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Exhibit 10.1
ATMEL CORPORATION
2005 STOCK PLAN
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED MAY 18, 2011)
1. Background. The Plan permits the grant of Nonstatutory Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Units.
2. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2005 Stock Plan are:
· to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
· to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and
· to promote the success of the Company’s business.
3. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan.
(b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and any other applicable laws of any jurisdiction in which Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(d) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Units.
(e) “Award Agreement” means the written agreement (including in electronic form) setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and may be amended, from time to time, by the Administrator subject to the terms of this Plan.
(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) “Cash Flow” means cash generated from operating activities.
(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(i) “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan.
(j) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(k) “Company” means Atmel Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
(l) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.
(m) “Determination Date” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(n) “Director” means a member of the Board, either as an Employee or an Outside Director.
(o) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(p) “Earnings Per Share” means Net Income, divided by a weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common equivalent shares deemed outstanding.
(q) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three months following the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(s) “Exercise Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option.
(t) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Select Market, Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq Capital Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable, or, if the day of determination is not a trading day, the average of the closing sales prices (or the closing bids, if no sales were reported) on the immediately following and preceding trading dates, in either case as reported by The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(u) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(v) “Grant Date” means, with respect to an Award, the date that the Award was granted.
(w) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(x) “Margin” means the Company’s or a business unit’s gross or operating margin.
(y) “Market Share” means sales generated by particular segments or products of the Company relative to the total market sales of such segments or products.
(z) “Net Income” means Revenue minus expenses.
(aa) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(bb) “Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Award grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Award Agreement.
(cc) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(dd) “Operating Profit” means the Company’s or a business unit’s profits from operations.
(ee) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(ff) “Option Exchange Program” means a program whereby outstanding Options are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for the right to receive options of the same type, of a different type and/or cash pursuant to such terms as the Administrator may determine.
(gg) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.
(hh) “Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan.
(ii) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
(jj) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(kk) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award, which shall include an Optionee.
(ll) “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award for a Performance Period. As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: (a) Cash Flow, (b) Earnings Per Share, (c) Margin, (d) Market Share, (e) Net Income, (f) Operating Profit, (g) Product Development, (h) Product Unit Sales, (i) Revenue, and (j) Total Stockholder Return. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) in absolute terms, (ii) in relative terms (including, but not limited to, the passage of time, performance at other companies and/or versus other Performance Goal(s) or financial metric(s)), (iii) in dollar or percentage terms, (iv) on a per share and/or per capita basis or against the Company’s outstanding shares, (v) against the performance of the Company as a whole or against particular segments or products of the Company and/or other companies, (vi) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or on a non-GAAP basis, and/or (vii) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator shall determine whether any element(s) (for example, but not by way of limitation, the effect of mergers or acquisitions or restructurings) shall be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participants (whether or not such determinations result in any Performance Goal being measured on a basis other than GAAP.
(mm) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year or such other period longer or shorter than a Fiscal Year but, in any case, not shorter than a fiscal quarter or longer than six (6) Fiscal Years, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(nn) “Plan” means this 2005 Stock Plan, as amended.
(oo) “Product Development” means the objective and measurable goals approved by the Administrator for the creation or manufacture of products, which goals may include (but not by way of limitation) conformance to design specifications or requirements not to exceed specified defect levels.
(pp) “Product Unit Sales” means the number of product units sold to third parties.
(qq) “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 12 of the Plan.
(rr “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.
(ss) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 14.
(tt) “Retirement” means, in the case of an Employee or Director: (a) a Termination of Service occurring on or after age sixty-five (65), or (b) a Termination of Service occurring on or after age sixty (60) with at least ten (10) years of service. With respect to a Consultant, no Termination of Service shall be deemed to be on account of “Retirement.”
(uu) “Revenue” means net sales generated from third parties.
(vv) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(ww) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(xx) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and any proposed, temporary or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time.
(yy) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(zz) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.
(aaa) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option (either affiliated or tandem) that pursuant to Section 13 is designated as a SAR.
(bbb) “Stock Purchase Right” means the right to purchase Common Stock pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.
(ccc) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(ddd) “Tax Obligations” means tax and social insurance liability obligations and requirements in connection with the Awards, including, without limitation, (a) all federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) that are required to be withheld by the Company or the employing Subsidiary, (b) the Participant’s and, to the extent required by the Company (or the employing Subsidiary), the Company’s (or the employing Subsidiary’s) fringe benefit tax liability, if any, associated with the grant, vesting, or sale of Shares, and (c) any other Company (or employing Subsidiary) taxes the responsibility for which the Participant has agreed to bear with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof or issuance of Shares thereunder).
(eee) “Termination of Service” means (a) in the case of an Employee, a cessation of the employee-employer relationship between the Employee and the Company or an Affiliate for any
reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, Retirement, or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous re-employment or engagement as a consultant by the Company or an Affiliate; (b) in the case of a Consultant, a cessation of the service relationship between the Consultant and the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous employment as an Employee or re-engagement of the Consultant by the Company or an Affiliate; and (c) in the case of a Director, a cessation of the Director’s service on the Board for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, death, Disability, Retirement or non-reelection to the Board, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous employment as an Employee or engagement as a Consultant by the Company or an Affiliate.
(fff) “Total Stockholder Return” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) of a Share, or stockholder return relative to a recognized industry index, including, for example, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.
4. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold under the Plan is 133,000,000 Shares.(1) The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) that were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise or purchase price of an Award and/or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(a), subject to adjustment provided in Section 16, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in this Section 4(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this paragraph.
(b) Full Value Awards. Any Shares subject to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Purchase Rights granted on or after May 14, 2008 but prior to May 18, 2011 will be counted against the numerical limits of this Section 4 as one and 78/100 (1.78) Shares for every one (1) Share subject thereto. Further, if Shares acquired pursuant to any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Purchase Rights granted on or after May 14, 2008 but prior to May 18, 2011 are forfeited or repurchased by the Company and would otherwise return to the Plan pursuant to this Section 4, one and 78/100 (1.78) times the number of Shares so forfeited or repurchased will return to the Plan and will again become available for issuance.
(1) Includes 58,000,000 Shares approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 14, 2008 and 19,000,000 Shares approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 18, 2011.
Any Shares subject to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Purchase Rights granted on or after May 18, 2011 will be counted against the numerical limits of this Section 4 as one and 61/100 (1.61) Shares for every one (1) Share subject thereto. Further, if Shares acquired pursuant to any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Purchase Rights granted on or after May 18, 2011 are forfeited or repurchased by the Company and would otherwise return to the Plan pursuant to this Section 4, one and 61/100 (1.61) times the number of Shares so forfeited or repurchased will return to the Plan and will again become available for issuance.
5. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers.
(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. For purposes of qualifying grants of Awards as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Committee on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Awards to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Awards that are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Awards under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).
(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;
(viii) to determine the form and manner in which Participants may designate beneficiaries of Awards in the event of the Participant’s death, including determining the Participants or classes of Participants who may designate beneficiaries with respect to any Award or type of Award;
(ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;
(x) to allow Optionees to satisfy Tax Obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;
(xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; and
(xii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Additional Power of Administrator Requiring Stockholder Approval. The Administrator shall have authority to take the following actions, but only if not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of the Plan and only if approval by the Company’s stockholders is obtained:
(i) reduce the exercise price of any Award to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Award shall have declined since the date the Award was granted; provided, however, that the Administrator shall have the power to make adjustments in the exercise price of any Award pursuant to Section 16 without the necessity of obtaining stockholder approval;
(ii) institute an Option Exchange Program to allow for the cancellation of an outstanding Option followed by its immediate replacement with a new Option with a lower exercise price, or with a different type of Award, cash or a combination thereof; provided, however, that the Administrator shall have the power to make adjustments in the exercise price of any Award pursuant to Section 16 without the necessity of obtaining stockholder approval; and
(iii) institute any other program that would constitute a revaluation or repricing of Options; provided, however, that the Administrator shall have the power to make adjustments in the exercise price of any Award pursuant to Section 16 without the necessity of obtaining stockholder approval.
(d) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
6. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
7. Limitations.
(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 7(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(b) Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.
(c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units:
(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units to purchase more than 5,000,000 Shares.
(ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units to purchase up to an additional 5,000,000 Shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.
(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 16.
(iv) If an Option, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Unit is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 16), the cancelled Option, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Unit is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units and the grant of a new Option, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock Units.
8. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 22 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon adoption by the Board and obtaining stockholder approval. The Plan amends and restates the previous 1996 Stock Plan. It shall continue in effect until March 25, 2021 unless terminated earlier under Section 18 of the Plan.
9. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Award Agreement; however, the term of an Option granted on or after April 9, 2008 shall be no longer than ten (10) years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
10. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.
(B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted on or after April 9, 2008, except as may be required by law to ensure favorable tax treatment in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Grant Date. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.
(b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
(c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) other Shares, which in the case of Shares acquired directly or indirectly from the Company, (A) have been vested and owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
(iv) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;
(v) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee’s participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;
(vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
11. Exercise of Option.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. Except for options granted prior to October 11, 1996, or unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 16 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee’s death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Optionee’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Optionee’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Optionee’s death in a
form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, pursuant to Section 5(b)(viii). If no beneficiary has been designated by the Optionee in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Optionee’s estate or in the event no administration of the Optionee’s estate is required, then by the successor-in-interest to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
12. Stock Purchase Rights.
(a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Purchase Rights granted to any Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted Stock Purchase Rights covering more than 5,000,000 Shares, unless in connection with his or her initial service as described in Section 7(c)(ii).
(c) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser’s service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.
(d) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(e) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 16 of the Plan.
(f) Death of Participant.
(i) Exercise of Stock Purchase Right. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Stock Purchase Right may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Stock Purchase Right is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration date set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, pursuant to Section 5(b)(viii). If no beneficiary has been designated by the Participant in a form
and manner acceptable to the Administrator, then such Stock Purchase Right may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or in the event no administration of the Participant’s estate is required, then by the successor-in-interest to whom the Stock Purchase Right is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be. If, at the time of death, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Stock Purchase Right, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Stock Purchase Right shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Stock Purchase Right is not so exercised within the time as specified in the Award Agreement, the Stock Purchase Right shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Stock Purchase Right shall revert to the Plan.
(ii) Release from Escrow. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, any Shares subject to a Stock Purchase Right (A) that have been released from the Company’s repurchase option or for which the Company’s repurchase option expires or has expired unexercised, and (B) that are not yet released from escrow, shall be issued, and certificates evidencing such released Shares shall be delivered, to the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, pursuant to Section 5(b)(viii). If no beneficiary has been designated by the Participant in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, then such Shares shall be transferred to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or in the event no administration of the Participant’s estate is required, then to the successor-in-interest pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be.
13. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Employees and Consultants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator may grant affiliated SARs, freestanding SARs, tandem SARs, or any combination thereof.
(i) Number of Shares. The Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted SARs covering more than 5,000,000 Shares, unless in connection with his or her initial service as described in Section 7(c)(ii).
(ii) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan. However, except as may be required by law to ensure favorable tax treatment in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, the exercise price of a freestanding SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. The exercise price of tandem or affiliated SARs shall equal the Exercise Price of the related Option.
(b) Exercise of Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable. With respect to a tandem SAR granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option: (a) the tandem SAR shall expire no later than the expiration of the underlying Incentive Stock Option; (b) the value of the payout with respect to the tandem SAR shall be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Exercise Price of the underlying Incentive Stock Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying Incentive Stock Option at the time the tandem SAR is exercised; and (c) the tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option exceeds the Exercise Price of the Incentive Stock Option.
(c) Exercise of Affiliated SARs. An affiliated SAR shall be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the related Option. The deemed exercise of an affiliated SAR shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject to the related Option.
(d) Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(e) SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(f) Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; however, a SAR granted on or after April 9, 2008 shall expire no later than ten (10) years from the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 11 also shall apply to SARs.
(g) Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon a SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof. For purposes of Section 4 of the Plan, the reduction in Shares available for future issuance upon the grant of the SAR will be determined at the Grant Date based on the full number of Shares subject to the SAR. Upon settlement of the SAR, there will be no further reduction in Shares available for future issuance under Section 4 of the Plan. Upon the forfeiture of all or a portion of the SAR, the forfeited Shares shall be returned to the Shares available for future issuance under Section 4 of the Plan. For avoidance of doubt, upon settlement of a SAR, Shares will not be returned to the Shares available for future issuance under Section 4 of the Plan, notwithstanding the fact that if Shares are issued in settlement of a SAR they will be issued only based on the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price.
14. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to each Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted Restricted Stock Units covering more than 5,000,000 Shares, unless in connection with his or her initial service as described in Section 7(c)(ii).
(c) Value of Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the Grant Date.
(d) Performance Goals and Other Terms. The Administrator will set Performance Goals or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Service Providers. The time period during which the Performance Goals or other vesting provisions (including the effects of an actual change of control) must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” Each award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other
terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set Performance Goals based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(e) Duration of Performance Periods. The Administrator will set the length of time for a Performance Period, subject to the following limits:
(i) The Performance Period related to Restricted Stock Units with Performance Goals shall not be less than one (1) year; and
(ii) The Performance Period related to Restricted Stock Units with time-based vesting provisions shall not be less than three (3) years;
provided, however, that up to five percent (5%) of the shares currently authorized for grant under the Plan may be subject to Restricted Stock Units without such limits on the length of the Performance Period.
(f) Earning of Restricted Stock Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Restricted Stock Units will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Restricted Stock Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Administrator shall not reduce or waive any Performance Goals or other vesting provisions for such Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any Performance Goals or other vesting provisions for such Restricted Stock Unit in the event of a Participant’s death, Disability, or Retirement, or in the event of an actual change of control, the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or a merger of the Company with or into another entity pursuant to which the stockholders of the Company before such transaction do not retain, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the beneficial interest in the voting stock of the Company after such transaction.
(g) Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Restricted Stock Units at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
(h) Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
(i) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, any earned Restricted Stock Units that have not yet been paid shall be paid to the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participant’s death in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, pursuant to Section 5(b)(viii). If no beneficiary has been designated by the Participant in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, then such earned Restricted Stock Units shall be paid to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or in the event no administration of the Participant’s estate is required, then to the successor-in-interest pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be. If, at the time of death, the Participant holds any Restricted Stock Units that are not yet earned, the unearned Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company, and again shall be available for grant under the Plan.
15. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator and except as set forth in Sections 11(d), 12(f), 13(f) and 14(i), an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned,
hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
16. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution or Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits in Sections 4, 7, 13 and 14 of the Plan, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Award shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 16(b) to the contrary, for Awards granted on or after August 14, 2008, that may be considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, the payment of any Awards that accelerate in accordance with this Section 16(b) nevertheless will be made at the same time or times as if such Awards had vested in accordance with the vesting provisions applicable to such Awards unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. For Awards granted prior to August 14, 2008, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. For Awards granted on or after August 14, 2008, in the event of (i) a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, other than a merger which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its Parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its Parent outstanding immediately after such merger or (ii) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award (whether granted prior to, on or after August 14, 2008), the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse,
and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of 15 days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this Section 16(c), the Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Award confers the right (on no less favorable terms and conditions) to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Restricted Stock Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Restricted Stock Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Units by the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 16(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s corporate structure post-merger or post-sale of assets will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
17. Date of Grant. The Grant Date of an Award shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws, and to adopt material Plan amendments, including:
(i) A material increase in benefits accrued to Participants under the Plan;
(ii) An increase in the number of shares that may be optioned or sold under the Plan;
(iii) A material modification (expansion or reduction) of the class of participants in the Plan; or
(iv) A provision permitting the Administrator to lapse or waive restrictions on Awards at its discretion.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
20. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
21. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
22. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
23. Tax Withholding.
(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy an amount sufficient to satisfy all Tax Obligations with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such Tax Withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (a) paying cash, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld, or (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.