DIRECT HIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the
"OPTION AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of the Date of Option Grant by
and between Direct Hit Technologies, Inc. and ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "OPTIONEE").
The Company has granted to the Optionee pursuant to the Direct Hit
Technologies, Inc. 1998-A Stock Option Plan (the "PLAN") an option to purchase
certain shares of Stock, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Option
Agreement (the "OPTION"). The Option shall in all respects be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan. Whenever used
herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth
below:
(a) "DATE OF OPTION GRANT" means November 8, 1999.
(b) "NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES" means 20,000 shares of
Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 7.
(c) "EXERCISE PRICE" means $ 3.34 per share of Stock, as
adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 7.
(d) "INITIAL VESTING DATE" means (i) the date occurring
one (1) year after the Date of Option Grant; or (ii) if a Change in Control
occurs prior to such date, the Initial Vesting Date shall mean the date
occurring one (1) month after the date on which the Optionee's Service
commenced. However, if the acceleration of vesting resulting from a change to
the Initial Vesting Date described in (ii) above would preclude the use of
"pooling of interests" accounting treatment with respect to the Change in
Control, no such acceleration of vesting shall occur and the Initial Vesting
Date shall be the date described in (i) above.
(e) "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE" means the date ten (10)
years after the Date of Option Grant.
(f) "VESTED RATIO" means, on any relevant date, the
ratio determined as follows:
(i) Prior to the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested
Ratio shall be zero.
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(ii) On the Initial Vesting Date, provided that
the Optionee's Service has not terminated prior to such date, the Vested Ratio
shall be 1/4; provided, however, that if the Initial Vesting Date is determined
pursuant to Section 1.1(e)(ii) above, the Vested Ratio shall be 1/48 as of the
Initial Vesting Date.
(iii) For each full month of the Optionee's
continuous Service from the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio shall be
increased by 1/48 until the Vested Ratio equals 1/1.
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 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.)
2.2 FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. 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
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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 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 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 Optionee's agreement that any shares
purchased upon exercise are subject to the Company's repurchase rights set forth
in Section 9 and Section 10.
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
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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 assignment in a form acceptable 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.
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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 Optionee is cautioned that
the Option is not exercisable unless the tax withholding obligations of the
Participating Company Group are satisfied. Accordingly, the Optionee may not be
able to exercise the Option when desired even though the Option is vested, and
the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares or
release such shares from any escrow provided for herein.
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.
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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 the Plan, 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 the Plan,
or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in the Plan.
7. 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 7 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 7 shall be final, binding and
conclusive.
8. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.
The Optionee 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 7. If the Optionee is an Employee, the
Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a
separate, written
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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.
9. UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION.
9.1 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
shares acquired upon exercise of the Option which exceed the Vested Shares as
defined in Section 9.2 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 9 (the "UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION").
9.2 VESTED SHARES AND UNVESTED SHARES DEFINED. Except as
otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, 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.
9.3 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.
9.4 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
7 (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.
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9.5 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.
9.6 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 Ratio 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.
10. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
10.1 GRANT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as provided in
Section 10.7 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 stockholder 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 10 (the "RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL").
10.2 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.
10.3 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
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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 10, and the Optionee shall have no right to transfer the
Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this
Section 10. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer
Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
10.4 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.
10.5 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 10.4 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 10.
10.6 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
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hold such Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and
conditions of this Option Agreement, including this Section 10 providing for
the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale
or transfer of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void
unless the provisions of this Section 10 are met.
10.7 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 10.9 below result in a termination of the Right
of First Refusal.
10.8 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.
10.9 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.
11. ESCROW.
11.1 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 7,
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 7, 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.
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11.2 DELIVERY OF SHARES TO OPTIONEE. As soon as practicable
after the expiration of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, but not more
frequently than twice each calendar year, the escrow agent shall deliver to the
Optionee the shares and any other property no longer subject to such
restriction.
11.3 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.
12. 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 7, 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
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option and the Right of First Refusal immediately
before such event.
13. 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, the Optionee shall 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 of the Optionee exercises
all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option
Grant. 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.
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14. 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:
14.1 "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 FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES 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."
14.2 "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."
14.3 "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."
14.4 "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
_________________________. 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
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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."
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
17.1 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.
17.2 TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend
the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided
in the Plan 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 to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No
amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing.
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17.3 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.
17.4 INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. 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
and 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 this Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option
and shall remain in full force and effect.
17.5 APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Massachusetts as such laws are applied to agreements
between Massachusetts residents entered into and to be performed entirely within
the State of Massachusetts.
17.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Option Agreement 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.
DIRECT HIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: ________________________________
Title: _____________________________
Address: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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The Optionee represents that the Optionee is familiar with the terms and
provisions of this Option Agreement, including the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option set forth in Section 9 and the Right of First Refusal set forth in
Section 10, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and
provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive
and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions
arising under this Option Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Plan.
OPTIONEE
Date: ________________________________ ____________________________________
Optionee Address:
____________________________________
____________________________________
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Optionee: _________________________
Date: ________________________
IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
EXERCISE NOTICE
Direct Hit Technologies, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. I was granted an incentive stock option (the
"OPTION") to purchase shares of the common stock of Direct Hit Technologies,
Inc. (the "COMPANY") pursuant to the Company's 1998-A Stock Option Plan (the
"PLAN") and my Immediately Exercisable Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated
__________________, 19___ (the "OPTION AGREEMENT"). The Grant Number of the
Option is _____________. I hereby elect to exercise the Option as to a total of
__________________ shares of the common stock of the Company (the "SHARES"), of
which ________________ are Vested Shares and ______________ are Unvested Shares
as determined in accordance with the Option Agreement.
2. PAYMENT. Enclosed is full payment in the aggregate amount of
$_____________ (representing $_______ per share) for the Shares in the manner
set forth in the Option Agreement. I authorize payroll withholding and
otherwise will make adequate provision for foreign, federal, state and local tax
withholding obligations of the Company, if any.
3. 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. If required by the Company,
I agree to deposit the certificate or certificates 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 by such escrow agent pursuant
to the Company's standard Joint Escrow Instructions.
4. TRANSFER. I am aware that Rule 144, promulgated 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
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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.
I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company if I transfer any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the Option within
one (1) year from the date I exercise all or part of the Option or within two
(2) years of the date of grant of the Option.
My address is:____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
My Social Security Number is:
_______________________________________________
5. 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 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.
DIRECT HIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: ___________________________
Title: ________________________
Dated: ________________________
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