e-PERCEPTION, INC. STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
e-PERCEPTION, INC.
e-PERCEPTION, INC. has granted to the individual (the “Optionee”) 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 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 e-Perception, Inc. 2001 Stock Option 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 Optionee: (a) represents that the Optionee has read and is familiar with the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement, including the Effect of Termination of Service set forth in Section 7, the Unvested Share Repurchase Option set forth in Section 11 and the Right of First Refusal set forth in Section 12, (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement, (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement, and (d) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Notice, the Plan and 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. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings as set forth below.
(a) “Cause” shall mean any of the following: (i) the Optionee’s theft or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Optionee’s improper use or disclosure of a Participating Company’s confidential or proprietary information; (iii) any action by the Optionee which has a detrimental effect on a Participating Company’s reputation or business; (iv) the Optionee’s failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (v) any material breach by the Optionee of any employment agreement between the Optionee and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vi) the Optionee’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act which impairs the Optionee’s ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.
(b) “Good Reason” shall mean any one or more of the following:
(i) without the Optionee’s express written consent, the assignment to the Optionee of any duties, or any limitation of the Optionee’s responsibilities, substantially inconsistent with the Optionee’s positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the Participating Company Group immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control;
(ii) without the Optionee’s express written consent, the relocation of the principal place of the Optionee’s Service to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the Optionee’s principal place of Service immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control, or the imposition of travel requirements substantially more demanding of the Optionee than such travel requirements existing immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control;
(iii) any failure by the Participating Company Group to pay, or any material reduction by the Participating Company Group of, (1) the Optionee’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control (unless reductions comparable in amount and duration are concurrently made for all other employees of the Participating Company Group with responsibilities, organizational level and title comparable to the Optionee’s), or (2) the Optionee’s bonus compensation, if any, in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control (subject to applicable performance requirements with respect to the actual amount of bonus compensation earned by the Optionee); or
(iv) any failure by the Participating Company Group to (1) continue to provide the Optionee with the opportunity to participate, on terms no less favorable than those in effect for the benefit of any employee or service provider group which customarily includes a person holding the employment or service provider position or a comparable position with the Participating Company Group then held by the Optionee, in any benefit or compensation plans and programs, including, but not limited to, the Participating Company Group’s life, disability, health, dental, medical, savings, profit sharing, stock purchase and retirement plans, if any, in which the Optionee was participating immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control, or their equivalent, or (2) provide the Optionee with all other fringe benefits (or their equivalent) from time to time in effect for the benefit of any employee or service provider group which customarily includes a person holding the employment or service provider position or a comparable position with the Participating Company Group then held by the Optionee.
(c) “Termination After Change in Control” shall mean either of the following events occurring within six (6) months after a Change in Control:
(i) termination by the Participating Company Group of the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group for any reason other than for Cause; or
(ii) the Optionee’s resignation for Good Reason from all capacities in which the Optionee is then rendering Service to the Participating Company Group within a reasonable period of time following the event constituting Good Reason.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Termination After Change in Control shall not include any termination of the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group which (1) is for Cause; (2) is a result of the Optionee’s death or Disability; (3) is a result of the Optionee’s voluntary termination of Service other than for Good Reason; or (4) occurs prior to the effectiveness of a Change in Control.
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 Optionee should consult with the Optionee’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 OPTIONEE: 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.
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 Optionee under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value 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 Optionee may designate which portion of such Option the Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Optionee 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 OPTIONEE: If the aggregate Exercise Price 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.)
2.3 Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. If the Optionee exercises this Option to purchase shares of Stock that are both nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the Optionee understands that the Optionee should consult with the Optionee’s tax advisor regarding the advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the Optionee exercises the Option. Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture if, for example, they are unvested and are subject to a right of the Company to repurchase such shares at the Optionee’s original purchase price if the Optionee’s Service terminates. Failure to file an election under Section 83(b), if appropriate, may result in adverse tax consequences to the Optionee. The Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has been advised to consult with a tax advisor prior to the exercise of the Option regarding the tax consequences to the Optionee of the exercise of the Option. AN ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE OPTIONEE PURCHASES SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED. THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS THE OPTIONEE’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF THE OPTIONEE REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.
3. Administration.
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 of a Participating Company shall have 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. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Date of Option Grant (or if later, the Optionee’s Service commencement date) 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, subject to the Company’s repurchase rights set forth in Section 11 and Section 12.
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 Optionee’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 Optionee 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 Company 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 (i) full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased and (ii) an executed copy, if required herein, of the then current form of escrow agreement referenced below. 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 Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with an underwriter for the Company) not less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(b), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.
(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 Optionee for more than six (6) months 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 Optionee hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Optionee, 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 Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to this Option Agreement until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Optionee.
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 Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.
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 law with respect to such securities. 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 other law 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 of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE 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 the lawful issuance and sale of 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 to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee 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.
4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.
5. Nontransferability of the Option.
The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee’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 Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’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 on the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in Section 8.
7. Effect of Termination of Service.
7.1 Option Exercisability.
(a) Disability. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group terminates because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. (NOTE: If an Incentive Stock Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service as an Employee terminated as a result of a Disability other than a 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) Death. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group terminates because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee’s death at any time prior to the expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Optionee’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within thirty (30) days after the Optionee’s termination of Service.
(c) Termination After Change in Control. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group ceases as a result of Termination After Change in Control (as defined below), (i) the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date, and (ii) the Option shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full and the Vested Ratio shall be deemed to be 1/1 as of the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the provisions or operation of this Section 5.1(c) would preclude treatment of a Change in Control as a “pooling-of-interests” for accounting purposes and provided further that in the absence of the preceding sentence such Change in Control would be treated as a “pooling-of-interests” for accounting purposes, then this Section 5.1(c) shall be void ab initio, and the vesting and exercisability of the Option shall be determined under any other applicable provision of the Option Agreement.
(d) Other Termination of Service. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason, except Disability or death, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time prior to the expiration of ninety (90) days (or such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
7.2 Additional Limitation on Option Exercise. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.1, the Option may not be exercised after the Optionee’s termination of Service to the extent that the shares to be acquired upon exercise of the Option would be subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option as provided in Section 11.
7.3 Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date the Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
7.4 Extension if Optionee Subject to Section 16(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the Optionee’s termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration Date.
8. Change in Control.
8.1 Effect of Change in Control on Option. In the event of a Change in Control, the Acquiring Corporation may either assume the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the Option immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i) of the Plan constituting a Change in Control is the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its discretion.
8.2 Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, should the exercisability of this Option be accelerated in connection with a Change in Control or a Termination After Change in Control, then to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock with respect to which the Optionee may exercise the Option for the first time during the calendar year of such acceleration, when added to the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares subject to any other options designated as Incentive Stock Options granted to the Optionee under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group prior to the Date of Option Grant with respect to which such options are exercisable for the first time during the same calendar year, exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such other limit, if any, imposed by Section 422 of the Code), the portion of the Option which exceeds such amount shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. 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.
9. Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.
In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the “New Shares”), the Board may unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined by the Board, in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
10. Rights as a Shareholder, Employee or Consultant.
The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder 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 Optionee is an Employee, the Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Optionee, the Optionee’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee 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 Optionee’s Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.
11. Unvested Share Repurchase Option.
11.1 Grant of Unvested Share Repurchase Option. In the event the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, or, if the Optionee, the Optionee’s legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option attempts to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) any Unvested Shares, as defined in Section 11.2 below (the “Unvested Shares”), the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Unvested Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the “Unvested Share Repurchase Option”).
11.2 Vested Shares and Unvested Shares Defined. The “Vested Shares” shall mean, on any given date, a number of shares of Stock equal to the Number of Option Shares multiplied by the Vested Ratio determined as of such date and rounded down to the nearest whole share. On such given date, the “Unvested Shares” shall mean the number of shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option which exceed the Vested Shares determined as of such date.
11.3 Exercise of Unvested Share Repurchase Option. The Company may exercise the Unvested Share Repurchase Option by written notice to the Optionee within sixty (60) days after (a) termination of the Optionee’s Service (or exercise of the Option, if later) or (b) the Company has received notice of the attempted disposition of Unvested Shares. If the Company fails to give notice within such sixty (60) day period, the Unvested Share Repurchase Option shall terminate unless the Company and the Optionee have extended the time for the exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option. The Unvested Share Repurchase Option must be exercised, if at all, for all of the Unvested Shares, except as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree.
11.4 Payment for Shares and Return of Shares to Company. The purchase price per share being repurchased by the Company shall be an amount equal to the Optionee’s original cost per share, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9 (the “Repurchase Price”). The Company shall pay the aggregate Repurchase Price to the Optionee in cash within thirty (30) days after the date of the written notice to the Optionee of the Company’s exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company for the shares shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled. The shares being repurchased shall be delivered to the Company by the Optionee at the same time as the delivery of the Repurchase Price to the Optionee.
11.5 Assignment of Unvested Share Repurchase Option. The Company shall have the right to assign the Unvested Share Repurchase Option at any time, whether or not such option is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.
11.6 Ownership Change Event. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee’s ownership of Unvested Shares shall be immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and included in the terms “Stock” and “Unvested Shares” for all purposes of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option with the same force and effect as the Unvested Shares immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event. While the aggregate Repurchase Price shall remain the same after such Ownership Change Event, the Repurchase Price per Unvested Share upon exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option following such Ownership Change Event shall be adjusted as appropriate. For purposes of determining the Vested Shares following an Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before and after the Ownership Change Event.
12. Right of First Refusal.
12.1 Grant of Right of First Refusal. Except as provided in Section 12.7 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee’s legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any Vested Shares (the “Transfer Shares”) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any shareholder of a Participating Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 12 (the “Right of First Refusal”).
12.2 Notice of Proposed Transfer. Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver written notice (the “Transfer Notice”) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the “Proposed Transferee”) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Optionee proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.
12.3 Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee’s failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 12, and the Optionee shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 12. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
12.4 Exercise of Right of First Refusal. If the Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company’s exercise or failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company’s right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled.
12.5 Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal. If the Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period specified in Section 12.4 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Optionee with the procedure described in this Section 12.
12.6 Transferees of Transfer Shares. All transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including this Section 12 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer and Section 13 providing for a Vested Share Repurchase Option. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this Section 12 are met.
12.7 Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of Section 12.9 below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.
12.8 Assignment of Right of First Refusal. The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.
12.9 Early Termination of Right of First Refusal. The other provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Acquiring Corporation assumes the Company’s rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock for the Option, or (b) the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A “public market” shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.
13. Escrow.
13.1 Establishment of Escrow. To ensure that shares subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option will be available for repurchase, the Company may require the Optionee to deposit the certificate evidencing the shares which the Optionee purchases upon exercise of the Option with an agent designated by the Company under the terms and conditions of an escrow agreement approved by the Company. If the Company does not require such deposit as a condition of exercise of the Option, the Company reserves the right at any time to require the Optionee to so deposit the certificate in escrow. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event or a change, as described in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee’s ownership of shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option that remain, following such Ownership Change Event or change described in Section 9, subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option shall be immediately subject to the escrow to the same extent as such shares of Stock immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the expenses of the escrow.
13.2 Delivery of Shares to Optionee. As soon as practicable after the expiration of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option the escrow agent shall deliver to the Optionee the shares and any other property no longer subject to such restriction.
13.3 Notices and Payments. In the event the shares and any other property held in escrow are subject to the Company’s exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option or the Right of First Refusal, the notices required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent, and any payment required to be given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent. Within thirty (30) days after payment by the Company, the escrow agent shall deliver the shares and any other property which the Company has purchased to the Company and shall deliver the payment received from the Company to the Optionee.
14. Stock Distributions Subject to Option Agreement.
If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee’s ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right of First Refusal with the same force and effect as the shares subject to such restrictions immediately before such event.
15. Notice of Sales Upon Disqualifying Disposition.
The Optionee 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 Optionee shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Optionee disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Optionee 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 Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Optionee shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Optionee’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 Optionee 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.
16. Legends.
The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal and 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 Optionee 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 Optionee in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
16.1 “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.”
16.2 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.”
16.3 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.”
16.4 If the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option: “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.”
17. Lock-Up Agreement.
The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such public offering; provided, however, that such period of time shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of the registration statement to be filed in connection with such public offering. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act.
18. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.
No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Optionee), 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, except pursuant to an Ownership Change Event, until the date on which such shares become Vested Shares, and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will 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 or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred.
19. Miscellaneous Provisions.
19.1 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.
19.2 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Plan Section 8.2 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Optionee 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.
19.3 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 on the Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
19.4 Integrated Agreement. The Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee 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 Optionee 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.
19.5 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of California as such laws are applied to agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within California.
19.6 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.
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Incentive Stock Option
Nonstatutory Stock Option
|
Optionee: ______________________________
Date:_________________________________
|
STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
(IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE)
e-Perception, Inc.
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
___________________________
___________________________
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Option. I was granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the common stock (the “Shares”) of e-Perception, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), my Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Notice”) and my Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) as follows:
| Grant Number: | |||
| 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:
| Vested Shares: | |||
| Unvested Shares: | |||
| Total Shares Purchased: | |||
| Total Exercise Price (Total 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 Plan Administrator |
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.
5. Optionee 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. 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, including the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right of First Refusal set forth therein, to all of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. I agree that if required by the Company, I will deposit the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares, along with a blank stock assignment separate from certificate executed by me, with an escrow agent designated by the Company, to be held pursuant to the Company’s standard Joint Escrow Instructions, an executed copy of which I have delivered herewith.
8. Transfer. I understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and that consequently the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act, an exemption from such registration is available, or they are sold in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. I further understand and acknowledge that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. I understand that the certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with legends which prohibit the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the Company.
I am aware that Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which permits limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic offering, is not currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any event, is available only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that any sale of the Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be made in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule and that a copy of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request.
9. Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. I understand and acknowledge that if I am exercising the Option to purchase Unvested Shares (i.e., shares that remain subject to the Company’s Unvested Share Repurchase Option), that I should consult with my tax advisor regarding the advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which I exercise the Option. I acknowledge that I have been advised to consult with a tax advisor prior to the exercise of the Option regarding the tax consequences to me of exercising the Option. AN ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH I PURCHASE SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS MY SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF I REQUEST THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON MY BEHALF.
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)
(Signature)
Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.
e-Perception, Inc.
By: __________________________________
Title: _________________________________
Dated: ________________________________