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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) May 25, 2005

Superconductor Technologies Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
         
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
  0-21074
(Commission File Number)
  77-0158076
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
460 Ward Drive, Santa Barbara, CA   93111
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (805) 690-4500

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2 below):

      o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

      o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

      o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

      o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
SIGNATURES
ITEM 9.01 EXHIBITS
Exhibit 3.1
Exhibit 10.1


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Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On May 25, 2005, at the Company’s Annual Meeting the stockholders approved several amendments to the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan which amendments became effective on May 25, 2005. The changes are:

     The following table summarizes the changes to the 2003 Equity Plan:

                 
    Prior Limit     Revised Limit  
Plan Limit or Sublimit   (shares)     (shares)  
 
Maximum number of shares available for issuance of all awards to all participants (Section 4.1.1)
    6,000,000       12,000,000  
 
               
Maximum number of shares available for awards of restricted stock, performance units and performance shares (Section 4.1.2)
    1,800,000       3,600,000  
 
               
Maximum number of shares available for options and SARs to a single participant in one year (Section 4.1.3):
               
First year of service
    1,200,000       2,400,000  
Subsequent years of service
    600,000       1,200,000  
 
               
Maximum number of shares available for all types of awards to a single participant in one year (Section 4.1.4) :
               
First year of service
    1,200,000       2,400,000  
Subsequent years of service
    600,000       1,200,000  

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On May 25, 2005, the Board of Directors approved (i) the compilation of a number of existing amendments to the Company’s bylaws into a single amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”); and (ii) an amendment to the director and officer indemnification provisions of the Amended and Restated Bylaws to provide maximum protection under Delaware law.

The compilation itself involved no substantive changes to the bylaws. By deleting ineffective and unnecessary provisions and adding some additional provisions regarding indemnification that our board of directors deems desirable and in the Company’s best interests, the amended bylaws update our previous bylaws to be consistent with current Delaware law and practices typical of modern Delaware corporations. The Company encourages stockholders to review the complete terms of the Amended and Restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this report. The changes to the indemnification provisions were made to provide the greatest protection available to the Company’s officers and directors in the event of an indemnification claim which was always the intent of the bylaw provisions.

The Amended and Restated Bylaws are effective as of May 25, 2005 and are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report.

 


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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  Superconductor Technologies Inc.
 
 
Date: May 27, 2005  By:   /s/ Martin S. McDermut    
    Martin S. McDermut, Senior Vice   
    President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary 
 
 

ITEM 9.01 EXHIBITS

  (c)   EXHIBITS

  3.1   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Superconductor Technologies Inc.
 
  10.1   2003 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended May 25, 2005

 

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED BYLAWS

for the regulation, except as
otherwise provided by statute or
the Certificate of Incorporation of

Superconductor Technologies Inc.

a Delaware corporation

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                 
ARTICLE I OFFICES     1  
  Section 1.1   Registered Office     1  
  Section 1.2   Other Offices     1  
ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS     1  
  Section 2.1   Place of Meetings     1  
  Section 2.2   Annual Meeting     1  
  Section 2.3   Special Meeting     1  
  Section 2.4   Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings     2  
  Section 2.5   Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees and Stockholder Business     2  
  Section 2.6   Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice     2  
  Section 2.7   Quorum     3  
  Section 2.8   Adjourned Meeting; Notice     3  
  Section 2.9   Voting     3  
  Section 2.10   Waiver of Notice     3  
  Section 2.11   Stockholder Action by Written Consent without a Meeting     3  
  Section 2.12   Record Date for Stockholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consent     4  
  Section 2.13   Proxies     4  
  Section 2.14   List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote     4  
  Section 2.15   Conduct of Business     5  
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS     5  
  Section 3.1   Powers     5  
  Section 3.2   Number     5  
  Section 3.3   Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors     6  
  Section 3.4   Resignation and Vacancies     6  
  Section 3.5   Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone     6  
  Section 3.6   First Meetings     7  
  Section 3.7   Regular Meetings     7  
  Section 3.8   Special Meetings; Notice     7  
  Section 3.9   Quorum     7  
  Section 3.10   Waiver of Notice     7  
  Section 3.11   Adjourned Meeting; Notice     8  
  Section 3.12   Conduct of Business     8  
  Section 3.13   Board Action by Written Consent without a Meeting     8  

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  Section 3.14   Fees and Compensation of Directors     8  
  Section 3.15   Approval of Loans to Officers     8  
  Section 3.16   Removal of Directors     8  
ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES     9  
  Section 4.1   Committees of Directors     9  
  Section 4.2   Committee Minutes     9  
  Section 4.3   Meetings and Action of Committees     9  
ARTICLE V OFFICERS     9  
  Section 5.1   Officers     9  
  Section 5.2   Election of Officers     9  
  Section 5.3   Removal and Resignation of Officers     10  
  Section 5.5   Chief Executive Officer     10  
  Section 5.6   President     10  
  Section 5.7   Vice President     11  
  Section 5.8   Secretary     11  
  Section 5.9   Chief Financial Officer     11  
  Section 5.10   Assistant Secretary     11  
  Section 5.11   Authority and Duties of Officers     12  
ARTICLE VI INDEMNITY     12  
  Section 6.1   Indemnification of Directors and Officers     12  
  Section 6.2   Indemnification of Others     12  
  Section 6.3   Insurance     12  
ARTICLE VII RECORDS AND REPORTS     12  
  Section 7.1   Maintenance and Inspection of Records     12  
  Section 7.2   Inspection by Directors     13  
  Section 7.3   Representation of Shares of Other Corporations     13  
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL MATTERS     13  
  Section 8.1   Checks     13  
  Section 8.2   Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments     13  
  Section 8.3   Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares     13  
  Section 8.4   Special Designation on Certificates     14  
  Section 8.5   Lost Certificates     14  
  Section 8.6   Construction; Definitions     14  
  Section 8.7   Dividends     15  
  Section 8.8   Fiscal Year     15  

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  Section 8.9   Seal 15        
  Section 8.10   Transfer of Stock     15  
  Section 8.11   Stock Transfer Agreements     15  
  Section 8.12   Registered Stockholders     15  
  Section 8.13   Restrictions on Stock Options     15  
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS     16  
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION     16  

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RESTATED BYLAWS

for the regulation, except as otherwise provided
by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation

of

Superconductor Technologies Inc.

a Delaware corporation

(hereinafter called the “Corporation”)

ARTICLE I CORPORATE OFFICES

     1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE .

     The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at such location is The Corporation Trust Company.

     1.2 OTHER OFFICES .

     The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at anyplace or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.

ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS .

     Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the registered office of the corporation.

     2.2 ANNUAL MEETING .

     The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. At the meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.

     2.3 SPECIAL MEETING .

     A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the president, the chief executive officer or one or more stockholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent of the votes at that meeting (the“10% Stockholders”); provided that, notwithstanding the above and any provision contained in these bylaws to the contrary, effective upon such time as (i) shares of capital stock of the corporation are designated as qualified for trading as National Market System securities on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (or any successor national market system), and (ii) the corporation has at least 800 holders of shares of its capital stock, the 10% Stockholders shall no longer be entitled to call such meeting. If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the board of directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, chief executive officer or the secretary of the corporation. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The officer

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receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons who called the meeting, not less than 35 nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after the receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.

     2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS .

     All notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.6 of these bylaws not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

     2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS .

     To be properly brought before an annual meeting or special meeting, nominations for the election of director or other business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For such nominations or other business to be considered properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice and in proper form of his intent to bring such business before such meeting. To be timely, such stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the secretary of the corporation not less than 90 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 100 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth: (i) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nominations, propose the business, and, as the case may be, the name and address of the person or persons to be nominated or the nature of the business to be proposed; (ii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and, if applicable, intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice or introduce the business specified in the notice; (iii) if applicable, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (iv) such other information regarding such nominee or each matter of business to be proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, or the matter been proposed, or intended to be proposed by the board of directors; and (v) if applicable, the consent of each nominee to serve as director of the corporation if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person or the proposal of any business not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

     2.6 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE .

     Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on

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the records of the corporation. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

     2.7 QUORUM .

     The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stock holders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. When a quorum is present or represented at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, be express provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provisions shall govern and control the decision of the question.

     2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE .

     When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

     2.9 VOTING .

     The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.12 and 2.14 of these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements.

     2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE .

     Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

     2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING .

     Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required by this chapter to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any

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action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. If the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective upon the closing of the corporation’s initial public offering of securities pursuant to a registration statement file under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the stockholders of the corporation may not take action by written consent without a meeting but must take any such actions at a duly called annual or special meeting.

     2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS .

     In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the fixing of such record date shall be governed by the provisions of Section 213 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

     2.13 PROXIES .

     Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by a written proxy, signed by the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after 3 years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder’s attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(c) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE .

     The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice

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of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The stock ledger shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders and of the number of shares held by each such stockholder.

     2.15 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS .

     Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the chairman of the board, if any, or in his absence by the president, or in his absence by a vice president, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the board of directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such matters as the regulation of the manner of voting and conduct of business.

ARTICLE III DIRECTORS

     3.1 POWERS .

     Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.

     3.2 NUMBER .

     (a) The Board of Directors shall consist of eight (8) members. Such set number of directors may be changed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Directors need not be stockholders.

     (b) Subject to the last two sentences of this subsection, the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in numbers as the then total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors permits with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Whenever this subsection comes into effect, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. The directors shall be assigned to their respective classes by resolution of the Board of Directors at the time of the effectiveness of this subsection. At each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. In the event that the foregoing provisions of this subsection shall conflict with Section 301.5 of the California General Corporation Law (“ CGCL ”) at a time when such Section is legally applicable to this Corporation as a result of Section 2115 of the CGCL (or any successor provisions thereto), the terms of any directors then in office shall be reduced by the minimum extent necessary to eliminate such conflict. Thereafter, all directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders until the foregoing provisions of this subsection relating to the classification of directors can be reinstated, at which time the terms of the directors shall expire as provided in the second through fourth sentences of this subsection.

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     3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS .

     Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, at each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the corporation shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which they are elected, and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified; except that if any such election shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders’ meeting called and held in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be prescribed. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

     3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES .

     Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Stockholders may remove directors with or without cause. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors with or without cause may be filed by a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, although such majority is less than a quorum, or by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders, and each director so elected shall hold office until the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he has replaced. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws:

          3.4.1 Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders entitled to vote at any Annual or Special Meeting held in accordance with Article II, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such directors have been chosen and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

          3.4.2 Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected. If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board(as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.

     3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE .

     The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means

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of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

     3.6 FIRST MEETINGS .

     The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall beheld at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.

     3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS .

     Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board.

     3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE .

     Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the secretary or any two directors. Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director’s address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or by telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to the telegraph company at least 48 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the place of the meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

     3.9 QUORUM .

     At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation.

     3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE .

     Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors, or members of a committee of directors, need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

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     3.11 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE .

     If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

     3.12 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS .

     Meetings of the board of directors shall be presided over by the chairman of the board, if any, or in his absence by the chief executive officer, or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairman of any meeting shall determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting.

     3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING .

     Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

     3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS .

     Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

     3.15 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS .

     The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

     3.16 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS .

     Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of incorporation or by these bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. If at any time a class or series of shares is entitled to elect one or more directors, the provisions of this Article 3.16 shall apply to the vote of that class or series and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

8


 

ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES

     4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS .

     The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, with each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in the bylaws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authorize in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the corporation.

     4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES .

     Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

     4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES .

     Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.7 (regular meetings), Section 3.8 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum),Section 3.10 (waiver of notice), Section 3.11 (adjournment and notice of adjournment), Section 3.12 (conduct of business) and 3.13 (action without a meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

ARTICLE V OFFICERS

     5.1 OFFICERS .

     The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board, a president, a chief operating officer, one or more executive, senior or assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.2 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

     5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS .

     Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.2, the officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of

9


 

employment. The board of directors may appoint, or empower an officer to appoint, such officers and agents of the business as the corporation may require (whether or not such officer or agent is described in this Article V), each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors or may be filled by the officer, if any, who appointed such officer.

     5.3 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS .

     Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors or, in the case of an officer appointed by another officer, by such other officer. Any officer may resign, at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

     5.4 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD .

     The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is no chief executive officer, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.5 of these bylaws.

     5.5 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER .

     The chief executive officer of the corporation shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the board at all meetings of the board of directors. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the chief executive officer of a corporation, including general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws. The chief executive officer shall, without limitation, have the authority to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.

     5.6 PRESIDENT .

     Subject to such supervisory powers as may be given by these bylaws or the board of directors to the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer, if there be such officers, the president shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws. In the event a chief executive officer shall not be appointed, the president shall have the duties of such office.

10


 

     5.7 VICE PRESIDENT .

     In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all the duties of the chief executive officer and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the chief executive officer. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of directors, these bylaws, the chief executive officer or the chairman of the board.

     5.8 SECRETARY .

     The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors, and stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation. The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by these bylaws. He shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.

     5.9 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER .

     The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director. The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the chief executive officer and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.

     5.10 ASSISTANT SECRETARY .

     The assistant secretary, or, if there is more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the stockholders or board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors or the stockholders may from time to time prescribe.

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     5.11 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS .

     In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.

ARTICLE VI INDEMNITY

     6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS .

     The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a “director” or “officer” of the corporation includes any person who is or was (i) a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.

     6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS .

     The corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses(including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.2, an “employee” or “agent” of the corporation (other than a director or officer) includes any person who is or was (i) an employee or agent of the corporation, (ii) serving at the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) an employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.

     6.3 INSURANCE .

     The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

ARTICLE VII RECORDS AND REPORTS

     7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS .

     The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such lace or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books, and other records. Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose

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thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of business.

     7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS .

     Any directors shall have the right to examine the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his position as a director. The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The Court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

     7.3 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS .

     The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL MATTERS

     8.1 CHECKS .

     From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the person so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.

     8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS .

     The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

     8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES .

     The shares of a corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the

13


 

corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. Incase any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has caused to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

     8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES .

     If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to such stockholder who so request the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stocks or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

     8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES .

     Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and canceled at the same time. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

     8.6 CONSTRUCTION, DEFINITIONS .

     Unless the content requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the Delaware General Corporation Law shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

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     8.7 DIVIDENDS .

     The directors of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock. The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, and meeting contingencies.

     8.8 FISCAL YEAR .

     The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

     8.9 SEAL .

     The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which may be altered at pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

     8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK .

     Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.

     8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS .

     The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS .

     The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

     8.13 RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK OPTIONS .

     The Corporation, without the approval of the owners of a majority of the Common Stock, shall not grant to any officer of the Corporation any stock options at less than the closing market price on the date of grant or reduce the price of any options at less than the closing market price on the date of grant or reduce the price of any options which either were granted as a non-qualified stock option grant to an incoming employee or vender or were granted to any officer under any of the Corporation’s existing or future stock options plans, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not preclude the Corporation from issuing new, lower priced options issued from a stock option plan to persons holding higher priced options from such plan or any other plan, provided, however, that if such new lower priced options are granted in exchange for such higher priced options, the shares covered by such higher priced options shall be canceled or surrendered and not available for re-grant under such stock option plan.

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ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

     The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, or repeal bylaws.

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION

     If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of directors of the corporation that the corporation should be dissolved, the board, after the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the whole board at any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice to be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereon of the adoption of the resolution and of a meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution. At the meeting a vote shall be taken for and against the proposed dissolution. If a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon votes for the proposed dissolution, then a certificate stating that the dissolution has been authorized in accordance with the provisions of Section 275 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and setting forth the names and residences of the directors and officers shall be executed, acknowledged, and filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such certificate’s becoming effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the corporation shall be dissolved.

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Superconductor Technologies Inc.

2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN,
AS AMENDED MAY 25, 2005

- 1 -


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
SECTION 1: BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND DURATION
    1  
1.1 Background and Effective Date
    1  
1.2 Purpose of the Plan
    1  
1.3 Duration of the Plan
    1  
1.4 Termination of Old Plans
    1  
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
    1  
2.1 1934 Act
    1  
2.2 Affiliate
    2  
2.3 Affiliated SAR
    2  
2.4 Applicable Laws
    2  
2.5 Award
    2  
2.6 Award Agreement
    2  
2.7 Board or Board of Directors
    2  
2.8 Change in Control
    2  
2.9 Code
    2  
2.10 Committee
    2  
2.11 Company
    2  
2.12 Consultant
    2  
2.13 Director
    2  
2.14 Disability
    3  
2.15 Employee
    3  
2.16 ERISA
    3  
2.17 Fair Market Value
    3  
2.18 Freestanding SAR
    3  
2.19 Incentive Stock Option
    3  
2.20 Nonqualified Stock Option
    3  
2.21 Option
    3  
2.22 Option Price
    3  
2.23 Participant
    3  
2.24 Performance Share
    4  
2.25 Performance Unit
    4  
2.26 Period of Restriction
    4  
2.27 Plan
    4  
2.28 Restricted Stock
    4  
2.29 Retirement
    4  
2.30 Rule 16b-3
    4  
2.31 Section 16 Person
    4  
2.32 Shares
    4  
2.33 Stock Appreciation Right or SAR
    4  
2.34 Subsidiary
    4  
2.35 Tandem SAR
    4  
2.36 Termination of Employment
    4  
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION
    5  
3.1 The Committee
    5  
3.2 Authority of the Committee
    5  
3.3 Decisions Binding
    5  
SECTION 4 SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
    5  
4.1 Shares Available
    5  

 - ii -


 

         
4.1.1 Maximum Shares Available Under Plan
    5  
4.1.2 Limitation on Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares
    5  
4.1.3 Limitation on Incentive Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
    5  
4.1.4 General Award Limitation
    6  
4.1.5 Adjustments
    6  
4.2 Number of Shares
    6  
4.2 Lapsed Awards
    7  
SECTION 5 STOCK OPTIONS
    7  
5.1 Grant of Options
    7  
5.2 Award Agreement
    7  
5.3 Option Price
    7  
5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options
    7  
5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options
    7  
5.3.3 Substitute Options
    7  
5.4 Expiration of Options
    8  
5.4.1 Expiration Dates
    8  
5.4.2 Committee Discretion
    8  
5.5 Exercise of Options
    8  
5.6 Payment
    8  
5.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability
    9  
5.8 Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options
    9  
5.8.1 Exercisability
    9  
5.8.2 Termination of Employment
    9  
5.8.3 Company and Subsidiaries
    9  
5.8.4 Expiration
    9  
5.9 Nontransferability
    10  
SECTION 6 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
    10  
6.1 Grant of SARs
    10  
6.2 Exercise of Tandem SARs
    10  
6.2.1 ISOs
    10  
6.3 Exercise of Affiliated SARs
    10  
6.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs
    10  
6.5 SAR Agreement
    10  
6.6 Expiration of SARs
    11  
6.7 Payment of SAR Amount
    11  
6.8 Nontransferability of SARs
    11  
Section 7 RESTRICTED STOCK
    11  
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock
    11  
7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement
    11  
7.3 Transferability
    11  
7.4 Other Restrictions
    11  
7.5 Removal of Restrictions
    12  
7.6 Voting Rights
    12  
7.7 Dividends and Other Distributions
    12  
7.8 Return of Restricted Stock to Company
    12  
7.9 Repurchase Option
    12  
SECTION 8 PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES
    13  
8.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares
    13  
8.2 Value of Performance Units/Shares
    13  
8.3 Earning of Performance Units/Shares
    13  
8.4 Form and Timing of Performance Units/Shares
    13  

 - iii -


 

         
8.5 Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares
    13  
8.6 Nontransferability
    13  
SECTION 9 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
    14  
SECTION 10 DEFERRALS
    14  
SECTION 11 RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS
    14  
11.1 No Effect on Employment or Service
    14  
11.2 Participation
    14  
SECTION 12 AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION
    14  
SECTION 13 TAX WITHHOLDING
    14  
13.1 Withholding Requirements
    14  
13.2 Shares Withholding
    15  
SECTION 14 INDEMNIFICATION
    15  
SECTION 15 ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR ASSET SALE
    15  
15.1 Changes in Capitalization
    15  
15.2 Dissolution or Liquidation
    15  
15.3 Merger or Asset Sale
    16  
15.4 Change in Control
    16  
SECTION 16 CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES
    17  
16.1 Legal Compliance
    17  
16.2 Investment Representations
    17  
SECTION 17 INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY
    17  
SECTION 18 RESERVATION OF SHARES
    17  
SECTION 19 LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
    18  
19.1 Gender and Number
    18  
19.2 Severability
    18  
19.3 Requirements of Law
    18  
20.4 Securities Law Compliance
    18  
19.5 Governing Law
    18  
19.6 Captions
    18  

 - iv -


 

Superconductor Technologies Inc.

2003 Equity Incentive Plan,
as amended May 25, 2005

     Superconductor Technologies Inc. hereby adopts the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of March 20, 2003, and amended as of May 25, 2005, as follows:

SECTION 1
BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND DURATION

     1.1 Background and Effective Date . The Plan provides for the granting of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (or SARs), Restricted Stock, Performance Units, and Performance Shares. The Plan is adopted and effective as of March 20, 2003, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months. The Company will seek stockholder approval in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. Awards may be granted prior to the receipt of stockholder approval, but such grants shall be null and void if such approval is not in fact received within twelve (12) months.

     1.2 Purpose of the Plan . The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success, and enhance the value, of the Company by aligning the interests of Participants with those of the Company’s shareholders, and by providing Participants with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of outstanding individuals, upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the success of the Company largely is dependent.

     1.3 Duration of the Plan . The Plan shall commence on the date specified in Section 1.1 and subject to SECTION 12 (concerning the Board’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), shall remain in effect thereafter. However, without further stockholder approval, no Incentive Stock Option may be granted under the Plan on or after March 20, 2013.

     1.4 Termination of Old Plans . The Company’s four existing stock option plans (the 1992 Stock Option Plan, the Nonstatutory 1992 Directors Stock Option Plan, the 1998 Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Stock Option Plan) shall terminate effective upon stockholder approval of this Plan, and no further grants of awards shall be made under those plans after the date of such approval. The termination of those plans will not affect the rights of holders of options previously granted and outstanding under those plans.

SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS

     The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

     2.1 1934 Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

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     2.2 Affiliate means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

     2.3 Affiliated SAR means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, and which automatically will be deemed to be exercised at the same time that the related Option is exercised.

     2.4 Applicable Laws means the requirements relating to the administration of equity plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

     2.5 Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Units, or Performance Shares.

     2.6 Award Agreement means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.

     2.7 Board” or “Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     2.8 Change in Control is defined in Section 15.4.

     2.9 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

     2.10 Committee means the committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 3.1.

     2.11 Company means Superconductor Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

     2.12 Consultant means an individual who provides significant services to the Company and/or an Affiliate, including a Director who is not an Employee.

     2.13 Director means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

     2.14 Disability means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3).

     2.15 Employee means an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate, whether such employee is so employed at the time the Plan is adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of the Plan.

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     2.16 ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific section of ERISA shall include such section, any valid regulation promulgated thereunder, and any comparable provision of any future legislation amending, supplementing or superseding such section.

     2.17 Fair Market Value means as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows:

          (a) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Share (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of, or the last market trading day prior to, the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;

          (b) If the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of the Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on the day of, or the last market trading day prior to, the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

          (c) In the absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.

     2.18 Freestanding SAR means a SAR that is granted independently of any Option.

     2.19 Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO means an option to purchase Shares, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

     2.20 Nonqualified Stock Option means an option to purchase Shares which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

     2.21 Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

     2.22 Option Price means the price at which a Share may be purchased pursuant to an Option.

     2.23 Participant means an Employee, Consultant or Director who has an outstanding Award.

     2.24 Performance Share means an Award granted to an Employee pursuant to SECTION 8 having an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

     2.25 Performance Unit means an Award granted to an Employee pursuant to SECTION 8 having an initial value (other than the Fair Market Value of a Share) that is established by the Committee at the time of grant.

     2.26 Period of Restriction means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions.

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     2.27 Plan means the Superconductor Technologies Inc. 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.

     2.28 Restricted Stock means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to SECTION 7.

     2.29 Retirement means, in the case of an Employee, a Termination of Employment by reason of the Employee’s retirement at or after age 62.

     2.30 Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, and any future regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such regulation.

     2.31 Section 16 Person means a person who, with respect to the Shares, is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

     2.32 Shares means the shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company.

     2.33 Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, that pursuant to the terms of SECTION 7 is designated as an SAR.

     2.34 Subsidiary means any “subsidiary corporation” (other than the Company) as defined in Code Section 424(f).

     2.35 Tandem SAR means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase an equal number of Shares under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the SAR shall be canceled to the same extent).

     2.36 Termination of Employment means a cessation of the employee-employer or director or other service arrangement relationship between an Employee, Consultant or Director and the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, Retirement, or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment or re-engagement by the Company or an Affiliate.

SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION

     3.1 The Committee . The Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Board that meets the requirements of this Section 3.1 (hereinafter referred to as “ the Committee ”). The Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) Directors. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors. The Committee shall be comprised solely of Directors who are both “outside directors” under Rule 16b-3 and “independent directors” under the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which the Shares are then listed and/or traded.

     3.2 Authority of the Committee . The Committee shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power (a) to determine which Employees, Consultants and Directors shall be granted Awards, (b) to prescribe the terms and conditions of such Awards, (c) to interpret the

-4-


 

Plan and the Awards, (d) to adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and (e) to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.

          The Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more directors and/or officers of the Company; provided, however , that the Committee may not delegate its authority and powers with respect to Section 16 Persons.

     3.3 Decisions Binding . All determinations and decisions made by the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

SECTION 4
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     4.1 Shares Available .

          4.1.1 Maximum Shares Available under Plan . The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan may not exceed twelve million (12,000,000) Shares. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

          4.1.2 Limitation on Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares . The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares may not exceed three million six hundred thousand (3,600,000) Shares.

          4.1.3 Limitation on Incentive Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights . No Participant may receive Options and SARs for more than one million two hundred thousand (1,200,000) Shares in the aggregate in any single calendar year; provided, however , that a Participant may receive Options and SARs for up two million four hundred thousand (2,400,000) Shares in the Participant’s initial year of service to the Company.

          4.1.4 General Award Limitation . No Participant may receive Awards under the Plan, the value of which Awards is based solely on an increase in the value of Shares after the date of grant of such Awards, for more than one million two hundred thousand (1,200,000) Shares in the aggregate in any single calendar year; provided, however , that a Participant may receive Options and SARs for up two million four hundred thousand (2,400,000) Shares in the Participant’s initial year of service to the Company. The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any Awards representing “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

          4.1.5 Adjustments . All Share numbers in this Section 4.1 are subject to adjustment as provided in SECTION 15.

     4.2 Number of Shares . The following rules will apply for purposes of the determination of the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan:

          (a) While an Award is outstanding, it shall be counted against the authorized pool of Shares, regardless of its vested status.

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          (b) The grant of an Option or Restricted Stock shall reduce the Shares available for grant under the Plan by the number of Shares subject to such Award.

          (c) The grant of a Tandem SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the related Option (i.e., there is no double counting of Options and their related Tandem SARs); provided, however , that, upon the exercise of such Tandem SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Tandem SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.

          (d) The grant of an Affiliated SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the SAR, in addition to the number of Shares subject to the related Option; provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such Affiliated SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Affiliated SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.

          (e) The grant of a Freestanding SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Freestanding SARs granted; provided, however , that, upon the exercise of such Freestanding SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Freestanding SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.

          (f) The Committee shall in each case determine the appropriate number of Shares to deduct from the authorized pool in connection with the grant of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares.

          (g) To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than in Shares, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash settlement of the Award.

     4.3 Lapsed Awards . If an Award is cancelled, terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason (with the exception of the termination of a Tandem SAR upon exercise of the related Option, or the termination of a related Option upon exercise of the corresponding Tandem SAR), any Shares subject to such Award again shall be available to be the subject of an Award.

SECTION 5
STOCK OPTIONS

     5.1 Grant of Options . Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors at any time and from time to time, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares subject to Options granted to each Participant. The Committee may grant ISOs, NQSOs, or a combination thereof.

     5.2 Award Agreement . Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which

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the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise of the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO.

     5.3 Option Price . Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3, the Option Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

          5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options . In the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted.

          5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options . In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted; provided, however , that if at the time that the Option is granted, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted.

          5.3.3 Substitute Options . Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Consultants or Directors on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is granted.

     5.4 Expiration of Options . Unless the applicable stock option agreement provides otherwise, each Option shall terminate upon the first to occur of the events listed in Section 5.4.1, subject to Section 5.4.2.

          5.4.1 Expiration Dates .

               (a) The date for termination of the Option set forth in the Award Agreement;

               (b) The expiration of ten years from the date the Option was granted, or

               (c) The expiration of three months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment for a reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, or

               (d) The expiration of twelve months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, or

               (e) The expiration of twelve months from the date of the Participant’s death, if such death occurs while the Participant is in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate.

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          5.4.2 Committee Discretion . The Committee shall provide, in the terms of each individual Option, when such Option expires and becomes unexercisable. After the Option is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion may extend the maximum term of such Option. The foregoing discretionary authority is subject to the limitations and restrictions on Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 5.8.

     5.5 Exercise of Options . Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times, and subject to such restrictions and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. After an Option is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the exercisability of the Option.

     5.6 Payment . The Committee shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

          (a) cash;

          (b) check;

          (c) promissory note;

          (d) other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

          (e) consideration received by the Company from a licensed broker under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company to facilitate “same day” exercises and sales of Options;

          (f) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant’s participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

          (g) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

          (h) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by applicable laws.

     5.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability . The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option, as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to Federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and/or any blue sky or state securities laws.

     5.8 Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options .

          5.8.1 Exercisability . The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are

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exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000.

          5.8.2 Termination of Employment . No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason other than Disability or death, unless (a) the Participant dies during such three-month period, and (b) the Award Agreement and/or the Committee permits later exercise. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than one year after the Participant’s termination of employment on account of Disability, unless (a) the Participant dies during such one-year period, and (b) the Award Agreement and/or the Committee permit later exercise.

          5.8.3 Company and Subsidiaries Only . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are Employees of the Company and/or a Subsidiary at the time of grant.

          5.8.4 Expiration . No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after the expiration of 10 years from the date such Option was granted; provided, however , that if the Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Option may not be exercised after the expiration of 5 years from the date that it was granted.

     5.9 Nontransferability of Options . No Option granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as provided under SECTION 9. All Options granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.

SECTION 6
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     6.1 Grant of SARs . An SAR may be granted to an Employee, Consultant or Director at any time and from time to time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may grant Affiliated SARs, Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination thereof. The Committee shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant, and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs. However, the grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The grant price of Tandem or Affiliated SARs shall equal the Option Price of the related Option.

     6.2 Exercise of Tandem SARs . Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

          6.2.1 ISOs . Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem SAR shall expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR shall be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Option Price of the underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the

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underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.

     6.3 Exercise of Affiliated SARs . An Affiliated SAR shall be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the related Option. The deemed exercise of an Affiliated SAR shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject to the related Option.

     6.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs . Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

     6.5 SAR Agreement . Each SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

     6.6 Expiration of SARs . An SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 5.4 (pertaining to Options) also shall apply to SARs.

     6.7 Payment of SAR Amount . Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

          (a) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the grant price; times

          (b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

          At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

     6.8 Nontransferability of SARs . No SAR granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted under SECTION 9. An SAR granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.

SECTION 7
RESTRICTED STOCK

     7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees, Consultants or Directors in such amounts as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

     7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

     7.3 Transferability . Except as provided in this SECTION 7, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated

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until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant.

     7.4 Other Restrictions . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals (Company-wide, divisional, and/or individual), and/or restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws; and may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions. For example, the Committee may determine that some or all certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock shall bear the following legend:

“The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer as set forth in the Superconductor Technologies Inc. 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, and in a Restricted Stock Agreement. A copy of the Plan and such Restricted Stock Agreement may be obtained from the Secretary of Superconductor Technologies Inc.”

     7.5 Removal of Restrictions . Except as otherwise provided in this SECTION 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse, and/or remove any restrictions. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 7.4 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant.

     7.6 Voting Rights . During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

     7.7 Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

     7.8 Return of Restricted Stock to Company . Subject to the applicable Award Agreement and Section 7.5, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant’s Termination of Employment, or (b) the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and, subject to Section 4.3, again shall become available for grant under the Plan.

     7.9 Repurchase Option . Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the Participant’s service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the Participant and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the Participant to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Committee.

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SECTION 8
PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES

     8.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares . Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Employees, Consultants or Directors at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.

     8.2 Value of Performance Units/Shares . Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Participants. The time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called the “ Performance Period ”.

     8.3 Earning of Performance Units/Shares . After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may adjust and/or waive the achievement of any performance goals for such Performance Unit/Share.

     8.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares . Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares shall be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

     8.5 Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares . Subject to the applicable Award Agreement, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant’s Termination of Employment, or (b) the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all remaining Performance Units/Shares shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company, and subject to Section 4.3, the Shares subject thereto shall again be available for grant under the Plan.

     8.6 Nontransferability . Performance Units/Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted under SECTION 9. A Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.

SECTION 9
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

     If permitted by the Committee, a Participant may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any unpaid vested Award shall be paid in event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee. In the absence of any such

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designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the Committee or executor of the Participant’s estate.

SECTION 10
DEFERRALS

     The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

SECTION 11
RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS

     11.1 No Effect on Employment or Service . Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause.

     11.2 Participation . No Employee, Consultant or Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

SECTION 12
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION

     The Board, in its sole discretion, may alter, amend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. However, as required by Applicable Laws, no alteration or amendment shall be effective without further stockholder approval. Neither the amendment, suspension, nor termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension nor after termination of the Plan.

SECTION 13
TAX WITHHOLDING

     13.1 Withholding Requirements . Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes required to be withheld with respect to such Award.

     13.2 Shares Withholding . The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company Shares already owned for more than six (6) months having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the Shares to be delivered will be based on their Fair Market Value on the date of delivery.

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SECTION 14
INDEMNIFICATION

     Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, notion, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

SECTION 15
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR
ASSET SALE

     15.1 Changes in Capitalization; No Award Repricing . Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however , that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award. Further, except for the adjustments provided herein, no Award may be amended to reduce its initial exercise price, and no Award may be cancelled and replaced with an Award with a lower price.

     15.2 Dissolution or Liquidation . In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Committee shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Committee in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Committee may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Award shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

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     15.3 Merger or Asset Sale . In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Award as to all of the Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Award becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Committee shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Award shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Award shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however , that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the merger or sale of assets.

     15.4 Change in Control . In the event of a Change of Control (as defined below), except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Awards as to all of the Shares, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Award becomes fully vested and exercisable as the result of a Change of Control, the Committee shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically prior to the Change of Control that the Award shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Award shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” means the happening of any of the following events:

          (a) When any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

          (b) The stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets; or

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          (c) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “ Incumbent Directors ” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors of the Company with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company).

SECTION 16
CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES

     16.1 Legal Compliance . Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

     16.2 Investment Representations . As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

SECTION 17
INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY

     The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, 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.

SECTION 18
RESERVATION OF SHARES

     The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

SECTION 19
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

     19.1 Gender and Number . Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

     19.2 Severability . In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

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     19.3 Requirements of Law . The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws.

     19.4 Securities Law Compliance . With respect to Section 16 Persons, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of the Plan, Award Agreement or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

     19.5 Governing Law . The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

     19.6 Captions . Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

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