subject to, or the term of, an Option or SAR granted under this Plan by cancellation of an outstanding Option or SAR and a subsequent regranting of the Option or SAR, by amendment, by substitution of an outstanding Option or SAR, by waiver or by other legally valid means. Such amendment or other action may result in, among other changes, an exercise or base price that is higher or lower than the exercise or base price of the original or prior Option or SAR, provide for a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR, or provide for a longer or shorter vesting or exercise period. In no event, however, may any such amendment or other action reduce the exercise or base price of the Option or SAR to less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time of such change, or extend the maximum term of the Option or SAR at a time when the exercise or base price of such Award is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.


  5.8

Early Exercise Options and SARs. The Administrator may, in its discretion, designate any Option or SAR as an “early exercise Option” or “early exercise SAR” which, by express provision in the applicable Award Agreement, may be exercised prior to the date such Option or SAR has vested. If the Participant elects to exercise all or a portion of any early exercise Option or SAR before it is vested, the shares of Common Stock acquired under the Option or SAR which are attributable to the unvested portion of the Option or SAR shall be Restricted Shares. The applicable Award Agreement will specify the extent (if any) to which and the time (if ever) at which the Participant will be entitled to dividends, voting and other rights in respect of such Restricted Shares prior to vesting, and the restrictions imposed on such shares and the conditions of release or lapse of such restrictions. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, such Restricted Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 6.6 through 6.9, below.

 

6.

STOCK AWARD PROGRAM.

 

  6.1

Stock Awards in General. Each Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form approved by the Administrator. The Award Agreement evidencing a Stock Award shall contain the terms established by the Administrator for that Stock Award, as well as any other terms, provisions, or restrictions that the Administrator may impose on the Stock Award; in each case subject to the applicable provisions and limitations of this Section 6 and the other applicable provisions and limitations of this Plan. The Administrator may require that the recipient of a Stock Award promptly execute and return to the Corporation his or her Award Agreement evidencing the Stock Award. In addition, the Administrator may require that the spouse of any married recipient of a Stock Award also promptly execute and return to the Corporation the Award Agreement evidencing the Stock Award granted to the recipient or such other spousal consent form that the Administrator may require in connection with the grant of the Stock Award.

 

  6.2

Types of Stock Awards. The Administrator shall designate whether a Stock Award shall be a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award or other type of Stock Award, and such designation shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  6.3

Purchase Price.

 

  6.3.1

Pricing Limits. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 6.3, the Administrator will determine the purchase price per share of the Common Stock covered by each Stock Award at the time of grant of the Award (if any).


  6.3.2

Payment Provisions. The Corporation will not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock awarded under this Section 6 unless and until it receives full payment of the purchase price therefor (if there is a purchase price for such Stock Award) and all other conditions to the purchase, as determined by the Administrator, have been satisfied. Any purchase price of any shares subject to a Stock Award must be paid in full at the time of the purchase in such lawful consideration as may be permitted or required by the Administrator, which may include, without limitation, one or a combination of the methods set forth in clauses (a) through (f) in Section 5.3.2 and/or past services rendered to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates.

 

  6.4

Vesting. The restrictions imposed on the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or on the vesting of restricted stock units subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award (in each case, which may be based on performance criteria, passage of time or other factors or any combination thereof) will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  6.5

Term; Settlement of Awards. A Stock Award shall either vest (and be settled, if applicable) or be forfeited not more than 10 years after the date of grant. Each Stock Award will be subject to earlier termination as provided in or pursuant to Sections 6.8 and 7.3. Payment of Awards may be in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards or combinations thereof as the Administrator shall determine, and with such restrictions as it may impose. The Administrator may also require or permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares or the settlement of Awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under this Plan. The Administrator may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferral amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares.

 

  6.6

Stock Certificates; Fractional Shares. Stock certificates evidencing Restricted Shares will bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed hereunder and will be held by the Corporation or by a third party designated by the Administrator until the restrictions on such shares have lapsed, the shares have vested in accordance with the provisions of the Award Agreement and Section 6.4, and any related loan has been repaid. Fractional share interests will be disregarded, but may be accumulated. The Administrator, however, may determine that cash, other securities, or other property will be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional share interests.

 

  6.7

Dividend and Voting Rights. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant receiving Restricted Shares will be entitled to cash dividend and voting rights for all Restricted Shares issued even though they are not vested, but such rights will terminate immediately as to any Restricted Shares which cease to be eligible for vesting or are repurchased by the Corporation.


  6.8

Termination of Employment; Return to the Corporation. Unless the Administrator otherwise expressly provides, Restricted Shares subject to an Award that remain subject to vesting conditions that have not been satisfied by the time specified in the applicable Award Agreement (which may include, without limitation, the Participant’s Severance Date), will not vest and will be reacquired by the Corporation in such manner and on such terms as the Administrator provides, which terms shall include, to the extent not prohibited by law, return or repayment of the lower of (a) the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Shares at the time of the termination, or (b) if applicable, the original purchase price of the Restricted Shares, without interest, to the Participant. The Award Agreement shall specify any other terms or conditions of the repurchase if the Award fails to vest. Any other Stock Award that has not been exercised, settled or paid as of a Participant’s Severance Date shall terminate on that date unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  6.9

Waiver of Restrictions. Subject to Sections 4 and 7.7 and the specific limitations on Stock Awards contained in this Plan, the Administrator from time to time may authorize, generally or in specific cases only, for the benefit of any Eligible Person, any adjustment in the vesting schedule, or the restrictions upon or the term of, a Stock Award granted under this Plan by amendment, by substitution of an outstanding Stock Award, by waiver or by other legally valid means.

 

7.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS.

 

  7.1

Rights of Eligible Persons, Participants and Beneficiaries.

 

  7.1.1

Employment Status. No person shall have any claim or rights to be granted an Award (or additional Awards, as the case may be) under this Plan, subject to any express contractual rights (set forth in a document other than this Plan) to the contrary.

 

  7.1.2

No Employment/Service Contract. Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents under this Plan or related to any Award) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or Participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or any Affiliate to change such person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment or other service, with or without cause at any time. Nothing in this Section 7.1.2, or in Section 7.3 or 7.15, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of such person under a separate employment or service contract. An Award Agreement shall not constitute a contract of employment or service.


  7.1.3

Plan Not Funded. Awards payable under this Plan will be payable in shares of Common Stock or from the general assets of the Corporation, and (except as to the share reservation provided in Section 4.4) no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit will be made to assure payment of such Awards. No Participant, Beneficiary or other person will have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including shares of Common Stock, except as expressly provided) of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates by reason of any Award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan will create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and any Participant, Beneficiary or other person. To the extent that a Participant, Beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any Award hereunder, such right will be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

 

  7.1.4

Charter Documents. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Corporation, as either of them may lawfully be amended from time to time, may provide for additional restrictions and limitations with respect to the Common Stock (including additional restrictions and limitations on the voting or transfer of Common Stock) or priorities, rights and preferences as to securities and interests prior in rights to the Common Stock. These restrictions and limitations are in addition to (and not in lieu of) those set forth in this Plan or any Award Agreement, and are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

  7.2

No Transferability; Limited Exception to Transfer Restrictions.

 

  7.2.1

Limit on Exercise and Transfer. Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 7.2, by applicable law and by the Award Agreement, as the same may be amended:

 

  (a)

all Awards are non-transferable and will not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;

 

  (b)

Awards will be exercised only by the Participant; and

 

  (c)

amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an Award will be delivered only to (or for the account of) the Participant.

In addition, the shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  7.2.2

Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer. The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 7.2.1 will not apply to:

 

  (a)

transfers to the Corporation;


  (b)

transfers by gift or domestic relations order to one or more “family members” (as that term is defined in SEC Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Participant;

 

  (c)

the designation of a Beneficiary to receive benefits if the Participant dies or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercises by the Participant’s Beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated Beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution; or

 

  (d)

if the Participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the Participant by the Participant’s duly authorized legal representative.

Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 7.2.2 to the contrary, but subject to compliance with all applicable laws, Incentive Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards will be subject to any and all transfer restrictions under the Code applicable to such awards or necessary to maintain the intended tax consequences of such Awards. Notwithstanding clause (b) above but subject to compliance with all applicable laws, any contemplated transfer by gift or domestic relations order to one or more “family members” of a Participant as referenced in clause (b) above is subject to the condition precedent that the transfer be approved by the Administrator in order for it to be effective. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, withhold its approval of any such proposed transfer.

 

  7.3

Adjustments; Changes in Control.

 

  7.3.1

Adjustments. Subject to Section 7.3.2 below, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to): any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, conversion or other reorganization; any split-up, spin-off, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock; or any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Administrator shall equitably and proportionately adjust (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards (including the specific share limits, maximums and numbers of shares set forth elsewhere in this Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any outstanding Awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or exercise or base price of any outstanding Awards, and/or (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or vesting of any outstanding Awards, in each case to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by this Plan and the then-outstanding Awards.


Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to) any event or transaction described in the preceding paragraph or a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation as an entirety, the Administrator shall equitably and proportionately adjust the performance standards applicable to any then-outstanding performance-based Awards to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by this Plan and the then-outstanding performance-based Awards.

It is intended that, if possible, any adjustments contemplated by the preceding two paragraphs be made in a manner that satisfies applicable U.S. legal, tax (including, without limitation and as applicable in the circumstances, Sections 409A, 424 and 457 of the Code) and accounting (so as to not trigger any charge to earnings with respect to such adjustment) requirements.

Without limiting the generality of Section 2.3, any good faith determination by the Administrator as to whether an adjustment is required in the circumstances pursuant to this Section 7.3.1, and the extent and nature of any such adjustment, shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, in no event shall a conversion of one or more outstanding shares of the Corporation’s preferred stock (if any) or any new issuance of securities by the Corporation for consideration be deemed, in and of itself, to require an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.3.1.

 

  7.3.2

Consequences of a Change in Control Event. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event, any and all outstanding and unexercised unvested Awards will be cancelled for no consideration, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator. The Administrator at its sole and absolute discretion may decide: (i) if and how the unvested Awards, as the case may be, shall be canceled, exchanged, assumed, replaced, repurchased or accelerated; (ii) if and how vested Awards (including Awards with respect to which the vesting period has been accelerated) shall be exercised, exchanged, assumed, replaced and/or sold by the Company (as the case may be) on behalf of the Participants, including determining that all Awards shall be cancelled for no consideration upon a Change in Control Event; (iii) how any treatment of Awards and underlying shares of Common Stock may be made subject to any payment or escrow arrangement, or any other arrangement determined within the scope of the Change in Control Event in relation to Awards and the underlying shares of Common Stock.


In the case of assumption and/or substitution of Awards, appropriate adjustments shall be made so as to reflect such action and all other terms and conditions of the Award Agreement shall remain unchanged, including but not limited to the vesting schedule, all subject to the determination of the Board, which its determination shall be at its sole discretion and final. The grant of any substitute awards for the Awards to Participants, as provided in this section, shall be considered to be in full compliance with the terms of this Plan. The value of the exchanged Awards pursuant to this section shall be determined in good faith solely by the Board, based on the Fair Market Value, and its decision shall be final and binding on all the Participants.

For the purposes of this section, the mechanism for determining the assumption or exchange as aforementioned shall be agreed upon between the Board and the successor company.

 

  7.3.3

Other Acceleration Rules. The Administrator may override the provisions of this Section 7.3 as to any Award by express provision in the applicable Award Agreement and may accord any Participant a right to refuse any acceleration, whether pursuant to the Award Agreement or otherwise, in such circumstances as the Administrator may approve. The portion of any Incentive Stock Option accelerated in connection with a Change in Control Event (or such other circumstances as may trigger accelerated vesting of the Incentive Stock Option) shall remain exercisable as an Incentive Stock Option only to the extent the applicable US$100,000 limitation on Incentive Stock Options is not exceeded. To the extent exceeded, the accelerated portion of the Option shall be exercisable as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

  7.4

Termination of Employment or Services.

 

  7.4.1

Events Not Deemed a Termination of Employment. Unless the Administrator otherwise expressly provides with respect to a particular Award, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Corporation or an Affiliate terminates but immediately thereafter the Participant continues in the employ of or service to another Affiliate or the Corporation, as applicable, the Participant shall be deemed to have not had a termination of employment or service for purposes of this Plan and the Participant’s Awards. Unless the express policy of the Corporation or the Administrator otherwise provides, a Participant’s employment relationship with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates shall not be considered terminated solely due to any sick leave, military leave, or any other leave of absence authorized by the Corporation or any Affiliate or the Administrator; provided that, unless reemployment upon the expiration of


  such leave is guaranteed by contract or law, such leave is for a period of not more than three months. In the case of any Participant on an approved leave of absence, continued vesting of the Award while on leave from the employ of or service with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates will be suspended until the Participant returns to service, unless the Administrator otherwise provides or applicable law otherwise requires. In no event shall an Award be exercised after the expiration of the term of the Award set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

  7.4.2

Effect of Change of Affiliate Status. For purposes of this Plan and any Award, if an entity ceases to be an Affiliate, a termination of employment or service will be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Eligible Person in respect of such Affiliate who does not continue as an Eligible Person in respect of another Affiliate that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status unless the Affiliate that is sold, spun-off or otherwise divested (or its successor or a direct or indirect parent of such Affiliate or successor) assumes the Eligible Person’s award(s) in connection with such transaction.

 

  7.4.3

Administrator Discretion. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.6 or 6.8, in the event of, or in anticipation of, a termination of employment or service with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates for any reason, the Administrator may accelerate the vesting and exercisability of all or a portion of the Participant’s Award, and/or, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.4.2 and 7.3, extend the exercisability period of the Participant’s Option or SAR upon such terms as the Administrator determines and expressly sets forth in or by amendment to the Award Agreement.

 

  7.4.4

Termination of Consulting or Affiliate Services. If the Participant is an Eligible Person solely by reason of clause (c) of Section 3, the Administrator shall be the sole judge of whether the Participant continues to render services to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, unless a written contract or the Award Agreement otherwise provides. If, in these circumstances, the Corporation or any Affiliate notifies the Participant in writing that a termination of the Participant’s services to the Corporation or any Affiliate has occurred for purposes of this Plan, then (unless the contract or the Award Agreement otherwise expressly provides), the Participant’s termination of services with the Corporation or Affiliate for purposes of this Plan shall be the date specified by the Corporation or Affiliate in such notice.

 

  7.5

Compliance with Laws.

 

  7.5.1

General. This Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under this Plan, and the offer, issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock, the acceptance of promissory notes and/or the payment of money under this


  Plan or under Awards are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities laws, and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested by the Corporation, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

 

  7.5.2

Compliance with Securities Laws. No Participant shall sell, pledge or otherwise transfer shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award or any interest in such shares except in accordance with the express terms of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any attempted transfer in violation of this Section 7.5 shall be void and of no effect. Without in any way limiting the provisions set forth above, no Participant shall make any disposition of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired or to be acquired pursuant to an Award, except in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and unless and until:

 

  (a)

there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement;

 

  (b)

such disposition is made in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

 

  (c)

such Participant notifies the Corporation of the proposed disposition and furnishes the Corporation with a statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and, if requested by the Corporation, furnishes to the Corporation an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Corporation’s counsel, that such disposition will not require registration under the Securities Act and will be in compliance with all applicable state securities laws.

Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, neither the Corporation or any Affiliate has any obligation to register the Common Stock or file any registration statement under either federal or state securities laws, nor does the Corporation or any Affiliate make any representation concerning the likelihood of a public offering of the Common Stock or any other securities of the Corporation or any Affiliate.


  7.5.3

Share Legends. All certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued or delivered under this Plan shall bear the following legends and/or any other appropriate or required legends under applicable laws:

“OWNERSHIP OF THIS CERTIFICATE, THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND ANY INTEREST THEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER UNDER APPLICABLE LAW AND UNDER AGREEMENTS WITH THE CORPORATION, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON SALE, ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER DISPOSITION.”

“THE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CORPORATION’S RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO REPURCHASE THE SHARES UNDER THE CORPORATION’S STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS WITH THE CORPORATION THEREUNDER, COPIES OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION.”

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A LOCK-UP PERIOD FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF THE CORPORATION FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (“ACT”), AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION. SUCH LOCK-UP PERIOD IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.”

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE ACT, NOR HAVE THEY BEEN REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE PERMITTED UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT IS IN EFFECT AS TO SUCH TRANSFER, THE TRANSFER IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE CORPORATION, REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT IS UNNECESSARY IN ORDER FOR SUCH TRANSFER TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT AND WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.”

 

  7.5.4

Confidential Information. Any financial or other information relating to the Corporation obtained by Participants in connection with or as a result of this Plan or their Awards shall be treated as confidential.

 

  7.6

Tax Withholding. Upon any exercise, vesting, or payment of any Award or upon the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an


  Incentive Stock Option prior to satisfaction of the holding period requirements of Section 422 of the Code, the Corporation or any of its Affiliates shall have the right at its option to:

 

  (a)

require the Participant (or the Participant’s Personal Representative or Beneficiary, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of at least the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or Affiliate may be required to withhold with respect to such Award event or payment;

 

  (b)

deduct from any amount otherwise payable (in respect of an Award or otherwise) in cash to the Participant (or the Participant’s Personal Representative or Beneficiary, as the case may be) the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or Affiliate may be required to withhold with respect to such Award event or payment;

 

  (c)

reduce the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire shares held by the Participant) the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock, valued at their then Fair Market Value, to satisfy the minimum withholding obligation;

 

  (d)

permit satisfaction of the minimum withholding obligation under a broker-assisted (or other) cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Corporation; or

 

  (e)

permit the Participant to tender other shares of Common Stock to satisfy the minimum withholding obligation, provided that such shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the minimum withholding obligation and provided that accepting such shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Corporation, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion.

In any case where a tax is required to be withheld (including taxes in the PRC where applicable) in connection with the delivery of Common Stock under this Plan (including the sale of Common Stock as may be required to comply with foreign exchange rules in the PRC for Participants resident in the PRC), the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to Section 7.5) grant (either at the time of the Award or thereafter) to the Participant the right to elect, pursuant to such rules and subject to such conditions as the Administrator may establish, to have the Corporation reduce the number of shares to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares, valued in a consistent manner at their Fair Market Value or at the sales price in accordance with authorized procedures for cashless exercises, necessary to satisfy the minimum applicable withholding obligation on exercise, vesting or payment. In no event shall the shares withheld exceed the minimum whole number of shares required for tax withholding under applicable law. The Corporation may, with the Administrator’s approval, accept one or more promissory notes from any Eligible Person in connection with taxes required to be withheld upon the exercise, vesting or payment of any Award under


this Plan; provided that any such note shall be subject to terms and conditions established by the Administrator and the requirements of applicable law. Any such note need not otherwise comply with the provisions of Section 5.3.3.

 

  7.7

Plan and Award Amendments, Termination and Suspension.

 

  7.7.1

Board Authorization. The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part. No Awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends this Plan.

 

  7.7.2

Stockholder Approval. To the extent then required by applicable law or any applicable listing agency or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the Code or other applicable tax law, rules or regulations, to preserve the intended tax consequences of this Plan, or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, any amendment to this Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval.

 

  7.7.3

Amendments to Awards. Without limiting any other express authority of the Administrator under (but subject to) the express limits of this Plan, the Administrator by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on Awards to Participants that the Administrator in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a Participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 2.2 and 7.7.4) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of Awards.

 

  7.7.4

Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards. No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan or amendment of any outstanding Award Agreement shall, without written consent of the Participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the Participant any rights or benefits of the Participant or obligations of the Corporation under any Award granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 7.3 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 7.7.

 

  7.8

Privileges of Stock Ownership. Except as otherwise expressly authorized by the Administrator, a Participant will not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any shares of Common Stock not actually delivered to and held of record by the Participant. Except as expressly required by Section 7.3.1, no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

 

  7.9

Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Awards Granted by Other Corporation. Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons


  who are or who will become Eligible Persons in respect of the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, in connection with a distribution, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the employing entity. The Awards so granted need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, provided the Awards reflect only adjustments giving effect to the assumption or substitution consistent with the conversion applicable to the Common Stock in the transaction and any change in the issuer of the security. Any shares that are delivered and any Awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Corporation, as a result of the assumption by the Corporation of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company (or previously granted by a predecessor employer (or direct or indirect parent thereof) in the case of persons that become employed by the Corporation or one of its Affiliates in connection with a business or asset acquisition or similar transaction) shall not be counted against the Share Limit or other limits on the number of shares available for issuance under this Plan.

 

  7.10

Effective Date of the Plan. This Plan is effective upon the Effective Date, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Corporation within twelve months after the date the Board approves this Plan.

 

  7.11

Term of the Plan. Unless earlier terminated by the Board, this Plan will terminate at the close of business on the day before the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date. After the termination of this Plan either upon such stated expiration date or its earlier termination by the Board, no additional Awards may be granted under this Plan, but previously granted Awards (and the authority of the Administrator with respect thereto, including the authority to amend such Awards) shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

 

  7.12

Governing Law/Severability/Construction.

 

  7.12.1

Choice of Law. This Plan, the Awards, all documents evidencing Awards and all other related documents will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Delaware.

 

  7.12.2

Severability. If it is determined that any provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement is invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan and/or the Award Agreement, as applicable, will continue in effect provided that the essential economic terms of this Plan and the Award can still be enforced.

 

  7.12.3

Construction. It is intended that this Plan, and any Award under this Plan, will be exempt from, or comply with, Sections 409A and 457A of the Code so as to not result in any tax, penalty or interest thereunder, and this Plan and each Award shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.


  7.13

Captions. Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings will not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

 

  7.14

Non-Exclusivity of Plan. Nothing in this Plan will limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or the Administrator to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Common Stock, under any other plan or authority.

 

  7.15

No Restriction on Corporate Powers. The existence of this Plan, the Award Agreements, and the Awards granted hereunder, shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation to make or authorize: (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Corporation’s or any Affiliate’s capital structure or its business; (b) any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Corporation or any Affiliate; (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or affecting the Corporation’s capital stock or the rights thereof; (d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any Affiliate; (e) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the Corporation or any Affiliate’s assets or business; or (f) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Corporation or any Affiliate. No Participant, Beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim under any Award or Award Agreement against any member of the Board or the Administrator, or the Corporation or any employees, officers or agents of the Corporation or any Affiliate, as a result of any such action.

 

  7.16

Other Company Compensation or Benefit Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Corporation or any Affiliate, except where the Administrator or the Board expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing. Awards under this Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, as alternatives to or in payment of grants, awards or commitments under any other plans or arrangements of the Corporation or any Affiliate.

 

  7.17

Clawback Policy. The Awards granted under this Plan are subject to the terms of the Corporation’s recoupment, clawback or similar policy as it may be in effect from time to time, as well as any similar provisions of applicable law, any of which could in certain circumstances require repayment or forfeiture of Awards or any shares of Common Stock or other cash or property received with respect to the Awards (including any value received from a disposition of the shares acquired upon payment of the Awards).


8.

DEFINITIONS.

Administrator” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1.

Affiliate” means (a) any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the Corporation owns 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, or (b) any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns 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.

Award” means an award of any Option, SAR or Stock Award, or any combination thereof, whether alternative or cumulative, authorized by and granted under this Plan.

Award Agreement” means any writing, approved by the Administrator, setting forth the terms of an Award that has been duly authorized and approved.

Award Date” means the date upon which the Administrator took the action granting an Award or such later date as the Administrator designates as the Award Date at the time of the grant of the Award.

Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust or trusts designated by a Participant, or, in the absence of a designation, entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution, to receive the benefits specified in the Award Agreement and under this Plan if the Participant dies, and means the Participant’s executor or administrator if no other Beneficiary is designated and able to act under the circumstances.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Cause” with respect to a Participant means (unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or another applicable contract with the Participant that defines such term for purposes of determining the effect that a “for cause” termination has on the Participant’s Awards) a termination of employment or service based upon a finding by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, acting in good faith and based on its reasonable belief at the time, that the Participant:

 

  (a)

has been negligent in the discharge of his or her duties to the Corporation or any Affiliate, has refused to perform stated or assigned duties or is incompetent in or (other than by reason of a disability or analogous condition) incapable of performing those duties;

 

  (b)

has been dishonest or committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, a breach of confidentiality, an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information;


  (c)

has breached a fiduciary duty, or willfully and materially violated any other duty, law, rule, regulation or policy of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates; or has been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations or similar offenses);

 

  (d)

has materially breached any of the provisions of any agreement with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates;

 

  (e)

has engaged in unfair competition with, or otherwise acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of, the Corporation or any of its Affiliates; or

 

  (f)

has improperly induced a vendor or customer to break or terminate any contract with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or induced a principal for whom the Corporation or any Affiliate acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship.

A termination for Cause shall be deemed to occur (subject to reinstatement upon a contrary final determination by the Administrator) on the date on which the Corporation or any Affiliate first delivers written notice to the Participant of a finding of termination for Cause.

Change in Control Event” means any of the following:

 

  (a)

Approval by stockholders of the Corporation (or, if no stockholder approval is required, by the Board alone) of the complete dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, other than in the context of a Business Combination that does not constitute a Change in Control Event under paragraph (c) below;

 

  (b)

The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a “Person”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (1) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (2) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this paragraph (b), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control Event; (A) any acquisition directly from the Corporation, (B) any acquisition by the Corporation, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any Affiliate or a successor, (D) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a Business Combination, (E) any acquisition by a Person described in and satisfying the conditions of Rule 13d-1(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or (F) any acquisition by a Person who is the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and/or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities on the Effective Date (or an affiliate, heir, descendant, or related party of or to such Person);


  (c)

Consummation of a reorganization, amalgamation, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Corporation or any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation (a “Subsidiary”), a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Corporation or all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets directly or through one or more subsidiaries (a “Parent”)), and (2) no Person (excluding any individual or entity described in clauses (C), (E) or (F) of paragraph (b) above) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the extent that the ownership in excess of 50% existed prior to the Business Combination;

provided, however, that a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control Event if it is in connection with the underwritten public offering of the Corporation’s securities.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Common Stock” means the shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value US $0.00001 per share, and such other securities or property as may become the subject of Awards, or become subject to Awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 7.3.1 of this Plan.

Corporation” means ZingBox, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.

Effective Date” means the date the Board approved this Plan.

Eligible Person” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3 of this Plan.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.


Fair Market Value,” for purposes of this Plan and unless otherwise determined or provided by the Administrator in the circumstances, means as follows:

 

  (a)

If the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trade on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange (the “Exchange”), the Fair Market Value shall equal the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on the composite tape for securities on the Exchange for the date in question, or, if no sales of Common Stock were made on the Exchange on that date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on said composite tape for the next preceding day on which sales of Common Stock were made on the Exchange. The Administrator may, however, provide with respect to one or more Awards that the Fair Market Value shall equal the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on the composite tape for securities listed on the Exchange on the last trading day preceding the date in question or the average of the high and low trading prices of a share of Common Stock as reported on the composite tape for securities listed on the Exchange for the date in question or the most recent trading day.

 

  (b)

If the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Administrator for purposes of the Award in the circumstances.

The Administrator also may adopt a different methodology for determining Fair Market Value with respect to one or more Awards if a different methodology is necessary or advisable to secure any intended favorable tax, legal or other treatment for the particular Award(s) (for example, and without limitation, the Administrator may provide that Fair Market Value for purposes of one or more Awards will be based on an average of closing prices (or the average of high and low daily trading prices) for a specified period preceding the relevant date).

Any determination as to Fair Market Value made pursuant to this Plan shall be made without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and shall be conclusive and binding on all persons with respect to Awards granted under this Plan.

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated and intended as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, the award of which contains such provisions (including but not limited to the receipt of stockholder approval of this Plan, if the award is made prior to such approval) and is made under such circumstances and to such persons as may be necessary to comply with that section.

Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and includes any Option designated or intended as a Nonqualified Stock Option and any Option designated or intended as an Incentive Stock Option that fails to meet the applicable legal requirements thereof.


Option” means an option to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 5 of this Plan. The Administrator will designate any Option granted to an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option and may also designate any Option as an Early Exercise Option.

Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been granted and holds an Award under this Plan.

Personal Representative” means the person or persons who, upon the disability or incompetence of a Participant, has acquired on behalf of the Participant, by legal proceeding or otherwise, the power to exercise the rights or receive benefits under this Plan by virtue of having become the legal representative of the Participant.

Plan” means this ZingBox, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective September 20, 2019), and as it may hereafter be amended from time to time.

Public Offering Date means the date the Common Stock is first registered under the Exchange Act and listed or quoted on a recognized national securities exchange.

Restricted Shares” or “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock awarded to a Participant under this Plan, subject to payment of such consideration and such conditions on vesting (which may include, among others, the passage of time, specified performance objectives or other factors) and such transfer and other restrictions as are established in or pursuant to this Plan and the related Award Agreement, to the extent such remain unvested and restricted under the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Restricted Stock.

Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an award of restricted stock units.

SAR” means a share appreciation right, representing the right, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, to receive a payment, in cash (subject to compliance with Section 457A of the Code) and/or Common Stock (in each case), and/or Common Stock (as specified in the applicable Award Agreement), equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the “base price” of the SAR, which base price shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Severance Date” with respect to a particular Participant means, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement:

 

  (a)

if the Participant is an Eligible Person under clause (a) of Section 3 and the Participant’s employment by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates terminates (regardless of the reason), the last day that the Participant is actually employed by the Corporation or such Affiliate (unless, immediately following such termination of employment, the Participant is a member of the Board or, by express written


  agreement with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, continues to provide other services to the Corporation or any Affiliate as an Eligible Person under clause (c) of Section 3, in which case the Participant’s Severance Date shall not be the date of such termination of employment but shall be determined in accordance with clause (b) or (c) below, as applicable, in connection with the termination of the Participant’s other services);

 

  (b)

if the Participant is not an Eligible Person under clause (a) of Section 3 but is an Eligible Person under clause (b) thereof, and the Participant ceases to be a member of the Board (regardless of the reason), the last day that the Participant is actually a member of the Board (unless, immediately following such termination, the Participant is an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or, by express written agreement with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, continues to provide other services to the Corporation or any Affiliate as an Eligible Person under clause (c) of Section 3, in which case the Participant’s Severance Date shall not be the date of such termination but shall be determined in accordance with clause (a) above or (c) below, as applicable, in connection with the termination of the Participant’s employment or other services);

 

  (c)

if the Participant is not an Eligible Person under clause (a) or clause (b) of Section 3 but is an Eligible Person under clause (c) thereof, and the Participant ceases to provide services to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates as determined in accordance with Section 7.4.4 (regardless of the reason), the last day that the Participant actually provides services to the Corporation or such Affiliate as an Eligible Person under clause (c) of Section 3 (unless, immediately following such termination, the Participant is an employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or is a member of the Board, in which case the Participant’s Severance Date shall not be the date of such termination of services but shall be determined in accordance with clause (a) or (b) above, as applicable, in connection with the termination of the Participant’s employment or membership on the Board).

Stock Award” means an award granted under Section 6 of this Plan. A Stock Award may include: (a) Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, stock bonuses, performance stock, stock units, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the Common Stock, upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) any similar securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the Common Stock and/or returns thereon.

Total Disability” means a “total and permanent disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and, with respect to Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, such other disabilities, infirmities, afflictions, or conditions as the Administrator may include.