Exhibit 10.1 MIP SOLUTIONS, INC. 2008 STOCK PLAN

1. Purposes of the Plan. Awards granted under the MIP Solutions, Inc. 2008 Stock Plan may be Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units as determined by the Administrator at the time of the grant of Awards. The purposes of this 2008 Stock Plan are:

(a) to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

(b) to provide incentives to Employees and Consultants, and

 

(c) to promote the success of the Company’s business.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

 

(b) “Affiliate” means any Parent or Subsidiary (as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code) of the Company.

 

(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

(d) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

 

(e) “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.

 

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(g) “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, in one or a series of related transactions:

 

(i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

 

(ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

(iii) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets; or

 

(iv) a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the Directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean Directors who either (A) are Directors as of the date this Plan is approved by the Board, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Directors and whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transaction described in (i) or (ii) above or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

(i) “Committee” means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

 

(j) “Common Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.

 

(k) “Company” means MIP Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

(l) “Consultant” means any person other than an Employee who is engaged by the Company or any Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, including a non-Employee director.

 

(m) “Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant” means that the employment or consulting relationship with the Company or any Affiliate is not interrupted or terminated. For purposes of Awards of Incentive Stock Options, the term “Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant” means that the employment relationship with the Company or any Affiliate is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company and its Affiliates or between the Company and any Affiliate, or between Affiliates or (iii) transfer between Employee and Consultant Status. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company or an Affiliate is not guaranteed by statute or contract, on the 181^st day after such leave commences any Award which is an Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. In the event of a Participant’s change in status from Consultant to Employee or Employee to Consultant, a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not automatically terminate solely as a result of such change in status. However, in such event, an Award that is an Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option three months and one day following such change of status.

 

(n) “Date of Grant” means, with respect to an Award, the date that the Award is granted and its exercise price is set (if applicable), consistent with Applicable Laws and applicable financial accounting rules.

 

(o) “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(p) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(q) “Earnings Per Share” means, as to any Performance Period, the Company’s or a business unit’s fully diluted earnings per share as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(r) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.

 

(s) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

(t) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation (“Nasdaq”) System, or on any bulletin board or similar computer trading system, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(ii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(u) “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.

 

(v) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(w) “Net Income” means, as to any Performance Period, the net income of the Company for the Performance Period determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(x) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(y) “Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Award. The Notice of Grant is part of the Award Agreement.

 

(z) “Operating Margins” means the ratio of Operating Income to Revenue.

 

(aa) “Operating Income” means the Company’s or a business unit’s income from operations determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(bb) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(cc) “Option Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(dd) “Parent” means a “parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(ee) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.

 

(ff) “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: (a) Revenue, (b) Earnings Per Share, (c) Net Income, (d) Operating Margins, and (e) Total Stockholder Return. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) on Pro Forma numbers, (ii) in absolute terms, (iii) in relative terms (including, but not limited, the passage of time and/or against other companies or financial metrics), (iv) on a per share and/or share per capita basis, (v) against the performance of the Company as a whole or against particular segments or products of the Company and/or (vi) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator shall determine whether any element(s) (for example, but not by way of limitation, the effect of mergers or acquisitions) shall be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participants (whether or not such determinations result in any Performance Goal being measured on a basis other than generally accepted accounting principles).

 

(gg) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year or such longer period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(hh) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. As provided in Section 9, such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator, in its discretion.

 

(ii) “Plan” means this 2008 Stock Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.

 

(jj) “Pro Forma” means calculation of a Performance Goal in a manner that excludes certain unusual or non-cash expenses or credits, such as restructuring expenses, extraordinary tax events, expenses or credits related to stock options, other equity compensation or the like, acquisition related expenses, extraordinary items, income or loss from discontinued operations, and/or gains or losses from early extinguishment of debt instead of conforming to generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(kk) “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9.

 

(ll) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10.

 

(mm) “Revenue” means the Company’s or a business unit’s net sales for the Performance Period, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(nn) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

 

(oo) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(pp) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

 

(qq) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(rr) “Total Stockholder Return” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) of a share of the Company’s common stock.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 5,000,000.

 

(b) The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the tax and exercise price of an Award will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment provided in Section 13, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall equal the aggregate Share number stated in this Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).

4. Administration of the Plan.

 

(a) Procedure.

 

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered by different Administrators with respect to different groups of Employees or Consultants.

 

(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

 

(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

 

(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

 

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(r) of the Plan;

 

(ii) to select the Employees and Consultants to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;

 

(iv) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

 

(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. With respect to Options, such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

 

(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted hereunder;

 

(viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;

 

(ix) to modify or amend each Award (not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;

 

(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

(xi) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise or vesting of an Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld (but no more). The Fair Market Value of any Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

 

(xii) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Awards; and

 

(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

 

5. Eligibility. Awards may be granted only to Employees and Consultants.

 

6. No Employment Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s employment with the Company, or continued Contractor status with the Company, or its Affiliates, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right, as the case may be, to terminate such employment or Contractor status at any time, with or without cause or notice.

 

7. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on August , 2008 and continue in effect, expiring at the close of business, pacific daylight time, on August , 2018.

 

8. Stock Options.

 

(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Employees and Consultants at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, or a combination thereof.

 

(b) Term. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Notice of Grant; provided, however, that the term shall be no longer than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be no longer than five (5) years from the Date of Grant. Subject to the five (5) and ten (10) year limits set forth in the preceding sentence, the Administrator may, after an Option is granted, extend the maximum term of the Option. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any extension of the term of an Option pursuant to this Section 8(b) shall comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(c) Option Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company or a Subsidiary consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Administrator, in its sole discretion and consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Date of Grant.

 

(d) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period or until performance milestones are satisfied.

 

(e) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Subject to Applicable Laws, such consideration may consist entirely of:

 

(i) cash;

 

(ii) check;

 

(iii) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Participant for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

 

(iv) delivery to the Company of (A) a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and (B) the sale proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

 

(v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

 

(vi) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

(f) Exercise of Option; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Participant. Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the optioned stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

 

(g) Termination of Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant. If a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following termination of the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 

(h) Disability. If a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 

(i) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised for twelve (12) months following Participant’s death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 

(j) ISO $100,000 Rule. Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of Grant as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares subject to a Participant’s Incentive Stock Options granted by the Company, any Affiliate, which become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Affiliate) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 8(j), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.

 

(k) Misconduct. In the event of termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of misconduct (including, but not limited to, any act of dishonesty, willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement) or should the Participant make or attempt to make any unauthorized use or disclosure of material confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any Affiliate, then in any such event his or her option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable immediately upon the termination of Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant Status or such unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential or secret information or attempt thereat.

 

9. Restricted Stock.

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees or Consultants as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant.

 

(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 9, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 9(d).

 

(i) General Restrictions. The Administrator may set restrictions based upon continued employment or service with the Company and its affiliates, the achievement of specific performance objectives (Company-wide, departmental, or individual), applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

(ii) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Restricted Stock to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Restricted Stock under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

(iii) Legend on Certificates. The Administrator, in its discretion, may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.

 

(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 9(d)(iii) removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant. The Administrator (in its discretion) may establish procedures regarding the release of Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company.

 

(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. Any such dividends or distribution shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(h) Return of Restricted Stock to the Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.

 

10. Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Employees or Consultants at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to each Participant.

 

(b) Value of Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

(c) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify any vesting conditions, the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

 

(d) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall set performance objectives or other vesting criteria which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participants. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

 

(i) General Performance Objectives or Vesting Criteria. The Administrator may set performance objectives or vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, departmental, or individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion (for example, but not by way of limitation, Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant).

 

(ii) Section 162(m) Performance Objectives. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may determine that the performance objectives applicable to Restricted Stock Units shall be based on the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Restricted Stock Units to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Restricted Stock Units that are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Restricted Stock Units under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

(e) Earning of Restricted Stock Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Restricted Stock Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives have been achieved. After the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives for such Restricted Stock Unit.

 

(f) Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Payment of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made as soon as practicable after vesting (subject to any deferral permitted under Section 18). The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash, in Shares or in a combination thereof.

 

(g) Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company and, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, again shall be available for grant under the Plan.

 

11. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or except as otherwise required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall continue during any leave of absence approved by the Administrator.

 

12. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the recipient, only by the recipient. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate; provided, however, that such Award shall in no event be transferable for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may, if the Administrator (in its discretion) so permits, transfer an Award to an individual or entity other than the Company. Any such transfer shall be made in accordance with such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time.

 

13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.

 

(a) Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per Share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Award and the 162(m) Fiscal Year share issuance limits under Sections 8(a), 9(a) and 10(a) hereof, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award.

 

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its sole discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award shall lapse 100%, and that any Award vesting shall accelerate 100%, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

(c) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, including but not limited to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change of Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change of Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or upon the payout of the Restricted Stock Unit Award, for each Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change of Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that the Board may not materially amend the Plan without obtaining stockholder approval. For this purpose, the following shall be considered material amendments requiring stockholder approval: (i) increasing the number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than in accordance with Section 13(a) hereof), (ii) modifying the persons eligible for participation under the Plan or (iii) as otherwise may be required by Applicable Laws.

 

(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. Such stockholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in such a manner and to such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing (or electronic format) and signed by the Participant and the Company.

 

15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of Shares pursuant to an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving Shares pursuant to an Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

16. Liability of Company.

 

(a) Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, 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.

 

(b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Shares covered by an Award exceed, as of the Date of Grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional stockholder approval, such Award shall be void with respect to such excess Shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained in accordance with Section 14(b) of the Plan.

 

17. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

18. Deferrals. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

19. Participation. No Employee or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

 

20. No Rights as Stockholder. Except to the limited extent provided in Section 9(f), no Participant (nor any beneficiary) shall have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares issuable pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), unless and until certificates representing such Shares shall have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (or beneficiary).

 

21. Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof). Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, if a Participant fails to remit to the Company such withholding amount within the time period specified by the Administrator (in its discretion), the Participant’s Award may, in the Administrator’s discretion, be forfeited and in such case the Participant shall not receive any of the Shares subject to such Award.

 

22. Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award by (a) having the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares, or (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount so withheld shall not exceed the amount determined by using the minimum federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction statutory withholding rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

23. Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (a) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and (b) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

24. Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

 

25. Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

26. Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

27. Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

 

28. Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience of reference only and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

 

29. No Rules of Construction. No rules of construction are intended to apply to the interpretation of this Plan and for all purposes this Plan shall be deemed to be jointly authored by the Administrator and the Participants.