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Form S-8 S&W Seed Co

February 12, 2019 5:35 PM


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2019
Registration No. 333-        

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________________

FORM S-8
 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

_________________________

S&W SEED COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada

 

27-1275784

(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

106 K Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95814

 

 

95814

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

_________________________

S&W Seed Company 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
Full title of the plan)

Mark W. Wong
106 K Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95814
(Name and address of agent for service)

(559) 884-2535
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

_________________________

Copies to:
Steven M. Przesmicki, Esq.
Cooley LLP
4401 Eastgate Mall
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 550-6070

_________________________

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer T

Smaller reporting company T

 

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Securities
to be Registered

Amount to be
Registered (1)

Proposed Maximum
Offering
Price per Share (3)

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (3)

Amount of
Registration Fee

2019 Equity Incentive Plan
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

4,243,790

$2.68

$11,373,357

$1,379

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Registrant's common stock (the "Common Stock") that become issuable under the Registrant's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan") by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without receipt of consideration that increases the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2) Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2019 Plan will not exceed 4,243,790, which is the sum of (i) 2,750,000 new shares, plus (ii) 350,343 shares, which is the number of unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the Registrant's Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Prior Plan"), as of January 16, 2019, the effective date of the 2019 Plan, plus (iii) 1,143,447 shares, which is the number of shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that, on or after January 16, 2019, may expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement, are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares or otherwise return to us, or are reacquired, withheld or not issued to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award or to satisfy the purchase price or exercise price of a stock award. No further grants will be made under the Prior Plan.

(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) and Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act. The price per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on February 8, 2019 as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

 



PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1. Plan Information

Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information

Not required to be filed with this Registration Statement.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

The following documents filed by S&W Seed Company (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

  1. the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018, filed with the Commission on September 20, 2018, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the Commission on October 29, 2018;
  2. the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, filed with the Commission on November 13, 2018;
  3. the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished, rather than filed) filed with the Commission on July 3, 2018, July 16, 2018, August 8, 2018, August 20, 2018, September 6, 2018, September 25, 2018, October 26, 2018 (except with respect to Item 7.01 included therein), October 31, 2018, November 21, 2018, December 26, 2018 (except with respect to Item 7.01 included therein), December 28, 2018, January 2, 2019, January 7, 2019 and January 23, 2019; and
  4. the description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in a registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on April 23, 2010 (File No. 001-34719) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents, reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents, reports and definitive proxy or information statements, or portions thereof, which are furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the Commission shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not constitute a part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.

Item 4. Description of Securities

Not applicable.


Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Nevada Revised Statutes ("NRS") 78.138(7) provides that, subject to certain very limited statutory exceptions or unless the articles of incorporation provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to the corporation or its stockholders for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer, unless it is proven that the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.

NRS 78.7502(1) empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (an "Indemnified Party"), against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the Indemnified Party would not be liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or the Indemnified Party acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnified Party reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnified Party's conduct was unlawful.

NRS 78.7502(2) empowers a corporation to indemnify any Indemnified Party who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor against expenses (including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party) in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such Indemnified Party would not be liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or such Indemnified Party acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnified Party shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances, the Indemnified Party is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

NRS 78.7502(3) provides that to the extent an Indemnified Party has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Subsection 1 or 2 of NRS 78.7502 described above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify the Indemnified Party against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection therewith.

NRS 78.751(1) provides that any discretionary indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502, unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to NRS 78.751(2), may be made by a corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances. Such determination must be made (a) by the stockholders, (b) by the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding, (c) if a majority vote of a quorum of such disinterested directors so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion if a quorum of such disinterested directors cannot be obtained.

NRS 78.751(2) provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation may require the corporation to pay the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as such expenses are incurred and in advance of the final disposition, upon receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The provisions of NRS 78.751(2) do not affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other than officers and directors may be entitled under contract or otherwise by law.


NRS 78.751(3) provides that indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502 and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.751 does not exclude any other rights to which an Indemnified Party may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in his or her official capacity or in another capacity while holding his or her office; provided, however, that unless ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses pursuant to NRS 78.751(2), indemnification may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer of the corporation if a final adjudication establishes that his or her acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law which was material to the cause of action. Additionally, the scope of such indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to an Indemnified Party who has ceased to hold one of the positions specified above, and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators.

NRS 78.752 empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of an Indemnified Party for any liability asserted against such Indemnified Party or liability and expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify such person against such liability and expenses.

The bylaws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of Indemnified Parties substantially identical in scope to that permitted under the NRS. Such bylaws provide that the expenses of directors and officers of the Registrant incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, must be paid by the Registrant as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.

In addition to indemnification provided in the Registrant's bylaws, the Registrant has entered into agreements to indemnify the directors and executive officers of the Registrant and directors of the Registrant's wholly owned subsidiaries. These agreements require that the Registrant indemnify the directors and officers against all expenses incurred by any such person arising out of such person's service as a director or officer of the Registrant or its subsidiaries, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to any greater extent that applicable law may in the future permit. The Registrant has also purchased insurance coverage for such directors and officers with respect to litigation and other costs and liabilities arising out of their actual or alleged misconduct.

The above-described provisions relating to the indemnification of directors and officers are sufficiently broad to permit the indemnification of such persons in certain circumstances against liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to applicable state law, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

Description

4.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2011 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, together with Amendments One, Two and Three thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on September 28, 2015 (File No. 001-34719)).


4.3

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (filed with the SEC on August 4, 2017 (File No. 333-219726)).

4.4

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.5

 

Assignment Agreement of Plant Variety Certificates, Plant Breeders' Rights, Maintenance Rights and Registration Rights between the Registrant and Pioneer, dated December 31, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 7, 2015 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.6

 

First Amendment to the Assignment Agreement of Plant Variety Certificates, Plant Breeders' Rights, Maintenance Rights and Registration Rights between the Registrant and Pioneer, dated April 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrants' Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2015 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.7

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and purchasers of the 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures and Warrants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and MFP Partners, L.P., dated November 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 24, 2015 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.9

 

Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and MFP Partners, L.P., dated December 31, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.10

 

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and each of the purchasers of 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures and Common Stock Purchase Warrants, dated December 30, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.11

 

Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and MFP Partners, L.P. dated November 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 24, 2015(File No. 001-34719)).

4.12

 

Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and the purchasers named therein, dated July 19, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 20, 2017 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.13

 

Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Registrant the parties named therein, dated July 19, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 20, 2017 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.14

 

Investment Agreement between the Registrant and MFP, dated October 3, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 12, 2017 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.15

 

Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Mark W. Wong, dated October 11, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 12, 2017 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.16

 

Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and Mark W. Wong, dated October 11, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 12, 2017 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.17

 

Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and MFP, dated December 22, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed on February 7, 2018 (File No. 333-219726)).


4.18

 

Securities Purchase Agreement dated September 5, 2018, by and among the Registrant and MFP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 6, 2018 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.19

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated September 5, 2018, by and among the Registrant and MFP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 6, 2018 (File No. 001-34719)).

4.20

 

Voting Agreement dated September 5, 2018, by and among the Registrant and MFP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 6, 2018 (File No. 001-34719)).

5.1

 

Opinion of Jolie Kahn, Esq.

23.1

 

Consent of Crowe LLP.

23.2

 

Consent of Jolie Kahn, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page hereto).

99.1

 

S&W Seed Company 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

99.2

 

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice, Option Agreement and Notice of Exercise under the Plan.

99.3

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Plan.

 

Item 9. Undertakings

  1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
    1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
      1. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
      2. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
      3. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

      Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

    2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

    1. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

  1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  2. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Sacramento, State of California, on February 12, 2019.

 

 

 

S&W SEED COMPANY

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Mark W. Wong

 

 

Mark W. Wong

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Persons By These Presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mark W. Wong and Matthew K. Szot, and each or any one of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

/s/ Mark W. Wong
Mark W. Wong

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Matthew K. Szot
Matthew K. Szot

 

Executive Vice President, Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

 

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Mark J. Harvey
Mark J. Harvey

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ David A. Fischhoff
David A. Fischhoff

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Consuelo E. Madere
Consuelo E. Madere

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Alexander C. Matina
Alexander C. Matina

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Charles B. Seidler
Charles B. Seidler

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Robert D. Straus
Robert D. Straus

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

/s/ Alan Willits
Alan Willits

 

 

Director

 

February 12, 2019

 


 

Exhibit 5.1

Jolie Kahn, Esq.
33 Edgewood
Locust Valley, NY 11560

February 12, 2019

S&W Seed Company
106 K Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95814

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have acted as special counsel to S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the issuance of 4,243,790 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan").

In connection with this opinion, I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, including the form of prospectus included therein and the documents incorporated by reference therein, (ii) the Company's certificate of incorporation, as amended to date, (iii) the Company's by-laws, as amended to date, (iv) the 2019 Plan and (v) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company. I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, certificates and records as I have deemed necessary or appropriate, and I have made such investigations of law as I have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.

In rendering the opinion expressed below, I have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that I have examined, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all documents supplied to us as originals and (iv) the conformity to the authentic originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject also to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the Common Stock, when sold and issued in accordance with the 2019 Plan, has been duly authorized and will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I express no opinion other than as to the federal laws of the United States of America and the Nevada Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Nevada Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the forgoing). I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the reference to me under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am an "expert" under the Securities Act or under the rules and regulations of the Commission relating thereto with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Jolie G. Kahn, Esq.

Jolie G. Kahn

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of S&W Seed Company of our report dated September 20, 2018 relating to the consolidated financial statements of S&W Seed Company appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of S&W Seed Company for the year ended June 30, 2018.

/s/ Crowe LLP
Crowe LLP

San Francisco, California
February 12, 2019

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

S&W SEED COMPANY

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

S&W Seed Company (the "Company"), a Nevada corporation, hereby adopts the following 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

1.   GENERAL

1.1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company and its Subsidiaries in attracting and retaining selected individuals to serve as employees, directors, consultants and/or advisors who are expected to contribute to the Company's success and to achieve long-term objectives that will benefit stockholders of the Company through the additional incentives inherent in the Awards hereunder.

1.2. Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the S&W Seed Company Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan"). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. Any unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the Prior Plan as of 12:01 a.m., Pacific Time on the Effective Date (the "Prior Plan's Available Reserve") will cease to be available under the Prior Plan at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3.1 below) and be then immediately available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan. In addition, from and after 12:01 a.m., Pacific Time on the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan will remain subject to the terms of such Prior Plan; provided, however, that any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that (i) expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement; (ii) are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares or otherwise return to the Company; or (iii) are reacquired, withheld (or not issued) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award or to satisfy the purchase price or exercise price of a stock award (collectively, the "Prior Plan's Returning Shares") will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3.1 below) as and when such shares become Prior Plan's Returning Shares and become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m., Pacific Time on the Effective Date will be subject to the terms of this Plan.

2.   DEFINITIONS

2.1   "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Company) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain, and (ii) any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. The Board shall have the authority to determine (i) the time or times at which the ownership tests are applied, and (ii) whether "Affiliate" includes entities other than corporations within the foregoing definition.

2.2   "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Other Share-Based Award, Performance Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

2.3   "Award Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award hereunder, whether in writing or through an electronic medium.

2.4   "Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

2.5   "Cause" shall mean with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the Participant commits an act of dishonesty in connection with the Participant's responsibilities as an Employee or Consultant; (ii) the Participant commits a felony or any act of moral turpitude; (iii) the Participant commits any willful or grossly negligent act that constitutes gross misconduct and/or injures, or is reasonably likely to injure, the Company or any


Affiliate; or (iv) the Participant willfully and materially violates (A) any written policies or procedures of the Company or any Affiliate, or (B) the Participant's obligations to the Company or any Affiliate. The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

2.6   "Change in Control" means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

  1. Any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person from the Company in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (ii) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the "Subject Person") exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

  2. There is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

  3. The stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur;

  4. There is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

  5. Individuals who, on the date this Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

For avoidance of doubt, the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Company determines that any of the payments or benefits under this Plan that are payable in connection with a Change in Control constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A that may only be paid on a transaction that meets the standard of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(a)(5), the foregoing definition of Change in Control shall apply only to the extent the transaction also meets the definition used for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(a)(5), that is, as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.

2.7   "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

2.8   "Committee" shall mean a committee consisting of members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 4.2(c). Initially, and until further action by the Board, "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof formed by the Compensation Committee to act as the Committee hereunder. The Committee shall consist of no fewer than two Directors, each of whom is (i) a "Non-Employee Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (ii) an "independent director" for purpose of the rules of the applicable stock market or exchange on which the Shares are quoted or traded, to the extent required by such rules. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of the Committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the Committee.

2.9   "Consultant" shall mean any consultant or advisor who is a natural person and who provides services to the Company or any Subsidiary, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company's securities in a capital-raising transaction and (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities.

2.10   "Continuous Service" shall mean that the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate from a Consultant to Employee shall not terminate a Participant's Continuous Service. Furthermore, a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participant's Continuous Service. However, if the corporation for which a Participant is rendering service ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant's Continuous Service shall be considered to have terminated on the date such corporation ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. A leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award to such extent as may be provided in the Company's leave of absence policy or in the written terms of the Participant's leave of absence.

2.11   "Corporate Transaction" shall mean the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

  1. a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

  2. a sale or other disposition of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

  3. the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

  4. the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

2.12   "Director" shall mean a non-employee member of the Board.


2.13   "Disability" shall mean with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and shall be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

2.14   "Dividend Equivalents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.4.

2.15   "Effective Date" shall mean the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in calendar year 2019, provided the Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders at such meeting.

2.16   "Employee" shall mean any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary and any prospective employee conditioned upon, and effective not earlier than, such person becoming an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

2.17   "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.18   "Exchange Act Person" shall mean any natural person, entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that "Exchange Act Person" shall not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date of the Plan as set forth in Section 12.24, is the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.

2.19   "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to Shares as of any date, (i) the closing sale price of the Shares reported as having occurred on the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed and traded on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported; (ii) if the Shares are not listed on any U.S. national securities exchange but are quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the final ask price of the Shares reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on such date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Shares are not listed on a U.S. national securities exchange nor quoted on an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee to be the fair market value of the Shares as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Fair Market Value of any property other than Shares shall mean the market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.

2.20   "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an Option which when granted is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

2.21   "Non-Employee Director" shall mean a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

2.22   "Nonstatutory Stock Option" shall mean an Option that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.


2.23   "Option" shall mean any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at such price or prices and during such period or periods as the Board shall determine.

2.24   "Other Share-Based Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

2.25   "Participant" shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.

2.26   "Payee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

2.27   "Performance Award" shall mean any Award of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Article 9.

2.28   "Performance Cash" shall mean any cash incentives granted pursuant to Article 9 payable to the Participant upon the achievement of such Performance Goals as the Committee shall establish.

2.29   "Performance Criteria" shall mean one or more of the criteria specified in Section 9.5 and selected by the Board for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period.

2.30   "Performance Goals" shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria, as further described in Section 9.5

2.31   "Performance Period" shall mean the period established by the Committee during which any Performance Goals specified by the Committee with respect to a Performance Award are to be measured.

2.32   "Performance Share" shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, which value will be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such Performance Goals as the Committee shall establish.

2.33   "Performance Unit" shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or property other than Shares, which value will be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such Performance Goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish.

2.34   "Permitted Assignee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

2.35   "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

2.36   "Restricted Stock Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

2.37   "Restricted Stock Unit" means an Award that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Board shall determine, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Board may deem appropriate.

2.38   "Restricted Stock Unit Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

2.39  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.40  "Shares" shall mean the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

2.41   "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 6.


2.42   "Stock Award" shall mean any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Other Share-Based Award or Performance Share.

2.43   "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the relevant time each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

2.44   "Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

2.45   "Vesting Period" shall mean the period of time specified by the Committee during which vesting restrictions for an Award are applicable.

3.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1   Number of Shares.

  1. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.1, the number of shares of Common Stock issued or transferred and covered by outstanding awards granted under this Plan from and after the Effective Date shall not in the aggregate exceed 4,243,790 shares (the "Share Reserve"), which number is the sum of (i) 2,750,000 new shares, plus (ii) the number of shares subject to the Prior Plan's Available Reserve, plus (iii) the Prior Plan's Returning Shares, if any, which become available for grant under this Plan from time to time. The shares may be Common Stock of original issuance or Common Stock held in treasury, or a combination thereof. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1 regarding adjustments in the event of stock splits, reverse stock splits and other recapitalization events, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 5,500,000. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan, and while any Stock Awards are outstanding, retain as authorized and unissued Common Stock or as treasury Common Stock, at least the number of shares of Common Stock required under the provisions of this Plan, or otherwise assure itself of its ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

  2. If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or otherwise terminates without issuance of Shares, or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part) or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the Shares subject to such Award (including on payment in Shares on exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right), such Shares shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, again be available for issuance under the Plan.

  3. In the event that (i) any Option or other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, or (ii) withholding tax liabilities arising from such Option or other Award are satisfied by the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, then the Shares so tendered or withheld shall be available for issuance under the Plan.

  4. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award again be available for Awards under the Plan to the extent of any forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement as provided in paragraph (b) or (c) above. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the

    Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

  1. The Board may grant Incentive Stock Options to any employee of the Company or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or for any action taken by the Board, including without limitation the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

3.2   Source of Shares. Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.

4.   ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION

4.1   Eligibility. Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be selected as a Participant. The Board may grant Substitute Awards to holders of equity awards issued by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.

4.2   Administration.

  1. The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee, as provided in Section 4.2(c).

  2. The Board or authorized Committee shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to: (i) select the Employees, Directors or Consultants to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant hereunder; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; (iv) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder; (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award made under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under or in connection with the Plan, including any Award Agreement; (ix) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect; (x) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (xi) determine whether any Award will have Dividend Equivalents; and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan. In addition, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Board or authorized Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that a Participant's rights under any Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant's rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant's rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant's consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.


  1. The Board may delegate all or a portion of the administration of the Plan to a Committee, as follows:

    1. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board or the Committee (as applicable). The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, re-vest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

    2. In the sole discretion of the Board, the Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. In addition, the Board in its sole discretion, may (1) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons and/or (2) delegate to a committee of two or more members of the Board who need not be Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

    3. Until further action is taken by the Board, the full powers and administration of the Plan are hereby delegated to the Compensation Committee of the Board, which shall be constituted to comply with the membership requirements of Section 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

  2. The Board or Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be recipients of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Awards and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation shall specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Options granted by such Officer. Any such Stock Awards granted by Officers will be granted on the form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.2(d), the Board may not delegate to an Officer authority to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.19 above.

  3. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

  4. Neither the Board nor any Committee shall have the authority to: (i) reprice any outstanding Awards under the Plan, or (ii) cancel and re-grant any outstanding Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event, provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent cancellations of Awards upon expiration or termination of such Awards and the return of the underlying shares of Common Stock to the Plan for future issuance pursuant to Section 3.1(b) hereof.

  5. Dividends or Dividend Equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right), as determined by the Board and contained in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or Dividend Equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or Dividend Equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Award Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or Dividend Equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms of such Award Agreement.


5.   OPTIONS

5.1   Grant of Options. Options may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Any Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Article and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall deem desirable. Options may be designated as Incentive Stock Options, as determined by the Board.

5.2   Award Agreements. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. The terms of Options need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Granting an Option pursuant to the Plan shall impose no obligation on the recipient to exercise such Option. Any individual who is granted an Option pursuant to this Article may hold more than one Option granted pursuant to the Plan at the same time.

5.3   Option Price. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the option price per each Share purchasable under any Option granted pursuant to this Article shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of such Option; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, the option price per share Shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant. Other than pursuant to Section 10.1 and other than in connection with the grant of a Substitute Award, the Committee shall not without the approval of the Company's stockholders (a) lower the option price per Share of an Option after it is granted, (b) cancel an Option when the option price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for cash or another Award, and (c) take any other action with respect to an Option that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, if any.

5.4   Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Board in its sole discretion; provided that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date the Option is granted (other than with respect to an Incentive Stock Option); provided, however, that the term of the Option shall not exceed five years from the date the Option is granted in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary.

5.5   Exercise of Options.

  1. Vested Options granted under the Plan shall be exercised by the Participant or by a Permitted Assignee (as defined in Section 11.2) thereof (or by the Participant's executors, administrators, guardian or legal representative, as may be provided in an Award Agreement) as to all or part of the Shares covered thereby, by giving notice of exercise to the Company or its designated agent, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. The notice of exercise shall be in such form, made in such manner, and in compliance with such other requirements consistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee may prescribe from time to time.

  2. Full payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be made at the time of exercise and shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents (including certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (ii) by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value), (iii) by delivery of other consideration having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total purchase price, (iv) by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option, (v) through any other method specified in an Award Agreement (including same-day sales through a broker), or (vi) any combination of any of the foregoing, as may be provided in the Award Agreement. The notice of exercise, accompanied by such payment, shall be delivered to the Company at its principal business office or such other office as the Committee may from time to time direct, and shall be in such form, containing such further provisions consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time prescribe. In no event may any Option granted hereunder be exercised for a fraction of a Share.


5.6   Excess Grant over Incentive Stock Option Limit. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

5.7   Transferability of Options. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options as the Board shall determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options shall apply:

  1. An Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder.

  2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2); provided, however, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

  3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise satisfactory to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect Option exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Optionholder's estate shall be entitled to exercise the Option. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

  4. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, no Option may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

5.8   Termination of Continuous Service Generally. In the event that an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause or upon the Optionholder's death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Option Agreement (as applicable), the Option shall terminate.

5.9   Extension of Exercise Period. An Optionholder's Option Agreement may provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than for Cause or upon the Optionholder's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received on exercise of an Option following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company's insider trading policy, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (A) the expiration of a period of months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Company's insider trading policy, or (B) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

5.10   Termination Due to Disability. In the event that an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or


such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Option Agreement (as applicable), the Option shall terminate.

5.11   Termination Due to Death. In the event that (i) an Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death, or (ii) the Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the option upon the Optionholder's death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after the Optionholder's death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Option Agreement (as applicable), the Option shall terminate.

5.12   Termination for Cause. In the event that an Optionholder's Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate immediately and cease to remain outstanding and the Option shall cease to be exercisable with respect to any shares of Common Stock (whether vested or unvested) at the time of such termination.

6.   STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

6.1   Grant and Exercise. The Committee may provide Stock Appreciation Rights (a) in tandem with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, (b) in tandem with all or part of any Award (other than an Option) granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Award, or (c) without regard to any Option or other Award in each case upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.

6.2   Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, including the following:

  1. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall have the right to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or such amount less than such Fair Market Value as the Committee shall so determine at any time during a specified period before the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right on the date of grant, which, except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided in Section 10.1, shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one Share on such date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.

  2. The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether payment of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made in cash, in whole Shares or other property, or any combination thereof.

  3. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

  4. The Committee may impose such other conditions or restrictions on the terms of exercise and the grant price of any Stock Appreciation Right, as it shall deem appropriate. A Stock Appreciation Right shall have (i) a grant price not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant (subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with, but subsequent to, an Option), and (ii) a term not greater than 10 years (other than with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option).

  5. An Award Agreement may provide that if on the last day of the term of a Stock Appreciation Right the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the grant price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant has not exercised the Stock Appreciation Right or the tandem Option (if applicable) and neither the Stock Appreciation Right nor the Option has expired, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day. In such event the Company shall make payment to the Participant in accordance with this Section, reduced by the number of Shares (or cash) required for withholding taxes; any fractional Share shall be settled in cash.


  1. Without the approval of the Company's stockholders, other than pursuant to Section 10.1 and other than in connection with the grant of a Substitute Award, the Committee shall not (i) reduce the grant price of any Stock Appreciation Right after the date of grant (ii) cancel any Stock Appreciation Right when the grant price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for cash or another Award, and (iii) take any other action with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal securities exchange on which the Shares are traded.

  2. In the event that a Participant's Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause or upon the Participant's death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Right within the time specified herein or in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement (as applicable), the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate.

  3. A Participant's Stock Appreciation Right Agreement may provide that if the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (other than upon the Participant's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant's Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received on exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company's insider trading policy, then the Stock Appreciation Right will terminate on the earlier of (A) the expiration of a period of months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right would not be in violation of the Company's insider trading policy, or (B) the expiration of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.

  4. In the event that a Participant's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant's Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Right within the time specified herein or in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement (as applicable), the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate.

  5. In the event that (i) a Participant's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant's death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right as of the date of death) by the Participant's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right upon the Participant's death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. If, after the Participant's death, the Stock Appreciation Right is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement (as applicable), the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate.


  1. In the event that a Participant's Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate immediately and cease to remain outstanding and the Stock Appreciation Right shall cease to be exercisable with respect to any shares of Common Stock (whether vested or unvested) at the time of such termination.

  2. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement to the contrary, no Stock Appreciation Right may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

7.   RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

7.1   Grants. Awards of Restricted Stock and of Restricted Stock Units may be issued hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (a "Restricted Stock Award" or "Restricted Stock Unit Award" respectively), and such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of Performance Awards and other earned cash-based incentive compensation. The Committee has absolute discretion to determine whether any consideration (other than services) is to be received by the Company or any Subsidiary as a condition precedent to the issuance of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

7.2   Award Agreements. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

7.3   Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, beginning on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award and subject to execution of the Award Agreement, the Participant shall become a stockholder of the Company with respect to all Shares subject to the Award Agreement and shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote such Shares and the right to receive distributions made with respect to such Shares. A Participant receiving a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not possess voting rights with respect to such Award. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement any Shares or any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that an Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to 83(b) of the Code with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.

7.4   Issuance of Shares. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Board may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

7.5   Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Award Agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Award Agreement, as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or Award Agreement to the contrary, no Award of Restricted Stock may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

7.6   Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, such portion of the Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant's termination of Continuous Service.


8.   OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS

8.1   Grants. Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property ("Other Share-Based Awards"), including deferred stock units, may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Other Share-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of other Awards granted under the Plan and other earned cash-based compensation.

8.2   Award Agreements. The terms of Other Share-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of such Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

8.3   Payment. Except as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

9.   PERFORMANCE AWARDS

9.1   Grants. Performance Awards in the form of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, may be granted hereunder to Participants, for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Performance Goals to be achieved for each Performance Period shall be conclusively determined by the Committee and may be based upon the criteria set forth in Section 9.5.

9.2   Award Agreements. The terms of any Performance Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan, including whether such Awards shall have Dividend Equivalents. The terms of Performance Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

9.3   Terms and Conditions. The Performance Criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award. The amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee.

9.4   Payment. Except as provided in Section 10.1 or as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

9.5   Performance Criteria.

  1. The Committee may establish one or more objective Performance Goals, which shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following, or such other criteria as may be later determined by the Committee: (i) net sales; (ii) revenue; (iii) revenue growth or product revenue growth; (iv) operating income (before or after taxes); (v) pre- or after-tax income (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); earnings per share; net income (before or after taxes); (vi) return on equity; (vii) total shareholder return; (viii) return on assets or net assets; (ix) appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Shares or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; (x) market share; gross profits; (xi) earnings (including earnings before taxes, earnings before interest and taxes or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (xii) economic value-added models or equivalent metrics; (xiii) comparisons with various stock market indices; (xiv) reductions in costs; (xv) cash flow or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); (xvi) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); (xvii) cash flow return on investment; (xviii) improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels; (xiv) operating margins, gross margins or cash margin; (xx) year-end cash;

    (xxi) debt reduction; (xxii) stockholder equity; (xxiii) financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Company's equity or debt securities); (xxiv) factoring transactions; sales or licenses of the Company's assets, including its intellectual property, whether in a particular jurisdiction or territory or globally; or through partnering transactions; (xxv) implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, commercialization, products or projects, production volume levels, acquisitions and divestitures and recruiting and maintaining personnel; and (xxxi) other measures of performance selected by the Committee.

  1. Such Performance Goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company's performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies.

  2. The Committee may also exclude charges related to an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (i) restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges (including but not limited to the effect of tax or legal settlements); (ii) exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; (iii) the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) stock-based compensation expense determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the effects of any items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vii) a response to, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development; (viii) a response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions; (ix) the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (x) the assumption that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (xi) the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common shareholders other than regular cash dividends; (xii) the reflection of a corporate transaction, such as a merger, consolidation, separation (including a spinoff or other distribution of stock or property by a corporation), or reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code); (xiii) the reflection of any partial or complete corporate liquidation; (xiv) the effect of in-process research and development expenses; (xv) the income tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments from the provision for income taxes; and (xvi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Committee.

9.6   Adjustments. The Committee retains the discretion to adjust or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement or the written terms of an Award of Performance Cash.

10.   ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS

10.1   Capitalization Adjustments. If any change is made in, or other events occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date of the Plan set forth in Section 12.24 without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company (each a "Capitalization Adjustment")), the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3.1(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3.1(a), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of consideration" by the Company.


10.2   Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company's right of repurchase) shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company's repurchase option or subject to the forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

10.3   Corporate Transaction. The following provisions shall apply to Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Award or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Award:

  1. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation's parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards for Awards outstanding under the Plan (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successor's parent company, if any), in connection with such Corporate Transaction. A surviving corporation or acquiring corporation may choose to assume or continue only a portion of a Stock Award or substitute a similar stock award for only a portion of a Stock Award. The terms of any assumption, continuation or substitution shall be set by the Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2(b).

  2. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue any or all outstanding Awards or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction (referred to as the "Current Participants"), the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time at which such Stock Awards may be exercised) shall (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board shall determine (or, if the Board shall not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction), and such Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards shall lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction). No vested Restricted Stock Unit Award shall terminate pursuant to this Section 10.3(b) without being settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof, or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board, prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction.

  3. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue any or all outstanding Awards or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, the vesting of such Awards (and, if applicable, the time at which such Award may be exercised) shall not be accelerated and such Awards (other than a Award consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to the Company's right of repurchase) shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards shall not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Corporate Transaction. No vested Restricted Stock Unit Award shall terminate pursuant to this Section 10.3(c) without being settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof, or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board, prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction.

  4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the holder of the Award would have received upon the exercise of the Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.


10.4   Change in Control. An Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the agreement for such Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant. An Award may vest as to all or any portion of the shares subject to the Award (i) immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, whether or not such Award is assumed, continued, or substituted by a surviving or acquiring entity in the Change in Control, or (ii) in the event a Participant's Continuous Service is terminated, actually or constructively, within a designated period following the occurrence of a Change in Control. In the absence of such provisions, no such acceleration shall automatically occur.

11.   GENERALLY APPLICABLE PROVISIONS

11.1   Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement for stockholder approval imposed by applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the principal securities market on which the Shares are traded; provided that the Board may not, without the approval of the Company's stockholders, amend the Plan to (a) increase the number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards under the Plan (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 10.1), (b) expand the types of awards available under the Plan, (c) materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, (d) amend any provision of Section 5.3 or Section 6.2(e), (e) increase the maximum permissible term of any Option specified by Section 5.4 or the maximum permissible term of a Stock Appreciation Right specified by Section 6.2(d), or (f) increase the limitations set forth in Section 3.1(a). No amendments to, or termination of, the Plan shall materially impair the rights of a Participant under any Award previously granted without such Participant's consent.

11.2   Transferability of Awards. Except as provided elsewhere herein, no Award and no Shares that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant's guardian or legal representative. To the extent and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Board, a Participant may assign or transfer an Award (each transferee thereof, a "Permitted Assignee") to (i) the Participant's spouse, children or grandchildren (including any adopted and step children or grandchildren), parents, grandparents or siblings, (ii) to a trust for the benefit of one or more of the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i), or (iii) to a partnership, limited liability company or corporation in which the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i) are the only partners, members or stockholders; provided that such Permitted Assignee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided further that such Participant shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Company shall cooperate with any Permitted Assignee and the Company's transfer agent in effectuating any transfer permitted under this Section.

11.3   Termination of Employment. The Board shall determine and set forth in each Award Agreement whether any Awards granted in such Award Agreement will continue to be exercisable, continue to vest or be earned and the terms of such exercise, vesting or earning, on and after the date that a Participant ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary (including as a Director), whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. The date of termination of a Participant's employment or services will be determined by the Board, which determination will be final. Notwithstanding the above, the terms of a written agreement between the Company and the Participant, including but not limited to an employment agreement, will control over the terms of the Plan with the respect to the definitions of events of termination, except to the extent such conflicting terms could result in an unintended tax result of the Award under the Code.

11.4   Deferral; Dividend Equivalents. The Board shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award may, if so determined by the Board, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, stock or other property dividends in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on Shares ("Dividend Equivalents") with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. The Board may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested and may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents are subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award.


11.5   Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant's regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any Affiliate is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

12.   MISCELLANEOUS

12.1   Award Agreements. Each Award Agreement shall either be (a) in writing in a form approved by the Board and executed by the Company by an officer duly authorized to act on its behalf, or (b) an electronic notice in a form approved by the Board and recorded by the Company (or its designee) in an electronic recordkeeping system used for the purpose of tracking one or more types of Awards as the Board may provide; in each case and if required by the Board, the Award Agreement shall be executed or otherwise electronically accepted by the recipient of the Award in such form and manner as the Board may require. The Board may authorize any officer of the Company to execute any or all Award Agreements on behalf of the Company. The Award Agreement shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the Award as established by the Board consistent with the provisions of the Plan.

12.2   Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to make all payments or distributions pursuant to the Plan to a Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof) (any such person, a "Payee") net of any applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be paid or withheld as a result of (a) the grant of any Award, (b) the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (c) the delivery of Shares or cash, (d) the lapse of any restrictions in connection with any Award or (e) any other event occurring pursuant to the Plan. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the right to withhold from wages or other amounts otherwise payable to such Payee such withholding taxes as may be required by law, or to otherwise require the Payee to pay such withholding taxes. If the Payee shall fail to make such tax payments as are required, the Company or its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Payee or to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations. The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value), or by directing the Company to retain Shares (up to the Participant's minimum required tax withholding rate or such other rate that will not cause an adverse accounting consequence or cost) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award.

12.3   Right of Discharge Reserved; Claims to Awards. Nothing in the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Employee, Director or Consultant the right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or affect any right that the Company or any Subsidiary may have to terminate the employment or service of (or to demote or to exclude from future Awards under the Plan) any such Employee, Director or Consultant at any time for any reason. Except as specifically provided by the Board, the Company shall not be liable for the loss of existing or potential profit from an Award granted in the event of termination of an employment or other relationship. No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Directors Consultants or Participants under the Plan.

12.4   Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms of Substitute Awards may vary from the terms set forth in the Plan to the extent the Board deems appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which they are granted.


12.5   Cancellation of Award; Forfeiture of Gain. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may provide that the Award shall be canceled if the Participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by the Company or any Subsidiary or after termination of such employment or service, violates a non- competition, non- solicitation or non-disclosure covenant or agreement or otherwise engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any Subsidiary (including conduct contributing to any financial restatements or financial irregularities), as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Board may provide in an Award Agreement that if within the time period specified in the Agreement the Participant establishes a relationship with a competitor or engages in an activity referred to in the preceding sentence, the Participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of the Award and must repay such gain to the Company.

12.6   Stop Transfer Orders. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

12.7   Nature of Payments. All Awards made pursuant to the Plan are in consideration of services performed or to be performed for the Company or any Subsidiary, division or business unit of the Company. Any income or gain realized pursuant to Awards under the Plan constitutes a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account, to the extent permissible under applicable law, as compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Subsidiary except as may be determined by the Board.

12.8   Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

12.9   Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Board may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver the Shares or payments in lieu of or with respect to Awards hereunder; provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.

12.10   Foreign Employees. Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Employees, Directors or Consultants providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company's obligation with respect to tax equalization for Employees or Consultants on assignments outside their home country.

12.11   Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Plan is intended to comply and shall be administered in a manner that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award shall be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, except as otherwise determined by the Committee. Any provision of this Plan that would cause the grant of an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code.

12.12   Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company. The Company


will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys' fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board's approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning this Plan unless arising out of such person's own fraud or bad faith.

12.13   Use of Proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.

12.14   Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant's own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (i) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

12.15   Securities Law Compliance. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities laws.

12.16   Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company's securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for "good reason" or "constructive termination" (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.

12.17   Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company's right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with a Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award agreement.


12.18   Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a "written" agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company's intranet.

12.19   Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant's termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

12.20   Non-Exempt Employees. No Award granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the event of the Participant's death or Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant's retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant's Stock Award agreement or another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and guidelines), any vested Awards may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of a Award will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

12.21   No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; Company may Pay Individual Tax Liability. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Award to the holder of such Stock Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, agree to pay all or a portion of the individual tax liability of one or more Plan Participants whose awards do not satisfy the conditions for exemption under Code Section 409A.

12.22   Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award agreement, the corporate records will control.

12.23   Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken thereunder, 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 Nevada, without reference to principles of conflict of laws, and construed accordingly.

12.24   Effective Date of Plan; Termination of Plan. The Plan will become effective on the Effective Date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of Section 11.1 of the Plan. No Incentive Stock Option will be granted after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.


12.25   Construction. As used in the Plan, the words "include" and "including," and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation."

12.26   Captions. The captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein.

12.27   Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall (a) be deemed limited to the extent that such court of competent jurisdiction deems it lawful, valid and/or enforceable and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect, and (b) not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect. If the making of any payment or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent any other payment or benefit from being made or provided under the Plan, and if the making of any payment in full or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan in full would be unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, then such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent such payment or benefit from being made or provided in part, to the extent that it would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, and the maximum payment or benefit that would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable shall be made or provided under the Plan.

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.2

FORM OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

S&W SEED COMPANY
GRANT NOTICE FOR 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants to Participant named below the Nonstatutory Stock Option (the "Option") to purchase any part or all of the number of shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 (the "Common Stock"), that are covered by this Option, as specified below, at the Exercise Price per share specified below and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Grant Notice (the "Grant Notice"), the S&W Seed Company 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the Standard Terms and Conditions (the "Standard Terms and Conditions") promulgated under such Plan, each as amended from time to time. This Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Standard Terms and Conditions.

Name of Participant:

Date of Grant:

Number of Shares of

Common Stock covered by Option:

Exercise Price Per Share:                     $

Expiration Date:

Vesting Schedule:

This Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By accepting this Grant Notice, Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Standard Terms and Conditions.

S&W SEED COMPANY

By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:

PARTICIPANT SIGNATURE

___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Address

 

 


S&W SEED COMPANY
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS

These Standard Terms and Conditions apply to the Options granted pursuant to the S&W Seed Company 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the "Plan"), which are identified as Nonstatutory Stock Options and are evidenced by a Grant Notice or an action of the Board that specifically refers to these Standard Terms and Conditions. In addition to these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into these Standard Terms and Conditions by this reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

  1. TERMS OF OPTION
  2. S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), has granted to the Participant named in the Grant Notice provided to said Participant herewith (the "Grant Notice") a Nonstatutory Stock Option (the "Option") to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company's common stock (the "Common Stock"), set forth in the Grant Notice. The exercise price per share and the other terms and subject to the conditions of the Option are set forth in the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions (as amended from time to time), and the Plan. For purposes of these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Grant Notice, any reference to the Company shall include a reference to any Subsidiary.

  3. NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION
  4. The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and will be interpreted accordingly.

  5. EXERCISE OF OPTION
  6. The Option shall not be exercisable as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice. After the Grant Date, to the extent not previously exercised, and subject to termination or acceleration as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it becomes vested, as described in the Grant Notice or the terms of the Plan, to purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock as set forth in the Grant Notice, provided that (except as set forth in Section 4.A below) the Participant remains employed with the Company and does not experience a termination of Continuous Service. The vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option may be adjusted by the Board to reflect the decreased level of employment during any period in which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full time basis.

    To exercise the Option (or any part thereof), the Participant shall deliver to the Company a "Notice of Exercise" in a form specified by the Board, specifying the number of whole shares of Common Stock the Participant wishes to purchase and how the Participant's shares of Common Stock should be registered (in the Participant's name only or in the Participant's and the Participant's spouse's names as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship).

    The exercise price (the "Exercise Price") of the Option is set forth in the Grant Notice. The Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock until the Participant shall have paid the total Exercise Price for that number of shares of Common Stock. The Exercise Price may be paid in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Common Stock issuable under the Option, the delivery of previously owned Common Stock, withholding of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of the Option, or in such other manners as may be permitted by the Board.


    Fractional shares may not be exercised. Shares of Common Stock will be issued as soon as practical after exercise. Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock during any period when the Company determines that the exercisability of the Option or the delivery of shares of Common Stock hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws.

  1. EXPIRATION OF OPTION
  2. The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable as of the earlier of (a) the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice or (b) the date specified below in connection with the Participant's termination of Continuous Service:

    1. Subject to the terms of any then-in effect employment agreement between the Company and the Participant, if the Participant's termination of Continuous Service is by reason of death, Disability or Retirement (as defined below), the Participant (or the Participant's estate, beneficiary or legal representative) may exercise the Option (regardless of whether then vested or exercisable) until the date that is twelve months following the date of such termination of Continuous Service. To the extent an employment agreement varies this provision, the provision in the employment agreement shall prevail.
    2. Subject to the terms of any then-in effect employment agreement, if the Participant's termination of Continuous Service is for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement or Cause, the Participant may exercise any portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable at the time of such termination of Continuous Service until the date that is three months following the date of such termination of Continuous Service. Any portion of the Option that is not vested and exercisable at the time of such termination of Continuous Service (after taking into account any accelerated vesting under Section 10 of the Plan, if applicable) shall be forfeited and canceled as of the date of such termination of Continuous Service. To the extent an employment agreement varies this provision, the provision in the employment agreement shall prevail.
    3. Subject to the terms of any then-in effect employment agreement, if the Participant's termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, the entire Option, whether or not then vested and exercisable, shall be immediately forfeited and canceled as of the date of such termination of Continuous Service. To the extent an employment agreement varies this provision, the provision in the employment agreement shall prevail.
    4. For purposes of the Option, "Retirement" means a Participant's voluntary termination of Continuous Service at a time when the sum of (x) the Participant's age plus (y) the Participant's years of service as an employee of the Company or its Affiliates is greater than or equal to 70; provided, however that the Participant has attained at least age 55 and has provided at least 10 years of service as an employee of the Company or its Affiliates.

  3. RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO OPTION EXERCISE
  4. The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other optionholders and (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

  5. INCOME TAXES
  6. The Company shall not deliver shares of Common Stock in respect of the exercise of any Option unless and until the Participant has made arrangements satisfactory to the Board to satisfy applicable withholding tax obligations. Unless the Participant pays the withholding tax obligations to the Company by cash or check in connection with the exercise of the Option, withholding may be effected, at the Company's option, by withholding Common Stock issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option (provided that shares of Common Stock may be withheld only to the extent that such withholding will not result in adverse accounting treatment for the Company). The Participant acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to deduct any taxes required to be withheld by law in connection with the exercise of the Option from any amounts payable by it to the Participant (including, without limitation, future cash wages).


  1. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION
  2. Except as permitted by the Board or as permitted under the Plan, the Participant may not assign or transfer the Option to anyone other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime. The Company may cancel the Participant's Option if the Participant attempts to assign or transfer it in a manner inconsistent with this Section 7.

  3. OTHER AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED
  4. Subject to the terms of any then-effective employment agreement between the Company and the Participant, the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the Option. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded. The foregoing notwithstanding, if any provision of an employment agreement between the Company and the Participant varies from the terms set forth herein, the terms of the employment agreement shall prevail.

  5. MISCELLANEOUS
    1. The rights and obligations of the Company under the Option will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company's successors and assigns.
    2. The Participant agrees upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of the Option.
    3. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Participant has reviewed the Option in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting the Option, and fully understands all provisions of the Option.
    4. These Standard Terms and Conditions will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
    5. All obligations of the Company under the Plan and these Standard Terms and Conditions will 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 and/or assets of the Company.

 

 


NOTICE OF EXERCISE

S&W Seed Company
106 K Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95814

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Option. The person named below (the "Purchaser") was granted options (the "Options") to purchase shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") of S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company") pursuant to the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), by Grant Notice (the "Grant Notice") and its appended Standard Terms and Conditions (collectively, the "Stock Option Agreement") attached thereto, as described below.

Purchaser's Name:

Date of Grant:

Number of Options Granted:

Exercise Price Per Share:             $

Type of Option:                           Nonstatutory Stock Option

2. Exercise of Option. I hereby elect to exercise my Options to purchase the following number of Shares, as authorized by the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement dated as of _________, 201__.

Total Shares Purchased: _____________________________

Aggregate Exercise Price (number of options to be exercised times the exercise price of $______):

$ ______________________

3. Method of Payment. I have elected to exercise my Options in the following manner:

o Cash (by wire, personal check, bank certified or cashier's check, payable to S&W Seed Company)

o Net exercise, pursuant to which the Company is irrevocably authorized to withhold that number of shares sufficient to pay the full exercise price for the shares purchased and any required withholding, delivering only the "net number of shares" based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of this Notice

o Same day exercise and sale, pursuant to which I have made an irrevocable commitment with a broker, under the terms of which the broker will promptly pay to the Company the Aggregate Exercise Price from the sale of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Options; note: this payment option may not be available through all brokerage firms.

Please attach irrevocable instructions to broker if utilizing same day exercise and sale.

o Cancellation of indebtedness owed by the Company to me


o __________ shares of the Company's Common Stock, fair market value $____ per share held by me for a period of at least six months

Wire instructions for delivery of payment may be secured by contacting _______________________ or by telephone (___) _______.

4. Tax Withholding.

If you are an S&W employee, the Company is required to withhold an amount sufficient to pay the taxes on your exercise of your Options, unless you are exercising Incentive Stock Options and are holding the Shares for at least six months. If either you or your broker is making a cash payment to the Company, you will be required to include with your purchase price the applicable tax payment or otherwise arrange for delivery of the payment. Please contact Matt Szot if you need assistance regarding tax withholding. Note also that some brokerage firms have a policy requiring the firm to withhold a fixed percentage of withholding regardless of the percentage that would be applicable to a particular option holder. If you are not an S&W employee, you are responsible for the payment of any taxes that accrue as a result of your exercise of your Options.

5. I desire to take title to the Shares as follows:

o Individual, as separate property

o Husband and wife, as community property

o Joint Tenants

o Other, please specify: ___________________________

To assign the Shares to a trust, a stock transfer agreement in the form provided by the Company must be completed and executed.

6. Share Delivery Instructions.

o Please issue the shares in book entry form at Transfer Online, Inc. in the name of:

________________________________________

o Please request Transfer Online, Inc. to DWAC the Shares to my broker

o Please arrange for a physical stock certificate to be delivered to me at the following address:

________________________________________

I acknowledge and agree that the Shares are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Plan and the Stock Option Exercise Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Plan and the Stock Option Exercise Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan or in the Stock Option Exercise Agreement, as applicable. I acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan, and the Stock Option Exercise Agreement, represent that I have carefully read and am familiar with their provisions, and hereby accept the Shares subject to all of their terms and conditions. I acknowledge that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the Option or disposition of the Shares and that I should consult a tax adviser prior to such exercise or disposition.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 


This Notice of Exercise and the Stock Option Exercise Agreement shall be effective as of the later date on which this Notice is executed by the Company and the Purchaser.

Very truly yours,

_______________________________________
(Signature)

Print Name:

Dated this ___ day of __________, 20__

Social Security Number: _________________________
if applicable)

Address:

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged this __ day of __________, 20__.

S&W SEED COMPANY

By: ___________________________________________

Name: ________________________________________

Title: ________________________________________

Attachments:

  • Exhibit A Stock Option Exercise Agreement

EXHIBIT A

S&W SEED COMPANY
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION EXERCISE AGREEMENT

1. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

1.1 Exercise. Pursuant to exercise of that certain option (the "Option") granted to the Purchaser (the "Purchaser") named on the Notice of Exercise (the "Exercise Notice") to which this Stock Option Exercise Agreement is attached, under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), of S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and subject to the terms and conditions of the Exercise Notice and this Stock Option Exercise Agreement (the "Exercise Agreement"), the Purchaser hereby purchases from the Company, and the Company hereby sells to the Purchaser, the Total Shares Purchased set forth in the Exercise Notice (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock at the Exercise Price per Share set forth in the Exercise Notice (the "Exercise Price"). As used in this Exercise Agreement, the term "Shares" refers to the Shares purchased under the Exercise Notice and this Exercise Agreement and includes all securities received (i) in replacement of the Shares, (ii) as a result of stock dividends or stock splits with respect to the Shares, and (iii) all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a merger, recapitalization, reorganization or similar corporate transaction. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan or the Exercise Notice.

1.2 Payment. The Purchaser hereby delivers payment of the Exercise Price as set forth in the Exercise Notice.

2. DELIVERY.

2.1 Deliveries by Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby delivers to the Company (i) the Exercise Notice and (ii) the Exercise Price and payment or other provision for any applicable tax obligations as specified in the Exercise Notice.

2.2 Deliveries by the Company. Upon its receipt of the Exercise Price, payment or other provision for any applicable tax obligations and all the documents to be executed and delivered by the Purchaser to the Company under Section 2.1 above, the Company will issue a duly executed stock certificate evidencing the Shares in the name of the Purchaser to be delivered to the Purchaser in accordance with the delivery instructions provided by him.

3. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Exercise Agreement, the Purchaser will have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Shares from and after the date that Shares are issued to the Purchaser until such time as the Purchaser disposes of the Shares.

4. TAX CONSEQUENCES. THE PURCHASER UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PURCHASER MAY SUFFER ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT OF THE PURCHASER'S PURCHASE OR DISPOSITION OF THE SHARES. THE PURCHASER REPRESENTS: (i) THAT THE PURCHASER HAS CONSULTED WITH ANY TAX ADVISER THAT THE PURCHASER DEEMS ADVISABLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE OR DISPOSITION OF THE SHARES AND (ii) THAT THE PURCHASER IS NOT RELYING ON THE COMPANY FOR ANY TAX ADVICE. THE PURCHASER SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

4.1 Exercise of Incentive Stock Option. If the Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"), there will be no regular U.S. Federal income tax liability or applicable state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as a tax preference item for U.S. Federal alternative minimum tax purposes and may subject the Purchaser to the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise.


4.2 Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Option does not qualify as an ISO, there may be a regular U.S. Federal income tax liability and an applicable state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. The Purchaser will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If the Purchaser is or was an employee of the Company, the Company may be required to withhold from the Purchaser's compensation or collect from the Purchaser and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise.

4.3 Disposition of Shares. The following tax consequences may apply upon disposition of the Shares.

(a) Incentive Stock Options. If the Shares are held for more than twelve (12) months after the date of purchase of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of an ISO and are disposed of more than two (2) years after the Date of Grant as set forth in the Grant Notice, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long term capital gain for U.S. federal and applicable state income tax purposes. If vested Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within either of the applicable one (1) or two (2) year holding periods, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates in the year of the disposition) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price.

(b) Nonstatutory Stock Options. If the Shares are held for more than twelve (12) months after the date of purchase of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain.

(c) Withholding. The Company may be required to withhold from the Purchaser's compensation or collect from the Purchaser and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income.

5. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS. The issuance and transfer of the Shares will be subject to and conditioned upon compliance by the Company and the Purchaser with all applicable state and U.S. Federal laws and regulations and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company's Common Stock may be listed or quoted at the time of such issuance or transfer.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Purchaser is an affiliate of the Company, such Purchaser agrees that all Shares purchased upon exercise of the Option shall be considered "control stock" as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and as such, must either be sold in accordance with Rule 144 as it applies to control securities or sold pursuant to a reoffer prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an effective registration statement on Form S-8.

6. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Agreement. This Exercise Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. This Exercise Agreement will be binding upon the Purchaser and the Purchaser's heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

7. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Exercise Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within California. If any provision of this Exercise Agreement is determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, then such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent possible and the other provisions will remain fully effective and enforceable.

8. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Company shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Purchaser shall be in writing and addressed to the Purchaser at the address indicated in the Exercise Notice or to such other address as the Purchaser may designate in writing from time to time to the Company. All notices shall be deemed to have been given or delivered upon: (i) personal delivery or delivery by electronic mail to an address the sending knows is a valid and active address of the recipient; (ii) three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested); or (iii) one (1) business day after deposit with any return receipt express courier (prepaid).


9. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of the Exercise Notice and/or this Exercise Agreement.

10. HEADINGS. The captions and headings of this Exercise Agreement are included for ease of reference only and will be disregarded in interpreting or construing this Exercise Agreement. All references herein to Sections will refer to Sections of this Exercise Agreement.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Plan, the Grant Notice and its appended Standard Terms and Conditions, the Exercise Notice and this Exercise Agreement, together with all Exhibits thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Exercise Notice and this Exercise Agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the specific subject matter hereof.

Dated this __________________, 20__.

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 99.3

FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

S&W SEED COMPANY
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice

S&W Seed Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants you a restricted stock unit ("RSU") award ("Award") pursuant to the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), for the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share ("Common Stock") set forth below. All capitalized terms in the attached Restricted Stock Unit Agreement ("Agreement") that are not defined in the Agreement have the meanings given to them in the Plan. This Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (the "Grant") and of the Plan, which is incorporated into the Agreement by reference. The Agreement is not meant to interpret, extend, or change the Plan in any way, or to represent the full terms of the Plan. If there is any discrepancy, conflict or omission between the Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall apply.

Name of Participant:

Number of Shares:

Date of Grant:

First Vesting Date:

Subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in the Agreement, this Award will vest as follows:

By accepting this Award, you agree to all of the terms and conditions described in the attached Agreement. You and the Company agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the intent of the attached Agreement. You are also acknowledging receipt of this Grant, the attached Agreement and a copy of the prospectus describing the Plan and the Restricted Stock Units.

If for any reason, you wish to not accept this Award, please notify the Company in writing within 30 calendar days of the date of this Award, attention Corporate Secretary.

 

 

 


RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

  1. Effect of Termination of Continuous Service. In the event of the termination of your Continuous Service prior to the last vesting date, the following provisions will govern the vesting of this Award:
    1. In the event of the termination of your Continuous Service prior to the vesting date for any reason other than as expressly set forth in the other subsections of this Section 1 of the Agreement, this Award will terminate without having vested as to any of the unvested Restricted Stock Units subject to this Award.
    2. In the event of the termination of your Continuous Service by the Company prior to the vesting date (i) without Cause, (ii) due to a Change in Control; or (iii) due to your death or Disability, this Award will vest in full and be non-forfeitable immediately as of the termination date. For purposes of this Award, Change in Control and Disability are defined in the Plan.
    3. In the event of the voluntary termination of your Continuous Service prior to the vesting date, all unvested Restricted Stock Units will be cancelled in on the date of termination of your Continuous Service.
    4. In the event of the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause by the Company or its successor, prior to the vesting date, all unvested Restricted Stock Units will be cancelled on the date of termination. For purposes of this Award, Cause is defined in the Plan.

    In the event any of the foregoing terms are inconsistent with the terms of an employment agreement between you and the Company in effect at the time of the termination of your Continuous Service, the terms of the employment agreement shall supersede the termination provisions of this Agreement.

  2. Issuance of Shares under this Award:
    1. The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Stock Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, in the event one or more Restricted Stock Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under the Plan). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an "Original Issuance Date".
    2. If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:
      1. the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an "open window period" applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company's then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market

        (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company's policies (a "10b5-1 Arrangement")), and

      1. either (1) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a "same day sale" commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation in cash,
      2. then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Company's Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this Award are no longer subject to a "substantial risk of forfeiture" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

    1. The form of delivery (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.

  1. Rights as a Stockholder; Dividend Equivalent Rights. You shall have no voting or other rights as a stockholder with respect to the Shares of Common Stock underlying the Award until such Shares of Common Stock have been issued to you. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, you shall be entitled to receive payment of the equivalent of any and all dividends declared by the Company on its Common Stock on each date on which dividends are paid on and after the date of grant of the Award in an amount equal to the amount of such dividends multiplied by the number of Shares of Common Stock underlying the then outstanding portion of the Award. These dividend equivalents shall be paid upon the later of (a) the date dividends are paid to the common stockholders of the Company, or (b) the date the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which such dividend equivalents are payable become vested (it being understood that no dividend equivalents will be paid with respect to Shares underlying any Restricted Stock Units that do not vest, but that dividend equivalent rights equal to the dividends declared on the Company's Common Stock from and after the date of grant of the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be paid as and when such Restricted Stock Units vest).
  2. Withholding Taxes.
    1. On each vesting date, and on or before the time you receive a distribution of the shares of Common Stock in respect of your Restricted Stock Units, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws, you hereby authorize any required withholding from the Common Stock issuable to you and/or otherwise

      agree to make adequate provision, including in cash, for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any Affiliate that arise in connection with your Award (the "Withholding Obligation").

    1. By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the Company or any Affiliate may, in its sole discretion, satisfy all or any portion of the Withholding Obligation relating to your Restricted Stock Units by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to pay any portion of the Withholding Obligation in cash; (ii) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company; (iii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the Award with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to Section 2) equal to the amount of such Withholding Obligation; provided, however, that the number of such shares of Common Stock so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation using the maximum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Company's Compensation Committee; and/or (iv) permitting or requiring you to enter into a "same day sale" commitment, if applicable, with a broker- dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a "FINRA Dealer"), pursuant to this authorization and without further consent, whereby you irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares to be delivered in connection with your Restricted Stock Units to satisfy the Withholding Obligation and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates. Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock or any other consideration pursuant to this Award.
    2. In the event the Withholding Obligation arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

  1. Disputes: Any question concerning the interpretation of this Agreement, any adjustments to made thereunder, and any controversy that may arise under this Agreement, shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with its authority under Section 4.2 of the Plan. Such decision by the Committee shall be final and binding.
  2. Other Matters:
    1. The Award granted to an employee in any one year, or at any time, does not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company to grant an award in any future year or in any given amount and should not create an expectation that the Company (or any Subsidiary or other affiliate) might grant an award in any future year or in any given amount.

    1. Nothing contained in this Agreement creates or implies an employment contract or term of employment or any promise of specific treatment upon which you may rely.

  1. Miscellaneous:
    1. The rights and obligations of the Company under the Award shall be transferable by the Company to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Company's successors and assigns.
    2. You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.
    3. You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award and fully understand all provisions of your Award.
    4. This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
    5. All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement 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 and/or assets of the Company.

This Agreement and the Grant (including the Plan, which is incorporated by reference) constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to this Award, and supersede all prior agreements or promises with respect to the Award. Except as provided in the Plan, this Agreement may be amended only by a written document signed by the Company and you. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Company may assign any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the restrictions on transfer of an Award described in Section 11.2 of the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding on your permitted successors and assigns (including heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives). All notices required under this Agreement or the Plan must be mailed or hand-delivered, (1) in the case of the Company, to the Company at its address set forth in this Agreement, or at such other address designated in writing by the Company to you, and (2) in the case of you, at the address recorded in the books and records of the Company as your then current home address.

The Company has signed this Agreement effective as the Date of Grant.

S&W SEED COMPANY
106 K Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95814


By: _____________________________________
Name
Title

Agreed and accepted this ___ day of __________, 201__:

___________________________________________
Name

 

 

 

 

 


 

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