EXHIBIT 4.5
ECO SOIL SYSTEMS, INC.
NON STATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
The Company has granted to the Optionee, pursuant to a Notice of Grant of
Stock Options (the "GRANT AGREEMENT") 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 Grant Agreement, 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 Grant Agreement.
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 STATUS OF OPTION. As indicated in the Grant Agreement, this Option
is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and is not intended to be an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code. The
Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax advisor regarding the tax
effects of this Option.
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 the Company or its subsidiaries (collectively, a "Participating
Company" and collectively, the "Participating Company Group") 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 in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement prior
to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to
exceed the number of vested Option shares. In no event shall the Option be
exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares.
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 Stock Option Plan Administrator of the Company, or
other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to
the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by full
payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such written notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.
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(c), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.
(b) 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 to the ownership, of
Stock 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.
(c) 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.
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
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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.
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
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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 Transfer of 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 (whether as an employee,
consultant or director) with the Participating Company Group is terminated
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.
(b) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service with the Participating
Company Group is terminated 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) 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 within thirty (30) days (or such other longer period of time as
determined by the Board, in its sole discretion) after the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option
Expiration Date.
7.2 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 one (1) month 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. The Company makes no representation as to
the tax consequences of any such delayed exercise. The Optionee should consult
with the Optionee's own tax advisor as to the tax consequences of any such
delayed exercise.
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7.3 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. The
Company makes no representation as to the tax consequences of any such delayed
exercise. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax advisor as to
the tax consequences of any such delayed exercise.
8. TRANSFER OF CONTROL.
8.1 DEFINITIONS.
(a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred
if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:
(i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or
series of related transactions by the shareholders of the Company of more than
fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;
(ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a
party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company; or
(iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change Event
or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the "TRANSACTION")
wherein the shareholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do
not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest
resulting from ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which,
as a result of the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee
Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one or more
subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to determine whether
multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock of the Company or multiple
Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
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8.2 EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTION. In the event of a Transfer
of Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or
parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (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. For purposes of this Section 8.2, the Option shall be
deemed assumed if, following the Transfer of Control, the Option confers the
right to purchase in accordance with its terms and conditions, for each share of
Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the Transfer of Control, the
consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) to which a
holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Transfer of Control was
entitled. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of
the date of the Transfer of Control to the extent that the Option is neither
assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the
Transfer of Control nor exercised as of the date of the Transfer of Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior
to the Transfer of Control and any consideration received pursuant to the
Transfer of 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) constituting a Transfer of 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 sole discretion.
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 sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall
be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the Board,
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
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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. LEGENDS. The Company may at any time place legends referencing any
applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all
certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this
Option Agreement. The 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:
"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."
12. PUBLIC OFFERING. 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. The Optionee shall be subject to this Section provided and only
if the officers and directors of the Company are also subject to similar
arrangements.
13. 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,
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including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the
provisions of this Option Agreement and any such attempted disposition shall
be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any
shares 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.
14. 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.
15. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend this Option
at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8.2 in
connection with a Transfer of 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. No amendment or
addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
16. 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 on the Grant Agreement or at such other address
as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
17. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. The Grant Agreement and this Option Agreement
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 there are no 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 Grant Agreement and this Option Agreement shall survive
any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.
18. APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware
residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of
Delaware.
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Optionee: ________________________
Date: ________________________
EXERCISE NOTICE
Eco Soil Systems, Inc.
________________________
________________________
Attention: Stock Option Plan Administrator
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. I was granted a nonstatutory stock option (the
"OPTION") to purchase shares of the common stock of Eco Soil Systems, Inc. (the
"COMPANY") on ___________________, 19___, pursuant to the Notice of Grant of
Stock Options dated __________________, 19___ and the related Stock Option
Agreement (together, the "OPTION AGREEMENT"). I hereby elect to exercise the
Option as to a total of __________________ shares of the common stock of the
Company (the "SHARES"), all of which have vested in accordance with the Option
Agreement.
2. PAYMENT. Enclosed herewith 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 and state 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 set forth therein, to all of which I hereby expressly assent.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
4. TRANSFER. I am aware that Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities
Act of 1933, 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.
My address of record is:
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______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
My Social Security Number is:
_______________________________
I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of
my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and carefully read and
understand.
Very truly yours,
(Signature) _______________________________
(Optionee's Name Printed) _______________________________
Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.
ECO SOIL SYSTEMS, INC.
By: _______________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: _____________________________
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