Voting Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2021, by and among Matt Lipson, the Company and Parent

This Voting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of July 8, 2021 (the “Agreement Date”), by and among Stream Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Stamps.com Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned stockholder set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Stockholder”). Each of Parent, the Company and the Stockholder are sometimes referred to as a “Party.”

A.          Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent, Stream Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and the Company, are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) that, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving entity in such merger (the “Merger”).

B.          Schedule A attached hereto sets forth the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), for which the Stockholder was the beneficial owner as of April 12, 2021 as set forth in the proxy statement of the Company which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021 (such shares of Common Stock (but excluding shares of Common Stock as to which (and for so long as) the Stockholder disclaims beneficial ownership in accordance with applicable law), collectively, the “Owned Shares”, and the Owned Shares together with any additional shares of Common Stock that the Stockholder has acquired since April 12, 2021 through the Agreement Date and/or which the Stockholder may acquire beneficial ownership of after the Agreement Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, as a result of the settlement or exercise of any Company Equity Awards), collectively, the Stockholder’s “Covered Shares”).

C.           In connection with (and as a condition to) Parent’s and Merger Sub’s entry into the Merger Agreement, Parent has required that the Stockholder enter into this Agreement with respect to the Covered Shares.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

1.            Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement. When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.

1.1.        “Expiration Time” shall mean the earliest to occur of (a) the time that the Requisite Stockholder Approval has been obtained, (b) the Effective Time, (c) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be validly terminated pursuant to Article VIII thereof, and (d) (i) any amendment of any term or provision of the original Merger Agreement, dated as of the Agreement Date, that reduces the Per Share Price or changes the form of consideration payable to the Stockholders pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(ii) of the Merger Agreement or is otherwise materially adverse to the holders of shares of Common Stock, in each case, without the Stockholder’s prior written consent or (ii) the notification by (or on behalf of) Parent or Merger Sub to the Company that it is not willing or not able to proceed with the Merger on substantially the terms set forth in the original Merger Agreement, dated as of the Agreement Date, including by advising the Company that it is unwilling to proceed with the Merger unless the Per Share Price is reduced or changed in form of consideration payable to the Stockholders pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(ii) of the Merger Agreement.

1.2.        “Transfer” shall mean (a) any direct or indirect offer, sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, or other transfer (by operation of law or otherwise), either voluntary or involuntary, or entry into any option or other Contract, arrangement or understanding with respect to any offer, sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition or other transfer (by operation of Law or otherwise), of any Covered Shares or any interest in any Covered Shares (in each case other than this Agreement), (b) the deposit of such Covered Shares into a voting trust, the entry into a voting agreement or arrangement (other than this Agreement) with respect to such Covered Shares or the grant of any proxy or power of attorney (other than this Agreement) with respect to such Covered Shares, or (c) any Contract or commitment (whether or not in writing) to take any of the actions referred to in the foregoing clause (a) or (b) above.

2.            Agreement to Not Transfer the Covered Shares.

2.1.        No Transfer of Covered Shares. Until the Expiration Time, the Stockholder agrees not to Transfer or cause or permit the Transfer of any of the Covered Shares, other than with the prior written consent of Parent or in accordance with and subject to Section 2.2. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Covered Shares in violation of this Section 2.1 shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

2.2.       Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Stockholder may Transfer all or a portion of the Covered Shares (I) to (i) any other Person who enters into a voting agreement (or similar Contract) with Parent and/or the Company on substantially similar terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement or to any Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any family member (including a trust for such family member’s benefit) of the Stockholder, (iii) if the Stockholder is an entity, any stockholder, member or partner of the Stockholder, (iv) any Person if and to the extent required by any order or decree by a Governmental Authority (including by divorce decree), or by will, intestacy or other similar Law or (v) any charitable foundation or organization, in each case, only so long as, prior to and as a condition to effectuating any such Transfer, the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and executes and delivers to the parties hereto a written consent and joinder memorializing such agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent or (II) pursuant to the terms and conditions of any pre-existing, bona fide Rule 10b5-1 plan entered into by the Stockholder and an investment bank or securities broker-dealer prior to the date of this Agreement; provided, if such plan is terminated after the date hereof, then the Covered Shares subject to such plan shall not be Transferred by the Stockholder except pursuant to this Section 2 as if this clause (II) were inapplicable (any such plan that has not been terminated after the date of this Agreement being an “Approved Plan”).  During the term of this Agreement, the Company will not register or otherwise recognize the transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any Covered Shares or any certificate or uncertificated interest representing any of the Covered Shares, except as permitted by, and in accordance with, this Section 2.2.

3.            Agreement to Vote the Covered Shares.

3.1.       Voting Agreement. Until the Expiration Time, at every meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which any of the following matters are to be voted on (and at every adjournment or postponement thereof), and on any action or approval of the Company’s stockholders by written consent with respect to any of the following matters, the Stockholder shall vote (including via proxy) all of the Covered Shares (or cause the holder of record on any applicable record date to vote (including via proxy) all of the Covered Shares) (a) in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (b) against any Acquisition Proposal (clauses (a) and (b), collectively, the “Covered Proposals”).  This Agreement is intended to bind the Stockholder as a stockholder of the Company (and not in any other capacity such as a director or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates) and only with respect to the Covered Proposals. Except as expressly set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 3.1, the Stockholder shall not be restricted from voting in favor of, against or abstaining with respect to any other matter presented to the stockholders of the Company.

3.2.       Quorum. Until the Expiration Time, at every meeting of the Company’s stockholders (and at every adjournment or postponement thereof), the Stockholder shall be represented in person or by proxy at such meeting (or cause the holders of record on any applicable record date to be represented in person or by proxy at such meeting) in order for the Covered Shares to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

3.3.        Return of Proxy. The Stockholder shall execute and deliver (or cause the holders of record to execute and deliver), (and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to do the same within 48 hours of receipt thereof), any proxy card or voting instructions it receives that is sent to stockholders of the Company soliciting proxies with respect to the Covered Proposals, which shall be voted in the manner described in Section 3.1.

4.           Waiver of Appraisal Rights. The Stockholder hereby irrevocably waives all appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to all of the Covered Shares owned (beneficially or of record) by the Stockholder, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, with respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

5.           New Shares.  The Stockholder agrees that any shares of Company Common Stock that the Stockholder purchases or with respect to which the Stockholder otherwise acquires record or beneficial ownership (including (a) any shares of Company Common Stock that the Stockholder acquires pursuant to the exercise or settlement of any Company Equity Awards (but excluding shares of Company Common Stock underlying unexercised Company Equity Awards (until such time as any such Company Equity Awards are exercised and the underlying shares of Company Common Stock are acquired by the Stockholder)) or (b) pursuant to a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or distribution or any change in Company Common Stock by reason of any recapitalization, reorganization, combination, reclassification, exchange of shares or similar transaction) after the Agreement Date and prior to (and until) the Expiration Time, shall automatically become, and shall be deemed to be, Covered Shares and will thereafter be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they comprised Covered Shares on the date hereof.

6.           Fiduciary Duties; Legal Obligations.  The Stockholder is entering into this Agreement solely in its capacity as the record holder or beneficial owner of the Covered Shares (and not in any other capacity such as a director or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates). Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way (nor shall it be construed to) prevent, limit or affect any actions taken by any the Stockholder in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates or from complying with his or her fiduciary duties or other legal obligations or responsibilities while acting in such capacity as a director or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

7.            Representations and Warranties of the Stockholder. The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Parent that:

7.1.        Due Authority. The Stockholder has the full power and capacity to make, enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement. If the Stockholder is not a natural person, (a) the Stockholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in accordance with the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, as applicable and (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been validly authorized, and no other consents or authorizations are required to give effect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

7.2.        Ownership of the Covered Shares. (a) The Stockholder is as of the Agreement Date the beneficial or record owner of the Covered Shares, free and clear of any and all Liens, other than those (i) created by this Agreement, (ii) arising under applicable securities laws, (iii) as disclosed on Schedule A hereto, (iv) Permitted Liens or (v) or any Lien created by terms of an Approved Plan, and (b) the Stockholder has voting power over all of the Covered Shares. As of the Agreement Date, the Stockholder does not own, beneficially or of record, any shares of Common Stock or other voting shares of the Company (or any securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for, or rights to purchase or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or other voting shares of the Company) other than the Covered Shares.

7.3.        No Conflict; Consents.

a.           The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder does not, and the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement and the compliance by the Stockholder with any provisions hereof does not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any Laws applicable to the Stockholder, or (ii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien (other than the Liens set forth in Sections 7.2(a)(i) through (a)(iv) above) on any of the Covered Shares beneficially owned by the Stockholder pursuant to any Contract or obligation to which the Stockholder is a party or by which the Stockholder is subject.

b.           No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or, except as required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, is required by or with respect to the Stockholder in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by them of the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.4.       Absence of Litigation. As of the Agreement Date, there is no legal action pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against or affecting the Stockholder that would reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis.

8.            Representations and Warranties of Parent. Parent hereby represents and warrants to the Stockholder that:

8.1.       Due Authority. Parent has the full power and capacity to make, enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement. Parent is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in accordance with the laws of its jurisdiction of formation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of Parent’s obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been validly authorized, and no other consents or authorizations are required to give effect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Parent enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

8.2.        No Conflict; Consents.

a.           The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent does not, and the performance by Parent of its obligations under this Agreement and the compliance by Parent with the provisions hereof do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any laws applicable to Parent, or (ii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, pursuant to any Contract or obligation to which Parent is a party or by which Parent is subject.

b.           No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or, except as required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, is required by or with respect to Parent in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby.

8.3.        Absence of Litigation. As of the Agreement Date, there is no legal action pending against, or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or affecting Parent that would reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of Parent to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on a timely basis.  Section 4.5 of the Merger Agreement is hereby incorporated into this Agreement and shall apply mutatis mutandis.

9.            Miscellaneous.

9.1.        Other Agreements. The Stockholder further agrees that, from and after the Agreement Date until the Expiration Time, the Stockholder will not, and will not cause any entity (excluding any Company Group Member or its Representatives) under the Stockholder’s control to, (a) solicit proxies or become a “participant” in a “solicitation” (as such terms are defined in Rule 14A under the Exchange Act) in opposition to any Covered Proposal, (b) initiate a stockholders’ vote with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Transaction, (c) become a member of a “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities of the Company with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Transaction, or (d) take any action that the Company is prohibited from taking pursuant to Section 5.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.13 of the Merger Agreement, subject in each case to Section 6 of this Agreement in all respects.

9.2.        No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Parent any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to the Covered Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Covered Shares shall remain vested in and belong to the Stockholder, and Parent shall have no authority to direct the Stockholder in the voting or disposition of any of the Covered Shares, except as otherwise provided herein.

9.3.        Certain Adjustments. In the event of any change in the Company Common Stock by reason of any split-up, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange of shares or the like, the terms “Common Stock” and “Covered Shares” shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares as well as any securities into which or for which any or all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are received in such transaction.

9.4.        Amendments and Modifications; Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by all of the Parties.  The  Parties expressly agree that the Company is intended to, and shall, be a third party beneficiary of the covenants, obligations and agreements of the Parties set forth in this Agreement, which covenants, obligations and agreements shall not be amended, modified or waived without the prior written consent of the Company, based on the approval of a majority of the directors of the Company Board.

9.5.        Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by any Party in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such cost or expense.

9.6.        Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder (i) four Business Days after being sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (ii) one Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service; or (iii) immediately upon delivery by hand or by email transmission (receipt confirmed), in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:

a.            if to the Stockholder, to the address for notice set forth on Schedule A hereto, with a copy to the Company.

b.            if to Parent, to:

c.            if to Company, to:

Any notice received at the addressee’s location, or by email at the addressee’s email address, on any Business Day after 5:00 p.m., addressee’s local time, or on any day that is not a Business Day will be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m., addressee’s local time, on the next Business Day. From time to time, any Party may provide notice to the other Parties of a change in its address or email address through a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.6, except that notice of any change to the address, email address or any of the other details specified in or pursuant to this Section 9.6 will not be deemed to have been received until, and will be deemed to have been received upon, the later of the date (A) specified in such notice; or (B) that is five Business Days after such notice would otherwise be deemed to have been received pursuant to this Section 9.6.

9.7.        Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial.

a.           Each of the Parties (i) irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process (whether inside or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts) in any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, for and on behalf of itself or any of its properties or assets, in accordance with Section 9.6 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law, and nothing in this Section 9.7 will affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law; (ii) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits itself and its properties and assets in any Legal Proceeding to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Delaware) (collectively, the “Chosen Courts”) in the event that any dispute or controversy arises out of this Agreement, the Guaranty or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (iii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court; (iv) agrees that any Legal Proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will be brought, tried and determined only in the Chosen Courts; (v) waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts or that such Legal Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; and (vi) agrees that it will not bring any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in any court other than the Chosen Courts. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law.

b.           EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY OR LITIGATION THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, VALIDITY OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE MERGER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE MERGER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (III) IT MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.7.

9.8.        Documentation and Information. The Stockholder consents to and authorizes the publication and disclosure by Parent and the Company of the Stockholder’s identity and holding of the Covered Shares, and the obligations of the Stockholder under Section 3.1 of this Agreement, the limitations on the Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement as contemplated by Section 6 hereof and the circumstances in which the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder cease or otherwise terminate (and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of the existence of this Agreement), in any press release, the Proxy Statement and any other disclosure document required by applicable law in connection with the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

9.9.        Further Assurances. The Stockholder agrees, from time to time, at the reasonable request of Parent and without further consideration, to execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably required to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

9.10.     Stop Transfer Instructions. At all times commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and continuing until the Expiration Time, in furtherance of this Agreement, the Stockholder hereby authorizes the Company or its counsel to notify the Company’s transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Covered Shares (and that this Agreement places limits on the voting and transfer of the Covered Shares), subject to the provisions hereof and provided that any such stop transfer order and notice will immediately be withdrawn and terminated by the Company following the Expiration Time.

9.11.      Enforcement; Exclusive Remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.  It is the intention of the Parties that, to the extent possible, unless provisions are mutually exclusive and effect cannot be given to both or all such provisions, the representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions in this Agreement will be construed to be cumulative and that each representation, warranty, covenant and closing condition in this Agreement will be given full, separate and independent effect and nothing set forth in any provision herein will in any way be deemed to limit the scope, applicability or effect of any other provision hereof. Parent hereby agrees that specific performance or injunctive relief pursuant to this Section 9.11 shall be its sole and exclusive remedy with respect to breach or threatened breaches by the Stockholder in connection with this Agreement, and neither Parent nor any of its Affiliates may pursue or accept any other form of relief (including monetary damages or reimbursement, whether in law or equity) that may be available for breach of this Agreement.

9.12.     Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to such subject matter. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to amend, alter or modify, in any respect, any of the provisions of the Merger Agreement.

9.13.      Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a section, such reference shall be to a section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limiting the generality of the foregoing”. When used in this Agreement, the term “or” shall be construed in the inclusive sense of “and/or”. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. The Parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation, drafting, preparation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any Law or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

9.14.     Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Any purported assignment without such consent shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

9.15.      Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the Parties. The Parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

9.16.     Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”), will be treated in all manner and respects as an original executed counterpart and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No Party may raise the use of an Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature, or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of an Electronic Delivery, as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each Party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.

9.17.     Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT, AND ALL CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT) THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

9.18.     Non-survival of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any schedule, instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement. This Section 9.18 shall not limit any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement that by its terms is to be performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement.

9.19.      Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate without further action by any of the parties hereto and shall have no further force or effect as of the Expiration Time; provided that the provisions of this Section 9 shall survive any such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of this Agreement shall not prevent any Party from seeking any remedies (at law or in equity) against any other Party for that Party’s breach of any of the terms of this Agreement prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 9.11.

9.20.      No Agreement Until Executed.  Irrespective of negotiations among the Parties or the exchanging of drafts of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute or be deemed to evidence a contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties unless and until (a) the Company Board has approved, for purposes of any applicable anti-takeover laws and regulations, and any applicable provision of the Company’s organizational and governance documents, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the Merger), (b) the Merger Agreement is executed by all parties thereto, and (c) this Agreement is executed by all parties hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered on the date and year first above written.

§ 262 Appraisal rights [For application of this section, see § 17; and 82 Del. Laws, c. 45, § 23].

(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder's shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a corporation; the words "stock" and "share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; and the words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in 1 or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.

(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263 or § 264 of this title:

(1) Provided, however, that, no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation (or, in the case of a merger pursuant to § 251(h), as of immediately prior to the execution of the agreement of merger), were either: (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in § 251(f) of this title.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to §§ 251, 252, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:

a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;

b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a. and b. of this section; or

d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a., b. and c. of this section.

(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 or § 267 of this title is not owned by the parent immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.

(4) [Repealed.]

(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the provisions of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d), (e), and (g) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.

(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting (or such members who received notice in accordance with § 255(c) of this title) with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section and, if 1 of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder's shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder's shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to the corporation by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder's shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or

(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to § 228, § 251(h), § 253, or § 267 of this title, then either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section and, if 1 of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of giving such notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, within the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days after the date of giving such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to the corporation by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, later than the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.

(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) of this section hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw such stockholder's demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) of this section hereof, upon request given in writing (or by electronic transmission directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in the notice of appraisal), shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation (or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, the aggregate number of shares (other than any excluded stock (as defined in § 251(h)(6)d. of this title)) that were the subject of, and were not tendered into, and accepted for purchase or exchange in, the offer referred to in § 251(h)(2)), and, in either case, with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such statement shall be given to the stockholder within 10 days after such stockholder's request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) of this section hereof, whichever is later. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of such stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person's own name, file a petition or request from the corporation the statement described in this subsection

(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.

(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder. If immediately before the merger or consolidation the shares of the class or series of stock of the constituent corporation as to which appraisal rights are available were listed on a national securities exchange, the Court shall dismiss the proceedings as to all holders of such shares who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds 1% of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger or consolidation for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million, or (3) the merger was approved pursuant to § 253 or § 267 of this title.

(h) After the Court determines the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, and except as provided in this subsection, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment. At any time before the entry of judgment in the proceedings, the surviving corporation may pay to each stockholder entitled to appraisal an amount in cash, in which case interest shall accrue thereafter as provided herein only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Court, and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholders entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted such stockholder's certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.

(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.

(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder's demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just; provided, however that this provision shall not affect the right of any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such stockholder's demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section.

(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.