NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT
THIS NONSTATUTORY
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS (INITIAL OPTION) (the
“ Option Agreement ”) is made and entered into
as of
, by and between Power Integrations, Inc. and
(the “ Optionee ”).
The Company has
granted to the Optionee an option to purchase certain shares of
Stock pursuant to the Directors Compensation Program under the 2007
Equity Incentive Plan upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Option Agreement (the “ Option ”). In the
event of any conflict between the provisions of the Option
Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Option
Agreement shall control.
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1.
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Definitions and
Construction.
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1.1
Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following
terms shall have their respective meanings set forth
below:
(a)
“ Date of Option Grant ” means
.
(b)
“ Number of Option Shares ” means twenty-four
thousand (24,000) shares of Stock, as adjusted from time to time
pursuant to Section 9.
(c)
“ Exercise Price ” means $
per share of Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to
Section 9.
(d)
“ Initial Exercise Date ” means the Initial
Vesting Date.
(e)
“ Initial Vesting Date ” means the date
occurring one (1) year after the Date of Option
Grant.
(f) “ Vested Ratio ” means, on any relevant
date, the ratio determined as follows:
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Vested Ratio
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Prior to
Initial Vesting Date
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0
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On Initial
Vesting Date, provided the Optionee’s Service has not
terminated prior to such date
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1/3
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For each full
month of the Optionee’s continuous Service from the Initial
Vesting Date until the Vested Ratio equals 1/1, an
additional
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1/36
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(g) “
Option Expiration Date ” means the date ten
(10) years after the Date of Option Grant.
(h) “
Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to
administer the Plan, “Board” shall also mean such
Committee(s).
(i) “
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(j) “
Committee ” means a committee of the Board duly
appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be
specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee have
been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the
powers of the Board granted in the Plan, including, without
limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time,
subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations
imposed by law.
(k) “
Company ” means Power Integrations, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(l) “
Consultant ” means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by a Participating Company to render services other than as
an Employee or a Director.
(m) “
Director ” means a member of the Board or of the board
of directors of any other Participating Company.
(n) “
Disability ” means the permanent and total disability
of the Optionee within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code.
(o) “
Employee ” means any person treated as an employee
(including an officer or a Director who is also treated as an
employee) in the records of a Participating Company; provided,
however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a
director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment
for purposes of the Plan.
(p) “
Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
(q)
“Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the
value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the
Board, in its sole discretion, or by the Company, in its sole
discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the
Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) If,
on such date, there is a public market for the Stock, the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing sale price of
a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices
of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on
the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market or such
other national or regional securities exchange or market system
constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in the
Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company
deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on
which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market
system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be
established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded
prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall
be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.
(ii) If,
on such date, there is no public market for the Stock, the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the
Board without regard to any restriction other than a restriction
which, by its terms, will never lapse.
(r) “
Parent Corporation ” means any present or future
“parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code.
(s) “
Participating Company ” means the Company or any
Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.
(t) “
Participating Company Group ” means, at any point in
time, all corporations collectively which are then Participating
Companies.
(u) “
Plan ” means the Power Integrations, Inc. 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan.
(v) “
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(w) “
Service ” means the Optionee’s service with the
Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an
Employee, a Director or a Consultant. The Optionee’s Service
shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change
in the capacity in which the Optionee renders Service to the
Participating Company Group or a change
in the
Participating Company for which the Optionee renders such Service,
provided that there is no interruption or termination of the
Optionee’s Service. The Optionee’s Service shall be
deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of
Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee performs
Service ceasing to be a Participating Company.
(x) “
Stock ” means the common stock of the Company, as
adjusted from time to time in accordance with
Section 9.
(y) “
Subsidiary Corporation ” means any present or future
“subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in
Section 424(f) of the Code.
1.2
Construction. Captions and titles contained herein
are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except
when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include
the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the term
“or” shall include the conjunctive as well as the
disjunctive.
2. Tax
Status of the Option . This Option is intended to be a
nonstatutory stock option and shall not be treated as an incentive
stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the
Code.
3.
Administration . All questions of interpretation
concerning this Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board,
including any duly appointed Committee of the Board. All
determinations by the Board shall be final and binding upon all
persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of
the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or
election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to
the Company herein, provided the officer has apparent authority
with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or
election.
4.
Exercise of the Option .
4.1
Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided
herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial
Exercise Date and prior to the termination of the Option (as
provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the Number
of Option Shares multiplied by the Vested Ratio less the number of
shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option. In no event
shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of
Option Shares.
4.2
Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be
by written notice to the Company which must state the election to
exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which
the Option is being exercised and such other representations and
agreements as to the Optionee’s investment intent with
respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be
signed by the Optionee and must be delivered in person, by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by
confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the
Company may permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
or other authorized representative of the Participating Company
Group, prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in
Section 6, accompanied by
full payment of
the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon
receipt by the Company of such written notice and the aggregate
Exercise Price.
4.3
Payment of Exercise Price.
(a)
Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the
number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised
shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or cash equivalent,
(ii) by tender to the Company of whole shares of Stock owned
by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value not less than the
aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a Cashless
Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(c), or (iv) by any
combination of the foregoing.
(b)
Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option
may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to
the extent such tender of Stock would constitute a violation of the
provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the
redemption of the Company’s stock. The Option may not be
exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock unless such
shares either have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
(6) months or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from
the Company.
(c)
Cashless Exercise. A “ Cashless Exercise
” means the assignment in a form acceptable to the Company of
the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the
shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant
to a program or procedure approved by the Company (including,
without limitation, through an exercise complying with the
provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company
reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s
sole and absolute discretion, to decline to approve or terminate
any such program or procedure.
4.4
Tax Withholding. At the time the Option is exercised,
in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the
Company, the Optionee agrees to make adequate provision for any
sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any,
which arise in connection with the Option, including, without
limitation, obligations arising upon (i) the exercise, in
whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the transfer, in whole
or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, or
(iii) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any
shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.
4.5
Certificate Registration. Except in the event the
Exercise Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the
certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised
shall be registered in the name of the Optionee, or, if applicable,
the heirs of the Optionee.
4.6
Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of
Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares
of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance
with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law
with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise
would
constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of
any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then
be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless
(i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at
the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the
shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the
opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon
exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms
of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY
NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED.
ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION
WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the
Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the
authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to
be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject
to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such
requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to
the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee to
satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to
evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to
make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be
requested by the Company.
4.7
Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required
to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the
Option.
5.
Nontransferability of the Option . The Option may be
exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee
or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative and may
not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the
Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may
be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or by any
person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’s will
or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution.
6.
Termination of the Option . The Option shall
terminate and may no longer be exercised on the first to occur of
(a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for
exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee’s
Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in
Control to the extent provided in Section 8.
7.
Effect of Termination of Service .
7.1
Option Exercisability.
(a)
Disability. If the Optionee’s Service with the
Participating Company Group is terminated because of the Disability
of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service
terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the
Optionee’s guardian or legal representative) at any time
prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on
which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no
later than the Option Expiration Date.
(b)
Death. If the Optionee’s Service with the
Participating Company Group is terminated because of the death of
the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable
on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may
be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or other
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of
the Optionee’s death at any time prior to the expiration of
twelve (12) months after the date on which the
Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than
the Option Expiration Date. The Optionee’s Service shall be
deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies
within three (3) months after the Optionee’s termination
of Service.
(c)
Other Termination of Service. If the Optionee’s
Service with the Participating Company Group terminates for any
reason, except Disability or death, the Option, to the extent
unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which
the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the
Optionee within three (3) months after the date on which the
Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than
the Option Expiration Date.
7.2
Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within
the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is
prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall
remain exercisable until three (3) months after the date the
Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable,
but in any event no later than the Option Expiration
Date.
7.3
Extension if Optionee Subject to Section 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale, within the applicable
time periods set forth in Section 7.1, of shares acquired upon
the exercise of the Option would subject the Optionee to suit under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain
exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth
(10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by the
Optionee would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one
hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the Optionee’s
termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration
Date.
8.
Ownership Change and Change in Control .
(a) An
“ Ownership Change Event ” shall be deemed to
have occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the
Company:
(i) the
direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of
related transactions by the shareholders of the Company of more
than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the
Company;
(ii) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the
sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company; or
(iv) a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A
“ Change in Control ” shall mean an Ownership
Change Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events
(collectively, the “ Transaction ”) wherein the
shareholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do
not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of shares of the
Company’s voting stock immediately before the Transaction,
direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent
(50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to which
the assets of the Company were transferred (the " Transferee
Corporation(s) ”), as the case may be. For purposes of
the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall
include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership
of the voting stock of one or more corporations which, as a result
of the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee
Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one
or more subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to
determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock
of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and
its determination shall be final, binding and
conclusive.
8.2
Effect of Change in Control on Option. In the event
of a Change in Control, any unexercised portion of the Option shall
be immediately exercisable and vested in full as of the date ten
(10) days prior to the date of the Change in Control. Any
exercise of the Option that was permissible solely by reason of
this Section 8.2 shall be conditioned upon the consummation of
the Change in Control. In addition, the surviving, continuing,
successor, or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof,
as the case may be (the “ Acquiring Corporation
”), may either assume the Company’s rights and
obligations under the Option or substitute for the Option a
substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring
Corporation’s stock. The Option shall terminate and cease to
be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control to
the extent that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for by
the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control
nor exercised as of the date of the Change in
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