CHINA EDUCATION ALLIANCE,
INC.
2009 INCENTIVE STOCK
PLAN
This China Education
Alliance, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock Plan (the " Plan ") is designed to retain
directors, executives and selected employees and consultants and
reward them for making major contributions to the success of the
Company. These objectives are accomplished by making
long-term incentive awards under the Plan thereby providing
Participants with a proprietary interest in the growth and
performance of the Company.
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" Board
" - The Board of Directors of the Company.
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" Code "
- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
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"
Committee " - The Compensation Committee of the Company's
Board, or such other committee of the Board that is designated by
the Board to administer the Plan, composed of not less than two
members of the Board all of whom are disinterested persons, as
contemplated by Rule 16b-3 (" Rule 16b-3 ") promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "
Exchange Act ").
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"
Company " – China Education Alliance, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, including subsidiaries of subsidiaries.
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"
Exchange Act " - The Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended from time to time.
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" Fair
Market Value " - The fair market value of the Company's issued
and outstanding Stock as determined in good faith by the Board or
Committee.
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" Grant
" - The grant of any form of stock option, stock award, or stock
purchase offer, whether granted singly, in combination or in
tandem, to a Participant pursuant to such terms, conditions and
limitations as the Committee may establish in order to fulfill the
objectives of the Plan.
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" Grant
Agreement " - An agreement between the Company and a
Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations
applicable to a Grant.
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" North
Carolina Securities Rules " – Chapter 55 of the North
Carolina General Statutes.
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" Option
" - Either an Incentive Stock Option, in accordance with Section
422 of the Code, or a Nonstatutory Option, to purchase the
Company's Stock that may be awarded to a Participant under the
Plan. A Participant who receives an award of an Option shall be
referred to as an " Optionee ."
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"
Participant " - A director, officer, employee or consultant
of the Company to whom an Award has been made under the
Plan.
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" Restricted
Stock Purchase Offer " - A Grant of the right to purchase a
specified number of shares of Stock pursuant to a written agreement
issued under the Plan.
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" Securities
Act " - The Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time.
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" Stock
" - Authorized and issued or unissued shares of common stock of the
Company.
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" Stock
Award " - A Grant made under the Plan in stock or denominated
in units of stock for which the Participant is not obligated to pay
additional consideration.
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The Plan
shall be administered by the Board, provided however, that the
Board may delegate such administration to the Committee. Subject to
the provisions of the Plan, the Board and/or the Committee shall
have authority to (a) grant, in its discretion, Incentive Stock
Options in accordance with Section 422 of the Code, or Nonstatutory
Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b)
determine in good faith the fair market value of the Stock covered
by any Grant; (c) determine which eligible persons shall receive
Grants and the number of shares, restrictions, terms and conditions
to be included in such Grants; (d) construe and interpret the Plan;
(e) promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to its administration, and correct defects, omissions and
inconsistencies in the Plan or any Grant; (f) consistent with the
Plan and with the consent of the Participant, as appropriate, amend
any outstanding Grant or amend the exercise date or dates thereof;
(g) determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which
may be granted to Participants without constituting termination of
their employment for the purpose of the Plan or any Grant; and (h)
make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the Plan's
administration. The interpretation and construction by the Board of
any provisions of the Plan or selection of Participants shall be
conclusive and final. No member of the Board or the Committee shall
be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with
respect to the Plan or any Grant made thereunder.
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General: The persons who shall be eligible to
receive Grants shall be directors, officers, employees or
consultants to the Company. The term consultant shall mean any
person, other than an employee, who is engaged by the Company to
render services and is compensated for such services. An Optionee
may hold more than one Option. Any issuance of a Grant to an
officer or director of the Company subsequent to the first
registration of any of the securities of the Company under the
Exchange Act shall comply with the requirements of Rule
16b-3.
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Incentive
Stock Options: Incentive Stock Options may only be
issued to employees of the Company. Incentive Stock Options may be
granted to officers or directors, provided they are also employees
of the Company. Payment of a director's fee shall not be sufficient
to constitute employment by the Company.
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The Company
shall not grant an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan to any
employee if such Grant would result in such employee holding the
right to exercise for the first time in any one calendar year,
under all Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan or any
other plan maintained by the Company, with respect to shares of
Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the
date of the Option is granted, in excess of $100,000. Should it be
determined that an Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan
exceeds such maximum for any reason other than a failure in good
faith to value the Stock subject to such option, the excess portion
of such option shall be considered a Nonstatutory Option. To the
extent the employee holds two (2) or more such Options which become
exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, the
foregoing limitation on the exercisability of such Option as
Incentive Stock Options under the Federal tax laws shall be applied
on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted. If,
for any reason, an entire Option does not qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option by reason of exceeding such maximum, such Option shall
be considered a Nonstatutory Option.
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Nonstatutory
Option: The provisions of
the foregoing Section 3(b) shall not apply to any Option designated
as a " Nonstatutory Option " or which sets forth the
intention of the parties that the Option be a Nonstatutory
Option.
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Stock Awards
and Restricted Stock Purchase Offers: The provisions of this Section 3
shall not apply to any Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase
Offer under the Plan.
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Authorized
Stock: Stock subject to
Grants may be either unissued or reacquired Stock.
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Number of
Shares: Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 5(i) of the Plan, the total number of shares of Stock which
may be purchased or granted directly by Options, Stock Awards or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers, or purchased indirectly through
exercise of Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed One
Million (1,000,000). If any Grant shall for any reason terminate or
expire, any shares allocated thereto but remaining unpurchased upon
such expiration or termination shall again be available for Grants
with respect thereto under the Plan as though no Grant had
previously occurred with respect to such shares. Any shares of
Stock issued pursuant to a Grant and repurchased pursuant to the
terms thereof shall be available for future Grants as though not
previously covered by a Grant.
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Reservation
of Shares: The Company shall reserve and keep
available at all times during the term of the Plan such number of
shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the
Plan. If, after reasonable efforts, which efforts shall not include
the registration of the Plan or Grants under the Securities Act,
the Company is unable to obtain authority from any applicable
regulatory body, which authorization is deemed necessary by legal
counsel for the Company for the lawful issuance of shares
hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with
respect to its failure to issue and sell the shares for which such
requisite authority was so deemed necessary unless and until such
authority is obtained.
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Application
of Funds : The proceeds
received by the Company from the sale of Stock pursuant to the
exercise of Options or rights under Stock Purchase Agreements will
be used for general corporate purposes.
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No
Obligation to Exercise :
The issuance of a Grant shall impose no obligation upon the
Participant to exercise any rights under such Grant.
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Terms and
Conditions of Options.
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Options
granted hereunder shall be evidenced by agreements between the
Company and the respective Optionees, in such form and substance as
the Board or Committee shall from time to time approve. The form of
Incentive Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
A and the three forms of a Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
for employees, for directors and for consultants, attached hereto
as Exhibit B-1, Exhibit B-2 and Exhibit B-3,
respectively, shall be deemed to be approved by the Board. Option
agreements need not be identical, and in each case may include such
provisions as the Board or Committee may determine, but all such
agreements shall be subject to and limited by the following terms
and conditions:
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Number of
Shares: Each Option shall
state the number of shares to which it pertains.
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Exercise
Price: Each Option shall
state the exercise price, which shall be determined as
follows:
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Any Incentive
Stock Option granted to a person who at the time the Option is
granted owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the
Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company (" Ten Percent Holder ") shall have an exercise
price of no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock as
of the date of grant; and
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Incentive Stock
Options granted to a person who at the time the Option is granted
is not a Ten Percent Holder shall have an exercise price of no less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock as of the date of
grant.
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For the
purposes of this Section 5(b), the Fair Market Value shall be as
determined by the Board in good faith, which determination shall be
conclusive and binding; provided however, that if there is a public
market for such Stock, the Fair Market Value per share shall be the
average of the bid and asked prices (or the closing price if such
stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System or Small Cap
Issue Market) on the date of grant of the Option, or if listed on a
stock exchange, the closing price on such exchange on such date of
grant.
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Medium and
Time of Payment: The exercise price shall become
immediately due upon exercise of the Option and shall be paid in
cash or check made payable to the Company. Should the Company's
outstanding Stock be registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act at the time the Option is exercised, then the exercise price
may also be paid as follows:
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in shares of
Stock held by the Optionee for the requisite period necessary to
avoid a charge to the Company's earnings for financial reporting
purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date,
or
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through a
special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable written
instructions (a) to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect
the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the
Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date,
sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for
the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal, state and local
income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Company
by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage
firm in order to complete the sale transaction.
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At the
discretion of the Board, exercisable either at the time of Option
grant or of Option exercise, the exercise price may also be paid
(i) by Optionee's delivery of a promissory note in form and
substance satisfactory to the Company and permissible under the
Securities Rules of the State of North Carolina and bearing
interest at a rate determined by the Board in its sole discretion,
but in no event less than the minimum rate of interest required to
avoid the imputation of compensation income to the Optionee under
the Federal tax laws, or (ii) in such other form of consideration
permitted by the North Carolina corporations law as may be
acceptable to the Board.
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Term and
Exercise of Options:
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Any Option
granted to an employee, consultant or director of the Company shall
become exercisable over a period of no longer than ten (10) years.
Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Committee in the
resolution authorizing such Option, the date of grant of an Option
shall be deemed to be the date upon which the Board or the
Committee authorizes the granting of such Option. Each Option shall
be exercisable to the nearest whole share, in installments or
otherwise, as the respective Option agreements may provide. During
the lifetime of an Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only
by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable by the
Optionee, and no other person shall acquire any rights therein. To
the extent not exercised, installments (if more than one) shall
accumulate, but shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, only
during the period for exercise as stated in the Option agreement,
whether or not other installments are then exercisable.
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Termination
of Status as Employee, Consultant or Director:
If Optionee's status as
an employee shall terminate for any reason other than Optionee's
disability or death, then Optionee (or if the Optionee shall die
after such termination, but prior to exercise, Optionee's personal
representative or the person entitled to succeed to the Option)
shall have the right to exercise the portions of any of Optionee's
Incentive Stock Options which were exercisable as of the date of
such termination, in whole or in part, not less than 30 days nor
more than three (3) months after such termination (or, in the event
of " termination for good cause " as that term is defined in
North Carolina case law related thereto, or by the terms of the
Plan or the Option Agreement or an employment agreement, the Option
shall automatically terminate as of the termination of employment
as to all shares covered by the Option).
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With respect
to Nonstatutory Options granted to employees, directors or
consultants, the Board may specify such period for exercise, not
less than 30 days after such termination (except that in the case
of " termination for cause " or removal of a director, the
Option shall automatically terminate as of the termination of
employment or services as to shares covered by the Option,
following termination of employment or services as the Board deems
reasonable and appropriate. The Option may be exercised only with
respect to installments that the Optionee could have exercised at
the date of termination of employment or services. Nothing
contained herein or in any Option granted pursuant hereto shall be
construed to affect or restrict in any way the right of the Company
to terminate the employment or services of an Optionee with or
without cause.
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(f)
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Disability
of Optionee: If an Optionee is disabled (within
the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) at the time of
termination, the three (3) month period set forth in Section 5(e)
shall be a period, as determined by the Board and set forth in the
Option, of not less than six months nor more than one year after
such termination.
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Death of
Optionee: If
an Optionee dies while employed by, engaged as a consultant to, or
serving as a Director of the Company, the portion of such
Optionee's Option which was exercisable at the date of death may be
exercised, in whole or in part, by the estate of the decedent or by
a person succeeding to the right to exercise such Option at any
time within (i) a period, as determined by the Board and set forth
in the Option, of not less than six (6) months nor more than one
(1) year after Optionee's death, which period shall not be more, in
the case of a Nonstatutory Option, than the period for exercise
following termination of employment or services, or (ii) during the
remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser. The Option
may be so exercised only with respect to installments exercisable
at the time of Optionee's death and not previously exercised by the
Optionee.
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Nontransferability of Option:
No Option shall be
transferable by the Optionee, except by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution.
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Recapitalization: Subject to any required action of
shareholders, the number of shares of Stock covered by each
outstanding Option, and the exercise price per share thereof set
forth in each such Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for
any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock of
the Company resulting from a stock split, stock dividend,
combination, subdivision or reclassification of shares, or the
payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease in
the number of such shares affected without receipt of consideration
by the Company; provided, however, the conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have
been " effected without receipt of consideration " by the
Company.
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In the event
of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a merger
or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity,
or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital
stock of the Company (collectively, a " Reorganization "),
unless otherwise provided by the Board, this Option shall terminate
immediately prior to such date as is determined by the Board, which
date shall be no later than the consummation of such
Reorganization. In such event, if the entity which shall
be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an offer, for
which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for any
unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such
surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an
equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the
same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board
may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and
without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30)
days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined
by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or
during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser,
to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the
installment provisions of Paragraph 6(d) of the Plan; provided,
that any such right granted shall be granted to all Optionees not
receiving an offer to receive substitute options on a consistent
basis, and provided further, that any such exercise shall be
subject to the consummation of such Reorganization.
Subject to
any required action of shareholders, if the Company shall be the
surviving entity in any merger or consolidation, each outstanding
Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to the securities to
which a holder of shares of Stock equal to the shares subject to
the Option would have been entitled by reason of such merger or
consolidation.
In the event
of a change in the Stock of the Company as presently constituted,
which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares
without par value into the same number of shares with a par value,
the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be the
Stock within the meaning of the Plan.
To the
extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or securities
of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
conclusive. Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(i), the
Optionee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or
consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any
stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of
shares of stock of any class, and the number or price of shares of
Stock subject to any Option shall not be affected by, and no
adjustment shall be made by reason of, any dissolution,
liquidation, merger, consolidation or sale of assets or capital
stock, or any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class
or securities convertible into shares of stock of any
class.
The Grant of
an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the
right or power of the Company to make any adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations or changes in its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate
or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or
assets.
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Rights as a
Shareholder: An Optionee shall have no rights as
a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an Option until
the effective date of the issuance of the shares following exercise
of such Option by Optionee. No adjustment shall be made for
dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities
or other property) or distributions or other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued,
except as expressly provided in Section 5(i) hereof.
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Modification, Acceleration, Extension, and
Renewal of Options: Subject to the terms and conditions
and within the limitations of the Plan, the Board may modify an
Option, or, once an Option is exercisable, accelerate the rate at
which it may be exercised, and may extend or renew outstanding
Options granted under the Plan or accept the surrender of
outstanding Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and
authorize the granting of new Options in substitution for such
Options, provided such action is permissible under Section 422 of
the Code and the North Carolina Securities Rules. Notwithstanding
the provisions of this Section 5(k), however, no modification of an
Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter to the
Optionee's detriment or impair any rights or obligations under any
Option theretofore granted under the Plan.
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Exercise
Before Exercise Date: At the discretion of the Board, the
Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionee
may elect to exercise all or any portion of the Option prior to the
stated exercise date of the Option or any installment thereof. Any
shares so purchased prior to the stated exercise date shall be
subject to repurchase by the Company upon termination of Optionee's
employment as contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof prior to the
exercise date stated in the Option and such other restrictions and
conditions as the Board or Committee may deem advisable.
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Other
Provisions: The Option agreements authorized
under the Plan shall contain such other provisions, including,
without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Options,
as the Board or the Committee shall deem advisable. Shares shall
not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, if the
exercise of such Option or the issuance of shares thereunder would
violate, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company, the
provisions of any applicable law or the rules or regulations of any
applicable governmental or administrative agency or body, such as
the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the North Carolina
Securities Rules, North Carolina corporation law, and the rules
promulgated under the foregoing or the rules and regulations of any
exchange upon which the shares of the Company are listed. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the exercise of each
Option shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the
Company shall determine that (i) the satisfaction of withholding
tax or other similar liabilities, or (ii) the listing, registration
or qualification of any shares covered by such exercise upon any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (iii) the
consent or approval of any regulatory body, or (iv) the perfection
of any exemption from any such withholding, listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval is necessary or desirable in
connection with such exercise or the issuance of shares thereunder,
then in any such event, such exercise shall not be effective unless
such withholding, listing registration, qualification, consent,
approval or exemption shall have been effected, obtained or
perfected free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Company.
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Repurchase
Agreement: The Board may, in its discretion,
require as a condition to the Grant of an Option hereunder, that an
Optionee execute an agreement with the Company, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Board in its discretion ("
Repurchase Agreement "), (i) restricting the Optionee's
right to transfer shares purchased under such Option without first
offering such shares to the Company or another shareholder of the
Company upon the same terms and conditions as provided therein; and
(ii) providing that upon termination of Optionee's employment with
the Company, for any reason, the Company (or another shareholder of
the Company, as provided in the Repurchase Agreement) shall have
the right at its discretion (or the discretion of such other
shareholders) to purchase and/or redeem all such shares owned by
the Optionee on the date of termination of his or her employment at
a price equal to: (A) the fair value of such shares as of such date
of termination; or (B) if such repurchase right lapses at 20% of
the number of shares per year, the original purchase price of such
shares, and upon terms of payment permissible under the North
Carolina Securities Rules; provided that in the case of Options or
Stock Awards granted to officers, directors, consultants or
affiliates of the Company, such repurchase provisions may be
subject to additional or greater restrictions as determined by the
Board or Committee.
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Stock Awards
and Restricted Stock Purchase Offers.
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Stock
Award. All or
part of any Stock Award under the Plan may be subject to conditions
established by the Board or the Committee, and set forth in the
Stock Award Agreement, which may include, but are not limited to,
continuous service with the Company, achievement of specific
business objectives, increases in specified indices, attaining
growth rates and other comparable measurements of Company
performance. Such Awards may be based on Fair Market Value or other
specified valuation. All Stock Awards will be made pursuant to the
execution of a Stock Award Agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C .
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Restricted
Stock Purchase Offer. A Grant of a Restricted Stock
Purchase Offer under the Plan shall be subject to such (i) vesting
contingencies related to the Participant's continued association
with the Company for a specified time and (ii) other specified
conditions as the Board or Committee shall determine, in their sole
discretion, consistent with the provisions of the Plan. All
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers shall be made pursuant to a
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D .
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Conditions
and Restrictions. Shares of Stock which Participants
may receive as a Stock Award under a Stock Award Agreement or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under a Restricted Stock Purchase
Offer may include such restrictions as the Board or Committee, as
applicable, shall determine, including restrictions on transfer,
repurchase rights, right of first refusal, and forfeiture
provisions. When transfer of Stock is so restricted or subject to
forfeiture provisions it is referred to as " Restricted
Stock ". Further, with Board or Committee approval, Stock
Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers may be deferred, either
in the form of installments or a future lump sum distribution. The
Board or Committee may permit selected Participants to elect to
defer distributions of Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers in accordance with procedures established by the Board or
Committee to assure that such deferrals comply with applicable
requirements of the Code including, at the choice of Participants,
the capability to make further deferrals for distribution after
retirement. Any deferred distribution, whether elected by the
Participant or specified by the Stock Award Agreement, Restricted
Stock Purchase Offers or by the Board or Committee, may require the
payment be forfeited in accordance with the provisions of Section
6(c). Dividends or dividend equivalent rights may be extended to
and made part of any Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers denominated in Stock or units of Stock, subject to such
terms, conditions and restrictions as the Board or Committee may
establish.
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Cancellation
and Rescission of Grants. Unless the Stock Award Agreement or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer specifies otherwise, the Board or
Committee, as applicable, may cancel any unexpired, unpaid, or
deferred Grants at any time if the Participant is not in compliance
with all other applicable provisions of the Stock Award Agreement
or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer, the Plan and with the following
conditions:
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A Participant
shall not render services for any organization or engage directly
or indirectly in any business which, in the judgment of the chief
executive officer of the Company or other senior officer designated
by the Board or Committee, is or becomes competitive with the
Company, or which organization or business, or the rendering of
services to such organization or business, is or becomes otherwise
prejudicial to or in conflict with the interests of the Company.
For Participants whose employment has terminated, the judgment of
the chief executive officer shall be based on the Participant's
position and responsibilities while employed by the Company, the
Participant's post-employment responsibilities and position with
the other organization or business, the extent of past, current and
potential competition or conflict between the Company and the other
organization or business, the effect on the Company's customers,
suppliers and competitors and such other considerations as are
deemed relevant given the applicable facts and
circumstances. A Participant who has retired shall be
free, however, to purchase as an investment or otherwise, stock or
other securities of such organization or business so long as they
are listed upon a recognized securities exchange or traded
over-the-counter, and such investment does not represent a
substantial investment to the Participant or a greater than ten
percent (10%) equity interest in the organization or
business.
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A Participant
shall not, without prior written authorization from the Company,
disclose to anyone outside the Company, or use in other than the
Company's business, any confidential information or material, as
defined in the Company's Proprietary Information and Invention
Agreement or similar agreement regarding confidential information
and intellectual property, relating to the business of the Company,
acquired by the Participant either during or after employment with
the Company.
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A Participant,
pursuant to the Company's Proprietary Information and Invention
Agreement, shall disclose promptly and assign to the Company all
right, title and interest in any invention or idea, patentable or
not, made or conceived by the Participant during employment by the
Company, relating in any manner to the actual or anticipated
business, research or development work of the Company and shall do
anything reasonably necessary to enable the Company to secure a
patent where appropriate in the United States and in foreign
countries.
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Upon exercise,
payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant, the Participant shall
certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that he or she is in
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Failure to
comply with all of the provisions of this Section 6(c) prior to, or
during the six months after, any exercise, payment or delivery
pursuant to a Grant shall cause such exercise, payment or delivery
to be rescinded. The Company shall notify the Participant in
writing of any such rescission within two years after such
exercise, payment or delivery. Within ten days after receiving such
a notice from the Company, the Participant shall pay to the Company
the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of
the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant.
Such payment shall be made either in cash or by returning to the
Company the number of shares of Stock that the Participant received
in connection with the rescinded exercise, payment or
delivery.
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Except pursuant
to Section 6(e)(iii) and except as set forth in Section 6(d)(ii),
no Grant or any other benefit under the Plan shall be assignable or
transferable, or payable to or exercisable by, anyone other than
the Participant to whom it was granted.
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Where a
Participant terminates employment and retains a Grant pursuant to
Section 6(e)(ii) in order to assume a position with a governmental,
charitable or educational institution, the Board or Committee, in
its discretion and to the extent permitted by law, may authorize a
third party (including but not limited to the trustee of a "blind"
trust), acceptable to the applicable governmental or institutional
authorities, the Participant and the Board or Committee, to act on
behalf of the Participant with regard to such Awards.
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Termination
of Employment. If the employment or service to the
Company of a Participant terminates, other than pursuant to any of
the following provisions under this Section 6(e), all unexercised,
deferred and unpaid Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers shall be cancelled immediately, unless the Stock Award
Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer provides
otherwise:
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Retirement
Under a Company Retirement Plan. When a Participant's employment
terminates as a result of retirement in accordance with the terms
of a Company retirement plan, the Board or Committee may permit
Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers to continue in
effect beyond the date of retirement in accordance with the
applicable Grant Agreement and the exercisability and vesting of
any such Grants may be accelerated.
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Rights in
the Best Interests of the Company. When a Participant resigns from the
Company and, in the judgment of the Board or Committee, the
acceleration and/or continuation of outstanding Stock Awards or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers would be in the best interests of
the Company, the Board or Committee may (i) authorize, where
appropriate, the acceleration and/or continuation of all or any
part of Grants issued prior to such termination and (ii) permit the
exercise, vesting and payment of such Grants for such period as may
be set forth in the applicable Grant Agreement, subject to earlier
cancellation pursuant to Section 9 or at such time as the Board or
Committee shall deem the continuation of all or any part of the
Participant's Grants are not in the Company's best
interest.
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Death or
Disability of a Participant.
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In the event of
a Participant's death, the Participant's estate or beneficiaries
shall have a period up to the expiration date specified in the
Grant Agreement within which to receive or exercise any outstanding
Grant held by the Participant under such terms as may be specified
in the applicable Grant Agreement. Rights to any such outstanding
Grants shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution
in the following order: (a) to beneficiaries so designated by the
Participant; if none, then (b) to a legal representative of the
Participant; if none, then (c) to the persons entitled thereto as
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Grants so passing
shall be made at such times and in such manner as if the
Participant were living.
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In the event a
Participant is deemed by the Board or Committee to be unable to
perform his or her usual duties by reason of mental disorder or
medical condition which does not result from facts which would be
grounds for termination for cause, Grants and rights to any such
Grants may be paid to or exercised by the Participant, if legally
competent, or a committee or other legally designated guardian or
representative if the Participant is legally incompetent by virtue
of such disability.
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After the death
or disability of a Participant, the Board or Committee may in its
sole discretion at any time (1) terminate restrictions in Grant
Agreements; (2) accelerate any or all installments and rights; and
(3) instruct the Company to pay the total of any accelerated
payments in a lump sum to the Participant, the Participant's
estate, beneficiaries or representative; notwithstanding that, in
the absence of such termination of restrictions or acceleration of
payments, any or all of the payments due under the Grant might
ultimately have become payable to other beneficiaries.
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In the event of
uncertainty as to interpretation of or controversies concerning
this Section 6, the determinations of the Board or Committee, as
applicable, shall be binding and conclusive.
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All Grants
under the Plan are intended to be exempt from registration under
the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) thereunder. Unless and
until the granting of Options or sale and issuance of Stock subject
to the Plan are registered under the Securities Act or shall be
exempt pursuant to the rules promulgated thereunder, each Grant
under the Plan shall provide that the purchases or other
acquisitions of Stock thereunder shall be for investment purposes
and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any
distribution thereof. Further, unless the issuance and sale of the
Stock have been registered under the Securities Act, each Grant
shall provide that no shares shall be purchased upon the exercise
of the rights under such Grant unless and until (i) all then
applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory
agencies shall have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of
the Company and its counsel, and (ii) if requested to do so by the
Company, the person exercising the rights under the Grant shall (i)
give written assurances as to knowledge and experience of such
person (or a representative employed by such person) in financial
and business matters and the ability of such person (or
representative) to evaluate the merits and risks of exercising the
Option, and (ii) execute and deliver to the Company a letter of
investment intent and/or such other form related to applicable
exemptions from registration, all in such form and substance as the
Company may require. If shares are issued upon exercise of any
rights under a Grant without registration under the Securities Act,
subsequent registration of such shares shall relieve the purchaser
thereof of any investment restrictions or representations made upon
the exercise of such rights.
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Amendment,
Modification, Suspension or Discontinuance of the Plan.
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The Board may, insofar as permitted by law, from
time to time, with respect to any shares at the time not subject to
outstanding Grants, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or
amend it in any respect whatsoever, except that without the
approval of the shareholders of the Company, no such revision or
amendment shall (i) increase the number of shares subject to the
Plan, (ii) decrease the price at which Grants may be granted, (iii)
materially increase the benefits to Participants, or (iv) change
the class of persons eligible to receive Grants under the Plan;
provided, however, no such action shall alter or impair the rights
and obligations under any Option, or Stock Award, or Restricted
Stock Purchase Offer outstanding as of the date thereof without the
written consent of the Participant thereunder. No Grant may be
issued while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated, but
the rights and obligations under any Grant issued while the Plan is
in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the
Plan.
In the event of
any change in the outstanding Stock by reason of a stock split,
stock dividend, combination or reclassification of shares,
recapitalization, merger, or similar event, the Board or the
Committee may adjust proportionally (a) the number of shares of
Stock (i) reserved under the Plan, (ii) available for Incentive
Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options and (iii) covered by
outstanding Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b)
the Stock prices related to outstanding Grants; and (c) the
appropriate Fair Market Value and other price determinations for
such Grants. In the event of any other change affecting the Stock
or any distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to holders
of Stock, such adjustments as may be deemed equitable by the Board
or the Committee, including adjustments to avoid fractional shares,
shall be made to give proper effect to such event. In the event of
a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or
stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Board or the
Committee shall be authorized to issue or assume stock options,
whether or not in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code
applies, and other Grants by means of substitution of new Grant
Agreements for previously issued Grants or an assumption of
previously issued Grants.
The Company
shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from any Grant
payment and withhold, at the time of delivery or exercise of
Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers or
vesting of shares under such Grants, an appropriate number of
shares for payment of taxes required by law or to take such other
action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy
all obligations for withholding of such taxes. If Stock is used to
satisfy tax withholding, such stock shall be valued based on the
Fair Market Value when the tax withholding is required to be
made.
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Availability of
Information.
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During the term of the Plan and any additional
period during which a Grant granted pursuant to the Plan shall be
exercisable, the Company shall make available, not later than one
hundred and twenty (120) days following the close of each of its
fiscal years, such financial and other information regarding the
Company as is required by the bylaws of the Company and applicable
law to be furnished in an annual report to the shareholders of the
Company.
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Any written notice to the Company required by
any of the provisions of the Plan shall be addressed to the chief
personnel officer or to the chief executive officer of the Company,
and shall become effective when it is received by the office of the
chief personnel officer or the chief executive officer.
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Indemnification
of Board.
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In addition to such other rights or
indemnifications as they may have as directors or otherwise, and to
the extent allowed by applicable law, the members of the Board and
the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any claim,
action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal
thereof, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of
any action taken, or failure to act, under or in connection with
the Plan or any Grant granted thereunder, and against all amounts
paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is
approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or
paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim,
action, suit or proceeding, except in any case in relation to
matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such claim, action,
suit or proceeding that such Board or Committee member is liable
for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her
duties; provided that within sixty (60) days after institution of
any such action, suit or Board proceeding the member involved shall
offer the Company, in writing, the opportunity, at its own expense,
to handle and defend the same.
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The Plan and all determinations made and actions
taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise
governed by the Code or the securities laws of the United States,
shall be governed by the law of the State of North Carolina and
construed accordingly.
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Effective and
Termination Dates.
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The Plan shall
become effective on the date it is approved by the holders of a
majority of the shares of Stock then outstanding. The Plan shall
terminate ten (10) years later, subject to earlier termination by
the Board pursuant to Section 8.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
FOLLOW]
The
foregoing 2009 Incentive Stock Plan was duly adopted and approved
by the Board of Directors on June 16, 2009.
CHINA EDUCATION
ALLIANCE, INC.
a North
Carolina corporation
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By:
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/s/ Xiqun
Yu
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Name: Xiqun
Yu
Title: Chief Executive
Officer
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EXHIBIT A
CHINA EDUCATION ALLIANCE,
INC.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT`
This Incentive Stock
Option Agreement ("
Agreement ") is made and entered into as of the date set
forth below, by and between CHINA EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC., a North
Carolina corporation (the " Company "), and the employee of
the Company named in Section 1(b). (" Optionee
"):
In
consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1.
Option Information.
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(a)
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Date of
Option:
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(b)
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Optionee:
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(c)
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Number of
Shares:
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(d)
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Exercise
Price:
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2.
Acknowledgements.
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Optionee is an
employee of the Company.
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(b)
The Board of Directors (the " Board " which term
shall include an authorized committee of the Board of Directors)
and shareholders of the Company have heretofore adopted a 2009
Incentive Stock Plan (the " Plan "), pursuant to which this
Option is being granted.
(c)
The Board has authorized the granting to Optionee of an incentive
stock option (" Option ") as defined in Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the " Code ") to
purchase shares of common stock of the Company (" Stock ")
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated and pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the " Securities Act ") provided by Section 4(2)
thereunder.
3.
Shares; Price. The Company hereby grants to
Optionee the right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and
conditions herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth
in Section 1(c) above (the " Shares ") for cash (or other
consideration as is authorized under the Plan and acceptable to the
Board, in their sole and absolute discretion) at the price per
Share set forth in Section 1(d) above (the " Exercise Price
"), such price being not less than the fair market value per share
of the Shares covered by this Option as of the date hereof (unless
Optionee is the owner of Stock possessing ten percent or more of
the total voting power or value of all outstanding Stock of the
Company, in which case the Exercise Price shall be no less than
110% of the fair market value of such Stock).
4.
Term of Option; Continuation of Employment. This
Option shall expire, and all rights hereunder to purchase the
Shares shall terminate ____ (___) years from the date hereof. This
Option shall earlier terminate subject to Sections 7 and 8 hereof
upon, and as of the date of, the termination of Optionee's
employment if such termination occurs prior to the end of such ____
(___) year period. Nothing contained herein shall confer upon
Optionee the right to the continuation of his or her employment by
the Company or to interfere with the right of the Company to
terminate such employment or to increase or decrease the
compensation of Optionee from the rate in existence at the date
hereof.
5.
Vesting of Option . Subject to the provisions of Sections 7
and 8 hereof, this Option shall become exercisable during the term
of Optionee's employment in ______ equal annual installments of
_______ percent of the Shares covered by this Option, the first
installment to be exercisable on _______ anniversary of the date of
this Option (the "Initial Vesting Date"), with an additional _____
percent of such Shares becoming exercisable on each of the
successive periods following the Initial Vesting Date. The
installments shall be cumulative (i.e., this option may be
exercised, as to any or all Shares covered by an installment, at
any time or times after an installment becomes exercisable and
until expiration or termination of this option).
6.
Exercise. This Option shall be exercised by
delivery to the Company of (a) written notice of exercise stating
the number of Shares being purchased (in whole shares only) and
such other information set forth on the form of Notice of Exercise
attached hereto as Appendix A, (b) a check or cash in the amount of
the Exercise Price of the Shares covered by the notice (or such
other consideration as has been approved by the Board of Directors
consistent with the Plan) and (c) a written investment
representation as provided for in Section 13 hereof. This Option
shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable only by
Optionee during his or her lifetime, except as provided in Section
8 hereof.
7.
Termination of Employment. If Optionee shall
cease to be employed by the Company for any reason, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, other than by his or her death,
Optionee (or if the Optionee shall die after such termination, but
prior to such exercise date, Optionee's personal representative or
the person entitled to succeed to the Option) shall have the right
at any time within three (3) months following such termination of
employment or the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the
lesser, to exercise in whole or in part this Option to the extent,
but only to the extent, that this Option was exercisable as of the
date of termination of employment and had not previously been
exercised; provided, however: (i) if Optionee is permanently
disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) at
the time of termination, the foregoing three (3) month period shall
be extended to six (6) months; or (ii) if Optionee is terminated "
for cause, " as that term is defined by the terms of the
Plan or this Option Agreement or by any employment agreement
between the Optionee and the Company, this Option shall
automatically terminate as to all Shares covered by this Option not
exercised prior to termination. Unless earlier terminated, all
rights under this Option shall terminate in any event on the
expiration date of this Option as defined in Section 4
hereof.
8.
Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die
while in the employ of the Company, Optionee's personal
representative or the person entitled to Optionee's rights
hereunder may at any time within six (6) months after the date of
Optionee's death, or during the remaining term of this Option,
whichever is the lesser, exercise this Option and purchase Shares
to the extent, but only to the extent, that Optionee could have
exercised this Option as of the date of Optionee's death; provided,
in any case, that this Option may be so exercised only to the
extent that this Option has not previously been exercised by
Optionee.
9.
No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no
rights as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any
installment of this Option until the effective date of issuance of
Shares following exercise of this Option, and no adjustment will be
made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is
prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates are issued
except as provided in Section 10 hereof.
10.
Recapitalization. Subject to any required action
by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by
this Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number
of issued shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of
shares or the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided however that the conversion
of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
having been " effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company ".
In the event of
a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or
a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock
of the Company (collectively, a " Reorganization "), unless
otherwise provided by the Board, this Option shall terminate
immediately prior to such date as is determined by the Board, which
date shall be no later than the consummation of such
Reorganization. In such event, if the entity which shall be the
surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an offer, for which it
has no obligation to do so, to substitute for any unexercised
Option a stock option or capital stock of such surviving of such
surviving entity, as applicable, which on an equitable basis shall
provide the Optionee with substantially the same economic benefit
as such unexercised Option, then the Board may grant to such
Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and without
obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30) days
prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined by the
Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or during the
remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser, to exercise
any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the installment
provisions of Section 5; provided, however, that such exercise
shall be subject to the consummation of such
Reorganization.
Subject to any
required action by the shareholders of the Company, if the Company
shall be the surviving entity in any merger or consolidation, this
Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to the securities to
which a holder of Shares equal to the Shares subject to this Option
would have been entitled by reason of such merger or consolidation,
and the installment provisions of Section 5 shall continue to
apply.
In the event of
a change in the shares of the Company as presently constituted,
which is limited to a change of all of its authorized Stock without
par value into the same number of shares of Stock with a par value,
the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be the
Shares within the meaning of this Option.
To the extent
that the foregoing adjustments relate to shares or securities of
the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, Optionee
shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of Stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares
of stock of any class, and the number and price of Shares subject
to this Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustments shall
be made by reason of, any dissolution, liquidation, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The grant of
this Option shall not affect in any way the right or power of the
Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or
changes in its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve or liquidate or to sell or transfer all or
any part of its business or assets.
11.
Additional Consideration. Should the Internal
Revenue Service determine that the Exercise Price established by
the Board as the fair market value per Share is less than the fair
market value per Share as of the date of Option grant, Optionee
hereby agrees to tender such additional consideration, or agrees to
tender upon exercise of all or a portion of this Option, such fair
market value per Share as is determined by the Internal Revenue
Service.
12.
Modifications, Extension and Renewal of Options.
The Board or Committee, as described in the Plan, may
modify, extend or renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof
(to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the
granting of a new option in substitution therefore (to the extent
not theretofore exercised), subject at all times to the Plan, and
Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 12, no modification shall, without the consent of
the Optionee, alter to the Optionee's detriment or impair any
rights of Optionee hereunder.
13.
Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.
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(a) Optionee represents and agrees
that if Optionee exercises this Option in whole or in part,
Optionee will in each case acquire the Shares upon such exercise
for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for resale
in connection with, any distribution thereof; and that upon such
exercise of this Option in whole or in part, Optionee (or any
person or persons entitled to exercise this Option under the
provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof) shall furnish to the Company
a written statement to such effect, satisfactory to the Company in
form and substance. If the Shares represented by this Option are
registered under the Securities Act, either before or after the
exercise of this Option in whole or in part, the Optionee shall be
relieved of the foregoing investment representation and agreement
and shall not be required to furnish the Company with the foregoing
written statement.
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(b) Optionee further represents that
Optionee has had access to the financial statements or books and
records of the Company, has had the opportunity to ask questions of
the Company concerning its business, operations and financial
condition, and to obtain additional information reasonably
necessary to verify the accuracy of such information.
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(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by
this Option are registered under the Securities Act, all
certificates representing the Shares and any certificates
subsequently issued in substitution therefore and any certificate
for any securities issued pursuant to any stock split, share
reclassification, stock dividend or other similar capital event
shall bear legends in substantially the following form:
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THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER THE
APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE
SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.
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THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT
CERTAIN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED ____________ BETWEEN
THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE TRANSFER OF THESE
SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN
CONDITIONS.
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such other
legend or legends as the Company and its counsel deem necessary or
appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer instructions with respect to
the Shares have been placed with the Company's transfer
agent.
14.
Effects of Early Disposition. Optionee
understands that if an Optionee disposes of shares acquired
hereunder within two (2) years after the date of this Option or
within one (1) year after the date of issuance of such shares to
Optionee, such Optionee will be treated for income tax purposes as
having received ordinary income at the time of such disposition of
an amount generally measured by the difference between the purchase
price and the fair market value of such stock on the date of
exercise, subject to adjustment for any tax previously paid, in
addition to any tax on the difference between the sales price and
Optionee's adjusted cost basis in such shares. The foregoing amount
may be measured differently if Optionee is an officer, director or
ten percent holder of the Company. Optionee agrees to notify the
Company within ten (10) working days of any such
disposition.
15.
Stand-off Agreement. Optionee agrees that in
connection with any registration of the Company's securities under
the Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Optionee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering.
16.
Restriction upon Transfer. The Shares may not be
sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged
or otherwise hypothecated by the Optionee except as hereinafter
provided.
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(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other
Than for Cause. For the purposes of this Section, a "
Repurchase Event " shall mean an occurrence of one of (i)
termination of Optionee's employment by the Company, voluntary or
involuntary and with or without cause; (ii) retirement or death of
Optionee; (iii) bankruptcy of Optionee, which shall be deemed to
have occurred as of the date on which a voluntary or involuntary
petition in bankruptcy is filed with a court of competent
jurisdiction; (iv) dissolution of the marriage of Optionee, to the
extent that any of the Shares are allocated as the sole and
separate property of Optionee's spouse pursuant thereto (in which
case this Section shall only apply to the Shares so affected); or
(v) any attempted transfer by the Optionee of Shares, or any
interest therein, in violation of this Agreement. Upon the
occurrence of a Repurchase Event, the Company shall have the right
(but not an obligation) to repurchase all or any portion of the
Shares of Optionee at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares
as of the date of the Repurchase Event.
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(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for
Cause. In the event Optionee's employment is
terminated by the Company " for cause ", then the Company
shall have the right (but not an obligation) to repurchase Shares
of Optionee at a price equal to the Exercise Price. Such right of
the Company to repurchase Shares shall apply to 100% of the Shares
for one (1) year from the date of this Agreement; and shall
thereafter lapse at the rate of twenty percent (20%) of the Shares
on each anniversary of the date of this Agreement. In addition, the
Company shall have the right, in the sole discretion of the Board
and without obligation, to repurchase upon termination for cause
all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee, at a price equal to
the fair value of the Shares as of the date of termination, which
right is not subject to the foregoing lapsing of rights. In the
event the Company elects to repurchase the Shares, the stock
certificates representing the same shall forthwith be returned to
the Company for cancellation.
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(c) Exercise of Repurchase
Right. Any Repurchase Right under Paragraphs 16(a)
or 16(b) shall be exercised by giving notice of exercise as
provided herein to Optionee or the estate of Optionee, as
applicable. Such right shall be exercised, and the repurchase price
thereunder shall be paid, by the Company within a ninety (90) day
period beginning on the date of notice to the Company of the
occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in the case of
termination of employment or retirement, where such option period
shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase Event). Such
repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of cash
(including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in North Carolina
and/or North Carolina corporation law, the Company shall have the
right to purchase as many Shares as it is permitted to purchase
under such sections. Any Shares not purchased by the Company
hereunder shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this
Section 16.
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(d) Right of First Refusal.
In the event Optionee desires to transfer any Shares
during his or her lifetime, Optionee shall first offer to sell such
Shares to the Company. Optionee shall deliver to the Company
written notice of the intended sale, such notice to specify the
number of Shares to be sold, the proposed purchase price and terms
of payment, and grant the Company an option for a period of thirty
days following receipt of such notice to purchase the offered
Shares upon the same terms and conditions. To exercise such option,
the Company shall give notice of that fact to Optionee within the
thirty (30) day notice period and agree to pay the purchase price
in the manner provided in the notice. If the Company does not
purchase all of the Shares so offered during foregoing option
period, Optionee shall be under no obligation to sell any of the
offered Shares to the Company, but may dispose of such Shares in
any lawful manner during a period of one hundred and eighty (180)
days following the end of such notice period, except that Optionee
shall not sell any such Shares to any other person at a lower price
or upon more favorable terms than those offered to the
Company.
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(e) Acceptance of
Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares shall
constitute the Optionee's agreement to such restrictions and the
legending of his certificates with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
such restrictions, however, so long as the Optionee is the holder
of the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be entitled to
receive all dividends declared on and to vote the Shares and to all
other rights of a shareholder with respect thereto.
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(f) Permitted Transfers.
Notwithstanding any provisions in this Section 16 to
the contrary, the Optionee may transfer Shares subject to this
Agreement to his or her parents, spouse, children, or
grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee or any
such transferee(s); provided, that such permitted transferee(s)
shall hold the Shares subject to all the provisions of this
Agreement (all references to the Optionee herein shall in such
cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted transferee, except in
the case of clause (iv) of Section 16(a) wherein the permitted
transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded); and provided further,
that notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, a
permitted transferee may not, in turn, make permitted transfers
without the written consent of the Optionee and the
Company.
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17.
Notices. Any notice required to be given
pursuant to this Option or the Plan shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices
by the Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided
to the Company by Optionee for his or her employee
records.
18.
Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This
Option is made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to
comply therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Optionee, at
no charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Option inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void and
replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Option has
been granted, executed and delivered in the State of North
Carolina, and the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed
by the laws thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts therein.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
FOLLOW]
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