RIVULET MEDIA, INC. STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.1
Rivulet Media, Inc. has granted to the individual (the “Participant”) named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) is attached an option (the “Option”) to purchase certain shares of Common Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the Rivulet Media, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended to the Date of Option Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Notice, the Participant: (a) represents that the Participant has received copies of, and has read and is familiar with the terms and conditions of, the Notice, the Plan, and this Option Agreement, (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan, and this Option Agreement, and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board (or the Committee, if a Committee has been appointed) upon any questions arising under the Notice, the Plan, or this Option Agreement.
1. Definitions and Construction.
1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Notice or the Plan.
1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
2. Tax Consequences.
2.1 Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Notice.
(a) Incentive Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)
(b) Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
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2.2 ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Participant under all stock option plans of the Company or any parent corporation (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) (each a “Participating Company” and together the “Participating Company Group”), including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price (as defined in the Notice) of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)
3. Administration of Agreement.
All questions of interpretation concerning this Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.
4. Exercise of the Option.
4.1 Right to Exercise.
(a) In General. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Exercise Date set forth and prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the Number of Option Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9.
(b) ISO Exercise Limitation. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option in the Notice, then notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.1(a) and except as provided in Section 4.1(c), the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock with respect to which the Participant may exercise the Option for the first time during any calendar year, when added to the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares subject to other options designated as Incentive Stock Options and granted to the Participant under other stock option plans of the Participating Company Group prior to the Date of Option Grant which options are exercisable for the first time during the same calendar year, shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), pursuant to the Code. For purposes of the preceding sentence, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of shares of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such shares is granted. Such limitation on exercise shall be referred to in this Option Agreement as the “ISO Exercise Limitation.” If Section 422 of the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 4.1(b), the ISO Exercise Limitation shall be deemed amended effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. The ISO Exercise Limitation shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the Participant’s termination of Service, (ii) the day immediately prior to the effective date of a Corporate Transaction in which the Option is not Assumed or Replaced as provided in Section 8, or (iii) the day ten (10) days prior to the Option Expiration Date. Upon such termination of the ISO Exercise Limitation, the Option shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Stock Option to the extent of the number of shares subject to the Option that would otherwise exceed the ISO Exercise Limitation.
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(c) Exception to ISO Exercise Limitation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement, if compliance with the ISO Exercise Limitation as set forth in Section 4.1(b) will result in the exercisability of any Vested Shares being delayed more than thirty (30) days beyond the date such shares become Vested Shares (the “Vesting Date”), the Option shall be deemed to be two (2) options. The first option shall be for the maximum portion of the Number of Option Shares that can comply with the ISO Exercise Limitation without causing the Option to be unexercisable in the aggregate as to Vested Shares on the Vesting Date for such shares. The second option, which shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option as described in section 422(b) of the Code, shall be for the balance of the Number of Option Shares; that is, those such shares which, on the respective Vesting Date for such shares, would be unexercisable if included in the first option and thereby made subject to the ISO Exercise Limitation. Shares treated as subject to the second option shall be exercisable on the same terms and at the same time as set forth in this Option Agreement; provided, however, that (i) Section 4.1(b) shall not apply to the second option and (ii) each such share shall become a Vested Share on the Vesting Date such share must first be allocated to the second option pursuant to the preceding sentence. Unless the Participant specifically elects to the contrary in the Participant’s written notice of exercise, the first option shall be deemed to be exercised first to the maximum possible extent and then the second option shall be deemed to be exercised.
4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by written notice to the Company, which must state the election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Participant’s investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the Participant and must be delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Board may permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice, the aggregate Exercise Price, and, if required by the Company, such executed agreement.
4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.
(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the aggregate Exercise Price (as defined in the Notice), (iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(b), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.
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(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.
(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. The Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) Cashless Exercise. A “Cashless Exercise” means the delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the Company (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to decline to approve or terminate any such program or procedure.
4.4 Tax Withholding. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Option is not exercisable unless the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group are satisfied. Accordingly, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant.
4.5 Certificate Registration. Except in the event the Exercise Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.
4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign securities laws. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state, or foreign securities laws, or any other laws or regulations, or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to lawfully issue and sell any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
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4.7 No Fractional Shares. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option, and the number of Shares in the event of such an exercise shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
5. Nontransferability of the Option.
The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
6. Termination of the Option.
The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Corporate Transaction to the extent provided in Section 8.
7. Effect of Termination of Service.
If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, including but not limited to Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian, legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death) at any time prior to ninety (90) days after Participant’s Service Terminated. Unless otherwise defined in a contract of employment or service between the Participant and a Participating Company, for purposes of this Option Agreement, “Cause” shall have the meaning given such term in the Plan.
8. Corporate transaction.
8.1 Termination of Option to Extent Not Assumed in Corporate Transaction. Effective upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, the Option shall terminate. However, the Option shall not terminate to the extent it is Assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction.
8.2 Acceleration of Award Upon Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction and:
(a) for the portion of the Option that is Assumed or Replaced, then the Option (if Assumed), the replacement Option (if Replaced), or the cash incentive program (if Replaced) automatically shall become fully vested, exercisable and payable and be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights (other than repurchase rights exercisable at Fair Market Value) for all of the shares of Stock at the time represented by such Assumed or Replaced portion of the Option immediately upon termination of the Participant’s Service, if such Service is terminated by the successor company or the Company without Cause or voluntarily by the Participant with Good Reason within twelve (12) months after the Corporate Transaction; and
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(b) for the portion of the Option that is neither Assumed nor Replaced, such portion of the Option shall automatically become fully vested and exercisable and be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights (other than repurchase rights exercisable at Fair Market Value) for all of the shares of Stock at the time represented by such portion of the Option, immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Corporate Transaction, provided however that such accelerated portion of the Option shall terminate under Section 8.1 to the extent not exercised prior to the consummation of such Corporate Transaction.
8.3 Definition of Corporate Transaction.
(a) A “Corporate Transaction” means the first of the following events to occur:
(i) a Person or one or more Persons acting as a group acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the Company stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company;
(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Date of Option Grant, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Date of Option Grant or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; and
(iii) a Person or one or more Persons acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company determined immediately prior to such acquisition.
(b) For purposes of this Section 8,
(i) “Person” shall mean a “person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(1) of the Code, except that such term shall not include (A) the Company (or any subsidiary thereof), (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(ii) Stock ownership shall be determined in accordance with the attribution rules of Section 318(a) of the Code.
(iii) The gross fair market value of an asset shall be determined without regard to any liabilities associated with that asset.
(iv) A “Change of Control” shall not be occur (A) by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions, and (B) as a result of any primary or secondary offering of Company common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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9. Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.
Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of shares subject to the Option, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights under the Option. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the Exercise Price of the Option be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10. Rights as a Stockholder, Employee, or Consultant.
The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of a certificate for the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participant’s Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time. Nothing in this Option shall confer on any person any legal or equitable right against the Company, directly or indirectly, or give rise to any cause of action at law or in equity against any Participating Company. The Option granted hereunder shall not form any part of the wages or salary of Participant for purposes of severance pay or termination indemnities, irrespective of the reason for termination of employment. Under no circumstances shall any person ceasing to be an employee of any Participating Company be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit under this Option or the Plan which such employee might otherwise have enjoyed but for termination of employment, whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful or unfair dismissal, breach of contract or otherwise.
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11. Notice of Sales Upon Disqualifying Disposition.
The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Participant disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and (b) provide the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company pursuant to the terms and condition of the Employment Agreement (defined below), the Participant shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Participant’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.
12. Legends.
The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of Stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
12.1 “THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.”
12.2 “THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (“ISO”). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER’S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.”
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13. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.
No shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Participant), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares that have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares, accord the right to vote as such owner or pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares have been so transferred.
14. Miscellaneous Provisions.
14.1 Binding Effect. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
14.2 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8.1 in connection with a Corporate Transaction, no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Participant, unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is required to enable the Option, if designated an Incentive Stock Option in the Notice, to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
14.3 Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address shown below that party’s signature or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
14.4 Employment Agreement. The terms and provisions of the employment agreement, if any, between Participant and any Participating Company (the “Employment Agreement”) that relate to or affect this Option are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Option, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Option and the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall be controlling.
14.5 Integrated Agreement. The Notice, this Option Agreement, and the Plan, together with any employment, service, or other agreement with the Participant and a Participating Company referring to the Option, will constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.
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14.6 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.
14.7 Counterparts. The Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
14.8 Consultation with Professional Tax and Investment Advisors. The holder of this Option acknowledges that the grant, exercise, vesting or any payment with respect to this Option, and the sale or other taxable disposition of the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise thereof, may have tax consequences pursuant to the Code or under local, state or international tax laws. The holder further acknowledges that such holder is relying solely and exclusively on the holder’s own professional tax and investment advisors with respect to any and all such matters (and is not relying, in any manner, on any Participating Company or any of its employees or representatives). Finally, the holder understands and agrees that any and all tax consequences resulting from the Option and its grant, exercise, vesting or any payment with respect thereto, and the sale or other taxable disposition of the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, is solely and exclusively the responsibility of the holder without any expectation or understanding that any Participating Company or any of its employees or representatives will pay or reimburse such holder for such taxes or other items.
| ☒ Incentive Stock Option | Participant: |
| ☐ Nonstatutory Stock Option | Date: |
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STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Option. I was granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the common stock (the “Shares”) of Rivulet Media, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), my Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Notice”), and my Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) as follows:
| Date of Option Grant: | ||||
| Number of Option Shares: | ||||
| Exercise Price per Share: | $ |
2. Exercise of Option. I hereby elect to exercise the Option to purchase the following number of Shares, all of which are Vested Shares, in accordance with the Notice and the Option Agreement:
| Shares Purchased: | ||||
| Exercise Price (Shares X Price per Share) | $ |
3. Payments. I enclose payment in full of the total exercise price for the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement:
| ☐ Cash: | $ | |||
| ☐ Check: | $ | |||
| ☐ Tender of Company Stock: | Contact Company | |||
| ☐ Cashless Exercise: | Contact Company | |||
4. Tax Withholding. I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option. If I am exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, I enclose payment in full of my withholding taxes, if any, as follows:
(Contact Company for amount of tax due.)
| ☐ Cash: | $ | |||
| ☐ Check: |
I understand that ownership of the Shares will not be transferred to me until the total Exercise Price and all applicable withholding taxes have been paid.
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5. Participant Information.
| My address is: | |
| My Social Security Number is: |
6. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1) year from the date I exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2) years of the Date of Option Grant.
7. Tax Consequences. I understand that there may be adverse federal or state tax consequences as a result of my purchase or disposition of the Shares. I also acknowledge that I have been advised to consult with a tax advisor in connection with the purchase of disposition of the Shares. I am not relying on the Company for tax advice.
8. Binding Effect. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Option Agreement, to all of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and carefully read and understand.
| Very truly yours, | |
| (Signature) |
| Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged. |
| RIVULET MEDIA, INC. |
| By: |
| Title: |
| Dated: |
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