Modelo de acordo de opções de estoque de empregado
PLANO DE INCENTIVO DE EQUIDADE 2012.
ACORDO DE OPÇÃO DE ACÇÃO.
Salvo definição em contrário, os termos em maiúsculas terão o significado estabelecido no Plano de Incentivo de Patrimônio de 2012 da WordLogic Corporation (o & quot; Plan & quot;).
1. AVISO DE CONCESSÃO DE OPÇÃO DE STOCK.
Você obteve uma opção para comprar ações ordinárias, sujeito aos termos e condições do Plano e deste Contrato de opção, da seguinte forma:
Nome do Optionee:
Número total de ações concedidas:
Opção de compra não estatutária.
Opção de opção de incentivo.
Preço de exercício por ação:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Esta opção pode ser exercida, no todo ou em parte, de acordo com o seguinte cronograma:
[___]% das Ações sujeitas à opção devem vir [__] meses após a Data de Início do Vencimento, e [__]% das Ações sujeitas à opção serão adquiridas cada [ano / trimestre / mês] posteriormente, sujeito à O optionee continuará a ser um Provedor de Serviços em tais datas.
Esta opção pode ser exercida por três meses após a data de rescisão do optante, exceto que, se a Cessação do Serviço do Opcanteta for por Causa, esta opção terminará na Data de Rescisão. Após a morte ou deficiência do optante, esta opção pode ser exercida por 12 meses após a data de rescisão do optante. Os períodos especiais de rescisão são estabelecidos nas Seções 2.3 (B), 2.9 e 2.10 abaixo. Em nenhum caso, esta opção poderá ser exercida posteriormente ao prazo de prêmio / prazo de expiração fornecido abaixo.
Prazo de entrega / data de expiração:
2.1 Concessão de opção. O Administrador, por este meio, concede ao opcional designado no Aviso de Subsídio de Opção de Compra de Ações anexado como Parte I deste Contrato de Opção (o & quot; Optionee & quot;); uma opção (a opção & quot;) para comprar o número de Ações conforme estabelecido em a concessão de opção de compra de ações, ao preço de exercício por ação estabelecido na Notificação de Subsídio de Opção de Compra de Ações (o & quot; preço de exercício & quot;), sujeito aos termos e condições deste Contrato de Opção e do Plano. Esta Opção destina-se a ser uma opção de ações não estatutária ("NSO") ou uma opção de opção de incentivo ("ISO"), conforme previsto no aviso de outorga de opção de compra de ações.
2.2 Exercício da Opção.
(A) Vesting / Right to Exercise. Esta Opção é exercível durante o prazo, de acordo com o Cronograma de Vencimento estabelecido na Seção 1 e as disposições aplicáveis deste Contrato de Opção e do Plano. Em nenhum caso, esta Opção se tornará exercível para ações adicionais após uma Rescisão de Serviço por qualquer motivo. Não obstante o que precede, esta Opção pode ser exercida integralmente se a Companhia estiver sujeita a uma Mudança no Controle antes da Rescisão do Serviço do Optometrista e, no prazo de 12 meses após a Mudança no Controle, o Opcional está sujeito a uma Rescisão do Serviço resultante de: (i ) a descarga involuntária do Optionee pela Companhia (ou pelo afiliado que o emprega) por razões diferentes da Causa (definida abaixo), morte ou deficiência; ou (ii) a renúncia de Optionee pela Good Reason (definida abaixo). Esta opção também pode tornar-se exercível de acordo com a Seção 2.11 abaixo.
O termo "Causa" significa (1) o roubo, desonestidade ou falsificação de qualquer documento ou registro da Companhia ou de qualquer afiliado do Optionee; (2) o uso indevido ou a divulgação de informações confidenciais ou proprietárias da Companhia ou de qualquer Afiliado do Optionee, que resulte ou resultará em danos materiais à Companhia ou a qualquer Afiliado; (3) qualquer ação do Optionee que tenha um efeito prejudicial sobre a reputação ou negócios da Companhia ou de qualquer Afiliado; (4) o fracasso ou a incapacidade do Optionee de executar quaisquer tarefas razoáveis atribuídas após notificação por escrito da Companhia ou de um Afiliado, e uma oportunidade razoável para curar, tal falha ou incapacidade; (5) qualquer violação material pelo Optionee de qualquer contrato de emprego ou serviço entre o Optionee e a Companhia ou um Afiliado, cuja violação não seja curada de acordo com os termos desse contrato; (6) a condenação do Optionee (incluindo qualquer pedido de culpa ou nolo contendere) de qualquer ato criminoso que prejudique a capacidade do Optionee de desempenhar seus deveres junto à Companhia ou a um Afiliado; ou (7) violação de uma política material da Empresa. O termo "Boa Razão" significa, conforme determinado pelo Administrador: (A) uma alteração adversa relevante no título, estatura, autoridade ou responsabilidades do Titular da Opção com a Companhia (ou a afiliada que o emprega); (B) uma redução material no salário base do Optionee ou na oportunidade de bônus anual; ou (C) recebimento de aviso de que o principal local de trabalho do Optionee será transferido por mais de 50 milhas.
(B) Método de exercício. Esta Opção é exercível ao entregar ao Administrador um "Aviso de Exercício" completamente executado ou por qualquer outro método aprovado pelo Administrador. O Aviso de Exercício deverá prever que o Titular do Opções seja eleito para exercer a Opção, o número de Ações em relação às quais a Opção está sendo exercida (as "Ações Exercizadas") e quaisquer outras representações e acordos que possam ser exigidos pelo Administrador . O pagamento do Preço de Exercício agregado total para todas as Ações Exercitas deve acompanhar o Aviso de Exercício. Esta Opção será considerada exercida após o recebimento pelo Administrador de tal Aviso de Exercício totalmente executado acompanhado de tal Preço de Exercício agregado. O Optionee é responsável por arquivar qualquer relatório de remessa ou outros documentos de câmbio exigidos para pagar o Preço de Exercício.
2.3 Limitação no exercício.
(A) A concessão desta Opção e a emissão de Ações após o exercício desta Opção estão sujeitas ao cumprimento de todas as Leis Aplicáveis. Esta Opção não pode ser exercida se a emissão de Ações após o exercício constitua uma violação de qualquer Lei Aplicável. Além disso, esta Opção não pode ser exercida a menos que (i) uma declaração de registro nos termos do Securities Act de 1933, conforme alterada (a "Lei de Valores Mobiliários") está em vigor no momento do exercício desta Opção com relação às Ações; ou (ii) na opinião de advogados da Companhia, as Ações que podem ser emitidas após o exercício desta Opção podem ser emitidas de acordo com os termos de uma isenção aplicável dos requisitos de registro do Securities Act. O Optionee é advertido de que, a menos que as condições acima sejam satisfeitas, o Optionee pode não ser capaz de exercer a Opção quando desejado, mesmo que a opção seja adquirida. Como uma condição adicional para o exercício desta Opção, a Companhia poderá exigir que o Optionee satisfaça todas as qualificações que sejam necessárias ou apropriadas, para comprovar conformidade com qualquer lei ou regulamento aplicável e para fazer qualquer representação ou garantia com relação a ela, conforme possível solicitado pela Companhia. Qualquer Ação que seja emitida será "títulos restritos" uma vez que esse termo é definido na Regra 144 sob a Lei de Valores Mobiliários, e terá uma legenda restritiva adequada, a menos que estejam registrados nos termos do Securities Act. A Companhia não tem obrigação de registrar as Ações que podem ser emitidas após o exercício desta Opção.
(B) Período de rescisão especial. Se o exercício da Opção no último dia do período de rescisão estabelecido na Seção 1 for impedido pela operação do parágrafo (A) desta Seção 2.3, essa Opção permanecerá exercível até 14 dias após a primeira data em que o parágrafo (A) não funciona para evitar o exercício da Opção.
2.4 Método de pagamento. O pagamento do preço de exercício agregado deve ser feito por qualquer dos seguintes métodos; desde que, no entanto, o pagamento esteja em estrita conformidade com todos os procedimentos estabelecidos pelo Administrador:
(B) verificação ou transferência bancária;
(C) sujeito a quaisquer condições ou limitações estabelecidas pelo Administrador, outras Ações que tenham um Valor de Mercado Justo na data de entrega ou atestado igual ao Preço de Exercício agregado;
(D) a contraprestação recebida pela Companhia no âmbito de um programa de venda e remessa de caixa aceita pelo Administrador (os Diretores e Diretores não podem usar este procedimento se este procedimento violar a Seção 402 da Lei Sarbanes-Oxley de 2002, como alteradas);
(E) sujeito a quaisquer condições ou limitações estabelecidas pelo Administrador, retenção pela Companhia de tantas das Ações que de outra forma teriam sido entregues após o exercício da Opção, conforme o Valor de Mercado Justo na data de exercício igual ao exercício agregado preço de todas as Ações em relação ao qual a Opção está sendo exercida, desde que a Opção seja entregue e cancelada em relação a tais Ações; ou.
(F) qualquer combinação dos métodos de pagamento anteriores.
2.5 Saída de Ausência. O Optometrista não deve incorrer em uma Rescisão de Serviço quando o Optionee for em uma ausência de boa-fé, se a licença foi aprovada pela Companhia (ou afiliado empregando-a) por escrito e se continuar a creditar o serviço é exigido pelos termos da licença ou pela lei aplicável. O Optionee deve incorrer em uma Rescisão do Serviço quando a licença aprovada terminar, no entanto, a menos que o Optionee retorne imediatamente ao trabalho ativo.
Para fins de ISOs, nenhuma licença de ausência pode exceder três meses, a menos que o direito ao reempleamento após o vencimento da licença seja fornecido por lei ou contrato. Se o direito ao reempleamento não for fornecido por estatuto ou contrato, o Optativo será considerado como tendo incorrido em uma Rescisão do Serviço no primeiro dia imediatamente posterior a esse período de licença de três meses para fins de ISO e esta Opção deixará de ser tratada como um ISO e terminará após o vencimento do período de três meses que começa a data de conclusão da relação de trabalho.
2.6 Não Transferibilidade da Opção. Esta Opção não pode ser transferida de forma diferente da vontade ou pelas leis de descida e distribuição, e pode ser exercida durante a vida útil do Optionee somente pelo Optionee. Os termos deste Contrato de Opção e do Plano serão vinculativos para os executores, administradores, herdeiros, sucessores e cessionários do Optionee. Esta Opção não pode ser atribuída, prometida ou hipotecida pelo Optionee, seja por lei ou de outra forma, e não está sujeita a execução, apego ou processo similar. Não obstante o que precede, se esta Opção for designada como Opção de Compra Não Estatutária, o Administrador poderá, a seu exclusivo critério, permitir que o Optionee transfira esta Opção como um presente para um ou mais membros da família. Para fins deste Contrato de opção, "membro da família" significa uma criança, um enteado, um neto, um pai, um padrasto, um avô, um cônjuge, um ex-cônjuge, um irmão, uma sobrinha, um sobrinho, uma sogra, um sogro, um genro, uma nora, um irmão em lei ou cunhada (incluindo relações de adopção), qualquer pessoa que compartilhe a casa do Opereele (que não seja um inquilino ou empregado), um trust em que um ou mais desses indivíduos tenham mais de 50% dos benefícios interesse, uma base em que o Optionee ou uma ou mais dessas pessoas controlam a administração de ativos e qualquer entidade em que o Optionee ou uma ou mais dessas pessoas possuam mais de 50% dos juros de voto. Não obstante o que precede, durante qualquer Período de Qualificação da Califórnia, esta Opção não pode ser transferida de forma diferente da vontade, pelas leis de descendência e distribuição, ou, se for designada como Opção de Ações Não Estatutária, conforme permitido pela Regra 701 de a Securities Act de 1933, conforme alterada, conforme o Administrador pode determinar a seu exclusivo critério.
2.7 Prazo da Opção. Esta Opção pode ser exercida somente dentro do prazo estabelecido no Aviso de Subsídio de Opção de Compra de Ações, e pode ser exercida durante esse prazo somente de acordo com este Contrato de Opção e o Plano.
2.8 Obrigações fiscais.
(A) Impostos retidos na fonte. O Optionee deve fazer os arranjos adequados com o Administrador para satisfação de todos os impostos de renda federais, estaduais, locais e estrangeiros aplicáveis, imposto sobre o emprego e quaisquer outros impostos devidos como resultado do exercício da Opção. Com o consentimento do Administrador, esses acordos podem incluir a retenção de Ações que, de outra forma, seriam emitidas para o Optionee de acordo com o exercício desta Opção. A Companhia pode se recusar a honrar o exercício e se recusar a entregar as Ações se esses valores de retenção não forem entregues no momento do exercício.
(B) Aviso de Disqualificação da Disposição de Ações ISO. Se a Opção for um ISO e, se o Optionee vender ou de qualquer outro modo alienar qualquer uma das Ações adquiridas de acordo com o exercício do ISO em ou antes da data de (i) a data dois anos após a Data de Subvenção, ou (ii) a data de um ano após a data do exercício, o Optativo deve notificar imediatamente o Administrador por escrito dessa disposição. O Optionee pode estar sujeito a retenção de imposto de renda pela Companhia sobre a receita de remuneração reconhecida pelo Optionee.
2.9 Período de rescisão especial se o Optionee estiver sujeito à Seção 16 (b). Se uma venda dentro do prazo de rescisão aplicável estabelecido na Seção 1 das Ações adquiridas após o exercício desta Opção sujeitará o Optometrista a ser objeto de acordo com a Seção 16 (b) da Lei de Câmbio, esta Opção permanecerá exercível até o primeiro momento de ocorrência de (i) o décimo dia após a data em que a venda de tais ações pelo Optionee não estaria mais sujeita a tal ação, (ii) o 190º dia após a Rescisão do Serviço do Optometrista, ou (iii) a Data de Vencimento.
2.10 Período de rescisão especial se o Optionee estiver sujeito ao período de apagamento. A Companhia estabeleceu uma Política de Negociação de Insider (como tal política pode ser alterada de tempos em tempos, a "Política") relativa à negociação, enquanto possuir informações relevantes e não divulgadas. A Política proíbe os diretores, diretores, funcionários e consultores da Companhia e suas controladas de negociar em valores mobiliários da Companhia durante certos "Períodos de Blackout" conforme descrito na Política. Se o último dia do período de rescisão estabelecido na Seção 1 for durante esse Período de Blackout, essa Opção permanecerá exercível até 14 dias após a primeira data em que não existe mais um Período de Blackout aplicável ao Optionee.
2.11 Mudança no controle. Após uma Mudança de Controle antes da Rescisão do Serviço do Optometralizado, a Opção será assumida ou uma opção ou direito equivalente substituído pela corporação sucessora ou por uma das partes ou subsidiárias da corporação sucessora. Se a corporação sucessora se recusar a assumir ou substituir a Opção, imediatamente antes e dependendo da consumação da Mudança no Controle, o Titular do Contrato será adquirido e terá o direito de exercer a Opção. Além disso, se a Opção for totalmente adquirida e exercitável em vez de assumir ou substituir no caso de uma Mudança no Controle, o Administrador notificará o Oportente por escrito ou eletronicamente que a Opção será totalmente adquirida e exercível por um período determinado por o Administrador, a seu exclusivo critério, e a Opção terminará após o vencimento desse período.
2.12 Restrições à revenda. O Optionee não deve vender nenhuma Ação em um momento em que a Lei Aplicável, as políticas da Companhia ou um acordo entre a Companhia e seus subscritores proíbam uma venda. Esta restrição deve ser aplicada desde que o Optionee seja um Provedor de Serviços e por esse período após a Rescisão do Serviço do Opcenele como o Administrador pode especificar.
2.13 Contrato de bloqueio. Em conexão com qualquer oferta pública subscrita de Ações feitas pela Companhia de acordo com uma declaração de registro arquivada na Lei de Valores Mobiliários, o Oferente não deve oferecer, vender, contratar para vender, penhorar, hipotecar, conceder qualquer opção para comprar ou fazer qualquer venda curta ou, de outra forma, alienar quaisquer Ações (incluindo, mas não se limitando a, Ações sujeitas a esta Opção) ou quaisquer direitos para adquirir Ações da Companhia por esse período que comece na data de arquivamento dessa declaração de registro com a Securities and Exchange Commission e final no momento que possa ser estabelecido pelos subscritores para tal oferta pública; desde que, no entanto, esse período termine no prazo máximo de 180 dias a partir da data efetiva dessa declaração de registro. A limitação acima referida não se aplica às ações registradas para venda em oferta pública.
2.14 Acordo completo; Lei aplicável. Este Contrato de Opção e o Plano constituem o acordo completo das partes em relação ao assunto em questão e substituem na íntegra todos os compromissos e acordos anteriores da Companhia e Optionee em relação ao assunto em questão e não podem ser modificados de forma adversa para interesse do Optionee, exceto por meio de um escrito assinado pela Companhia e Optionee. Este Contrato de Opção é regido pelas leis substantivas internas, mas não pela escolha de leis, de Nevada.
2.15 Nenhuma Garantia de Serviço Continuado. A aquisição da Opção de acordo com o Cronograma de Vesting é gerada apenas pela continuação como Provedor de Serviços à vontade da Companhia (e não pelo ato de ser contratado, sendo concedida uma Opção ou compra de Ações abaixo). Este Contrato de Opção, as transações contempladas a seguir e a Tabela de Vencimento aqui estabelecida não constituem uma promessa expressa ou implícita de continuar a ser contratada como Provedor de Serviços para o período de aquisição, por qualquer período ou não, e não deve interferir com o Opção direito ou o direito da Companhia de rescindir o relacionamento do Optionee como um Provedor de Serviços a qualquer momento, com ou sem Causa.
Com a assinatura do Optionee e a assinatura do representante da Companhia abaixo, o Oporté e a Companhia concordam que esta Opção é concedida de acordo com os termos e condições deste Contrato de Opção e do Plano. O Optativo revisou este Contrato de Opção e o Plano na sua totalidade, teve a oportunidade de obter o conselho de advogado antes de executar este Contrato de Opção e entende inteiramente todas as provisões deste Contrato de Opção e do Plano. O Optometrista concorda em aceitar como vinculante, conclusivo e final todas as decisões ou interpretações do Administrador sobre quaisquer questões relacionadas a este Contrato de Opção e ao Plano.
O Optionee concorda ainda que a Companhia pode entregar todos os documentos relativos ao Plano ou a esta Opção (incluindo os prospectos exigidos pela Comissão de Valores Mobiliários e Câmbio) e todos os outros documentos que a Companhia deve entregar aos seus segurados ou ao Optativo (incluindo relatórios anuais, declarações de procuração e demonstrações financeiras), seja por e-mail ou por notificação por e-mail de um local do site onde esses documentos foram publicados. O Optionee pode, a qualquer momento (i) revogar este consentimento para enviar por e-mail esses documentos; (ii) atualizar o endereço de e-mail para entrega desses documentos; (iii) obter gratuitamente uma cópia em papel desses documentos, em cada caso, escrevendo a Companhia em 1130 West Pender Street, Suite 230, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadá V6E 4A4. O Optionee pode solicitar uma cópia eletrônica de qualquer desses documentos solicitando uma cópia por escrito da Companhia. O Optionee entende que uma conta de e-mail e hardware e software apropriados, incluindo um computador ou telefone celular compatível e uma conexão com a Internet, serão necessários para acessar os documentos entregues por e-mail.
1130 West Pender Street, Suite 230.
Vancouver, Colúmbia Britânica.
Senhoras e senhores:
Por meio deste, exerço a Opção concedida em _______________, 2012, pela WORDLOGIC CORPORATION (the & # 147; Corporation & # 148;), sujeito a todos os termos e disposições do mesmo e do Plano de Incentivos de Patrimônio (the & # 147; Plan & # 148;), e notificá-lo sobre o meu desejo de comprar ___ ações de incentivo e ___ ações não qualificadas de ações ordinárias da Corporação a um preço de $ ____ por ação de acordo com o exercício da referida Opção.
Modelo de acordo de opções de estoque de empregado
GILEAD SCIENCES, INC.
A. O optante é prestar serviços valiosos à Corporação (ou a uma Entidade Relacionada), e este Contrato é executado de acordo com, e destina-se a levar a cabo os objetivos do Plano em conexão com a concessão da Corporação de um opção para Optionee.
B. Todos os termos em maiúsculas deste Contrato terão o significado que lhes é atribuído no Apêndice em anexo.
AGORA, POR ISSO, a Corporação concede uma opção à Optionee nos seguintes termos e condições:
1. Concessão de opção. A Corporação concede à pessoa identificada no Anexo I (The & # 147; Optionee & # 148;) uma opção para comprar ações ordinárias no âmbito do Plano. A data em que esta opção é concedida (a & # 147; Data de concessão & # 148;), o número de ações ordinárias compráveis sob esta opção (as & # 147; Opção Ações & # 148;), o preço de exercício a pagar por (o & # 147; Preço de exercício & # 148;), o cronograma de aquisição de direitos aplicável pelo qual esta opção deve ser adquirida e tornar-se exercível de forma incremental para as Ações de opção (a & # 147; Vesting Schedule & # 148;) e a data a ser usada para medir o prazo máximo desta opção (a & # 147; Data de expiração & # 148;) também são indicados no Anexo I anexo deste Contrato. A opção é uma opção não estatutária de acordo com as leis do imposto de renda federal dos EUA. Os termos e condições restantes que regem essa opção devem ser conforme estabelecido neste Contrato.
2. Prazo de opção. O prazo desta opção deve começar na data de outorga e continuar em vigor até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento especificado no Anexo I anexo, a menos que seja rescindido de acordo com o parágrafo 5 ou 6 abaixo.
3. Transferibilidade limitada.
(a) Esta opção pode ser atribuída, no todo ou em parte, durante a vida útil do Optionee a uma confiança viva. A parcela atribuída só pode ser exercida pelo Living Trust. Os termos aplicáveis à parcela atribuída serão os mesmos que os vigentes para a opção imediatamente anterior a essa cessão e serão estabelecidos em tais documentos a serem executados pelo Optionee e pelo Living Trust, conforme a Corporação julgar apropriada.
(b) Exceto pela transferibilidade limitada prevista no parágrafo 3 (a), esta opção não será transferível nem cessível por parte do Titular de Opções, exceto pelo testamento ou as leis de herança após a morte do Titular de Opções e poderá ser exercida, durante o Optário e # 146; s vida, apenas por Optionee. No entanto, o Optionee pode designar uma ou mais pessoas como beneficiário ou beneficiários desta opção ao preencher o formulário de Designação do Beneficiário Universal da Corporação e preencher o formulário preenchido com o Departamento de Recursos Humanos da Corporação. Caso o Titular do Optionee tal designação do Beneficiário Universal forme e morra enquanto mantém esta opção, então esta opção deve ser transferida automaticamente para o designado.
beneficiário ou beneficiários. Esse beneficiário ou beneficiários devem tomar a opção transferida sujeita a todos os termos e condições deste Contrato, incluindo (sem limitação) o período de tempo limitado durante o qual esta opção pode, de acordo com o parágrafo 5 abaixo, ser exercida após a morte do Optativo " .
4. Datas do Exercício. Esta opção deve ser adquirida e tornar-se exercível para as Ações de Opção em uma série de parcelas de acordo com o Cronograma de Vencimento estabelecido no Anexo I anexado. À medida que a opção se torna passível de exercício para essas parcelas, essas parcelas devem ser acumuladas e a opção permanecerá exercível para as parcelas acumuladas até o último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento ou qualquer rescisão mais cedo do prazo da opção nos termos do parágrafo 5 ou 6 abaixo.
5. Cessação do Serviço. O termo de opção especificado no parágrafo 2 acima deve rescindir (e esta opção deixará de estar pendente) antes da Data de Vencimento, caso uma das seguintes disposições se torne aplicável:
(a) Exceto quando expressamente previsto nos parágrafos (b) a (f) deste Parágrafo 5, se Optionee deixar de permanecer em Serviço Contínuo por qualquer motivo, enquanto esta opção estiver pendente, então o Optário terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil antes do vencimento do período de três (3) meses medido a partir da data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual para exercer esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações da Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no hora da cessação do Serviço Contínuo do Optometrado, mas, em nenhum caso, esta opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(b) No caso de o Optionee cessar o Serviço Contínuo por sua morte enquanto esta opção estiver em circulação, essa opção poderá ser exercida, para qualquer ou todas as Ações da Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento de Cessação do Serviço Contínuo pelo Operetista, por (i) o representante pessoal da propriedade do Optário ou (ii) a pessoa ou pessoas a quem a opção é transferida de acordo com a vontade do Optativo ou a lei de herança após a morte do Optionee # 146; s. No entanto, se o Optionee morrer durante a realização desta opção e tiver uma efetiva designação de beneficiário em vigor para esta opção no momento da sua morte, o beneficiário designado ou os beneficiários terão o direito exclusivo de exercer essa opção na sequência do Optário # 146; s morte. Qualquer direito desse exercício deve caducar, e esta opção deixará de estar pendente, após o encerramento do negócio, no último dia útil anterior ao anterior (i) o prazo de validade do período de doze (12) meses medido a partir de a data da morte do Optometrado ou (ii) a Data de Vencimento. Após a expiração desse período de exercício limitado, esta opção deve rescindir e deixar de estar pendente para quaisquer Ações de opção exercíveis para as quais a opção não tenha sido exercida de outra forma.
(c) Se o Titular da Opção cesse o Serviço Contínuo em razão da Incapacidade Permanente, enquanto essa opção estiver em circulação, então o Titular da opção terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior ao término do período de doze (12) meses medido a partir da data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual para exercer esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações de opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento da cessação do Serviço Contínuo. Em nenhum caso, no entanto, essa opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(d) Exceto se for de outra forma impedido pelas Leis Aplicáveis, deve (i) optar por cessar o Serviço Contínuo após a conclusão de pelo menos três (3) anos de Serviço Contínuo e (ii) a soma da idade atingida do Optário e os anos completos de O Serviço Contínuo no momento da cessação do serviço é igual ou superior a setenta (70) anos, então o Optionee terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior ao término do período de trinta e seis (36) meses medido a partir de a data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual é exercida esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações de Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento da cessação do Serviço Contínuo. Em nenhum caso, no entanto, essa opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(e) O período aplicável de exercicância pós-serviço em vigor de acordo com as disposições anteriores deste parágrafo 5 será automaticamente prorrogado por um período adicional de tempo igual a qualquer intervalo dentro desse período de exercício pós-serviço durante o qual o exercício de esta opção ou a venda imediata das Opções de Opção adquiridas ao abrigo desta opção não podem ser efetuadas de acordo com as leis de valores mobiliários federais e estaduais aplicáveis, mas, em nenhum caso, essa extensão resultará na continuação desta opção além do fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à data de expiração.
(f) Se o Serviço Contínuo do Opção for rescindido por Causa, ou se Optionee se envolver em qualquer outra conduta, enquanto estiver em Serviço Contínuo ou após a cessação do Serviço Contínuo, isso é materialmente prejudicial para o negócio ou assuntos da Corporação (ou qualquer Entidade Relacionada), conforme determinado a critério exclusivo do Administrador, esta opção, independentemente de ser adquirida e exercitável no momento, terminará imediatamente e deixará de estar pendente.
(g) Durante o período limitado de exercicios pós-serviço previsto no presente parágrafo 5, esta opção não pode ser exercida no total por mais do que o número de Ações de opção para as quais esta opção está no tempo adquirido e exercitável. Exceto na medida (se houver) especificamente autorizada pelo Administrador de acordo com um acordo expresso por escrito com o Opcional, esta opção não deve ser adquirida ou tornar-se exercível para quaisquer Ações de Opção adicionais, seja de acordo com o Cronograma de Vencimento normal estabelecido no Anexo I em anexo ou as disposições especiais de aceleração de aquisição de direitos do parágrafo 6 abaixo, após a cessação do serviço contínuo do opcional. Após a expiração desse período de exercício limitado ou (se anterior) no encerramento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento, esta opção deve rescindir e deixar de estar pendente para quaisquer Ações de Opções exercíveis para as quais a opção não tenha sido de outra forma foi exercido.
6. Aceleração especial da opção.
(a) Esta opção, na medida em que esteja em circulação no momento de uma Mudança de Controle real, mas não de outra forma totalmente exercível, deve acelerar automaticamente para que esta opção, imediatamente antes da data efetiva dessa Mudança no Controle, se torne exercível para todos das Ações de Opção no momento sujeito a esta opção e podem ser exercidas para qualquer ou todas essas Ações de Opção como ações de ações ordinárias totalmente adquiridas. No entanto, esta opção não pode tornar-se exercível de forma tão acelerada se e na medida em que: (i) isto.
A opção deve ser assumida pela corporação sucessora (ou por um dos seus paises) ou, de outra forma, deve continuar em pleno vigor e efeito de acordo com os termos da transação Alterar no Controle, (ii) esta opção deve ser substituída por um substituto economicamente equivalente prêmio ou (iii) esta opção deve ser substituída por um programa de retenção de caixa da corporação sucessora que preserva o spread existente no momento da Mudança de Controle em quaisquer Ações de Opção para as quais esta opção não é, nesse momento, adquirida e exercitável (the excess of the Fair Market Value of those Option Shares over the aggregate Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for the subsequent vesting and concurrent payout of that spread in accordance with the same Vesting Schedule for those Option Shares as set forth in attached Schedule I.
(b) Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control, this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.
(c) If this option is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities into which the shares of Common Stock subject to this option would have been converted in consummation of such Change in Control had those shares actually been outstanding at the time. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption or continuation of this option but subject to the Administrator’s approval, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control, provided such common stock is readily tradable on an established U. S. securities exchange or market.
(d) If this option is assumed or otherwise continued in effect in connection with a Change in Control or replaced with an economically-equivalent award or a cash retention program in accordance with Paragraph 6(a) above, then:
(i) the option (or such economically equivalent award) shall vest and become immediately exercisable for all of the Option Shares or other securities at the time subject to the option (or such award) and may, within the applicable exercise period under Paragraph 5, be exercised for any or all of those Option Shares or other securities as fully vested shares or securities, or.
(ii) the balance credited to Optionee under any cash retention program established pursuant to Paragraph 6(a) shall immediately be paid to Optionee in a lump sum, subject to the Corporation’s collection of all applicable Withholding Taxes;
if, within the period beginning with the execution date of the definitive agreement for the Change in Control transaction and ending with the earlier of (i) the termination of that definitive agreement without the consummation of such Change in Control or (ii) the expiration of the.
Applicable Acceleration Period following the consummation of such Change in Control, Optionee’s Continuous Service terminates due to an involuntary termination (other than for death or Permanent Disability) without Cause or a voluntary termination by Optionee due to Constructive Termination.
(e) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
7. Adjustment in Option Shares . Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares, spin-off transaction, or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration, or should the value of outstanding shares of Common Stock be substantially reduced as a result of a spin-off transaction or an extraordinary dividend or distribution, or should there occur any merger, consolidation or other reorganization, then equitable and proportional adjustments shall be made by the Administrator to (i) the total number and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price. The adjustments shall be made in such manner as the Administrator deems appropriate in order to reflect such change and thereby prevent the dilution or enlargement of benefits hereunder, and those adjustments shall be final, binding and conclusive upon Optionee and any other person or persons having an interest in the option. In the event of any Change in Control transaction, the adjustment provisions of Paragraph 6(c) above shall be controlling.
8. Stockholder Rights . The holder of this option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record of the purchased shares.
9. Manner of Exercising Option .
(a) In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the following actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Notice of Exercise as to the Option Shares for which the option is exercised or comply with such other procedures as the Corporation may establish for notifying the Corporation, either directly or through an on-line internet transaction with a brokerage firm authorized by the Corporation to effect such option exercises, of the exercise of this option for one or more Option Shares. Copies of the Notice of Exercise may be obtained from the Corporation’s intranet at gnet/finance/doc/noe. doc.
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A) cash or check made payable to the Corporation; ou.
(B) through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (i) to a brokerage firm (reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation for purposes of administering such procedure in accordance with the Corporation’s pre-clearance/pre-notification policies) to effect the immediate sale of all or a sufficient portion of the purchased shares so that such brokerage firm can remit to the Corporation, on the settlement date, sufficient funds out of the resulting sale proceeds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for all the purchased shares plus all applicable Withholding Taxes and (ii) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm on such settlement date.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Notice of Exercise (or other notification procedure) delivered to the Corporation in connection with the option exercise.
(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.
(iv) Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the satisfaction of all applicable Withholding Taxes.
(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares (either in paper or electronic form), with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.
(c) In no event may this option be exercised for any fractional shares.
10. Compliance with Laws and Regulations .
(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all Applicable Laws relating thereto.
(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall relieve the Corporation of.
any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such approvals.
11. Successors and Assigns . Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6 above, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and Optionee, Optionee’s assigns, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate and any beneficiaries of this option designated by Optionee.
12. Notices . Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the most current address then indicated for Optionee on the Corporation’s employee records or shall be delivered electronically to Optionee through the Corporation’s electronic mail system or through an on-line brokerage firm authorized by the Corporation to effect option exercises through the internet. All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or delivery through the Corporation’s electronic mail system or upon deposit in the U. S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.
13. Construction . This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the terms of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall be controlling. All decisions of the Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.
14. Governing Law . The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without resort to California’s conflict-of-laws rules.
15. Excess Shares . If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may without stockholder approval be issued under the Plan, then this option shall be void with respect to those excess shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. In no event shall the option be exercisable with respect to any of the excess Option Shares unless and until such stockholder approval is obtained.
16. Leaves of Absence . The following provisions shall govern leaves of absence, except to the extent the application of such provisions to Optionee would contravene Applicable Laws.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, Optionee’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to cease during any period for which Optionee is on a military leave, sick leave or other personal leave approved by the Corporation. However, Optionee shall not receive any Continuous Service credit, for purposes of vesting in this option and the Option Shares.
pursuant to the Vesting Schedule set forth in attached Schedule I, for any period of such leave of absence, except to the extent otherwise required by law or pursuant to the following policy:
- Optionee shall receive Continuous Service credit for such vesting purposes for (i) the first three (3) months of an approved personal leave of absence or (ii) the first seven (7) months of any bona fide leave of absence (other than an approved personal leave), but in no event beyond the expiration date of such leave of absence.
(b) In no event shall Optionee be deemed to remain in Continuous Service at any time after the earlier of (i) the expiration date of his or her leave of absence, unless Optionee returns to active Continuous Service on or before that date, or (ii) the date Optionee’s Continuous Service actually terminates by reason of his or her voluntary or involuntary termination or by reason of his or her death or disability.
17. Employment at Will . Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to remain in Employee status for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Related Entity employing Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Employee status at any time for any reason, with or without Cause.
18. Plan Prospectus . The official prospectus for the Plan is available on the Corporation’s intranet at: gnet/HR/stocks_new. asp . Optionee may also obtain a printed copy of the prospectus by contacting Stock Administration either through the internet at stockadministrationgilead or by telephoning 650-522-5517.
19. Optionee Acceptance . Optionee must accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement either electronically through the electronic acceptance procedure established by the Corporation or through a written acceptance delivered to the Corporation in a form satisfactory to the Corporation. In no event shall this option be exercised in the absence of such acceptance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Gilead Sciences, Inc. has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly-authorized officer on the day and year first indicated above.
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:
A. Administrator shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board (or a subcommittee thereof) acting in its capacity as administrator of the Plan.
B. Agreement shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
C. Applicable Acceleration Period shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(b) of the Plan and shall be determined on the basis of Optionee’s status on the Grant Date.
D. Applicable Laws shall mean the legal requirements related to the Plan and the option under applicable provisions of the federal securities laws, state corporate and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any applicable Stock Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed for trading, and the rules of any non-U. S. jurisdiction applicable to options granted to residents therein.
E. Board shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
F. Cause shall, for purposes of Paragraph 5 of the Agreement, mean the termination of Optionee’s Continuous Service as a result of Optionee’s (i) performance of any act, or failure to perform any act, in bad faith and to the detriment of the Corporation or a Related Entity; (ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct, material violation of any applicable Corporation or Related Entity policy, or material breach of any agreement with the Corporation or a Related Entity; or (iii) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person. However, for purposes of Paragraph 6(d) of the Agreement, Cause shall mean the termination of Optionee’s Continuous Service as a result of Optionee’s (a) conviction of, a guilty plea with respect to, or a plea of nolo contendere to, a charge that Optionee has committed a felony under the laws of the United States or of any State or a crime involving moral turpitude, including (without limitation) fraud, theft, embezzlement or any crime that results in or is intended to result in personal enrichment to Optionee at the expense of the Corporation or a Related Entity; (b) material breach of any agreement entered into between Optionee and the Corporation or a Related Entity that impairs the Corporation’s or the Related Entity’s interest therein; (c) willful misconduct, significant failure to perform his or her duties or gross neglect of his or her duties; or (d) engagement in any activity that constitutes a material conflict of interest with the Corporation or a Related Entity.
G. Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:
(i) a merger, consolidation or other reorganization approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the.
successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction;
(ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets;
(iii) the closing of any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which any person or any group of persons comprising a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the 1934 Act (other than the Corporation or a person that, prior to such transaction or series of related transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Corporation) becomes directly or indirectly (whether as a result of a single acquisition or by reason of one or more acquisitions within the twelve - (12) month period ending with the most recent acquisition) the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing (or convertible into or exercisable for securities possessing) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities (as measured in terms of the power to vote with respect to the election of Board members) outstanding immediately after the consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions, whether such transaction involves a direct issuance from the Corporation or th e acquisition of outstanding securities held by one or more of the Corporation’s existing stockholders; ou.
(iv) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of twelve (12) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (a) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (b) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) above who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or nomination.
In no event, however, shall a Change in Control be deemed to occur upon a merger, consolidation or other reorganization effected primarily to change the State of the Corporation’s incorporation or to create a holding company structure pursuant to which the Corporation becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of an entity whose outstanding voting securities immediately after its formation are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to the formation of such entity.
H. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
I. Common Stock shall mean shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
J. Constructive Termination shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11(d) of the Plan.
K. Consultant shall mean any person, including an advisor, who is compensated by the Corporation or any Related Entity for services performed as a non-employee consultant; provided, however, that the term “Consultant” shall not include non-employee Directors serving in their capacity as Board members. The term “Consultant” shall include a member of the board of directors of a Related Entity.
L. Continuous Service shall mean the performance of services for the Corporation or a Related Entity (whether now existing or subsequently established) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, Director or Consultant. For purposes of this Agreement, Optionee shall be deemed to cease Continuous Service immediately upon the occurrence of either of the following events: (i) Optionee no longer performs services in any of the foregoing capacities for the Corporation or any Related Entity or (ii) the entity for which Optionee is performing such services ceases to remain a Related Entity of the Corporation, even though Optionee may subsequently continue to perform services for that entity. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an effective termination of Optionee’s service as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of such service to the Corporation or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that must be fulfilled before Optionee’s termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant can be effective under Applicable Laws.
M. Corporation shall mean Gilead Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Gilead Sciences, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
N. Director shall mean a member of the Board.
O. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Related Entity), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.
P. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the option shall have been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.
Q. Exercise Price shall mean the exercise price payable per Option Share as specified in attached Schedule I.
R. Expiration Date shall mean the date specified on attached Schedule I for measuring the maximum term for which the option may remain outstanding.
S. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be the closing price per share of Common Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) on that date, as quoted on the Stock Exchange that is at the time serving as the primary trading market for the Common Stock; provided, however, that if there no reported closing price or.
closing bid for that date, then the closing price or closing bid, as applicable, for the last trading date on which such closing price or closing bid was quoted shall be determinative of such Fair Market Value. The applicable quoted price shall be as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable.
T. Grant Date shall mean the date on which the option is granted, as specified on attached Schedule I.
U. Living Trust shall mean a revocable living trust established by Optionee or by Optionee and his or her spouse of which Optionee is the sole trustee (or sole co-trustee with his or her spouse) and sole beneficiary (or sole co-beneficiary with his or her spouse) during Optionee’s lifetime.
V. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
W. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.
X. Notice of Exercise shall mean the notice of option exercise in the form authorized by the Corporation.
Y. Option Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option as specified in attached Schedule I.
Z. Optionee shall mean the person identified in attached Schedule I to whom the option is granted pursuant to the Agreement.
AA. Parent shall mean a “parent corporation,” whether now existing or hereafter established, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
BB. Permanent Disability shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.
CC. Plan shall mean the Corporation’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
DD. Related Entity shall mean (i) any Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation and (ii) any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation and ending with the corporation in the chain for which Optionee provides services as an Employee, Director or Consultant, provided each corporation in such chain owns securities representing at least twenty percent (20%) of the total outstanding voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation or entity in such chain and there is a legitimate non-tax business purpose for making this option grant to Optionee.
EE. Stock Exchange shall mean the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global or Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange.
FF. Subsidiary shall mean a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now existing or hereafter established, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
GG. Vesting Schedule shall mean the schedule set forth in attached Schedule I, pursuant to which the option is to vest and become exercisable for the Option Shares in a series of installments over Optionee’s period of Continuous Service.
HH. Withholding Taxes shall mean the federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes and the employee portion of the federal, state, local and/or foreign employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of the option.
OPTION GRANT SPECIFICS.
Total Number of Option Shares: «SHARES_GRANTED»
The option will vest and become exercisable for the number of Option Shares noted on the first line above on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, as noted by the date listed under “Full Vest Date.” With respect to each subsequent line, the option will vest and become exercisable for the listed Option Shares in equal quarterly installments, beginning one quarter after the Full Vest Date on the previous line and ending on the corresponding Full Vest Date for the listed Option Shares at issue. Fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Equidam | Business Valuation.
9 August 2016 Stefani Bozadzhieva 4 comments.
In our previous post about how much equity to offer to investors at different funding rounds, we looked at the equity boundaries that a founder can offer at the different stages of development of a startup.
However, there is also the case of rewarding early employees with stock options. In our experience, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to assigning employee stock options but there are some similarities and terms you need to be aware of.
O que é uma opção de estoque?
First of all, you need to keep in mind that stock options are nothing else than a contract. So the terms discussed here are nothing else than the terms of a contract only they are adjusted to the case, to the type of company and to the type of employee. You usually have a very high degree of customization. But what you cannot customize is the way an option works.
A stock option functions in the following way: you assign the right to a person - the holder , to buy a certain underlying asset – in this case the shares in your company, at a price that you decide today.
The bet for the holder of the option is that the price of the asset tomorrow is going to be higher than the price of the option.
Terms in a stock option agreement.
1| Who to entitle with stock options.
This really depends on the culture of the company and the choice of who you want to entitle with stock options will also determine the terms of this contract. The common practice is to reward with stock options early employees – say the first up to 10 employees beyond the founders. The reason is that they are like founders or they have been working as founders so you want to make sure that you keep them throughout the life of your startup.
In Uber it’s kind of common practice to give options to everybody but they also give very strict terms to convert the option.
2|What percentage to give.
There is no common rule for this. It really depends on the person that is getting the options. For some ideas you can also look at Angel list. There are some offers for developers with stock options equity ranging from 2% to 10% of the equity. Keep in mind that whatever the percentage is, it needs to be converted in the number of shares at the moment in which the option is issued.
This is very important because percentages are relative and the number of shares is nominal - fixed. So if you issue the option today it’s going to have a fixed number of shares. This means that the holder of that option, so the potential buyer of the shares, is also subject to future dilution just like any investors that would invest today for the same number of options.
3| The type of shares.
It is not recommended that the shares that you give away are preferred shares. So it is best for this purpose to use the junior level shares – common shares, or even a level below – no voting shares. It is also common to create an option pool, which means that you reserve a number of shares for any stock holder in the future. This is the case of a foundation. Usually, the employee would own certificates of shares for the foundation and not directly to the company. The employee is thus entitled to the economic rights, without having an impact on business decisions.
4| Preço de greve.
You need to decide at which price the holder can exercise the option. Usually, this is something that the board of directors determines. Generally, you should rely on the fair market value of the company at the time of which the stock option is issued.
5| Vesting schedule & Cliff.
Vesting schedule means that the right to exercise the number of options will accrue over time. The average duration for this period is 4 years. The cliff is a period, a threshold, before which if the option holder leaves the company, he/she loses the right to the option. Usually, the cliff is 1 year.
You also need to decide on the type of vesting schedule and the vesting unit. Linear vesting schedule means that then shares accrue every month the same. Non-linear, i. e. the back-end loaded stock vesting that Snapchat is using, means that every year there is a different percentage of the stocks that vests. So in the case of Snapchat, the first year 10% of the shares vest, 20% in the second, 30% in the third and 40% in the fourth year. This way of compensation increases the incentive for the employee to stay with the company even beyond the cliff.
6| Exercise date & exercise period.
After the vesting period, the option can be exercised. It cannot, however, be exercised forever. In any option contract, the holder is expected to pay the strike price cash. If you extend the exercise period, you give a chance to the employee to wait for an exit. For instance, at the exercise date the employee has to pay for the shares in cash, let’s take 10$ per share. In case the exercise period is longer, at the time of the exit the employee is entitled to say 20$ per share. In this case, the employee has to pay 10$ because of the option and receive 20$ because of the exit. Therefore, he/she will receive the net value of 10$.
Bear in mind that in some geographies the employee might be required to pay taxes on the capital gain of the stock option. It is country-specific, so it is advisable that you look it up beforehand.
For the founders might be useful to know that you can protect your company against the so-called bad leavers. The definition of a bad leaver is very broad, basically depends on what you include in your agreement. When the employee is a bad leaver – someone who exploits the contract for their own malicious purposes, you are protected by the law. You can also include certain terms in the agreement that further protect you from bad leavers.
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4 Comments on "Employee Stock Options: Common Practices And Examples"
Appreciate the introduction to employee equity. Do keep in mind that local tax legislation might have a huge impact on what you actually want (and can afford) to implement. So for example; back here in The Netherlands it is hard to issue options without you as a owner, and the employee as well(!), being charged income tax level rates on gains in the future or even the current company value. This will end up being very expensive, and probably not desirable. So always consult a (tax) lawyer on terms, don’t do complex stuff with just a template.
Hi Mieszko, Vesela from the legal department here.
Many thanks for your interest and for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I completely agree with the point you are raising here – the tax treatment of employee stock options is a major reason why they are not so widely used. Governments, including the Dutch one, are in the process of discussing ways to liberalize the tax treatment of employee stock options, so I believe that developments are slowly but surely taking shape internationally:)) Regarding the template: it is in no way intended to substitute the advice of a tax professional, since the tax treatment differs per geography (many countries do not have even a mention of stock options in their national legislation yet)! What this template aims at is to give entrepreneurs the foundation for fruitful negotiations with their employees and to ease the time-consuming process of drafting the core terms of such a contract. It is expressly pointed out in the template as well as in the video that depending on your specific case some terms may be inapplicable or others may be missing, so one needs to always adjust and adapt the template to their own specific circumstances.
Should you have any further questions, I’d be happy to answer those!
Kind regards, Vesela.
Thanks for your feedback: do you have any clue about tax treatment related to stock options in Spain?
Obrigado pela sua mensagem! We don’t specialize on that unfortunately. We did however find this information that can be a good starting point at least!
Hope it helps, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any further comment or question!
Business Agreements.
This agreement is a type of incentive offered to the employees and also gets them interested in the performance of the company because if the company does well, the share prices will go up and the employees will benefit from it too. The agreement must contain the name of the employee, number of shares offered and the price of the shares, the date of creating the agreement etc.
You can Download the Stock Option Agreement, customize it according to your needs and Print. Stock Option Agreement Template is either in MS Word, Excel or in PDF.
Sample Stock Option Agreement.
Stock Option Agreement.
Download this USA Attorney made Original Agreement for only $9.99.
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Stock Option Agreement for Equity Incentive Plan.
This stock option agreement is intended to be used under an equity incentive plan (or stock plan). An option agreement grants to the holder of the options a right to purchase stock at a set price sometime in the future. Download this free stock option agreement below.
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EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.
Pursuant to its [ Current Year ] Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), [ Company Name ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Option Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
1. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT.
Date of Option Agreement:
[ Option Agreement Date ]
Vesting Start Date:
[ Vesting Start Date ]
Exercise Price per Share:
[ Exercise Price Per Share ]
Total Number of Shares Granted:
[ Number of Shares Granted ]
Total Exercise Price:
_____ Shares Incentive Stock Options.
_____ Shares Non-Statutory Stock Options.
1.1. Programação de Vesting. The Shares subject to this Option shall vest according to the following schedule: Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Start Date and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest monthly thereafter so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Shares subject to the Option are vested on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Start Date, subject to the Optionee remaining a Service Provider through each such vesting date (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator).
1.2. Termination Period . This Option may be exercised, to the extent vested, for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or such longer period as may be applicable upon the death or Disability of Optionee as provided herein (or, if not provided herein, then as provided in the Plan), but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as set forth above.
1.3. Transferability . You may not transfer this Option.
2.1. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an Option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Option Agreement, this grant of an Option is subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.2. Designation of Option . If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning of Code Section 422, but without regard to Code Section 422(d)), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company (or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Code Sections 424(e) or 424(f), respectively)) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as not qualifying under Code Section 422, but rather shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code Section 422. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
2.3. Exercício da Opção. This Option is exercisable as follows:
2.3.1.1. This Option shall be exercisable cumulatively according to the vesting schedule set out in the Notice of Grant. For purposes of this Option Agreement, Shares subject to this Option shall vest based on Optionee’s continued status as a Service Provider, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
2.3.1.2. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
2.3.1.3. In the event of Optionee’s death, Disability or other termination of Continuous Service Status, the exercisability of this Option is governed by Section 5 below, subject to the limitations contained in this Section 2.3.
2.3.1.4. In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
2.3.2. Method of Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable by written notice to the Company (in the form attached as Exhibit A) (the “Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall state the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements with respect to such Shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company or such other authorized representative of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price, including payment of any applicable withholding tax. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
2.4. Lock-Up Agreement . Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stoptransfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed necessary by the Company or the Managing Underwriter to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with NASD Rule 2711 or any successor rule.
2.5. Method of Payment . Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
2.5.3. with the consent of the Administrator, a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as is a market rate of interest and which then precludes the imputation of interest under the Code), payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator and structured to comply with Applicable Laws;
2.5.4. with the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other Shares of Common Stock of the Company which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
2.5.5. with the consent of the Administrator, surrendered Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;
2.5.6. with the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration;
2.5.7. following the Public Trading Date, with the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; ou.
2.5.8. with the consent of the Administrator, any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
2.6. Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company. If the issuance of Shares upon such exercise or if the method of payment for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, then the Option may also not be exercised. The Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation before allowing the Option to be exercised.
2.7. Termination of Relationship . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (other than by reason of Optionee’s death or Disability), Optionee may exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of Grant, to the extent the Option was vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.8. Disability of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent the Option was vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, but only within twelve (12) months from such date (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). To the extent that the Option is not vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.9. Death of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the death of Optionee, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date of death, or if the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.10. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. It may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
2.11. Term of Option . This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant.
2.12. Restrictions on Shares . Optionee hereby agrees that Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of Shares, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of Shares. Such terms and conditions may, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.
2.13. Corporate Transactions . If the Company undergoes an Acquisition, then any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, may assume any Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity in an Acquisition, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, does not assume such Awards or does not substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to (i) Awards held by participants in the Plan whose status as a Service Provider has not terminated prior to such event, the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such awards may be exercised) shall be accelerated and made fully exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse at least ten (10) days prior to the closing of the Acquisition (and the Awards terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of such Acquisition) and (ii) any other Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Awards shall be terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
2.14.1. Generally . Optionee shall, if required by the Administrator, enter into an election with the Company or a Subsidiary (in a form approved by the Company) under which any liability to the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) Tax Liability, including, but not limited to, National Insurance Contributions (“NICs”) and the Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”), is transferred to and met by Optionee. For purposes of this Section 13, Tax Liability shall mean any and all liability under non-U. S. applicable laws, rules or regulations from any income tax, the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) NICs, FBT or similar liability and the Optionee’s NICs, FBT or similar liability that are attributable to: (A) the grant or exercise of, or any other benefit derived by the Optionee from the Option; (B) the acquisition by Optionee of the Shares on exercise of the Option; or (C) the disposal of any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.
2.14.2. Tax Indemnity . Optionee shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and any of its Subsidiaries from and against any Tax Liability.
2.14.3. 409A Valutions . In addition, you agree and acknowledge that your rights to any Shares underlying this Option will be earned only as you provide services to the Company over time, that the grant of this Option is not as consideration for services you rendered to the Company prior to your date of hire, and that nothing in this Notice or the attached documents confers upon you any right to continue your employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any period of time, nor does it interfere in any way with your right or the Company’s right to terminate that relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Also, to the extent applicable, the Exercise Price Per Share has been set in good faith compliance with the applicable guidance issued by the IRS under Section 409A of the Code. However, there is no guarantee that the IRS will agree with the valuation, and by signing below, you agree and acknowledge that the Company shall not be held liable for any applicable costs, taxes, or penalties associated with this Option if, in fact, the IRS were to determine that this Option constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of such a determination by the IRS.
2.15. Consideration to the Company . In consideration of the grant of Options by the Company, Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon Opionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Optionee, if Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if Optionee is a Consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and Optionee.
2.16.1. Governing Law . This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
2.16.2. Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights . This Agreement, together with the Notice to which this Agreement is attached and the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and therein and merges all prior discussions between the parties. Except as contemplated under the Plan, no modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
2.16.3. Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under Applicable Laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms. (d) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient upon delivery, when delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by email or fax (upon customary confirmation of receipt), or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U. S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth on the signature page or as subsequently modified by written notice.
2.16.4. Counterparts . This Option may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
2.16.5. Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Optionee under this Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one document.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Name:[ Company Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
EXHIBIT A: EQUIT INCENTIVE PLAN EXERCISE AGREEMENT.
1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of today, [ Date ] the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase [ # Share To Purchase ] shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of [ Name of Company ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), under and pursuant to the [ Year of Plan ] Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated [ Date of Option Agreement ] (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.
2. Representations of Optionee . Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.1. No Voting Rights . Until the stock certificate evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate 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 stock certificate is issued, except as provided in the Plan.
3.2. Exercising the Right of First Refusal . Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal (as defined below) hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.
4. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.
4.1. Company’s Right of First Refusal . Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4 (the “Right of First Refusal”).
4.1.1. Notice of Proposed Transfer . In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (w) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (x) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (y) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (z) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
4.1.2. Exercise of Right of First Refusal . Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees. The purchase price shall be determined in accordance with Section 4(a)(iii) hereof.
4.1.3. Purchase Price . The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section 4 shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board in good faith.
4.1.4. Forma de pagamento . Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder.
4.1.5. Holder’s Right to Transfer . If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 4, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 4 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such 120-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.
4.2. Exception for Certain Family Transfers . Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section 4 (including the Right of First Refusal) and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.
4.3. Termination of Right of First Refusal . The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon a sale of Common Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a “Public Offering”).
5. Transfer Restrictions . Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal provided in this Agreement, shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.
6. Tax Consultation . Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
7. Investment Representations . In connection with the purchase of the Shares, the Optionee represents to the Company the following.
7.1.1. Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is purchasing these securities for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act or under any applicable provision of state law. Optionee does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any person or entity.
7.1.2. Optionee understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.
7.1.3. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the securities. Optionee understands that the certificate(s) evidencing the securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.
7.1.4. Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer of the securities (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Optionee understands that the Company provides no assurances as to whether he or she will be able to resell any or all of the Shares pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules require, among other things, that the Company be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that resales of securities take place only after the holder of the Shares has held the Shares for certain specified time periods, and under certain circumstances, that resales of securities be limited in volume and take place only pursuant to brokered transactions. Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), Optionee acknowledges and agrees to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (e) below.
7.1.5. Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 144 or 701 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk.
7.1.6. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
8. Restrictive Legends and StopTransfer Orders.
8.1. Legends . Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTIONS HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.2. StopTransfer Notices . Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
8.3. Refusal to Transfer . The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
9. No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
10.1. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
10.2. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company’s Board of Directors or committee thereof that is responsible for the administration of the Plan (the “Administrator”), which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.
10.3. Governing Law; Severability . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
10.4. Avisos. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
10.5. Delivery of Payment . The Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax.
10.6. Entire Agreement . The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Optionee represents that he or she has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or other administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Stock Option Exercise Agreement is deemed made as of the date first set forth above.
Name:[ Comapny Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
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Stock Option Agreement for Equity Incentive Plan.
This stock option agreement is intended to be used under an equity incentive plan (or stock plan). An option agreement grants to the holder of the options a right to purchase stock at a set price sometime in the future. Download this free stock option agreement below.
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EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.
Pursuant to its [ Current Year ] Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), [ Company Name ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Option Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
1. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT.
Date of Option Agreement:
[ Option Agreement Date ]
Vesting Start Date:
[ Vesting Start Date ]
Exercise Price per Share:
[ Exercise Price Per Share ]
Total Number of Shares Granted:
[ Number of Shares Granted ]
Total Exercise Price:
_____ Shares Incentive Stock Options.
_____ Shares Non-Statutory Stock Options.
1.1. Programação de Vesting. The Shares subject to this Option shall vest according to the following schedule: Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Start Date and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest monthly thereafter so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Shares subject to the Option are vested on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Start Date, subject to the Optionee remaining a Service Provider through each such vesting date (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator).
1.2. Termination Period . This Option may be exercised, to the extent vested, for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or such longer period as may be applicable upon the death or Disability of Optionee as provided herein (or, if not provided herein, then as provided in the Plan), but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as set forth above.
1.3. Transferability . You may not transfer this Option.
2.1. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an Option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Option Agreement, this grant of an Option is subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.2. Designation of Option . If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning of Code Section 422, but without regard to Code Section 422(d)), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company (or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Code Sections 424(e) or 424(f), respectively)) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as not qualifying under Code Section 422, but rather shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code Section 422. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
2.3. Exercício da Opção. This Option is exercisable as follows:
2.3.1.1. This Option shall be exercisable cumulatively according to the vesting schedule set out in the Notice of Grant. For purposes of this Option Agreement, Shares subject to this Option shall vest based on Optionee’s continued status as a Service Provider, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
2.3.1.2. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
2.3.1.3. In the event of Optionee’s death, Disability or other termination of Continuous Service Status, the exercisability of this Option is governed by Section 5 below, subject to the limitations contained in this Section 2.3.
2.3.1.4. In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
2.3.2. Method of Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable by written notice to the Company (in the form attached as Exhibit A) (the “Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall state the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements with respect to such Shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company or such other authorized representative of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price, including payment of any applicable withholding tax. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
2.4. Lock-Up Agreement . Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stoptransfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed necessary by the Company or the Managing Underwriter to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with NASD Rule 2711 or any successor rule.
2.5. Method of Payment . Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
2.5.3. with the consent of the Administrator, a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as is a market rate of interest and which then precludes the imputation of interest under the Code), payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator and structured to comply with Applicable Laws;
2.5.4. with the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other Shares of Common Stock of the Company which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
2.5.5. with the consent of the Administrator, surrendered Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;
2.5.6. with the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration;
2.5.7. following the Public Trading Date, with the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; ou.
2.5.8. with the consent of the Administrator, any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
2.6. Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company. If the issuance of Shares upon such exercise or if the method of payment for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, then the Option may also not be exercised. The Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation before allowing the Option to be exercised.
2.7. Termination of Relationship . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (other than by reason of Optionee’s death or Disability), Optionee may exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of Grant, to the extent the Option was vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.8. Disability of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent the Option was vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, but only within twelve (12) months from such date (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). To the extent that the Option is not vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.9. Death of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the death of Optionee, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date of death, or if the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.10. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. It may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
2.11. Term of Option . This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant.
2.12. Restrictions on Shares . Optionee hereby agrees that Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of Shares, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of Shares. Such terms and conditions may, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.
2.13. Corporate Transactions . If the Company undergoes an Acquisition, then any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, may assume any Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity in an Acquisition, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, does not assume such Awards or does not substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to (i) Awards held by participants in the Plan whose status as a Service Provider has not terminated prior to such event, the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such awards may be exercised) shall be accelerated and made fully exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse at least ten (10) days prior to the closing of the Acquisition (and the Awards terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of such Acquisition) and (ii) any other Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Awards shall be terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
2.14.1. Generally . Optionee shall, if required by the Administrator, enter into an election with the Company or a Subsidiary (in a form approved by the Company) under which any liability to the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) Tax Liability, including, but not limited to, National Insurance Contributions (“NICs”) and the Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”), is transferred to and met by Optionee. For purposes of this Section 13, Tax Liability shall mean any and all liability under non-U. S. applicable laws, rules or regulations from any income tax, the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) NICs, FBT or similar liability and the Optionee’s NICs, FBT or similar liability that are attributable to: (A) the grant or exercise of, or any other benefit derived by the Optionee from the Option; (B) the acquisition by Optionee of the Shares on exercise of the Option; or (C) the disposal of any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.
2.14.2. Tax Indemnity . Optionee shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and any of its Subsidiaries from and against any Tax Liability.
2.14.3. 409A Valutions . In addition, you agree and acknowledge that your rights to any Shares underlying this Option will be earned only as you provide services to the Company over time, that the grant of this Option is not as consideration for services you rendered to the Company prior to your date of hire, and that nothing in this Notice or the attached documents confers upon you any right to continue your employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any period of time, nor does it interfere in any way with your right or the Company’s right to terminate that relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Also, to the extent applicable, the Exercise Price Per Share has been set in good faith compliance with the applicable guidance issued by the IRS under Section 409A of the Code. However, there is no guarantee that the IRS will agree with the valuation, and by signing below, you agree and acknowledge that the Company shall not be held liable for any applicable costs, taxes, or penalties associated with this Option if, in fact, the IRS were to determine that this Option constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of such a determination by the IRS.
2.15. Consideration to the Company . In consideration of the grant of Options by the Company, Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon Opionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Optionee, if Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if Optionee is a Consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and Optionee.
2.16.1. Governing Law . This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
2.16.2. Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights . This Agreement, together with the Notice to which this Agreement is attached and the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and therein and merges all prior discussions between the parties. Except as contemplated under the Plan, no modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
2.16.3. Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under Applicable Laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms. (d) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient upon delivery, when delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by email or fax (upon customary confirmation of receipt), or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U. S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth on the signature page or as subsequently modified by written notice.
2.16.4. Counterparts . This Option may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
2.16.5. Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Optionee under this Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one document.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Name:[ Company Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
EXHIBIT A: EQUIT INCENTIVE PLAN EXERCISE AGREEMENT.
1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of today, [ Date ] the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase [ # Share To Purchase ] shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of [ Name of Company ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), under and pursuant to the [ Year of Plan ] Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated [ Date of Option Agreement ] (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.
2. Representations of Optionee . Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.1. No Voting Rights . Until the stock certificate evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate 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 stock certificate is issued, except as provided in the Plan.
3.2. Exercising the Right of First Refusal . Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal (as defined below) hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.
4. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.
4.1. Company’s Right of First Refusal . Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4 (the “Right of First Refusal”).
4.1.1. Notice of Proposed Transfer . In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (w) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (x) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (y) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (z) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
4.1.2. Exercise of Right of First Refusal . Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees. The purchase price shall be determined in accordance with Section 4(a)(iii) hereof.
4.1.3. Purchase Price . The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section 4 shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board in good faith.
4.1.4. Forma de pagamento . Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder.
4.1.5. Holder’s Right to Transfer . If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 4, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 4 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such 120-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.
4.2. Exception for Certain Family Transfers . Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section 4 (including the Right of First Refusal) and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.
4.3. Termination of Right of First Refusal . The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon a sale of Common Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a “Public Offering”).
5. Transfer Restrictions . Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal provided in this Agreement, shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.
6. Tax Consultation . Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
7. Investment Representations . In connection with the purchase of the Shares, the Optionee represents to the Company the following.
7.1.1. Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is purchasing these securities for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act or under any applicable provision of state law. Optionee does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any person or entity.
7.1.2. Optionee understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.
7.1.3. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the securities. Optionee understands that the certificate(s) evidencing the securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.
7.1.4. Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer of the securities (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Optionee understands that the Company provides no assurances as to whether he or she will be able to resell any or all of the Shares pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules require, among other things, that the Company be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that resales of securities take place only after the holder of the Shares has held the Shares for certain specified time periods, and under certain circumstances, that resales of securities be limited in volume and take place only pursuant to brokered transactions. Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), Optionee acknowledges and agrees to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (e) below.
7.1.5. Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 144 or 701 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk.
7.1.6. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
8. Restrictive Legends and StopTransfer Orders.
8.1. Legends . Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTIONS HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.2. StopTransfer Notices . Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
8.3. Refusal to Transfer . The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
9. No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
10.1. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
10.2. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company’s Board of Directors or committee thereof that is responsible for the administration of the Plan (the “Administrator”), which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.
10.3. Governing Law; Severability . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
10.4. Avisos. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
10.5. Delivery of Payment . The Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax.
10.6. Entire Agreement . The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Optionee represents that he or she has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or other administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Stock Option Exercise Agreement is deemed made as of the date first set forth above.
Name:[ Comapny Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
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GILEAD SCIENCES, INC.
A. O optante é prestar serviços valiosos à Corporação (ou a uma Entidade Relacionada), e este Contrato é executado de acordo com, e destina-se a levar a cabo os objetivos do Plano em conexão com a concessão da Corporação de um opção para Optionee.
B. Todos os termos em maiúsculas deste Contrato terão o significado que lhes é atribuído no Apêndice em anexo.
AGORA, POR ISSO, a Corporação concede uma opção à Optionee nos seguintes termos e condições:
1. Concessão de opção. A Corporação concede à pessoa identificada no Anexo I (The & # 147; Optionee & # 148;) uma opção para comprar ações ordinárias no âmbito do Plano. A data em que esta opção é concedida (a & # 147; Data de concessão & # 148;), o número de ações ordinárias compráveis sob esta opção (as & # 147; Opção Ações & # 148;), o preço de exercício a pagar por (o & # 147; Preço de exercício & # 148;), o cronograma de aquisição de direitos aplicável pelo qual esta opção deve ser adquirida e tornar-se exercível de forma incremental para as Ações de opção (a & # 147; Vesting Schedule & # 148;) e a data a ser usada para medir o prazo máximo desta opção (a & # 147; Data de expiração & # 148;) também são indicados no Anexo I anexo deste Contrato. A opção é uma opção não estatutária de acordo com as leis do imposto de renda federal dos EUA. Os termos e condições restantes que regem essa opção devem ser conforme estabelecido neste Contrato.
2. Prazo de opção. O prazo desta opção deve começar na data de outorga e continuar em vigor até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento especificado no Anexo I anexo, a menos que seja rescindido de acordo com o parágrafo 5 ou 6 abaixo.
3. Transferibilidade limitada.
(a) Esta opção pode ser atribuída, no todo ou em parte, durante a vida útil do Optionee a uma confiança viva. A parcela atribuída só pode ser exercida pelo Living Trust. Os termos aplicáveis à parcela atribuída serão os mesmos que os vigentes para a opção imediatamente anterior a essa cessão e serão estabelecidos em tais documentos a serem executados pelo Optionee e pelo Living Trust, conforme a Corporação julgar apropriada.
(b) Exceto pela transferibilidade limitada prevista no parágrafo 3 (a), esta opção não será transferível nem cessível por parte do Titular de Opções, exceto pelo testamento ou as leis de herança após a morte do Titular de Opções e poderá ser exercida, durante o Optário e # 146; s vida, apenas por Optionee. No entanto, o Optionee pode designar uma ou mais pessoas como beneficiário ou beneficiários desta opção ao preencher o formulário de Designação do Beneficiário Universal da Corporação e preencher o formulário preenchido com o Departamento de Recursos Humanos da Corporação. Caso o Titular do Optionee tal designação do Beneficiário Universal forme e morra enquanto mantém esta opção, então esta opção deve ser transferida automaticamente para o designado.
beneficiário ou beneficiários. Esse beneficiário ou beneficiários devem tomar a opção transferida sujeita a todos os termos e condições deste Contrato, incluindo (sem limitação) o período de tempo limitado durante o qual esta opção pode, de acordo com o parágrafo 5 abaixo, ser exercida após a morte do Optativo " .
4. Datas do Exercício. Esta opção deve ser adquirida e tornar-se exercível para as Ações de Opção em uma série de parcelas de acordo com o Cronograma de Vencimento estabelecido no Anexo I anexado. À medida que a opção se torna passível de exercício para essas parcelas, essas parcelas devem ser acumuladas e a opção permanecerá exercível para as parcelas acumuladas até o último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento ou qualquer rescisão mais cedo do prazo da opção nos termos do parágrafo 5 ou 6 abaixo.
5. Cessação do Serviço. O termo de opção especificado no parágrafo 2 acima deve rescindir (e esta opção deixará de estar pendente) antes da Data de Vencimento, caso uma das seguintes disposições se torne aplicável:
(a) Exceto quando expressamente previsto nos parágrafos (b) a (f) deste Parágrafo 5, se Optionee deixar de permanecer em Serviço Contínuo por qualquer motivo, enquanto esta opção estiver pendente, então o Optário terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil antes do vencimento do período de três (3) meses medido a partir da data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual para exercer esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações da Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no hora da cessação do Serviço Contínuo do Optometrado, mas, em nenhum caso, esta opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(b) No caso de o Optionee cessar o Serviço Contínuo por sua morte enquanto esta opção estiver em circulação, essa opção poderá ser exercida, para qualquer ou todas as Ações da Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento de Cessação do Serviço Contínuo pelo Operetista, por (i) o representante pessoal da propriedade do Optário ou (ii) a pessoa ou pessoas a quem a opção é transferida de acordo com a vontade do Optativo ou a lei de herança após a morte do Optionee # 146; s. No entanto, se o Optionee morrer durante a realização desta opção e tiver uma efetiva designação de beneficiário em vigor para esta opção no momento da sua morte, o beneficiário designado ou os beneficiários terão o direito exclusivo de exercer essa opção na sequência do Optário # 146; s morte. Qualquer direito desse exercício deve caducar, e esta opção deixará de estar pendente, após o encerramento do negócio, no último dia útil anterior ao anterior (i) o prazo de validade do período de doze (12) meses medido a partir de a data da morte do Optometrado ou (ii) a Data de Vencimento. Após a expiração desse período de exercício limitado, esta opção deve rescindir e deixar de estar pendente para quaisquer Ações de opção exercíveis para as quais a opção não tenha sido exercida de outra forma.
(c) Se o Titular da Opção cesse o Serviço Contínuo em razão da Incapacidade Permanente, enquanto essa opção estiver em circulação, então o Titular da opção terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior ao término do período de doze (12) meses medido a partir da data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual para exercer esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações de opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento da cessação do Serviço Contínuo. Em nenhum caso, no entanto, essa opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(d) Exceto se for de outra forma impedido pelas Leis Aplicáveis, deve (i) optar por cessar o Serviço Contínuo após a conclusão de pelo menos três (3) anos de Serviço Contínuo e (ii) a soma da idade atingida do Optário e os anos completos de O Serviço Contínuo no momento da cessação do serviço é igual ou superior a setenta (70) anos, então o Optionee terá até o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior ao término do período de trinta e seis (36) meses medido a partir de a data da cessação do Serviço Contínuo durante o qual é exercida esta opção para qualquer ou todas as Ações de Opção para as quais esta opção é adquirida e exercitável no momento da cessação do Serviço Contínuo. Em nenhum caso, no entanto, essa opção poderá ser exercida a qualquer momento após o fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento.
(e) O período aplicável de exercicância pós-serviço em vigor de acordo com as disposições anteriores deste parágrafo 5 será automaticamente prorrogado por um período adicional de tempo igual a qualquer intervalo dentro desse período de exercício pós-serviço durante o qual o exercício de esta opção ou a venda imediata das Opções de Opção adquiridas ao abrigo desta opção não podem ser efetuadas de acordo com as leis de valores mobiliários federais e estaduais aplicáveis, mas, em nenhum caso, essa extensão resultará na continuação desta opção além do fechamento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à data de expiração.
(f) Se o Serviço Contínuo do Opção for rescindido por Causa, ou se Optionee se envolver em qualquer outra conduta, enquanto estiver em Serviço Contínuo ou após a cessação do Serviço Contínuo, isso é materialmente prejudicial para o negócio ou assuntos da Corporação (ou qualquer Entidade Relacionada), conforme determinado a critério exclusivo do Administrador, esta opção, independentemente de ser adquirida e exercitável no momento, terminará imediatamente e deixará de estar pendente.
(g) Durante o período limitado de exercicios pós-serviço previsto no presente parágrafo 5, esta opção não pode ser exercida no total por mais do que o número de Ações de opção para as quais esta opção está no tempo adquirido e exercitável. Exceto na medida (se houver) especificamente autorizada pelo Administrador de acordo com um acordo expresso por escrito com o Opcional, esta opção não deve ser adquirida ou tornar-se exercível para quaisquer Ações de Opção adicionais, seja de acordo com o Cronograma de Vencimento normal estabelecido no Anexo I em anexo ou as disposições especiais de aceleração de aquisição de direitos do parágrafo 6 abaixo, após a cessação do serviço contínuo do opcional. Após a expiração desse período de exercício limitado ou (se anterior) no encerramento do negócio no último dia útil anterior à Data de Vencimento, esta opção deve rescindir e deixar de estar pendente para quaisquer Ações de Opções exercíveis para as quais a opção não tenha sido de outra forma foi exercido.
6. Aceleração especial da opção.
(a) Esta opção, na medida em que esteja em circulação no momento de uma Mudança de Controle real, mas não de outra forma totalmente exercível, deve acelerar automaticamente para que esta opção, imediatamente antes da data efetiva dessa Mudança no Controle, se torne exercível para todos das Ações de Opção no momento sujeito a esta opção e podem ser exercidas para qualquer ou todas essas Ações de Opção como ações de ações ordinárias totalmente adquiridas. No entanto, esta opção não pode tornar-se exercível de forma tão acelerada se e na medida em que: (i) isto.
A opção deve ser assumida pela corporação sucessora (ou por um dos seus paises) ou, de outra forma, deve continuar em pleno vigor e efeito de acordo com os termos da transação Alterar no Controle, (ii) esta opção deve ser substituída por um substituto economicamente equivalente prêmio ou (iii) esta opção deve ser substituída por um programa de retenção de caixa da corporação sucessora que preserva o spread existente no momento da Mudança de Controle em quaisquer Ações de Opção para as quais esta opção não é, nesse momento, adquirida e exercitável (the excess of the Fair Market Value of those Option Shares over the aggregate Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for the subsequent vesting and concurrent payout of that spread in accordance with the same Vesting Schedule for those Option Shares as set forth in attached Schedule I.
(b) Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control, this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.
(c) If this option is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities into which the shares of Common Stock subject to this option would have been converted in consummation of such Change in Control had those shares actually been outstanding at the time. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption or continuation of this option but subject to the Administrator’s approval, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control, provided such common stock is readily tradable on an established U. S. securities exchange or market.
(d) If this option is assumed or otherwise continued in effect in connection with a Change in Control or replaced with an economically-equivalent award or a cash retention program in accordance with Paragraph 6(a) above, then:
(i) the option (or such economically equivalent award) shall vest and become immediately exercisable for all of the Option Shares or other securities at the time subject to the option (or such award) and may, within the applicable exercise period under Paragraph 5, be exercised for any or all of those Option Shares or other securities as fully vested shares or securities, or.
(ii) the balance credited to Optionee under any cash retention program established pursuant to Paragraph 6(a) shall immediately be paid to Optionee in a lump sum, subject to the Corporation’s collection of all applicable Withholding Taxes;
if, within the period beginning with the execution date of the definitive agreement for the Change in Control transaction and ending with the earlier of (i) the termination of that definitive agreement without the consummation of such Change in Control or (ii) the expiration of the.
Applicable Acceleration Period following the consummation of such Change in Control, Optionee’s Continuous Service terminates due to an involuntary termination (other than for death or Permanent Disability) without Cause or a voluntary termination by Optionee due to Constructive Termination.
(e) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
7. Adjustment in Option Shares . Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares, spin-off transaction, or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration, or should the value of outstanding shares of Common Stock be substantially reduced as a result of a spin-off transaction or an extraordinary dividend or distribution, or should there occur any merger, consolidation or other reorganization, then equitable and proportional adjustments shall be made by the Administrator to (i) the total number and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price. The adjustments shall be made in such manner as the Administrator deems appropriate in order to reflect such change and thereby prevent the dilution or enlargement of benefits hereunder, and those adjustments shall be final, binding and conclusive upon Optionee and any other person or persons having an interest in the option. In the event of any Change in Control transaction, the adjustment provisions of Paragraph 6(c) above shall be controlling.
8. Stockholder Rights . The holder of this option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record of the purchased shares.
9. Manner of Exercising Option .
(a) In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the following actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Notice of Exercise as to the Option Shares for which the option is exercised or comply with such other procedures as the Corporation may establish for notifying the Corporation, either directly or through an on-line internet transaction with a brokerage firm authorized by the Corporation to effect such option exercises, of the exercise of this option for one or more Option Shares. Copies of the Notice of Exercise may be obtained from the Corporation’s intranet at gnet/finance/doc/noe. doc.
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A) cash or check made payable to the Corporation; ou.
(B) through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (i) to a brokerage firm (reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation for purposes of administering such procedure in accordance with the Corporation’s pre-clearance/pre-notification policies) to effect the immediate sale of all or a sufficient portion of the purchased shares so that such brokerage firm can remit to the Corporation, on the settlement date, sufficient funds out of the resulting sale proceeds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for all the purchased shares plus all applicable Withholding Taxes and (ii) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm on such settlement date.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Notice of Exercise (or other notification procedure) delivered to the Corporation in connection with the option exercise.
(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.
(iv) Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the satisfaction of all applicable Withholding Taxes.
(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares (either in paper or electronic form), with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.
(c) In no event may this option be exercised for any fractional shares.
10. Compliance with Laws and Regulations .
(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all Applicable Laws relating thereto.
(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall relieve the Corporation of.
any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such approvals.
11. Successors and Assigns . Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6 above, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and Optionee, Optionee’s assigns, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate and any beneficiaries of this option designated by Optionee.
12. Notices . Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the most current address then indicated for Optionee on the Corporation’s employee records or shall be delivered electronically to Optionee through the Corporation’s electronic mail system or through an on-line brokerage firm authorized by the Corporation to effect option exercises through the internet. All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or delivery through the Corporation’s electronic mail system or upon deposit in the U. S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.
13. Construction . This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the terms of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall be controlling. All decisions of the Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.
14. Governing Law . The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without resort to California’s conflict-of-laws rules.
15. Excess Shares . If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may without stockholder approval be issued under the Plan, then this option shall be void with respect to those excess shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. In no event shall the option be exercisable with respect to any of the excess Option Shares unless and until such stockholder approval is obtained.
16. Leaves of Absence . The following provisions shall govern leaves of absence, except to the extent the application of such provisions to Optionee would contravene Applicable Laws.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, Optionee’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to cease during any period for which Optionee is on a military leave, sick leave or other personal leave approved by the Corporation. However, Optionee shall not receive any Continuous Service credit, for purposes of vesting in this option and the Option Shares.
pursuant to the Vesting Schedule set forth in attached Schedule I, for any period of such leave of absence, except to the extent otherwise required by law or pursuant to the following policy:
- Optionee shall receive Continuous Service credit for such vesting purposes for (i) the first three (3) months of an approved personal leave of absence or (ii) the first seven (7) months of any bona fide leave of absence (other than an approved personal leave), but in no event beyond the expiration date of such leave of absence.
(b) In no event shall Optionee be deemed to remain in Continuous Service at any time after the earlier of (i) the expiration date of his or her leave of absence, unless Optionee returns to active Continuous Service on or before that date, or (ii) the date Optionee’s Continuous Service actually terminates by reason of his or her voluntary or involuntary termination or by reason of his or her death or disability.
17. Employment at Will . Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to remain in Employee status for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Related Entity employing Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Employee status at any time for any reason, with or without Cause.
18. Plan Prospectus . The official prospectus for the Plan is available on the Corporation’s intranet at: gnet/HR/stocks_new. asp . Optionee may also obtain a printed copy of the prospectus by contacting Stock Administration either through the internet at stockadministrationgilead or by telephoning 650-522-5517.
19. Optionee Acceptance . Optionee must accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement either electronically through the electronic acceptance procedure established by the Corporation or through a written acceptance delivered to the Corporation in a form satisfactory to the Corporation. In no event shall this option be exercised in the absence of such acceptance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Gilead Sciences, Inc. has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly-authorized officer on the day and year first indicated above.
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:
A. Administrator shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board (or a subcommittee thereof) acting in its capacity as administrator of the Plan.
B. Agreement shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
C. Applicable Acceleration Period shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(b) of the Plan and shall be determined on the basis of Optionee’s status on the Grant Date.
D. Applicable Laws shall mean the legal requirements related to the Plan and the option under applicable provisions of the federal securities laws, state corporate and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any applicable Stock Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed for trading, and the rules of any non-U. S. jurisdiction applicable to options granted to residents therein.
E. Board shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
F. Cause shall, for purposes of Paragraph 5 of the Agreement, mean the termination of Optionee’s Continuous Service as a result of Optionee’s (i) performance of any act, or failure to perform any act, in bad faith and to the detriment of the Corporation or a Related Entity; (ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct, material violation of any applicable Corporation or Related Entity policy, or material breach of any agreement with the Corporation or a Related Entity; or (iii) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person. However, for purposes of Paragraph 6(d) of the Agreement, Cause shall mean the termination of Optionee’s Continuous Service as a result of Optionee’s (a) conviction of, a guilty plea with respect to, or a plea of nolo contendere to, a charge that Optionee has committed a felony under the laws of the United States or of any State or a crime involving moral turpitude, including (without limitation) fraud, theft, embezzlement or any crime that results in or is intended to result in personal enrichment to Optionee at the expense of the Corporation or a Related Entity; (b) material breach of any agreement entered into between Optionee and the Corporation or a Related Entity that impairs the Corporation’s or the Related Entity’s interest therein; (c) willful misconduct, significant failure to perform his or her duties or gross neglect of his or her duties; or (d) engagement in any activity that constitutes a material conflict of interest with the Corporation or a Related Entity.
G. Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:
(i) a merger, consolidation or other reorganization approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the.
successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction;
(ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets;
(iii) the closing of any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which any person or any group of persons comprising a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the 1934 Act (other than the Corporation or a person that, prior to such transaction or series of related transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Corporation) becomes directly or indirectly (whether as a result of a single acquisition or by reason of one or more acquisitions within the twelve - (12) month period ending with the most recent acquisition) the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing (or convertible into or exercisable for securities possessing) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities (as measured in terms of the power to vote with respect to the election of Board members) outstanding immediately after the consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions, whether such transaction involves a direct issuance from the Corporation or th e acquisition of outstanding securities held by one or more of the Corporation’s existing stockholders; ou.
(iv) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of twelve (12) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (a) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (b) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) above who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or nomination.
In no event, however, shall a Change in Control be deemed to occur upon a merger, consolidation or other reorganization effected primarily to change the State of the Corporation’s incorporation or to create a holding company structure pursuant to which the Corporation becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of an entity whose outstanding voting securities immediately after its formation are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to the formation of such entity.
H. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
I. Common Stock shall mean shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
J. Constructive Termination shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11(d) of the Plan.
K. Consultant shall mean any person, including an advisor, who is compensated by the Corporation or any Related Entity for services performed as a non-employee consultant; provided, however, that the term “Consultant” shall not include non-employee Directors serving in their capacity as Board members. The term “Consultant” shall include a member of the board of directors of a Related Entity.
L. Continuous Service shall mean the performance of services for the Corporation or a Related Entity (whether now existing or subsequently established) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, Director or Consultant. For purposes of this Agreement, Optionee shall be deemed to cease Continuous Service immediately upon the occurrence of either of the following events: (i) Optionee no longer performs services in any of the foregoing capacities for the Corporation or any Related Entity or (ii) the entity for which Optionee is performing such services ceases to remain a Related Entity of the Corporation, even though Optionee may subsequently continue to perform services for that entity. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an effective termination of Optionee’s service as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of such service to the Corporation or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that must be fulfilled before Optionee’s termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant can be effective under Applicable Laws.
M. Corporation shall mean Gilead Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Gilead Sciences, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
N. Director shall mean a member of the Board.
O. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Related Entity), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.
P. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the option shall have been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.
Q. Exercise Price shall mean the exercise price payable per Option Share as specified in attached Schedule I.
R. Expiration Date shall mean the date specified on attached Schedule I for measuring the maximum term for which the option may remain outstanding.
S. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be the closing price per share of Common Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) on that date, as quoted on the Stock Exchange that is at the time serving as the primary trading market for the Common Stock; provided, however, that if there no reported closing price or.
closing bid for that date, then the closing price or closing bid, as applicable, for the last trading date on which such closing price or closing bid was quoted shall be determinative of such Fair Market Value. The applicable quoted price shall be as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable.
T. Grant Date shall mean the date on which the option is granted, as specified on attached Schedule I.
U. Living Trust shall mean a revocable living trust established by Optionee or by Optionee and his or her spouse of which Optionee is the sole trustee (or sole co-trustee with his or her spouse) and sole beneficiary (or sole co-beneficiary with his or her spouse) during Optionee’s lifetime.
V. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
W. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.
X. Notice of Exercise shall mean the notice of option exercise in the form authorized by the Corporation.
Y. Option Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option as specified in attached Schedule I.
Z. Optionee shall mean the person identified in attached Schedule I to whom the option is granted pursuant to the Agreement.
AA. Parent shall mean a “parent corporation,” whether now existing or hereafter established, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
BB. Permanent Disability shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.
CC. Plan shall mean the Corporation’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
DD. Related Entity shall mean (i) any Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation and (ii) any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation and ending with the corporation in the chain for which Optionee provides services as an Employee, Director or Consultant, provided each corporation in such chain owns securities representing at least twenty percent (20%) of the total outstanding voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation or entity in such chain and there is a legitimate non-tax business purpose for making this option grant to Optionee.
EE. Stock Exchange shall mean the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global or Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange.
FF. Subsidiary shall mean a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now existing or hereafter established, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
GG. Vesting Schedule shall mean the schedule set forth in attached Schedule I, pursuant to which the option is to vest and become exercisable for the Option Shares in a series of installments over Optionee’s period of Continuous Service.
HH. Withholding Taxes shall mean the federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes and the employee portion of the federal, state, local and/or foreign employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of the option.
OPTION GRANT SPECIFICS.
Total Number of Option Shares: «SHARES_GRANTED»
The option will vest and become exercisable for the number of Option Shares noted on the first line above on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, as noted by the date listed under “Full Vest Date.” With respect to each subsequent line, the option will vest and become exercisable for the listed Option Shares in equal quarterly installments, beginning one quarter after the Full Vest Date on the previous line and ending on the corresponding Full Vest Date for the listed Option Shares at issue. Fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Equidam | Business Valuation.
9 August 2016 Stefani Bozadzhieva 4 comments.
In our previous post about how much equity to offer to investors at different funding rounds, we looked at the equity boundaries that a founder can offer at the different stages of development of a startup.
However, there is also the case of rewarding early employees with stock options. In our experience, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to assigning employee stock options but there are some similarities and terms you need to be aware of.
O que é uma opção de estoque?
First of all, you need to keep in mind that stock options are nothing else than a contract. So the terms discussed here are nothing else than the terms of a contract only they are adjusted to the case, to the type of company and to the type of employee. You usually have a very high degree of customization. But what you cannot customize is the way an option works.
A stock option functions in the following way: you assign the right to a person - the holder , to buy a certain underlying asset – in this case the shares in your company, at a price that you decide today.
The bet for the holder of the option is that the price of the asset tomorrow is going to be higher than the price of the option.
Terms in a stock option agreement.
1| Who to entitle with stock options.
This really depends on the culture of the company and the choice of who you want to entitle with stock options will also determine the terms of this contract. The common practice is to reward with stock options early employees – say the first up to 10 employees beyond the founders. The reason is that they are like founders or they have been working as founders so you want to make sure that you keep them throughout the life of your startup.
In Uber it’s kind of common practice to give options to everybody but they also give very strict terms to convert the option.
2|What percentage to give.
There is no common rule for this. It really depends on the person that is getting the options. For some ideas you can also look at Angel list. There are some offers for developers with stock options equity ranging from 2% to 10% of the equity. Keep in mind that whatever the percentage is, it needs to be converted in the number of shares at the moment in which the option is issued.
This is very important because percentages are relative and the number of shares is nominal - fixed. So if you issue the option today it’s going to have a fixed number of shares. This means that the holder of that option, so the potential buyer of the shares, is also subject to future dilution just like any investors that would invest today for the same number of options.
3| The type of shares.
It is not recommended that the shares that you give away are preferred shares. So it is best for this purpose to use the junior level shares – common shares, or even a level below – no voting shares. It is also common to create an option pool, which means that you reserve a number of shares for any stock holder in the future. This is the case of a foundation. Usually, the employee would own certificates of shares for the foundation and not directly to the company. The employee is thus entitled to the economic rights, without having an impact on business decisions.
4| Preço de greve.
You need to decide at which price the holder can exercise the option. Usually, this is something that the board of directors determines. Generally, you should rely on the fair market value of the company at the time of which the stock option is issued.
5| Vesting schedule & Cliff.
Vesting schedule means that the right to exercise the number of options will accrue over time. The average duration for this period is 4 years. The cliff is a period, a threshold, before which if the option holder leaves the company, he/she loses the right to the option. Usually, the cliff is 1 year.
You also need to decide on the type of vesting schedule and the vesting unit. Linear vesting schedule means that then shares accrue every month the same. Non-linear, i. e. the back-end loaded stock vesting that Snapchat is using, means that every year there is a different percentage of the stocks that vests. So in the case of Snapchat, the first year 10% of the shares vest, 20% in the second, 30% in the third and 40% in the fourth year. This way of compensation increases the incentive for the employee to stay with the company even beyond the cliff.
6| Exercise date & exercise period.
After the vesting period, the option can be exercised. It cannot, however, be exercised forever. In any option contract, the holder is expected to pay the strike price cash. If you extend the exercise period, you give a chance to the employee to wait for an exit. For instance, at the exercise date the employee has to pay for the shares in cash, let’s take 10$ per share. In case the exercise period is longer, at the time of the exit the employee is entitled to say 20$ per share. In this case, the employee has to pay 10$ because of the option and receive 20$ because of the exit. Therefore, he/she will receive the net value of 10$.
Bear in mind that in some geographies the employee might be required to pay taxes on the capital gain of the stock option. It is country-specific, so it is advisable that you look it up beforehand.
For the founders might be useful to know that you can protect your company against the so-called bad leavers. The definition of a bad leaver is very broad, basically depends on what you include in your agreement. When the employee is a bad leaver – someone who exploits the contract for their own malicious purposes, you are protected by the law. You can also include certain terms in the agreement that further protect you from bad leavers.
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Stefani Bozadzhieva.
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4 Comments on "Employee Stock Options: Common Practices And Examples"
Appreciate the introduction to employee equity. Do keep in mind that local tax legislation might have a huge impact on what you actually want (and can afford) to implement. So for example; back here in The Netherlands it is hard to issue options without you as a owner, and the employee as well(!), being charged income tax level rates on gains in the future or even the current company value. This will end up being very expensive, and probably not desirable. So always consult a (tax) lawyer on terms, don’t do complex stuff with just a template.
Hi Mieszko, Vesela from the legal department here.
Many thanks for your interest and for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I completely agree with the point you are raising here – the tax treatment of employee stock options is a major reason why they are not so widely used. Governments, including the Dutch one, are in the process of discussing ways to liberalize the tax treatment of employee stock options, so I believe that developments are slowly but surely taking shape internationally:)) Regarding the template: it is in no way intended to substitute the advice of a tax professional, since the tax treatment differs per geography (many countries do not have even a mention of stock options in their national legislation yet)! What this template aims at is to give entrepreneurs the foundation for fruitful negotiations with their employees and to ease the time-consuming process of drafting the core terms of such a contract. It is expressly pointed out in the template as well as in the video that depending on your specific case some terms may be inapplicable or others may be missing, so one needs to always adjust and adapt the template to their own specific circumstances.
Should you have any further questions, I’d be happy to answer those!
Kind regards, Vesela.
Thanks for your feedback: do you have any clue about tax treatment related to stock options in Spain?
Obrigado pela sua mensagem! We don’t specialize on that unfortunately. We did however find this information that can be a good starting point at least!
Hope it helps, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any further comment or question!
Business Agreements.
This agreement is a type of incentive offered to the employees and also gets them interested in the performance of the company because if the company does well, the share prices will go up and the employees will benefit from it too. The agreement must contain the name of the employee, number of shares offered and the price of the shares, the date of creating the agreement etc.
You can Download the Stock Option Agreement, customize it according to your needs and Print. Stock Option Agreement Template is either in MS Word, Excel or in PDF.
Sample Stock Option Agreement.
Stock Option Agreement.
Download this USA Attorney made Original Agreement for only $9.99.
If you need any alterations or have any queries, please fill out the contact form.
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Stock Option Agreement for Equity Incentive Plan.
This stock option agreement is intended to be used under an equity incentive plan (or stock plan). An option agreement grants to the holder of the options a right to purchase stock at a set price sometime in the future. Download this free stock option agreement below.
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Most attorneys on UpCounsel offer free consultations.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.
Pursuant to its [ Current Year ] Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), [ Company Name ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Option Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
1. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT.
Date of Option Agreement:
[ Option Agreement Date ]
Vesting Start Date:
[ Vesting Start Date ]
Exercise Price per Share:
[ Exercise Price Per Share ]
Total Number of Shares Granted:
[ Number of Shares Granted ]
Total Exercise Price:
_____ Shares Incentive Stock Options.
_____ Shares Non-Statutory Stock Options.
1.1. Programação de Vesting. The Shares subject to this Option shall vest according to the following schedule: Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Start Date and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest monthly thereafter so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Shares subject to the Option are vested on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Start Date, subject to the Optionee remaining a Service Provider through each such vesting date (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator).
1.2. Termination Period . This Option may be exercised, to the extent vested, for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or such longer period as may be applicable upon the death or Disability of Optionee as provided herein (or, if not provided herein, then as provided in the Plan), but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as set forth above.
1.3. Transferability . You may not transfer this Option.
2.1. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an Option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Option Agreement, this grant of an Option is subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.2. Designation of Option . If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning of Code Section 422, but without regard to Code Section 422(d)), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company (or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Code Sections 424(e) or 424(f), respectively)) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as not qualifying under Code Section 422, but rather shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code Section 422. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
2.3. Exercício da Opção. This Option is exercisable as follows:
2.3.1.1. This Option shall be exercisable cumulatively according to the vesting schedule set out in the Notice of Grant. For purposes of this Option Agreement, Shares subject to this Option shall vest based on Optionee’s continued status as a Service Provider, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
2.3.1.2. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
2.3.1.3. In the event of Optionee’s death, Disability or other termination of Continuous Service Status, the exercisability of this Option is governed by Section 5 below, subject to the limitations contained in this Section 2.3.
2.3.1.4. In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
2.3.2. Method of Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable by written notice to the Company (in the form attached as Exhibit A) (the “Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall state the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements with respect to such Shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company or such other authorized representative of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price, including payment of any applicable withholding tax. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
2.4. Lock-Up Agreement . Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stoptransfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed necessary by the Company or the Managing Underwriter to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with NASD Rule 2711 or any successor rule.
2.5. Method of Payment . Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
2.5.3. with the consent of the Administrator, a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as is a market rate of interest and which then precludes the imputation of interest under the Code), payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator and structured to comply with Applicable Laws;
2.5.4. with the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other Shares of Common Stock of the Company which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
2.5.5. with the consent of the Administrator, surrendered Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;
2.5.6. with the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration;
2.5.7. following the Public Trading Date, with the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; ou.
2.5.8. with the consent of the Administrator, any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
2.6. Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company. If the issuance of Shares upon such exercise or if the method of payment for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, then the Option may also not be exercised. The Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation before allowing the Option to be exercised.
2.7. Termination of Relationship . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (other than by reason of Optionee’s death or Disability), Optionee may exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of Grant, to the extent the Option was vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.8. Disability of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent the Option was vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, but only within twelve (12) months from such date (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). To the extent that the Option is not vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.9. Death of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the death of Optionee, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date of death, or if the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.10. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. It may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
2.11. Term of Option . This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant.
2.12. Restrictions on Shares . Optionee hereby agrees that Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of Shares, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of Shares. Such terms and conditions may, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.
2.13. Corporate Transactions . If the Company undergoes an Acquisition, then any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, may assume any Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity in an Acquisition, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, does not assume such Awards or does not substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to (i) Awards held by participants in the Plan whose status as a Service Provider has not terminated prior to such event, the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such awards may be exercised) shall be accelerated and made fully exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse at least ten (10) days prior to the closing of the Acquisition (and the Awards terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of such Acquisition) and (ii) any other Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Awards shall be terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
2.14.1. Generally . Optionee shall, if required by the Administrator, enter into an election with the Company or a Subsidiary (in a form approved by the Company) under which any liability to the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) Tax Liability, including, but not limited to, National Insurance Contributions (“NICs”) and the Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”), is transferred to and met by Optionee. For purposes of this Section 13, Tax Liability shall mean any and all liability under non-U. S. applicable laws, rules or regulations from any income tax, the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) NICs, FBT or similar liability and the Optionee’s NICs, FBT or similar liability that are attributable to: (A) the grant or exercise of, or any other benefit derived by the Optionee from the Option; (B) the acquisition by Optionee of the Shares on exercise of the Option; or (C) the disposal of any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.
2.14.2. Tax Indemnity . Optionee shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and any of its Subsidiaries from and against any Tax Liability.
2.14.3. 409A Valutions . In addition, you agree and acknowledge that your rights to any Shares underlying this Option will be earned only as you provide services to the Company over time, that the grant of this Option is not as consideration for services you rendered to the Company prior to your date of hire, and that nothing in this Notice or the attached documents confers upon you any right to continue your employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any period of time, nor does it interfere in any way with your right or the Company’s right to terminate that relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Also, to the extent applicable, the Exercise Price Per Share has been set in good faith compliance with the applicable guidance issued by the IRS under Section 409A of the Code. However, there is no guarantee that the IRS will agree with the valuation, and by signing below, you agree and acknowledge that the Company shall not be held liable for any applicable costs, taxes, or penalties associated with this Option if, in fact, the IRS were to determine that this Option constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of such a determination by the IRS.
2.15. Consideration to the Company . In consideration of the grant of Options by the Company, Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon Opionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Optionee, if Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if Optionee is a Consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and Optionee.
2.16.1. Governing Law . This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
2.16.2. Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights . This Agreement, together with the Notice to which this Agreement is attached and the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and therein and merges all prior discussions between the parties. Except as contemplated under the Plan, no modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
2.16.3. Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under Applicable Laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms. (d) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient upon delivery, when delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by email or fax (upon customary confirmation of receipt), or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U. S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth on the signature page or as subsequently modified by written notice.
2.16.4. Counterparts . This Option may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
2.16.5. Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Optionee under this Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one document.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Name:[ Company Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
EXHIBIT A: EQUIT INCENTIVE PLAN EXERCISE AGREEMENT.
1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of today, [ Date ] the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase [ # Share To Purchase ] shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of [ Name of Company ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), under and pursuant to the [ Year of Plan ] Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated [ Date of Option Agreement ] (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.
2. Representations of Optionee . Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.1. No Voting Rights . Until the stock certificate evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate 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 stock certificate is issued, except as provided in the Plan.
3.2. Exercising the Right of First Refusal . Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal (as defined below) hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.
4. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.
4.1. Company’s Right of First Refusal . Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4 (the “Right of First Refusal”).
4.1.1. Notice of Proposed Transfer . In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (w) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (x) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (y) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (z) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
4.1.2. Exercise of Right of First Refusal . Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees. The purchase price shall be determined in accordance with Section 4(a)(iii) hereof.
4.1.3. Purchase Price . The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section 4 shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board in good faith.
4.1.4. Forma de pagamento . Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder.
4.1.5. Holder’s Right to Transfer . If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 4, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 4 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such 120-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.
4.2. Exception for Certain Family Transfers . Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section 4 (including the Right of First Refusal) and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.
4.3. Termination of Right of First Refusal . The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon a sale of Common Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a “Public Offering”).
5. Transfer Restrictions . Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal provided in this Agreement, shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.
6. Tax Consultation . Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
7. Investment Representations . In connection with the purchase of the Shares, the Optionee represents to the Company the following.
7.1.1. Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is purchasing these securities for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act or under any applicable provision of state law. Optionee does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any person or entity.
7.1.2. Optionee understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.
7.1.3. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the securities. Optionee understands that the certificate(s) evidencing the securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.
7.1.4. Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer of the securities (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Optionee understands that the Company provides no assurances as to whether he or she will be able to resell any or all of the Shares pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules require, among other things, that the Company be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that resales of securities take place only after the holder of the Shares has held the Shares for certain specified time periods, and under certain circumstances, that resales of securities be limited in volume and take place only pursuant to brokered transactions. Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), Optionee acknowledges and agrees to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (e) below.
7.1.5. Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 144 or 701 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk.
7.1.6. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
8. Restrictive Legends and StopTransfer Orders.
8.1. Legends . Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTIONS HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.2. StopTransfer Notices . Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
8.3. Refusal to Transfer . The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
9. No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
10.1. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
10.2. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company’s Board of Directors or committee thereof that is responsible for the administration of the Plan (the “Administrator”), which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.
10.3. Governing Law; Severability . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
10.4. Avisos. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
10.5. Delivery of Payment . The Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax.
10.6. Entire Agreement . The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Optionee represents that he or she has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or other administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Stock Option Exercise Agreement is deemed made as of the date first set forth above.
Name:[ Comapny Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
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Stock Option Agreement for Equity Incentive Plan.
This stock option agreement is intended to be used under an equity incentive plan (or stock plan). An option agreement grants to the holder of the options a right to purchase stock at a set price sometime in the future. Download this free stock option agreement below.
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EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.
Pursuant to its [ Current Year ] Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), [ Company Name ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Option Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
1. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT.
Date of Option Agreement:
[ Option Agreement Date ]
Vesting Start Date:
[ Vesting Start Date ]
Exercise Price per Share:
[ Exercise Price Per Share ]
Total Number of Shares Granted:
[ Number of Shares Granted ]
Total Exercise Price:
_____ Shares Incentive Stock Options.
_____ Shares Non-Statutory Stock Options.
1.1. Programação de Vesting. The Shares subject to this Option shall vest according to the following schedule: Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Start Date and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest monthly thereafter so that one hundred percent (100%) of the Shares subject to the Option are vested on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Start Date, subject to the Optionee remaining a Service Provider through each such vesting date (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator).
1.2. Termination Period . This Option may be exercised, to the extent vested, for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or such longer period as may be applicable upon the death or Disability of Optionee as provided herein (or, if not provided herein, then as provided in the Plan), but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as set forth above.
1.3. Transferability . You may not transfer this Option.
2.1. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an Option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Option Agreement, this grant of an Option is subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.2. Designation of Option . If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning of Code Section 422, but without regard to Code Section 422(d)), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company (or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Code Sections 424(e) or 424(f), respectively)) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as not qualifying under Code Section 422, but rather shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code Section 422. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
2.3. Exercício da Opção. This Option is exercisable as follows:
2.3.1.1. This Option shall be exercisable cumulatively according to the vesting schedule set out in the Notice of Grant. For purposes of this Option Agreement, Shares subject to this Option shall vest based on Optionee’s continued status as a Service Provider, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
2.3.1.2. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
2.3.1.3. In the event of Optionee’s death, Disability or other termination of Continuous Service Status, the exercisability of this Option is governed by Section 5 below, subject to the limitations contained in this Section 2.3.
2.3.1.4. In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
2.3.2. Method of Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable by written notice to the Company (in the form attached as Exhibit A) (the “Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall state the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements with respect to such Shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company or such other authorized representative of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price, including payment of any applicable withholding tax. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
2.4. Lock-Up Agreement . Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stoptransfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed necessary by the Company or the Managing Underwriter to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with NASD Rule 2711 or any successor rule.
2.5. Method of Payment . Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
2.5.3. with the consent of the Administrator, a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as is a market rate of interest and which then precludes the imputation of interest under the Code), payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator and structured to comply with Applicable Laws;
2.5.4. with the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other Shares of Common Stock of the Company which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
2.5.5. with the consent of the Administrator, surrendered Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;
2.5.6. with the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration;
2.5.7. following the Public Trading Date, with the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; ou.
2.5.8. with the consent of the Administrator, any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
2.6. Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company. If the issuance of Shares upon such exercise or if the method of payment for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, then the Option may also not be exercised. The Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation before allowing the Option to be exercised.
2.7. Termination of Relationship . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (other than by reason of Optionee’s death or Disability), Optionee may exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of Grant, to the extent the Option was vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.8. Disability of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent the Option was vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, but only within twelve (12) months from such date (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). To the extent that the Option is not vested at the date on which Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.9. Death of Optionee . If Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the death of Optionee, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. To the extent that the Option is not vested on the date of death, or if the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
2.10. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. It may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
2.11. Term of Option . This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant.
2.12. Restrictions on Shares . Optionee hereby agrees that Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of Shares, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of Shares. Such terms and conditions may, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.
2.13. Corporate Transactions . If the Company undergoes an Acquisition, then any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, may assume any Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity in an Acquisition, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, does not assume such Awards or does not substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to (i) Awards held by participants in the Plan whose status as a Service Provider has not terminated prior to such event, the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such awards may be exercised) shall be accelerated and made fully exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse at least ten (10) days prior to the closing of the Acquisition (and the Awards terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of such Acquisition) and (ii) any other Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Awards shall be terminated if not exercised prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
2.14.1. Generally . Optionee shall, if required by the Administrator, enter into an election with the Company or a Subsidiary (in a form approved by the Company) under which any liability to the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) Tax Liability, including, but not limited to, National Insurance Contributions (“NICs”) and the Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”), is transferred to and met by Optionee. For purposes of this Section 13, Tax Liability shall mean any and all liability under non-U. S. applicable laws, rules or regulations from any income tax, the Company’s (or a Subsidiary’s) NICs, FBT or similar liability and the Optionee’s NICs, FBT or similar liability that are attributable to: (A) the grant or exercise of, or any other benefit derived by the Optionee from the Option; (B) the acquisition by Optionee of the Shares on exercise of the Option; or (C) the disposal of any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.
2.14.2. Tax Indemnity . Optionee shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and any of its Subsidiaries from and against any Tax Liability.
2.14.3. 409A Valutions . In addition, you agree and acknowledge that your rights to any Shares underlying this Option will be earned only as you provide services to the Company over time, that the grant of this Option is not as consideration for services you rendered to the Company prior to your date of hire, and that nothing in this Notice or the attached documents confers upon you any right to continue your employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any period of time, nor does it interfere in any way with your right or the Company’s right to terminate that relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Also, to the extent applicable, the Exercise Price Per Share has been set in good faith compliance with the applicable guidance issued by the IRS under Section 409A of the Code. However, there is no guarantee that the IRS will agree with the valuation, and by signing below, you agree and acknowledge that the Company shall not be held liable for any applicable costs, taxes, or penalties associated with this Option if, in fact, the IRS were to determine that this Option constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of such a determination by the IRS.
2.15. Consideration to the Company . In consideration of the grant of Options by the Company, Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon Opionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge Optionee, if Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if Optionee is a Consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and Optionee.
2.16.1. Governing Law . This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
2.16.2. Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights . This Agreement, together with the Notice to which this Agreement is attached and the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and therein and merges all prior discussions between the parties. Except as contemplated under the Plan, no modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
2.16.3. Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under Applicable Laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms. (d) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient upon delivery, when delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by email or fax (upon customary confirmation of receipt), or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U. S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth on the signature page or as subsequently modified by written notice.
2.16.4. Counterparts . This Option may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
2.16.5. Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Optionee under this Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one document.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Name:[ Company Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
EXHIBIT A: EQUIT INCENTIVE PLAN EXERCISE AGREEMENT.
1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of today, [ Date ] the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase [ # Share To Purchase ] shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of [ Name of Company ] a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), under and pursuant to the [ Year of Plan ] Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated [ Date of Option Agreement ] (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.
2. Representations of Optionee . Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.1. No Voting Rights . Until the stock certificate evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate 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 stock certificate is issued, except as provided in the Plan.
3.2. Exercising the Right of First Refusal . Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal (as defined below) hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.
4. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.
4.1. Company’s Right of First Refusal . Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4 (the “Right of First Refusal”).
4.1.1. Notice of Proposed Transfer . In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (w) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (x) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (y) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (z) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
4.1.2. Exercise of Right of First Refusal . Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees. The purchase price shall be determined in accordance with Section 4(a)(iii) hereof.
4.1.3. Purchase Price . The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section 4 shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board in good faith.
4.1.4. Forma de pagamento . Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder.
4.1.5. Holder’s Right to Transfer . If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 4, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 4 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such 120-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.
4.2. Exception for Certain Family Transfers . Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section 4 (including the Right of First Refusal) and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.
4.3. Termination of Right of First Refusal . The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon a sale of Common Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a “Public Offering”).
5. Transfer Restrictions . Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal provided in this Agreement, shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.
6. Tax Consultation . Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
7. Investment Representations . In connection with the purchase of the Shares, the Optionee represents to the Company the following.
7.1.1. Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is purchasing these securities for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act or under any applicable provision of state law. Optionee does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any person or entity.
7.1.2. Optionee understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.
7.1.3. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the securities. Optionee understands that the certificate(s) evidencing the securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.
7.1.4. Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer of the securities (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Optionee understands that the Company provides no assurances as to whether he or she will be able to resell any or all of the Shares pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules require, among other things, that the Company be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that resales of securities take place only after the holder of the Shares has held the Shares for certain specified time periods, and under certain circumstances, that resales of securities be limited in volume and take place only pursuant to brokered transactions. Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), Optionee acknowledges and agrees to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (e) below.
7.1.5. Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 144 or 701 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk.
7.1.6. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
8. Restrictive Legends and StopTransfer Orders.
8.1. Legends . Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTIONS HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.2. StopTransfer Notices . Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
8.3. Refusal to Transfer . The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
9. No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
10.1. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
10.2. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company’s Board of Directors or committee thereof that is responsible for the administration of the Plan (the “Administrator”), which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.
10.3. Governing Law; Severability . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
10.4. Avisos. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
10.5. Delivery of Payment . The Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax.
10.6. Entire Agreement . The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Optionee represents that he or she has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or other administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Stock Option Exercise Agreement is deemed made as of the date first set forth above.
Name:[ Comapny Representative Name ]
Title:[ Representative Title ]
Name:[ Optionee Name ]
Address:[ Optionee Address ]
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This form has been prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, advertising, a solicitation, or tax advice. Transmission of this form and the information contained herein is not intended to create, and receipt thereof does not constitute formation of, an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely upon this document or information for any purpose without seeking legal advice from an appropriately licensed attorney, including without limitation to review and provide advice on the terms of this form, the appropriate approvals required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this form, and any securities law and other legal issues contemplated by this form or the transactions contemplated by this form.
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