COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN I. INTRODUCTION

EX-10.1 2 d642189dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purposes. The purposes of the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) of Cobra Electronics Corporation (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries from time to time (individually a “Subsidiary” and collectively the “Subsidiaries”) are to align the interests of the Company’s stockholders and the recipients of options under this Plan by increasing the proprietary interest of such recipients in the Company’s growth and success and to advance the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining officers and other employees. For purposes of this Plan, references to employment by the Company shall also mean employment by a Subsidiary.

1.2 Administration. This Plan shall be administered by a committee (the “Committee”) designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) consisting of at least two members of the Board, each of whom shall be a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Committee shall, subject to the terms of this Plan, select eligible persons for participation in this Plan and determine the number of shares of common stock, $.33-1/3 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”) subject to each option granted hereunder, the exercise price of such option, the time and conditions of exercise of such option and all other terms and conditions of such option, including, without limitation, the form of the option agreement. The Committee shall, subject to the terms of this Plan, interpret this Plan and the application thereof, establish rules and regulations it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of this Plan and may impose, incidental to the grant of an option, conditions with respect to the grant, such as limiting competitive employment or other activities. All such interpretations, rules, regulations and conditions shall be conclusive and binding on all parties. Each option hereunder shall be evidenced by a written agreement (an “Agreement”) between the Company and the optionee setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to such option.

The Committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority hereunder to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of the Company as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its power and authority with regard to (i) the grant of an option under this Plan to any person who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or who, in the Committee’s judgment, is likely to be a covered employee at any time during the period an option granted hereunder to such employee would be outstanding or (ii) the selection for participation in this Plan of an officer or other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or decisions concerning the timing, pricing or amount of an option grant to such an officer or other person.

A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of the Committee shall be either (i) acts of a majority of the members of the Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or (ii) acts approved in writing by all of the members of the Committee without a meeting.

1.3 Eligibility. Participants in this Plan shall consist of such officers and other employees or persons who are expected to become employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Committee in its sole discretion may select from time to time. The Committee’s selection of a person to participate in this Plan at any time shall not require the Committee to select such person to participate in this Plan at any other time.

1.4 Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.7, 300,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for grants of options under this Plan. To the extent that shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding option are not issued or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such option or by reason of the delivery of shares of Common Stock to pay all or a portion of the exercise price of such option or to satisfy all or a portion of the tax withholding obligations relating to such option, then such shares of Common Stock shall again be available under this Plan.

Shares of Common Stock to be delivered under this Plan shall be made available from authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, or authorized and issued shares of Common Stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise, or a combination thereof.

To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options may be granted during any calendar year to any person shall be 150,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.7.

II. STOCK OPTIONS

2.1 Grants of Stock Options. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee. Each option, or portion thereof, that is not an incentive stock option, shall be a non-qualified stock option. An incentive stock option shall mean an option to purchase shares of Common Stock that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, which is intended by the Committee to constitute an incentive stock option. Each incentive stock option shall be granted within ten years of the effective date of this Plan. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options designated as incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds the amount (currently $100,000) established by the Code, such options shall constitute non-qualified stock options. “Fair Market Value” shall mean the closing price of a share of Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there shall be no closing price on such date, on the next preceding date for which a closing price was reported; provided, however, that if Fair Market Value for any date cannot be determined as above provided, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee by whatever means or method as the Committee, in the good faith exercise of its discretion, shall at such time deem appropriate.

2.2 Terms of Stock Options. Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:

(a) Number of Shares and Purchase Price. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to an option and the purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of any incentive stock option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such option; provided further, that if an incentive stock option shall be granted to any person who, at the time such option is granted, owns capital stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company (or of any parent or Subsidiary) (a “Ten Percent Holder”), the purchase price per share of Common Stock shall be the price (currently 110% of Fair Market Value) required by the Code in order to constitute an incentive stock option.

(b) Option Period and Exercisability. The period during which an option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no incentive stock option shall be exercised later than ten years after its date of grant; provided further, that if an incentive stock option shall be granted to a Ten Percent Holder, such option shall not be exercised later than five years after its date of grant. The Committee may, in its discretion, establish performance measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant of an option or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an option. The Committee shall determine whether an option shall become exercisable in cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time. An exercisable option, or portion thereof, may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock.

(c) Method of Exercise. An option may be exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by payment therefor in full (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction) either (A) in cash, (B) by delivery of previously owned whole shares of Common Stock (which the optionee has held for at least six months prior to the delivery of such shares and for which the optionee has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price payable by reason of such exercise, (C) in cash by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (D) a combination of (A) and (B), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the option and (ii) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request. The Committee shall have sole discretion to disapprove of an election pursuant to any of clauses (B)-(D). Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which would be required to pay such purchase price shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the optionee. No certificate representing Common Stock shall be delivered until the full purchase price therefor has been paid.

2.3 Termination of Employment.

(a) Death. Subject to paragraph (d) below and unless otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option, if an optionee’s employment by the Company terminates by reason of death, each option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable on the date of such optionee’s death and may thereafter be exercised by such optionee’s executor, administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar person, as the case may be, until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is one year (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

(b) Other Termination. Subject to paragraph (d) below and unless otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option, if an optionee’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than death, each option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable on the effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment and may thereafter be exercised by such optionee (or such optionee’s legal representative or similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is six months (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) after the effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

(c) Death Following Termination of Employment. Subject to paragraph (d) below and unless otherwise specified in the Agreement relating to an option, if an optionee dies during the six-month period (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) following termination of employment for any other reason other than death, each option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable on the date of such optionee’s death and may thereafter be exercised by such optionee’s executor, administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar person, as the case may be, until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is six months (or such other period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

(d) Termination of Employment - Incentive Stock Options. If the employment with the Company of a holder of an incentive stock option terminates by reason of death or Permanent and Total Disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), each incentive stock option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent that such option is exercisable on the date of such optionee’s death or on the effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment by reason of Permanent and Total Disability, as the case may be, and may thereafter be exercised by such optionee (or such optionee’s executor, administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is one year (or such shorter period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) after the date of death or the effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment by reason of Permanent and Total Disability, as the case may be, and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

If the employment with the Company of a holder of an incentive stock option terminates for any reason other than death or Permanent and Total Disability, each incentive stock option held by such optionee shall be exercisable only to the extent such option is exercisable on the

effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment, and may thereafter be exercised by such optionee (or such optionee’s legal representative or similar person) until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is three months after the effective date of such optionee’s termination of employment and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

If the holder of an incentive stock option dies during the one-year period following termination of employment by reason of Permanent and Total Disability (or such shorter period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option), or if the holder of an incentive stock option dies during the three-month period following termination of employment for any reason other than death or Permanent and Total Disability, each incentive stock option held by such optionee be exercisable only to the extent such option is exercisable on the date of the optionee’s death and may thereafter be exercised by the optionee’s executor, administrator, legal representative, beneficiary or similar person, as the case may be, until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is six months (or such shorter period as set forth in the Agreement relating to such option) after the date of death and (ii) the expiration date of the term of such option.

III. GENERAL

3.1 Effective Date and Term of Plan. This Plan shall be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for approval and, if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, shall become effective as of the date of approval by the Board. This Plan shall terminate ten years after its effective date unless terminated earlier by the Board. Termination of this Plan shall not affect the terms or conditions of any option granted prior to termination.

Options may be granted hereunder at any time prior to the termination of this Plan, provided that no option may be granted later than ten years after the effective date of this Plan. In the event that this Plan is not approved by the stockholders of the Company, this Plan and any options granted hereunder shall be void and of no force or effect.

3.2 Amendments. The Board may amend this Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule or regulation, including Section 162(m) of the Code. No amendment may impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding option without the consent of such holder.

3.3 Agreement. No option shall be valid until an Agreement is executed by the Company and the optionee and, upon execution by the Company and the optionee and delivery of the Agreement to the Company, such option shall be effective as of the effective date set forth in the Agreement.

3.4 Non-Transferability. No option shall be transferable other than (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company or (ii) as set forth in the Agreement relating to an option. Each option may be exercised during the optionee’s lifetime only by the optionee or the optionee’s legal representative or similar person. Except as permitted by the second preceding sentence, no option shall be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or

similar process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any option, such option and all rights thereunder shall immediately become null and void.

3.5 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock, payment by the optionee of any Federal, state, local or other taxes which may be required to be withheld or paid in connection with an option hereunder. An Agreement may provide that the optionee may satisfy any obligation to withhold or pay taxes arising on any date (the “Tax Date”) in connection with the option in the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation by any of the following means: (A) a cash payment to the Company, (B) delivery to the Company of previously owned whole shares of Common Stock (which the optionee has held for at least six months prior to the delivery of such shares and for which the optionee has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances) having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation, (C) a cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (D) a combination of (A) and (B), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the option; provided, however, that the Committee shall have sole discretion to disapprove of an election pursuant to any of clauses (B)-(D). An Agreement may provide for shares of Common Stock to be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of the minimum amount required to be withheld, but not in excess of the amount determined by applying the optionee’s maximum marginal tax rate. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which would be required to satisfy such an obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the optionee.

3.6 Restrictions on Shares. Each option hereunder shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to such option upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the delivery of shares thereunder, such shares shall not be delivered unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. The Company may require that certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to any option bear a legend indicating that the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof by the holder is prohibited except in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

3.7 Adjustment. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than a regular cash dividend, the number and class of securities available under this Plan, the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding option and the purchase price per security shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, such adjustments to be made in the case of outstanding options without an increase in the aggregate purchase price. The decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive. If any adjustment would result in a fractional security being (i) available under this Plan, such fractional security shall be disregarded, or (ii) subject to an option under this Plan, the Company

shall pay the optionee, in connection with the first exercise of the option in whole or in part, occurring after such adjustment, an amount in cash determined by multiplying (A) the fraction of such security (rounded to the nearest hundredth) by (B) the excess, if any, of (x) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date over (y) the exercise price of the option.

3.8 No Right of Participation or Employment. No person shall have any right to participate in this Plan. Neither this Plan nor any option granted hereunder shall confer upon any person any right to continued employment by the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or affect in any manner the right of the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company to terminate the employment of any person at any time without liability hereunder.

3.9 Rights as Stockholder. No person shall have any right as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock which are subject to an option hereunder until such person becomes a stockholder of record with respect to such shares of Common Stock.

3.10 Governing Law. This Plan, each option hereunder and the related Agreement, and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant thereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

Adopted by Board of Directors on March 13, 1997.