SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
Commission file number 0-28599
NEVADA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
91-2008633
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
14500 NORTHSIGHT BOULEVARD, SUITE 329, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85260 (480) 905-7311
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of issuer's executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.001 PER SHARE
Check whether the issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to item 405 of Regulation S-B in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]
Issuer's revenue for its most recent fiscal year: $43,871.
As of March 10, 2003, there were outstanding 52,286,704 shares of the issuer's common stock, par value $.001 per share. The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the issuer (46,298,804 shares) based on the closing price of the issuer's common stock as reported on the NASD Over the Counter Bulletin Board, or OTCBB, on March 10, 2003, was $3,240,916. For purposes of this computation, all executive officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the issuer are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such officers, directors, or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the issuer.
Documents incorporated by reference: None.
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- PART I ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS........................................... 1 ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY........................................... 10 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS................................................. 11 ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS............... 11 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.......... 11 ITEM 6. PLAN OF OPERATION................................................. 12 ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................. 14 ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE............................. 14 PART III ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT................ 14 ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION........................................... 16 ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS..................... 25 ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS................... 26 ITEM 13. EXHIBITS, LIST, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.......................... 27 ITEM 14, CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.......................................... 27 SIGNATURES ................................................................. 28 CERTIFICATIONS ............................................................. 29 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................. F-1 |
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB THAT ARE NOT PURELY HISTORICAL ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, INCLUDING STATEMENTS REGARDING OUR "EXPECTATIONS," "ANTICIPATION," "INTENTIONS," "BELIEFS," OR "STRATEGIES" REGARDING THE FUTURE. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY ARE THE FACTORS DISCUSSED IN ITEM 1, "SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS."
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
GENERAL
We are a leading software developer and Application Service Provider, or ASP, specializing in the collection, aggregation, and unique delivery of both delayed and real-time financial data content via the Internet. We develop and license unique Web-based software components that deliver cost effective, dynamic content to websites of potential customers, which include brokerage firms, financial institutions, mutual fund companies, portals, public companies, Fortune 500 companies, and corporate intranets.
Our unique product capabilities provide a competitive advantage to Internet sites by offering a cost effective and simple alternative to the complex and expensive data feed model employed by most websites today.
To facilitate effective information delivery, QuoteMedia has created an efficient, scalable model that manages and streams information to multiple entities from data centers and content feeds across the Web. This means that a website can license financial information software applications, for monthly or annual subscription fees, at significantly reduced costs to the user.
These Web-delivered components are lightweight, reliable, and easy to embed on a website. They require fewer content updates and data feeds, have fewer maintenance issues than competitors' products, and they are highly customizable, allowing for seamless integration into a client's website. To add any of our many available components, a webmaster simply copies and pastes a simple one line of our code to the desired page. Any necessary assistance with implementation is included in our guarantee of ongoing full technical support for our clients.
In March of 2003, we changed the name of our company to QuoteMedia, Inc. from Quotemedia.com, Inc., to better reflect the business climate in which we operate. We maintain our executive offices at 14500 Northsight Boulevard, Suite 329, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, and our telephone number is (480) 905-7311. All references to our business operations in this report include the operations of QuoteMedia, Inc. and our operating divisions.
STRATEGY
Our business strategy utilizes a multi-level approach to generate revenues. The first of these strategies includes engaging in the online financial services market by focusing on private labeling of our streaming stock quote software, Quotestream(TM) for a monthly licensing fee to established Web portals, brokerages, and other financial services firms which currently do not offer or offer inadequate online financial information and trading tools to their clients. The second strategy involves charging users directly a monthly subscription fees for our Real-Time streaming stock information. The third strategy involves offering other fee-based financial tools to a broad spectrum of websites, enabling them to offer their users a wider range of financial reporting information than just portfolio-based stock information. In our view, these new financial tool applications provide us with a competitive advantage in a lucrative market due to their exceptional capacity for customization, extreme ease of implementation, and very aggressive pricing.
We are implementing all strategies simultaneously. By means of this model, we believe site usage of our products will increase significantly, accelerating our revenue growth and expansion as a company. We believe that the subscription/licensing-based products will comprise the majority of our revenue base over the long term. Our goal is to generate revenue from the new Internet model of streaming information syndication. Under the syndication model, information is customized to suit the needs of our customers' websites without the typical high up-front cost of customization involved in packaged software or specific content feeds.
We currently target businesses worldwide and offer our comprehensive suite of information software applications at a cost that we believe will be less than the cost these sites would otherwise incur. We believe our marketing and sales partnership with Thomson Wealth Management (a division of The Thomson Corporation TSE: TOC) will enable us to gain access to Thomson's existing
customer accounts in the Brokerage and Financial sectors. Potential markets for our products include the following:
* Brokerage firms, banks, and other financial institutions;
* Large, established Web portals;
* Corporate Intranets;
* Small to mid-sized websites;
* Public companies;
* Mutual fund companies;
* Content Publishers;
* Individual investors
PRODUCTS
QuoteMedia software applications comprise a suite of customizable Java Applets, Javascript Inserts, and Java Servlets, which combine the depth and variety of established financial databases with the flexibility and efficiency of the Web to deliver customized content to clients around the globe.
QuoteMedia's lightweight and fast-loading, applications deliver a multi-faceted array of information in a variety of delivery vehicles. Services may be purchased on a subscription basis for a wide range of products, from fully integrated backend-compliant systems, to highly portable and user friendly scripts that can be deployed in minutes to deliver robust and timely data across the Web.
We believe our software applications can provide extremely cost effective content solutions to large-scale portals, smaller websites, and Fortune 500 companies, allowing them to present dynamic, customizable, and interactive Web-based content without the cost and time of internally developing the necessary applications and feeds.
With our turnkey solutions, users can monitor investments in real time through customizable portfolio trackers, and research investment opportunities via comprehensive streaming financial data. For the online investor, our financial software applications provide a wide array of interactive tools, products, and services via the Internet.
Our product lines include the following:
QUOTESTREAM(TM)
Quotestream is a unique, Web-based streaming online portfolio management system that delivers instant market data to both consumer and corporate markets. A platform-independent solution, it can be easily integrated with existing back-end databases and provides streaming market data to end users through a flexible interface that can be fully customized by the publisher.
Quotestream is available in several modes, which include Delayed Data, Real-Time Data, and Level II Data. Within the application, users may customize their portfolios and gather important information via dynamic charting, symbol-based news, corporate filings, and up-to-the second market reports.
Our Quotestream product line comprises four products (Quotestream Bronze, Quotestream Silver, Quotestream Gold, and Quotestream Professional), all based on the company's revolutionary, proprietary application technology that delivers a broad range of value-added financial information and services, such as: market indices; stock watch lists; static and interactive charts; and both delayed and
real-time streaming (dynamically updated) content in a small (under 100k) Web-delivered application that requires no downloads or user-resident software.
We have designed our Quotestream products specifically for private branding by brokerages, financial institutions, and Web portals ("Corporate Partners"), and to meet the individual needs of their customers. Quotestream enables a Corporate Partner to complement their existing product offering, differentiate themselves from their competition, and generate substantial recurring revenue.
The Quotestream application generates revenue streams for our clients through a dynamic syndication process. Under the syndication model, information is customized to suit the needs of the customer without the usual high up-front cost of specific content feeds and integration. This comprehensive application allows Corporate Partners to offer their own privately branded Quotestream Bronze product at little cost to the Partner Company and no cost to their customer. In addition, Partners can offer and up-sell the enhanced Quotestream Bronze, Silver, Gold and Professional products. Partners may even elect to offer our Quotestream line of products to their client-bases at no cost to themselves, while enjoying ongoing revenue shares on generated subscriptions.
FINANCIAL TOOLS
We have developed a full range of aggressively priced financial data applications to serve an expanding market for timely market data delivered over the Web. Clients may choose from full tool packages or an array of individual components to add dynamic, real-time financial information to their websites. Our tools offer businesses maintenance-free applications that will retain traffic and increase overall customer activity, while seamlessly integrating into their current site layouts and product offerings.
Our Financial Tools software applications constitute a suite of customizable services that combine the depth of a variety of established databases with the flexibility and efficiency of the Web to deliver financial and news information. These information applications are typically licensed for a monthly subscription fee.
Our publishing partners benefit from access to simple, low-cost, locally hosted and fully customizable applications that are subscription-based and tailored to individual needs. QuoteMedia financial tools packages and components include:
* CHARTS - Markets and equity charting is available in a variety of formats. Static thumbnails or dynamic interactive charting is available to allow full market coverage charting or individual stock performance displays.
* STOCK TICKERS - Vertical or horizontally displayed tickers bring instant market information alive.
* MARKET INDICES - At-a-glance display of market conditions, fed directly from the major exchanges.
* NEWS HEADLINES - Equity-based lookup of news stories relating to individual companies, or broader, demographic-specific feeds in over 400 categories.
* WATCH LISTS - Current values and trends for a group of user-defined equities.
* MARKET STATISTICS - Top gainers and losers on the day for a variety of exchanges. Detailed statistical analysis of most actively traded stocks.
* INVESTOR RELATIONS - Information on current value, historical data, and news, related to individual public companies, generating a turnkey and self-updating investor relations page.
* QUOTE MODULES - Completely customizable and intuitive quote modules allow visitors to enter a stock symbol and return a wide range of market data, including charts, news, historical data, market indices, Level II, Current Price, Change, Bid-Ask, Insider Reports, SEC filings and more.
* VALUE PRICED PREMIUM PACKAGES - Our Professional, Executive, Enterprise and Investor Relations Packages include various bundling of some or all of the above financial tools, and include the Quotestream portfolio management system.
* CUSTOMIZED PACKAGES - Because of the flexibility and scalability of our software applications, we are able to accommodate any unique requirements with specifically tailored solutions.
EMPLOYEES
We currently have six full time employees: (1) Mr. David M. Shworan, who is our Chief Executive Officer, President, and director; (2) Mr. R. Keith Guelpa, our Chief Operating Officer and Director; (3) Mr. Duane Nelson, our head of business development; (4) Keith Randall, our Chief Financial Officer; (5) Jeff Kadanoff, our lead technical administrator; and (6) Madhu Acharya, our lead programmer.
In addition, we employ seven part-time programmers and administration staff on a project basis. Our employees are not members of any union, nor have we entered into any collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relationship with our employees is excellent. With a successful implementation of our business plan, we may retain additional employees in the next year to handle anticipated growth. We anticipate that we will hire additional employees in the areas of administration, programming, sales, marketing, and customer care.
COMPETITION
We believe there is a small group of competitors for our core market competency as a developer of proprietary B2B Web-based software for the brokerage and financial institution marketplace. There are over 13,000 brokerage firms, nearly 10,000 financial firms and insurance institutions in America today, and very few of those have a "streaming" product that is similar to our product, thus leaving a large market for QuoteMedia to explore. In addition, many of these companies' websites that do currently feature competitors' financial tools will realize significant savings by switching to our more customizable, faster-loading, more easily implemented, and less expensive financial tool applications.
Many financial information companies license information to Web businesses and feed the information to them through industry standard FTP feeds or links, a business model that syndicates content. We believe we offer a notably different product from these companies, by virtue of our focus on the development of software for the delivery of information. We package information into flexible software applications to meet the specific needs of our clients. We have created application technology that we believe is unique and revolutionary in the marketplace in terms of both features and functionality. Our products offer significant technological advantages through our delivery of an unparalleled feature aggregate, including, but not limited to:
* Dynamic real-time information onto the desktop with no need to launch the Web browser (Active Desktop Mode);
* Solutions easily embedded directly onto a website;
* Complete customization by end users of content and appearance of content delivery;
* No requirement for any bandwidth, software, or back-end infrastructure from clients' web sites to run our technology;
* Extremely lightweight, fast-loading applications;
* Integrated satellite feed and database for all North American securities;
* Open architecture Oracle database systems;
* UNIX server farm with Arrowpoint load balancing;
* Comprehensive statistical logs and tracking systems;
* User-friendly, premium product registration and order system;
* Quotestream (Streaming Delayed and Real Time Quotation application);
* Firewall-friendly dynamic Java Applets;
* Real-time registration and order interfaces;
* Top 5% product ranking by Java Applet Rating Service (JARS);
We do not attempt to compete in the pure financial information marketplace as a raw information provider such as S&P, Reuters, and Comtex. Rather, we offer reliable, real-time financial and stock information delivered via our own proprietary software information applications. We believe this makes our products and services distinct from other products currently in the marketplace.
Other companies provide stock quotes and related information. Thousands of websites offer stock quotes and charts on the Web today. The most popular and largest of these websites include MSN Investor, YAHOO Finance, Quicken, CBS MarketWatch, The Street.com, and PC Quote. Many online brokerages also offer detailed market information to their clients, such as E*Trade, Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, and many others.
We believe that our business model offers strong market differentiation through our strategy of offering private labeled financial solutions to established Web portals and brokerages. This should allow us to take advantage of existing brand recognition and loyalties already established between our customers and their clients
Internet research suggests that sixty-five percent of those who go online seek financial information. As a result, large portals, brokerage firms, banks and other institutions, as well as non-financial websites of all kinds, are increasingly eager to incorporate and expand financial information into their websites. An increasing number of online businesses are searching for Web-based tools that provide additional content and features to retain visitors or enhance "stickiness." A site's stickiness or ability to keep users for prolonged periods of time is key to building rich relationships between a company and its site visitors.
QuoteMedia's financial and news applications can be seamlessly integrated onto an existing website regardless of its size. Adding business information, trading and other financial capabilities to a company's website through QuoteMedia enables businesses to provide comprehensive news and financial content and retain their visitors without linking them to another site.
Through turnkey "branded" applications, clients can monitor investments in real-time through customizable portfolio trackers, research investment opportunities, watch live video and view streaming financial data. In order to develop a comprehensive financial Web portal, a company could expend as much as $100,000.00 plus monthly content fees, which alone can reach $20,000.00 per month.
QuoteMedia's integrated financial applications and in-depth, business-related data offer a comprehensive and easily integrated solution at a significantly reduced cost than noted above.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS, IN ADDITION TO THOSE
DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT, IN EVALUATING OUR COMPANY AND OUR BUSINESS.
OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS HAVE EXPRESSED A GOING CONCERN OPINION.
As a result of our lack of revenue and accumulated deficit of $6,031,223 at December 31, 2002, the financial statements accompanying this report have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We have had a limited operating
history and have generated minimal revenues or earnings from our current operations. We will, in all likelihood, continue to sustain operating expenses without corresponding revenue, at least until our business plan, as described herein, is fully implemented. This may result in us continuing to incur a net operating loss until we are able to generate profits from operations. We cannot, however, make any assurances that we will generate profits from operations. Our short operating history makes it difficult to predict our future financial results. If we do not begin generating profits, the price of our common stock will suffer and our stockholders may not be able to recover their initial investment.
WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL WITH WHICH TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS PLAN AND THERE IS NO AGREEMENT WITH ANY THIRD PARTY TO PROVIDE SUCH CAPITAL.
Based on current levels of operations, our cash will fund our operations through April 2002. Beyond that time, we will require additional equity or debt financing in order to carry on our operations. In addition, if we require additional funding or determine it appropriate to raise additional funding in the future, there is no assurance that adequate funding, whether through additional equity financing, debt financing, or other sources, will be available when needed or on terms acceptable to us. Further, any such funding may result in significant dilution to existing stockholders. The inability to obtain sufficient funds from operations and external sources when needed would have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
OUR PROPOSED OPERATIONS ARE SPECULATIVE. WE HAVE NOT CONDUCTED ANY MARKET RESEARCH, NOR DO WE HAVE A MARKETING ORGANIZATION OTHER THAN OUR CURRENT MANAGEMENT.
The success of our proposed plan of operation will depend largely on the acceptance of our business model by the markets and customers targeted by us. We neither have conducted, nor have made available to the market, results of market research indicating that market demand exists for our contemplated business plan. Moreover, we do not yet have a formal marketing organization. Even if demand is identified for our contemplated business plan, there is no assurance that our operations will successfully generate profits. Without the ability to generate profits, our stockholders may not be able to recover their investment.
WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY AND HAVE A LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY. WE ANTICIPATE CONTINUED LOSSES IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND OUR FUTURE RESULTS ARE UNCERTAIN.
We have only a limited operating history upon which investors can evaluate our company and prospects. Our prospects must be evaluated with a view to the risks encountered by a company in an early stage of development, particularly in light of the uncertainties relating to the new and evolving markets in which we have begun to operate and whether there will be acceptance of our business model. We will incur costs as we continue to develop software applications, establish marketing and distribution relationships, acquire additional hardware and software, and enhance our existing administrative organization. To the extent that such expenses are not subsequently followed by commensurate revenue, our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be materially adversely affected. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient revenue from our business to achieve or maintain profitability on a quarterly or an annual basis in the future. We expect negative cash flow from operations to continue, at least for the foreseeable future, as we continue to develop and market our business. If cash generated by operations is insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we will be required to sell debt or additional equity securities. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities would result in additional dilution to our stockholders. Further, there can be no assurances that we will successfully be able to sell our securities in order to obtain additional capital.
OUR BUSINESS PLAN DEPENDS ON THE INTERNET AND THERE IS UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE OF THE INTERNET AS A MEDIUM FOR COMMERCE.
Use of the Internet by consumers is at an early stage of development and market acceptance of the Internet as a medium for commerce is subject to a high level of uncertainty. Our future success will depend on our ability to generate significant revenue, which will require the development and widespread acceptance of the Internet as a medium for commerce. There can be no assurance that the Internet will be a successful retailing channel. The Internet may not prove to be a viable commercial marketplace because of inadequate development of the necessary infrastructure, such as reliable network backbones, or complementary services, such as high-speed modems and security procedures for financial transactions. The viability of the Internet may prove uncertain due to
delays in the development and adoption of new standards and protocols, for example, the next generation Internet Protocol, to handle increased levels of Internet activity or due to increased governmental regulation. If use of the Internet does not continue to grow, or if the necessary Internet infrastructure or complementary services are not developed to effectively support the growth that may occur, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Our future success will be significantly dependent upon our ability to attract paying users to our web-site. There can be no assurance that we will be attractive to a sufficient number of users to generate significant revenue. There can also be no assurance that we will be able to anticipate, monitor, and successfully respond to rapidly changing consumer tastes and preferences so as to continually attract a sufficient number of users to our web-site. If we are unable to develop Internet content that allows us to attract, retain, and expand a loyal user base, our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
THERE IS A RISK OF CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY.
Our success will also depend upon our ability to develop and provide new products and services. The delivery of our products and services online is, and will continue to be, like the Internet, characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements, and frequent new service and product introductions. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively use leading technologies, continue our technological expertise, enhance our current services, develop services that meet changing customer requirements, and influence and respond to emerging industry standards and other technological changes on a timely and cost-effective basis. There can be no assurance that we will respond to these changing technological conditions. If we do not, the price of our common stock will likely decrease.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO COMPETITION IN CERTAIN SERVICE AREAS.
The market for Internet content providers is new, highly competitive, and rapidly changing. Since the Internet's commercialization in the early 1990's, the number of web sites on the Internet competing for consumers' attention and spending has proliferated. With no substantial barriers to entry, we expect that competition will continue to intensify. Currently, there are hundreds of real-time data information, research, and trading services web sites on the Internet. With respect to competing for consumers' attention, in addition to intense competition from Internet content providers we also face competition from traditional brokerage institutions.
We believe that the primary competitive factors in providing our services via the Internet are name recognition, content availability on an exclusive basis, the variety of value-added services, ease of use, price, quality of service, availability of customer support, reliability, technical expertise, and experience. Our success in this market will depend heavily upon our ability to provide high-quality content, cutting-edge technology, and value-added Internet services. We believe that our business model offers strong market differentiation through our strategy of offering turnkey private labeled financial software application solutions to large, well-established web portals and brokerages for a monthly fee. This should allow us to take advantage of existing brand recognition and loyalties already established between our customers and their clients. There can be no assurances, however, that this will occur. If it does not occur, the value of our common stock will likely decrease.
Our industry is highly competitive. Many of our current and potential competitors in the Internet and financial industry have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial, technical, and marketing resources, greater name recognition, and larger existing customer bases. These competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements and to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, and sale of their services. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Failure to adequately compete will have a negative impact on our value.
In addition, the market in which we compete is characterized by frequent new product introductions, rapidly changing technology, and the emergence of new industry standards. The rapid development of new technologies increases the risk that current or new competitors will develop products or services that reduce the competitiveness of and are superior to our products and services. Our future success will depend to a substantial degree upon our ability to develop and introduce in a timely fashion new products, services, and enhancements to our existing products and services that meet changing customer requirements and emerging industry standards. The development of new, technologically advanced
products and services is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation, as well as the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. There is a potential for product development delay due to the need to comply with new or modified standards. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to identify, develop, market, support, or manage the transition to new or enhanced products or services successfully, provide new products and services, that will be responsive to technological changes or that new products and services will gain market acceptance, or respond effectively to announcements by competitors, technological changes, or emerging industry standards. Our business, results of operations, and financial condition would be materially adversely affected if we were to be unsuccessful, or to incur significant delays, in developing and introducing new products, services, or enhancements.
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, most of which are outside of our control, including, but not limited to, the following:
* the level of use of the Internet;
* number of licenses sold;
* Internet advertising;
* seasonal trends in Internet use, purchases, and advertising placements;
* the level of traffic on our Internet sites;
* the amount and timing of capital expenditures and other costs relating to the expansion of our Internet operations;
* the introduction of new software applications or services by us or our competitors;
* price competition or pricing changes in the industry;
* technical difficulties or system downtime;
* general economic conditions; and
* economic conditions specific to the Internet and Internet media.
Due to the foregoing factors, among others, it is likely that our operating results will fall below our expectations or our stockholders' or analysts' expectations in future quarters.
WE DEPEND ON KEY PERSONNEL AND EXPECT TO HIRE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.
Our performance is substantially dependent on the services of David M. Shworan, our Chief Executive Officer and President, and R. Keith Guelpa, our Chief Operating Officer. The loss of Mr. Shworan or Mr. Guelpa, or other key employees, could have a material adverse affect on our business, which will have a negative impact on the value of our company.
Our future success will also depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled management, technical engineers, sales and marketing personnel, and finance and technical personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense and there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and retain such personnel. The loss of the services of any key personnel, the inability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future, or any delays in hiring required personnel, particularly technical engineers and sales personnel, could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
WE DEPEND ON THIRD PARTIES FOR INTERNET OPERATIONS AND PRODUCT DELIVERIES.
Our ability to license financial software applications for use on other Internet sites and the willingness of the owners of such sites to direct users to our Internet site through hypertext links is critical to the success of our Internet operations. We rely on the cooperation of owners of copyrighted materials and Internet search services and on our relationships with third party vendors of Internet development tools and technologies. There can be no assurance that the necessary cooperation from third parties will be available on acceptable commercial terms or at all. If we are unable to develop and maintain
satisfactory relationships with such third parties on acceptable commercial terms, or if our competitors are better able to leverage such relationships, our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be materially adversely affected, which will have a negative impact on our value.
WE MAY SPEND SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO PROTECT AGAINST SECURITY BREACHES.
A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our Internet operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and resources to protect against the threat of such security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Consumer concern over Internet security has been, and could continue to be, a barrier to commercial activities requiring consumers to send their credit card information over the Internet. Computer viruses, break-ins, or other security problems could lead to misappropriation of proprietary information and interruptions, delays, or cessation in service to our customers. Moreover, until more comprehensive security technologies are developed, the security and privacy concerns of existing and potential customers may inhibit the growth of the Internet as a merchandising medium. Were these risks to occur, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
WE MAY BECOME SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT REGULATION IN THE FUTURE THAT COULD NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE OUR PROPOSED BUSINESS.
We are not currently subject to direct federal, state, or local laws or regulations applicable to access to, or commerce on, the Internet, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and other on-line services, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other on-line services covering issues such as user privacy, "indecent" materials, freedom of expression, pricing, content and quality of products and services, taxation, advertising, intellectual property rights, and information security. The adoption of any such laws or regulations might also decrease the rate of growth of Internet use, which in turn could decrease the demand for our products and services, increase the cost of doing business, or in some other manner have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, applicability of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyrights and other intellectual property issues, taxation, libel, obscenity, and personal privacy to the Internet is uncertain. The vast majority of such laws were adopted before the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies. We do not believe that such regulations, which were adopted before the advent of the Internet, govern the operations of our business nor have any claims been filed by any state implying that we are subject to such legislation. There can be no assurance, however, that a state will not attempt to impose these regulations upon us in the future or that such imposition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Several states have also proposed legislation that would limit the uses of personal user information gathered on-line or require on-line services to establish privacy policies. The Federal Trade Commission has also initiated action against at least one on-line service regarding the manner in which personal information is collected from users and provided to third parties. Changes to existing laws or the passage of new laws intended to address these issues could create uncertainty in the marketplace that could reduce the demand for our products and services, increase our costs of doing business as a result of litigation costs or increased service delivery costs, or could in some other manner have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, because our products and services are accessible worldwide, other jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in a particular state or foreign country. We are qualified to do business in Nevada and our failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in a jurisdiction where we are required to do so could subject us to taxes and penalties for the failure to qualify and could result in our inability to enforce contracts in such jurisdictions. Any new legislation or regulation, or the application of laws or regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR ANTICIPATED FUTURE GROWTH IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE THE GROWTH OF OUR PROPOSED OPERATIONS.
We expect to experience significant growth in our number of employees and scope of operations. Our future success will be highly dependent upon our ability to successfully manage the expansion of our operations. Our ability to manage and support our growth effectively will be substantially dependent on our ability to implement adequate improvements to financial and management controls, reporting, order entry systems, and other procedures and hire sufficient numbers of financial, accounting, administrative, and management personnel. Our expansion and the resulting growth in the number of our employees will result in increased responsibility for both existing and new management personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, attract, and retain experienced accounting and financial personnel. Our future operating results will depend on the ability of our management and other key employees to implement and improve our systems for operations, financial control, and information management and to recruit, train, and manage our employee base. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve or manage any such growth successfully or to implement and maintain adequate financial and management controls and procedures. Any inability to do so would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our future success depends upon our ability to address potential market opportunities while managing our expenses to match our ability to finance operations. This need to manage our expenses will place a significant strain on our management and operational resources. If we are unable to manage our expenses effectively, our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be adversely affected.
PENNY STOCK RULES MAY MAKE BUYING OR SELLING OUR COMMON STOCK DIFFICULT.
Our common stock in the past has been, and from time to time in the future may be, subject to the "penny stock" rules as promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In the event that no exclusion from the definition of a "penny stock" under the Exchange Act is available, then any broker engaging in a transaction in our common stock will be required to provide each customer with
* a risk disclosure document;
* disclosure of market quotations, if any;
* disclosure of the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; and
* monthly account statements showing the market values of our securities held in the customer's accounts.
The bid and offer quotation and compensation information must be provided prior to effecting the transaction and must be contained on the customer's confirmation. Certain brokers are less willing to engage in transactions involving "penny stocks" as a result of the additional disclosure requirements described above, which may make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to dispose of their shares.
INVESTORS SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE A DIVIDEND IN THE FUTURE.
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not currently anticipate that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we intend to apply earnings to the expansion and development of our business.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY.
We sublease approximately 2,200 square feet of executive office space in Scottsdale, Arizona. The initial term of this sublease expires in May 2003.
We also sublease approximately 1,100 square feet of office space for web developers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The initial term of this sublease expires in November 2003.
We believe that our current leased space is sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. We have no other properties and have no agreements to acquire any properties.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCBB under the symbol "QMCI." The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock for the calendar quarters indicated.
High Low ------- ------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001: First Quarter.......................................... $ 0.63 $ 0.11 Second Quarter......................................... 0.25 0.13 Third Quarter.......................................... 0.34 0.11 Fourth Quarter......................................... 0.34 0.16 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002: First Quarter.......................................... $ 0.50 $ 0.19 Second Quarter......................................... 0.25 0.14 Third Quarter.......................................... 0.16 0.07 Fourth Quarter......................................... 0.14 0.04 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003: First Quarter (as of March 10, 2003)................... $ 0.09 $ 0.05 |
As of March 10, 2003, there were approximately 387 holders of record of our common stock. As of March 10, 2003, the closing price for our common stock was $0.07.
DIVIDENDS
For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any future earnings to finance our operations and do not anticipate paying cash dividends with respect to our common stock. Subject to the preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors from time to time out of legally available funds. Payments of any cash dividends in the future will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, and capital requirements as well as other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
From October to December 2002, we issued a total of 2,500,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.04 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $100,000 as part of a private equity financing. Two accredited and one non-accredited investor participated in the offering. We paid $7,500 and issued 1,250,000 in restricted common stock as commissions associated with this offering. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In October 2002, we issued 1,150,000 shares registered under an S-8 registration statement at a price of $0.09 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $103,500 to a consultant as consideration for services rendered to our company.
In November 2002, we issued a total of 800,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.05 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $40,000 as part of a private equity financing. Thirteen non-accredited investors participated in the offering. No commissions were associated with this offering. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In November 2002, we issued a total of 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.05 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $100,000 as part of a private equity financing. Ten non-accredited investors participated in the offering. No commissions were associated with this offering. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In November and December of 2002, we issued a total of 1,600,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.05 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $80,000 as part of a private equity financing. Two non-accredited investors participated in the offering. No commissions were associated with this offering. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In December 2002, we issued a total of 580,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.05 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $29,000 as part of a private equity financing. Two accredited and four non-accredited investors participated in the offering. We paid $2,250 and issued 45,000 in restricted common stock as commissions associated with this offering. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In December 2002, we issued 450,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.04 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $18,000 to a consultant as consideration for sales and marketing services rendered to our company. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
In December 2002, we issued 912,500 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $0.08 per share, or an aggregate offering price of $73,000 to an officer of our company, as partial repayment of funds advanced to our company. We issued these shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
ITEM 6. PLAN OF OPERATION
Our plan of operation over the next 12 months will focus primarily on the market introduction of our streaming, real-time financial software applications. In addition, we will focus on completing other financial software applications in the development stage and bringing those products to market. These activities may give rise to additional products that may be commercialized by our company. There can be no assurance, however, that our efforts will result in marketable products or products that can be produced at commercially acceptable costs.
We will require additional capital to execute our proposed plan of operation. There can be no assurance that such additional capital will be available to our company, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Our future performance will be subject to a number of business factors, including those beyond our control, such as economic downturns and evolving industry needs and preferences as well as the level of competition and our ability to successfully market our products and technology. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement a marketing strategy, generate significant revenue, or achieve profitable operations. In addition, because our company has had only limited operations to date, there can be no assurance that our estimates will prove to be accurate or that unforeseen events will not occur.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE
Revenue consists of advertising fees generated from sponsorship advertisements and licensing fees generated from our software applications. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $43,871 compared to $11,027 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase is due to the launch of our subscription based streaming products in 2002.
WEBSITE CONTENT
Website content expenses consist primarily of fees paid to our strategic partners for providing financial content such as news, stock quotes, charts, company background data, and general information. Website content expenses for the year ended December 31, 2002, were $157,510 compared with $185,675 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease is due to our discontinuing certain web content contracts and re-negotiating lower rates for existing website content.
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Professional fees consist primarily of legal and accounting fees. Professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2002 were ($369) compared with $93,173 for the year ending December 31, 2001. The decrease is due to a decrease in legal and trademarking activity in addition to higher than normal legal expenses in the previous year due to our settlement of a pending legal case. The recovery of professional fees relates to the cancellation of shares of our common stock previously issued for professional services. The shares were cancelled due to non-performance and resulted in a reversal of approximately $10,000 in professional fees.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the design, programming, and testing of our software applications. Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2002, were $167,178 compared with $292,216 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease is due to the completion of many of the applications previously under development.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Business development consists primarily of sales and marketing, investor relations, travel, and printing expenses. Business development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2002 were ($161,512) compared to $784,705 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The recovery of business development expenses relates to the cancellation of shares of our common stock previously issued for business development expenses issues in 2001. The shares were cancelled due to non-performance and resulted in a reversal of approximately $351,750 in business development expenses .
OFFICE
Office expenses consist primarily of salaries, rent, computer equipment leases, computer maintenance and storage expenses. Office expenses for the year ended December 31, 2002, were $321,316 compared to $748,864 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease is due to lower salary and premises expenses during the year and shares issued for consulting services issued in 2001.
FINANCING EXPENSE
During the year ended December 31, 2002, we incurred $388,250 in financing fees associated with loans and private equity financing transacted during the year compared to $329,265 for the year ended December 31, 2001. Of the $388,250 in financing fees incurred in 2002, $339,500 related to the issuance of 1,330,000 shares of our common stock as a financing fee.
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME
Interest and other income consist of interest earned on cash and money market investments and gains and losses realized from the sale of marketable securities. Interest and other income for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $126 compared to a loss of $2,633 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase is due to a loss on marketable securities incurred in 2001.
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD
As a result of the foregoing, we incurred a loss for the year ended December 31, 2002, of $828,376 or approximately $(0.02) per share, compared to a loss of $2,425,504 or approximately $(0.10) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2001.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our cash totaled $190,200 at December 31, 2002, compared to $201,020 at December 31, 2001, a decrease of $10,820. Net cash of $686,534 was used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2002, primarily resulting from our net loss for the year and the decrease in accounts payable, offset by the increase in due to related parties and the issuance of capital stock for services. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002, was $12,534, resulting from the purchase of fixed assets. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002, was $688,248, resulting from the issuance of new capital stock, offset by the decrease in note payable.
Subsequent to December 31, 2002, we issued a total of 1,600,000 shares of restricted common stock for total proceeds of $80,000. We believe that cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our current operations through April 2002. After that date, we will require additional financings, which may come from future equity or debt offerings that could result in dilution to our stockholders. Adequate working capital may not be available and the lack of such working capital could adversely affect our ability to continue business operations.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Reference is made to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto, and the Report of Independent Public Accountants thereon commencing at page F-1 of this Report, which Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes, and Report are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and executive officers:
NAME AGE POSITION ---- --- -------- Robert J. Thompson...... 60 Chairman Of the Board David M. Shworan........ 35 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director R. Keith Guelpa......... 56 Chief Operating Officer and Director Keith J. Randall........ 36 Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary |
Our listed officers and directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Vacancies in our existing Board of Directors are filled by majority
vote of the remaining directors. Our officers serve at the will of our Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any executive officer and director.
ROBERT J. THOMPSON has served as our Chairman of the Board since February 2000. Since May 1996, Mr. Thompson has served as the President of BIMSI Marketing Services, Inc., Vancouver, Canada, a privately held company that manages the worldwide marketing activities for Birkman International, Inc., Houston, Texas, which is one of the world's leading companies providing employee behavior assessment reports utilized by Fortune 500 companies. From October 1994 until May 1996, he served as President of The Robert Thompson Partnership, Certified Management Consultants Inc., a division of which was the predecessor firm of Bimsi Marketing Services. For over 30 years, Mr. Thompson practiced as a professional management consultant and was a partner of KPMG Management Consultants, Woods Gordon/Clarkson Gordon, and Ernst & Whinney. He has served as a director on many boards and until recently served as Chairman of C.M. Oliver Inc., a Canadian-based investment dealer.
DAVID M. SHWORAN has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director since November 2002. Mr. Shworan is a veteran of online marketing and Internet business. Mr. Shworan is the co-founder of Bravenet Web Services, Inc., a webmaster tools and services site for web developers, and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bravenet since September 1997. Mr. Shworan is the founder of several Internet companies, and has been a consultant to Internet companies for the past three years.
R. KEITH GUELPA has served as our Chief Operating Officer since November 2002 and as a director since July 1999. Mr. Guelpa served as our President and Chief Executive Officer, from July 1999 until November 2002. From March 1999 until June 1999, Mr. Guelpa served as President of R.K. Guelpa & Associates, a private consulting company. From January 1998 until February 1999, Mr. Guelpa was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mailbank.com, Inc., Vancouver, Canada, a privately held Canadian Internet based corporation which owned the largest registration of top level domain names in the world. From November 1995 until December 1997, Mr. Guelpa served as President/CDO of C.M. Oliver Inc., a publicly held Canadian corporation offering brokerage/financial planning and investment banking services. Mr. Guelpa received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia in 1970.
KEITH J. RANDALL has served as our Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer since September 1999 and Secretary since July 2000. From August 1998 until August 1999, Mr. Randall served as controller of C.M. Oliver & company Ltd., a publicly held Canadian corporation offering brokerage/financial planning, and investment banking services. Mr. Randall served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of C.M. Oliver from August 1999 until March 2000. From April 1998 until August 1998, Mr. Randall served as a consultant with KPMG, Inc., an accounting firm. From December 1997 until April 1998, Mr. Randall served as the Chief Financial Officer for Vantage Securities Inc., a Canadian brokerage firm. From November 1995 until December 1997, Mr. Randall served as an exchange examiner for the Vancouver Stock Exchange. From September 1991 until November 1995, Mr. Randall was employed as a chartered accountant with KPMG, Inc. Mr. Randall is a licensed chartered accountant in Canada. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honors from Queen's University in May 1991. He devotes substantially all of his business time to our business.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Directors, officers, and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon our review of the copies of such forms that we received during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that each person who at any time during the fiscal year was a director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during such fiscal year.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
SUMMARY OF CASH AND OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, and 2002 earned by our Chief Executive Officer and one other officer who served as our Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2002. None of our other executive officers cash salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 during fiscal 2002.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM COMPENSATION ------------ AWARDS ------------ SECURITIES UNDERLYING ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($)(1) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION ($) --------------------------- ---- ------------ ------------ ---------------- David M. Shworan.................... 2002 $ -- (3) 20,000,000(3) $ -- Chief Executive Officer (2) R. Keith Guelpa..................... 2002 $ 36,458(5) 871,875(5) $ 30,000(6) Chief Operating Officer, 2001 $ 125,000 -- $ 50,000(6) President, and Director (4) 2000 $ 175,000 350,000 $ -- |
(2) Mr. Shworan was named our Chief Executive Officer effective November 13, 2002.
(3) Pursuant to his employment agreement, we will not pay or accrue salary for Mr. Shworan until determined by us and him at a later date. In connection with his employment, we granted to Mr. Shworan as a signing bonus five-year warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock, which were vested as of the date of grant, and warrants to purchase an additional 16,000,000 shares of common stock, which vest pursuant to our company achieving various monthly net revenue targets and common stock price targets.
(4) Mr. Guelpa served as our Chief Executive Officer from July 1999 to November 2002. Effective November 13, 2002, Mr. Guelpa was named our Chief Operating Officer.
(5) During 2001, $73,983 of Mr. Guelpa's salary was accrued but remained unpaid at December 31, 2001. During 2002, Mr. Guelpa forgave $23,983 of the salary payable. The remaining $50,000 was paid to Mr. Guelpa and loaned back to us. During 2002, Mr. Guelpa also agreed to receive a reduced salary of $36,458 in exchange for receiving warrants to purchase 871,875 shares of common stock at an average exercise price of $0.09. See "Executive Compensation - Option Grants."
(6) In May 2000, we loaned Mr. Guelpa $80,000 to provide relocation assistance. During 2001, our Board of Directors approved forgiving $50,000 of the loan. During 2002, our Board of Directors approved forgiving the remaining $30,000 of loan and the accrued interest.
OPTION GRANTS
The following table provides information on stock options granted to the officers listed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS NUMBER OF SECURITIES % OF TOTAL UNDERLYING OPTIONS EXERCISE OPTIONS GRANTED IN PRICE EXPIRATION NAME GRANTED (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH)(1) DATE ---- ----------- ----------- --------- ---- David M. Shworan....... 4,000,000(2) 18.6% $0.05 11/13/07 16,000,000(3) 74.6% $0.05 11/13/07 R. Keith Guelpa........ 367,875(4) 1.7% $0.05 10/31/07 324,625(4) 1.5% $0.09 09/04/07 179,375(4) 1.0% $0.15 05/24/07 |
OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information respecting the options held by the officers listed as of December 31, 2002. The officers listed did not exercise options during fiscal 2002.
OPTIONS HELD AND VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE MONEY OPTIONS OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END(#) AT FISCAL YEAR-END($)(1) ----------------------------- ----------------------------- NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE ---- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- David M. Shworan........ 4,000,000 16,000,000 $ 40,000 $ 160,000 R. Keith Guelpa......... 1,221,875 -- $ 3,679 $ -- |
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
During March 1999, we adopted, and our stockholders approved, the 1999 Stock Option Plan to advance the interests of our company by encouraging and enabling key employees to acquire a financial interest in our company and link their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of our stockholders. A total of 400,000 shares of common stock was initially reserved for issuance under the plan. In September 1999, this number was increased to 2,500,000 and further increased to 6,000,000 during 2001. As of March 18, 2002, no shares of our common stock had been issued upon exercise of options granted under the plan, and there were outstanding options to acquire 5,165,000 shares of our common stock under the plan.
The plan is administered by our board of directors or a committee appointed by our board. Our board or the committee has the authority to grant options, determine the purchase price of shares of our common stock covered by each option, determine the persons who are eligible under the plan, interpret the plan, determine the terms and provisions of an option agreement, and make all other determinations deemed necessary for the administration of the plan. Options may be granted to any director, officer, key employee, or any advisory board member of our company. Incentive stock options may not be granted to a director, consultant, or advisory board member that is not an employee of our company.
The price of any incentive stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The price of any incentive stock options granted to a person who owns more than 10% of our common stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The option price for non-incentive stock options may not be less than 50% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options may be granted for terms of up to but not exceeding ten years from the date of grant, however, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to an individual who beneficially owns 10% more of the stock of our company, the exercise period shall not exceed five years from the date of grant. Our board of directors may accelerate the exerciseability of any outstanding options at any time for any reason.
In the event of any change in the number of shares of our common stock, the number of shares of common stock covered by outstanding options and the price per share of such options will be adjusted accordingly to reflect any such changes. Similar changes will also be made if our company engages in any merger, consolidation, or reclassification in which is it the surviving entity. In the event that we are not the surviving entity, each option shall terminate provided that each holder will have the right to exercise during a ten period ending on the fifth day prior to such corporate transaction. In the event of a change of control, our board or the committee may terminate each option, provided that each holder receive the amount of cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the each option and the fair market value of each share of stock subject to such option.
Our board may suspend, terminate, modify, or amend the plan provided that, in certain instances, the holders of a majority of our common stock issued and outstanding approve the amendment.
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
Our Board of Directors has approved our 2003 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, approval by our stockholders at the annual meeting held on February 14, 2003 . The purpose of the 2003 equity plan is to assist our company in attracting, motivating, retaining, and rewarding high-quality executives and other employees, directors, officers, and independent contractors by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in our company in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and our stockholders, and providing such persons with annual and long-term performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value.
Presently, the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2003 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan is equal to 10,000,000. As of December 31, 2002, no shares of common stock had been issued upon exercise of options granted under the 2003 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and there were no options outstanding under the 2003 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.
The terms of the equity plan provide for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock, deferred stock, other stock-related awards, and performance or annual incentive awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property. The effective date of the equity plan is November 22, 2002.
Under the equity plan, the total number of shares of common stock that may be subject to the granting of awards under the equity plan at any time during the term of the equity plan shall not exceed 10,000,000 shares. As of December 31, 2002, we had not granted any options to purchase shares of our common stock under the equity plan. None of these options have been exercised.
In addition, the equity plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain awards in part to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Under these limitations, during any fiscal year the number of options, SARs, restricted shares of common stock, deferred shares of common stock, shares as a bonus or in lieu of other company obligations, and other stock-based awards granted to any one participant may not exceed 1,000,000 for each type of such award, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The maximum amount that may be paid out as an annual incentive award or other cash award in any fiscal year to any one participant is $2,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned as a performance award or other cash award in respect of a performance period by any one participant is $5,000,000.
We have authorized a committee to adjust the limitations described in the two preceding paragraphs and to adjust outstanding awards (including adjustments to exercise prices of options and other affected terms of awards) in the event that a dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares of common stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the common stock so that an adjustment is appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants. The committee is also authorized to adjust performance conditions and other terms of awards in response to these kinds of events or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION
The persons eligible to receive awards under the equity plan are the officers,
directors, employees, and independent contractors of our company. The equity
plan is to be administered by a committee designated by our Board of Directors
consisting of not less than two directors, each member of which must be a
"non-employee director" as defined under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and
an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. However,
except as otherwise required to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, or
Section 162(m) of the Code, our Board of Directors may exercise any power or
authority granted to the committee. Subject to the terms of the equity plan, the
committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to select eligible persons to
receive awards, determine the type and number of awards to be granted and the
number of shares of common stock to which awards will relate, specify times at
which awards will be exercisable or settleable (including performance conditions
that may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and conditions of
awards, prescribe forms of award agreements, interpret and specify rules and
regulations relating to the equity plan, and make all other determinations that
may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the equity plan.
STOCK OPTIONS AND SARS
The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to grant stock options, including both incentive stock options, or ISOs, which can result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant, and nonqualified stock options, and SARs entitling the participant to receive the amount by which the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise (or defined "change in control price" following a change in control) exceeds the grant price of the SAR. The exercise price per share subject to an option and the grant price of an SAR are determined by the committee, but in the case of an ISO must not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. For purposes of the equity plan, the term "fair market value" means the fair market value of common stock, awards, or other property as determined by the committee or our Board of Directors or under procedures established by the committee or our Board of Directors. Unless otherwise determined by the committee or our Board of Directors, the fair market value of common stock as of any given date shall be the closing sales price per share of common stock as reported on the principal stock exchange or market on which common stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there is no sale on that date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported. The maximum term of each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR will be exercisable,
and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options or SARs at or following termination of employment generally are fixed by the committee or our Board of Directors, except that no option or SAR may have a term exceeding ten years. Options may be exercised by payment of the exercise price in cash, shares that have been held for at least six months, outstanding awards, or other property having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, as the committee or our Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Methods of exercise and settlement and other terms of the SARs are determined by the committee or our Board of Directors. SARs granted under the equity plan may include "limited SARs" exercisable for a stated period of time following a change in control of our company, as discussed below.
RESTRICTED AND DEFERRED STOCK
The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to grant restricted stock and deferred stock. Restricted stock is a grant of shares of common stock that may not be sold or disposed of, and that may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment, prior to the end of a restricted period specified by the committee or our Board of Directors. A participant granted restricted stock generally has all of the rights of a stockholder of our company, unless otherwise determined by the committee or the Board. An award of deferred stock confers upon a participant the right to receive shares of common stock at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to possible forfeiture of the award in the event of certain terminations of employment prior to the end of a specified restricted period. Prior to settlement, an award of deferred stock carries no voting or dividend rights or other rights associated with share ownership, although dividend equivalents may be granted, as discussed below.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to grant dividend equivalents conferring on participants the right to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, shares of common stock, other awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid on a specific number of shares of common stock or other periodic payments. Dividend equivalents may be granted alone or in connection with another award, may be paid currently or on a deferred basis and, if deferred, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of common stock, awards, or otherwise as specified by the committee or our Board of Directors.
BONUS STOCK AND AWARDS IN LIEU OF CASH OBLIGATIONS
The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to grant shares of common stock as a bonus free of restrictions, or to grant shares of common stock or other awards in lieu of company obligations to pay cash under the equity plan or other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as the committee or our Board of Directors may specify.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to grant awards that are denominated or payable in, valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of common stock. Such awards might include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock, purchase rights for shares of common stock, awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of our company or any other factors designated by the committee or our Board of Directors, and awards valued by reference to the book value of shares of common stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries or business units. The committee or our Board of Directors determines the terms and conditions of such awards.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS, INCLUDING ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS
The right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of an award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions (including subjective individual goals) as may be specified by the committee or our Board of Directors. In addition, the equity plan authorizes specific annual incentive awards, which represent a conditional right to receive cash, shares of common stock, or other awards upon achievement of certain preestablished performance goals and subjective individual goals during a specified fiscal year. Performance awards and annual incentive awards granted to persons whom the committee expects will, for the year in which a deduction arises, be "covered employees" (as defined below) will, if and to the extent intended by the committee, be subject to provisions that should qualify such awards as "performance-based compensation" not subject to the limitation on tax deductibility by us under Code Section 162(m). For purposes of Section 162(m),
the term "covered employee" means our chief executive officer and each other person whose compensation is required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC by reason of that person being among our four highest compensated officers as of the end of a taxable year. If and to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, any power or authority relating to a performance award or annual incentive award intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code is to be exercised by the committee and not our Board of Directors.
Subject to the requirements of the equity plan, the committee or our Board of Directors will determine performance award and annual incentive award terms, including the required levels of performance with respect to specified business criteria, the corresponding amounts payable upon achievement of such levels of performance, termination, and forfeiture provisions and the form of settlement. In granting annual incentive or performance awards, the committee or our Board of Directors may establish unfunded award "pools," the amounts of which will be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of certain business criteria described in the equity plan (including, for example, total stockholder return, net income, pretax earnings, EBITDA, earnings per share, and return on investment). During the first 90 days of a fiscal year or performance period, the committee or our Board of Directors will determine who will potentially receive annual incentive or performance awards for that fiscal year or performance period, either out of the pool or otherwise.
After the end of each fiscal year or performance period, the committee or our Board of Directors will determine
* the amount of any pools and the maximum amount of potential annual incentive or performance awards payable to each participant in the pools; and
* the amount of any other potential annual incentive or performance awards payable to participants in the equity plan.
The committee or our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable as an annual incentive or performance award will be reduced from the amount of any potential award.
OTHER TERMS OF AWARDS
Awards may be settled in the form of cash, shares of common stock, other awards or other property, in the discretion of the committee or our Board of Directors. The committee or our Board of Directors may require or permit participants to defer the settlement of all or part of an award in accordance with such terms and conditions as the committee or the Board may establish, including payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred amounts, and the crediting of earnings, gains and losses based on deemed investment of deferred amounts in specified investment vehicles. The committee or our Board of Directors is authorized to place cash, shares of common stock, or other property in trusts or make other arrangements to provide for payment of our obligations under the equity plan. The committee or our Board of Directors may condition any payment relating to an award on the withholding of taxes and may provide that a portion of any shares of common stock or other property to be distributed will be withheld (or previously acquired shares of common stock or other property be surrendered by the participant) to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. Awards granted under the equity plan generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or to a designated beneficiary upon the participant's death, except that the committee or our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, permit transfers for estate planning or other purposes subject to any applicable restrictions under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act.
Awards under the equity plan are generally granted without a requirement that the participant pay consideration in the form of cash or property for the grant (as distinguished from the exercise), except to the extent required by law. The committee or our Board of Directors may, however, grant awards in exchange for other awards under the equity plan, awards under other company plans, or other rights to payment from us, and may grant awards in addition to and in tandem with such other awards, rights, or other awards.
ACCELERATION OF VESTING; CHANGE IN CONTROL
The committee or our Board of Directors may in the case of a "change of control" of our company, as defined in the equity plan, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability, the lapsing of restrictions, or the expiration of deferral or vesting periods of any award (including the cash settlement of SARs and "limited SARs" which may be exercisable in the event of a change in control). In
addition, the committee or our Board of Directors may provide in an award agreement that the performance goals relating to any performance based award will be deemed to have been met upon the occurrence of any "change in control." Upon the occurrence of a change in control, if so provided in the award agreement, stock options and limited SARs (and other SARs which so provide) may be cashed out based on a defined "change in control price," which will be the higher of
* the cash and fair market value of property that is the highest price per share paid (including extraordinary dividends) in any reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or sale of substantially all assets of our company; or
* the highest fair market value per share (generally based on market prices) at any time during the 60 days before and 60 days after a change in control.
For purposes of the equity plan, the term "change in control" generally means
* approval by stockholders of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation or other transaction or series of transactions if persons who were shareholders immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the reorganized, merged, or consolidated company's then outstanding, voting securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of our company or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of our company (unless the reorganization, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, liquidation, dissolution or sale is subsequently abandoned),
* a change in the composition of our Board of Directors such that the persons constituting the Board of Directors on the date the award is granted, or the Incumbent Board, and subsequent directors approved by the Incumbent Board (or approved by such subsequent directors), cease to constitute at least a majority of our Board of Directors, or
* the acquisition by any person, entity or "group", within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act, of more than 50% of either the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the combined voting power of our company's then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors excluding, for this purpose, any acquisitions by (1) our company, (2) any person, entity, or "group" that as of the date on which the award is granted owns beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of a controlling interest, or (3) any employee benefit plan of our company.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Our Board of Directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the equity plan or the committee's authority to grant awards without further stockholder approval, except stockholder approval must be obtained for any amendment or alteration if such approval is required by law or regulation or under the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which shares of common stock are then listed or quoted. Thus, stockholder approval may not necessarily be required for every amendment to the equity plan which might increase the cost of the equity plan or alter the eligibility of persons to receive awards. Stockholder approval will not be deemed to be required under laws or regulations, such as those relating to ISOs, that condition favorable treatment of participants on such approval, although our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, seek stockholder approval in any circumstance in which it deems such approval advisable. Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the equity plan will terminate at such time as no shares of common stock remain available for issuance under the equity plan and we have no further rights or obligations with respect to outstanding awards under the equity plan.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AWARDS OF OPTIONS
The following is a brief description of the federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to awards of options under the equity plan.
The grant of an option will create no tax consequences for the participant or our company. A participant will not have taxable income upon exercising an ISO (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an option other than an ISO, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of
the freely transferable and non-forfeitable shares of common stock acquired on the date of exercise.
Upon a disposition of shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the applicable ISO holding periods, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the date of exercise of the ISO minus the exercise price, or (ii) the amount realized upon the disposition of the ISO shares of common stock minus the exercise price. Otherwise, a participant's disposition of shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an option (including an ISO for which the ISO holding periods are met) generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the participant's tax basis in such shares of common stock (the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the option).
We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option. We generally are not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant. Accordingly, we will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to an ISO if the participant holds the shares of common stock for the ISO holding periods prior to disposition of the shares.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 added Section 162(m) to the Code, which generally disallows a public company's tax deduction for compensation to covered employees in excess of $1 million in any tax year beginning on or after January 1, 1994. Compensation that qualifies as "performance-based compensation" is excluded from the $1 million deductibility cap, and therefore remains fully deductible by the company that pays it. As discussed above, we intend that options and certain other awards granted to employees whom the committee expects to be covered employees at the time a deduction arises in connection with such awards, qualify as such "performance-based compensation," so that such awards will not be subject to the Section 162(m) deductibility cap of $1 million. Future changes in Section 162(m) or the regulations thereunder may adversely affect our ability to ensure that options or other awards under the equity plan will qualify as "performance-based compensation" that is fully deductible by our company under Section 162(m).
The foregoing discussion, which is general in nature and is not intended to be a complete description of the federal income tax consequences of the equity plan, is intended for the information of stockholders considering how to vote at the meeting and not as tax guidance to participants in the equity plan. This discussion does not address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local, or foreign tax laws. Participants in the equity plan should consult a tax advisor as to the tax consequences of participation.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information with respect to our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights to purchase shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2002.
(c) (a) Number of Securities Number of Securities (b) Remaining Available for to be Issued Upon Weighted Average Future Issuance Under Exercise of Exercise Price of Equity Compensation Plans Outstanding Options, Outstanding Options, (Excluding Securities Plan Category Warrants, and Rights Warrants, and Rights Reflected in Column (a)) ------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------------ Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders.............. 2,500,000 $0.30 -- Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders........... 25,866,875 (2) $0.06 10,985,000 (1) ----------- ----------- Total.................... 28,366,875 10,985,000 =========== =========== |
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
On November 13, 2002, we entered into a two-year employment agreement with David
M. Shworan to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. At that time, and as a
condition of his employment, Mr. Shworan agreed to arrange for an affiliated
company to purchase 800,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.05 per
share each six-month period commencing on November 12, 2002, up to an aggregate
of 4,800,000 shares ($240,000). We will not be obligated to pay or accrue cash
compensation to Mr. Shworan until determined by the parties at a future date. In
connection with his employment, we granted to Mr. Shworan as a signing bonus
five-year warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $0.05 per share. One-twelfth of the warrants will vest each
month during the first year of the agreement. In addition, we granted to Mr.
Shworan warrants to purchase an additional 16,000,000 shares of common stock at
an exercise price of $0.05 per share, which vest pursuant to our company
achieving various monthly net revenue targets and common stock price targets, as
follows:
Monthly Net Revenue Targets (1) Warrants Vested ------------------------------- --------------- $ 40,000 3,000,000 $ 60,000 1,000,000 $250,000 1,000,000 $750,000 1,000,000 Share Price Targets (2) Warrants Vested ----------------------- --------------- $0.50 1,000,000 $0.75 1,000,000 $1.00 3,000,000 $1.50 2,000,000 $2.00 3,000,000 ---------- |
(1) The respective warrants will vest at such time as our company records an average of the indicated target level during a three-month period. The warrants will not vest until a three-month average of a target level is achieved.
(2) The respective warrants will vest at such time as the market value of our common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board achieves a one-month average of the indicated target level. We have a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Guelpa, our Chief Operating Officer, terminating in July 2004. The employment agreement was amended on November 13, 2002 and provides for a base salary of $60,000 per year. The agreement provides for incentive based compensation based upon our company achieving various profitability levels. In the event we record net income of $10.0 million, we will grant to Mr. Guelpa options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock. If we terminate Mr. Guelpa's employment without cause, we have agreed to pay Mr. Guelpa a lump sum payment of two years' salary and all perquisites. If we terminate Mr. Guelpa following a merger, takeover, or any other event that changes more than 25% ownership of our company, we have agreed to pay Mr. Guelpa a lump sum payment of three years' salary and all perquisites. Such lump sum payment will equal one years' salary and perquisities in the event Mr. Guelpa terminates his employment following such transaction. We offer our employees, including officers, medical benefits. Our executive officers and other key personnel are eligible to receive discretionary bonuses, and are eligible to receive stock options under our stock option plans.
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the shares of our outstanding common stock beneficially owned as of March 10, 2003 by (i) each of our directors and executive officers, (ii) all directors and executive officers as a group, and (iii) each other person who is known by us to beneficially own or to exercise voting or dispositive control over more than 5% of our common stock.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) NUMBER OF SHARES (2) PERCENT ------------------- -------------------- ------- DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS David M. Shworan.................................. 5,349,300(3) 9.7% R. Keith Guelpa................................... 11,278,303(4) 18.7% Keith J. Randall.................................. 991,792(5) 1.9% Robert J. Thompson................................ 1,100,000(6) 2.1% All executive officers and directors as a group (four persons).................................. 18,719,395 28.8% 5% STOCKHOLDERS Duane Nelson...................................... 6,062,317(7) 10.8% |
(2) The percentages shown are calculated based upon 52,286,704 shares of common stock outstanding on March 10, 2003. The numbers and percentages shown include the shares of common stock actually owned as of March 10, 2003 and the shares of common stock that the identified person or group had the right to acquire within 60 days of such date. In calculating the percentage of ownership, all shares of common stock that the identified person or group had the right to acquire within 60 days of March 10, 2003 upon the exercise of options are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock owned by such person or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock owned by any other person.
(3) Represents 1,011,800 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Shworan and 1,600,000 shares owned by Mr. Shworan's wife. Also includes 37,500 shares of common stock owed by Bravenet Web Services, Inc. of which Mr. Shworan is a control person. Mr. Shworan disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also includes vested options and warrants to acquire directly 2,200,000 shares of common stock and vested warrants for Bravenet Web Services, Inc. to acquire 500,000 shares of common stock.
(4) Represents 1,313,600 shares of our common stock owned directly and 2,000,000 shares of our common stock owned by Mr. Guelpa's wife. Also includes 7,964,703 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants held by Mr. Guelpa. Mr. Guelpa disclaims ownership of any shares of common stock or warrants held by his wife.
(5) Represents 25,000 shares of common stock and vested options and warrants to acquire 966,762 shares of common stock.
(6) Represents vested options to acquire 1,100,000 shares of common stock.
(7) Represents 1,392,000 shares of common stock and vested options to acquire 3,670,317 shares of common stock.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
During November 13, 2002, we entered into a two-year employment agreement with Mr. Shworan to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. See "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements." At that time, and as a condition to his employment, Mr. Shworan agreed to arrange for an affiliated company to purchase 800,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.05 per share each six-month period commencing on November 12, 2002, up to an aggregate of 4,800,000 shares. We will not be obligated to pay or accrue cash compensation to Mr. Shworan until determined by the parties at a future date. In connection with his employment, we granted to Mr. Shworan as a signing bonus five-year warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. One-twelfth of the warrants will vest each month during the first year of the agreement. In addition, we granted to Mr. Shworan warrants to purchase an additional 16,000,000 warrants at an exercise price of $0.05 per share, which vest pursuant to our company achieving various monthly net revenue targets and common stock price targets, as described under "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements."
In May 2000, we relocated our corporate offices to Scottsdale, Arizona. Our company loaned Mr. Keith Guelpa, our Chief Executive Officer, $80,000 to provide relocation assistance. The loan bears interest at the rate of prime plus 0.5%. Repayment terms are at the discretion of our board of directors. During 2001, our Board of Directors approved forgiving $50,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the loan, and during 2002, our Board of Directors approved forgiving the remaining $30,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the loan and the outstanding accrued interest. During 2001, Mr. Guelpa made loans to us and deferred salary that combined totaled $265,000 at December 31, 2001. To compensate Mr. Guelpa, we awarded him a total of 5,395,914 warrants at an average price of $0.16. In 2002, Mr. Guelpa loaned us an additional $53,850, of which $26,100 was repaid during 2002, and agreed to a reduced salary of approximately $36,500. In exchange for such reduction in salary, we granted to Mr. Guelpa warrants to purchase 1,098,958 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.05 to $0.20 per share. See "Executive Compensation - Option Grants." Mr. Guelpa also personally incurred costs totaling approximately $129,000 associated with financing our company. In exchange for agreeing to loan us this amount and in lieu of interest paid on outstanding loans to us, we granted to Mr. Guelpa warrants to purchase 5,773,329 shares of common stock at an exercise prices ranging from $0.09 to $0.20 per share.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS, LIST, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------ ---------------------- 3.1 Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation 3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws 4.1 Form of Pooling Agreement executed by certain of the Company's shareholders (1) 10.2 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and R. Keith Guelpa (1) 10.3 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Keith Randall (1) 10.4 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Duane Nelson (1) 10.5 1999 Stock Option Plan (1) 10.6 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and David M. Shworan 10.7 2003 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan 21 List of Subsidiaries 23.1 Consent of Allan Hutchison, CPA, Independent Auditors 99.1 Certification by Chief Executive Officer 99.2 Certification by Chief Financial Officer ---------- |
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the Commission on December 21, 1999.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Based on their evaluation, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of the filing of this report, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and sufficient to ensure that we record, process, summarize, and report information required to be disclosed by us in our periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
Subsequent to the date of their evaluation, there have not been any significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, including any corrective action with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 10, 2003 QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC. By: /s/ David M. Shworan ------------------------------------- David M. Shworan President and Chief Executive Officer |
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Robert J. Thompson Chairman of the Board March 10, 2003 --------------------------- Robert J. Thompson /s/ R. Keith Guelpa Chief Operating Officer, March 10, 2003 --------------------------- and Director R. Keith Guelpa /s/ Keith J. Randall Vice President, Treasurer, March 10, 2003 --------------------------- Secretary, and Chief Financial Keith J. Randall Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ David M. Shworan Chief Executive Officer, March 10, 2003 --------------------------- President and Director David M. Shworan (Principal Executive Officer) |
CERTIFICATION
I, Dave Shworan, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Quotemedia, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 10, 2003 /s/ David M. Shworan ---------------------------------- David M. Shworan Chief Executive Officer |
CERTIFICATION
I, Keith J. Randall, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Quotemedia, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 10, 2003 /s/ Keith J. Randall ---------------------------------- Keith J. Randall Chief Financial Officer |
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent Auditors' Report F-1 Balance Sheet F-2 Statements of Operations F-3 Statements of Stockholders' Equity F-4 Statements of Cash Flows F-5 Notes to Financial Statements F-6 - F-12 |
ALLAN G. HUTCHISON, CPA PARADISE VILLAGE OFFICE PARK 11811 NORTH TATUM BLVD., #P-199 PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85028-1616 TELEPHONE: (602) 953-6996 FACSIMILE: (602) 953-6993 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT |
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
We have audited the balance sheet of QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC. as at December 31, 2002 and the statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe our audit report provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements, referred to above, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans regarding these matters also are described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Phoenix, Arizona Allan G. Hutchison, CPA March 21, 2003
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC. BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2002 ASSETS DECEMBER 31, 2002 ----------------- CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 190,200 Accounts receivable 12,685 Deposits 15,946 ----------- Total current assets 218,831 Fixed assets, net (Note 3) 44,999 ----------- $ 263,830 =========== |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 186,552 Note payable 112,023 Deferred revenue 1,360 Due to related parties, net 238,074 ----------- 538,009 ----------- |
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 48,968,104 shares issued for 2002 and 33,714,529 issued for 2001 (Note 5) 48,969 Additional paid-in capital 5,708,075 Accumulated deficit (6,031,223) ----------- (274,179) ----------- $ 263,830 =========== |
See accompanying notes
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 DECEMBER 31, 2001 ----------------- ----------------- OPERATING REVENUE Licensing fees $ 31,330 $ 7,856 Advertising 12,541 3,171 ------------ ------------ 43,871 11,027 OPERATING EXPENSES Business development (Note 5 (b)) (161,512) 784,705 Financing expense 388,250 329,265 Office (Note 5 (b)) 321,316 748,864 Professional fees (Note 5 (b)) (369) 93,173 Research and development 167,178 292,216 Website content 157,510 185,675 ------------ ------------ 872,373 2,433,898 ------------ ------------ OPERATING LOSS (828,502) (2,422,871) OTHER INCOME Interest and other income (loss) 126 (2,633) ------------ ------------ ============ ============ LOSS FOR PERIOD $ (828,376) $ (2,425,504) ============ ============ EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.02) $ (0.10) ============ ============ WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic and diluted 38,396,310 23,672,406 ============ ============ |
See accompanying notes
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
COMMON STOCK -------------------------- ADDITIONAL SHARE TOTAL NUMBER OF PAID-IN SUBSCRIPTION ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS' SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL RECEIVABLE DEFICIT EQUITY ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2000 20,557,612 $ 20,558 $ 2,943,705 -- $(2,777,343) $ 186,920 Shares issued - for cash 4,285,000 4,285 424,215 -- -- 428,500 Shares issued - for services 8,156,917 8,157 1,302,250 -- -- 1,310,407 Shares issued - for debt 715,000 715 70,785 -- -- 71,500 Share subscription receivable -- -- -- (20,000) -- (20,000) Loss for period -- -- -- -- (2,425,504) (2,425,504) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2001 33,714,529 33,715 4,740,955 (20,000) (5,202,847) (448,177) =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== Shares issued - for cash 12,180,004 12,180 671,820 -- -- 684,000 Shares issued - for services 5,105,000 5,105 651,645 -- -- 656,750 Shares issued - for debt 1,912,500 1,913 171,087 -- -- 173,000 Shares canceled (Note 6(b)) (3,943,929) (3,944) (527,432) -- -- (531,376) Share subscription receivable -- -- -- 20,000 -- 20,000 Loss for period -- -- -- -- (828,376) (828,376) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2002 48,968,104 $ 48,969 $ 5,708,075 -- $(6,031,223) $ (274,179) =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== |
See accompanying notes
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 DECEMBER 31, 2001 ----------------- ----------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: LOSS FOR PERIOD $ (828,376) $(2,425,504) ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE LOSS TO NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Depreciation 16,599 14,710 Loss on sale of marketable securities -- 2,794 Issuance of capital stock for services, net of canceled shares 125,374 1,310,407 CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: Accounts receivable (12,685) 3,443 Deposits (542) 15,134 Accounts payable (158,585) 227,491 Deferred revenue 1,360 (2,055) Due from related parties 170,321 337,616 ----------- ----------- NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (686,534) (515,964) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sale of marketable securities -- 81,626 Purchase of marketable securities -- (43,000) Fixed assets (12,534) (16,256) ----------- ----------- NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (12,534) 22,370 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Increase (decrease) in note payable -- 150,000 Repayment of note payable (15,752) (69,250) Increase in financing fee payable -- 47,025 Share subscription receivable 20,000 (20,000) Issuance of capital stock for cash 684,000 428,500 ----------- ----------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 688,248 536,275 ----------- ----------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (10,820) 42,681 CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 201,020 158,339 ----------- ----------- CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 190,200 $ 201,020 =========== =========== |
See supplementary information (note 7)
See accompanying notes
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
1. GOING CONCERN
Our financial statements are prepared using generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. However, we have had limited revenues to date. Management intends to obtain additional financing, which may come from future equity or debt offerings. Financing may not be available, however, and without realization of additional capital, it would be unlikely for the Company to continue as a going concern.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) NATURE OF OPERATIONS
We are a software developer and Application Service Provider, specializing in the collection, aggregation, and unique delivery of both delayed and real-time financial data content via the Internet. We develop and license unique Web-based software components that deliver cost effective, dynamic content to websites of brokerage firms, financial institutions, mutual fund companies, portals, public companies, Fortune 500 companies, and corporate intranets.
b) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents include money market investments that are redeemable on demand.
c) FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a declining-balance basis at a rate of 30%. In the years of acquisition and disposal, depreciation is calculated at one-half the normal rate. Management believes that this method approximates the assets' useful lives.
d) LOSS PER SHARE
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" requires the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share takes into account shares outstanding (computed under basic earnings per share) and potentially dilutive common shares (such as stock options outstanding). The effect of a stock split or reverse split is applied retroactively to preceding periods. For 2002 and 2001, all common stock equivalents were anti-dilutive.
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
e) STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
We have elected under FAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation", to account for employee stock options using the intrinsic value method. This method is described in Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and related interpretations. As we grant all stock options with an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common shares on the date of the grant, no compensation expense is required to be recognized under APB 25. FAS No. 123 uses a fair value method of calculating the cost of stock option grants. Had compensation cost for our employee stock option plan been determined by this method, our net loss and loss per share would have been as follows:
2002 2001 ------------ ------------ Net income: As reported $ (828,376) $ (2,425,504) Pro forma (1,771,198) (3,462,135) Basic and diluted earnings per share: As reported (0.02) (0.10) Pro forma (0.05) (0.15) |
The weighted average fair value of the options and warrants granted during the year is $0.17 per share.
The fair value of each option on the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for 2002: expected dividend yield of 0%, expected stock price volatility of 166%, a risk free interest rate of 5%; and an expected life of options of one year.
f) INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are provided in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes". A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between income for financial statement purposes and income for tax purposes as well as operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax expenses or recovery result from the net change during the year of deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when, in the opinion of management, it is likely that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred taxes are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates. No income taxes were paid in 2002.
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
g) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals requires management to make estimates and assumptions that effect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at the year end and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results may vary from the estimates.
h) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
We expense research and development costs as they are incurred. To date we have had no significant software development costs that would be required to be capitalized pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed".
i) REVENUE RECOGNITION
We recognize revenue from sales of products and services upon the later of transfer of title or upon shipment of the product to the customer or rendering of the service, so long as collectibility is reasonably assured. We record deferred revenue when we receive cash in advance of the revenue recognition criteria being met.
j) NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 addresses significant issues relating to the implementation of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," and develops a single accounting model, based on the framework established in SFAS No. 121 for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, whether such assets are or are not deemed to be a business. SFAS No. 144 also modifies the accounting and disclosure rules for discontinued operations. The standard was adopted on January 1, 2002, and is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements except that any future discontinued operations may be presented in the financial statements differently under the new rules as compared to the old rules.
In July 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 (FAS 146), "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." The statement requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, plant closing or other exit or disposal activity. This statement is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. FAS 146 may affect the timing of our recognition of future exit or disposal costs, if any.
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -- Transition and Disclosure ("SFAS No. 148"). SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition to SFAS No. 123's fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 and Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require disclosure in the summary of significant accounting policies of the effects of an entity's accounting policy with respect to stock-based employee compensation on reported net income and earnings per share in annual and interim financial statements. The disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 are applicable to all companies with stock-based employee compensation, regardless of whether they account for that compensation using the fair value method of SFAS No. 123 or the intrinsic value method of APB Opinion No. 25. SFAS No. 148's amendment of the transition and annual disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The additional disclosures required under SFAS No. 148 have been included in Note 5.
3. FIXED ASSETS
Cost $ 90,875 Accumulated Depreciation (45,876) -------- Net Value $ 44,999 ======== |
4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On November 13, 2002, we entered into a two-year employment agreement with Mr. David Shworan to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. At that time, and as a condition of his employment, Mr. Shworan agreed to arrange for an affiliated company to purchase 800,000 shares of our common stock each month, at a price of $0.05 per share, for a six-month period commencing on November 12, 2002, up to an aggregate of 4,800,000 shares.
In May 2000, we relocated our corporate head office to Scottsdale, Arizona. We loaned Mr. Keith Guelpa, our Chief Executive Officer at the time, $80,000 to provide relocation assistance. The loan bears interest at the rate of prime plus 0.5%. Repayment terms are at the discretion of our board of directors. During 2001, our Board of Directors approved forgiving $50,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the loan, and during 2002, our Board of Directors approved forgiving the remaining $30,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the loan .
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
5. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
a) PREFERRED SHARES
We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 non-designated preferred shares. As at December 31, 2002 no preferred shares have been issued.
b) CANCELED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK During 2002, we canceled a total of 3,943,929 shares of our common stock which resulted in the reversal of $531,376 in expenses previously |
recognized. The shares were canceled due to non-performance. During 2002, 100,000 shares were canceled resulting in the reversal of $100,000 of office expenses, 8,929 shares were canceled resulting in the reversal of $10,626 of professional fees, and 2,935,000 shares were canceled resulting in the reversal of $420,750 of business development expenses.
c) STOCK OPTION PLAN
We have a stock option plan whereby shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted to employees, officers, directors, advisors, and our independent contractors. The exercise price of the common stock underlying an option will be determined by the Board of Directors or compensation committee and may be equal to, greater than, or less than the fair market value but in no event less than 50% of fair market value. The options generally vest after one year unless, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, alternative vesting methods are allowed. The term of each option is determined at the time it is granted and may extend to a maximum of ten years. At December 31, 2002, we had reserved 6,000,000 options for issuance under the stock option plan. Options may also be granted outside our stock option plan. Options granted outside the plan generally contain terms that are more restrictive in nature and have a maximum expiration term of five years. We may grant an unlimited number of options outside our stock option plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2002
5. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
The following table sets forth certain stock option and warrant information:
Options and Weighted-Average Warrants Exercise Price ----------- ----------- Outstanding at December 31, 2000 1,975,000 $ 0.55 Granted under company stock option plan 3,365,000 $ 0.19 Granted outside company stock option plan -- Warrants granted 7,774,764 $ 0.16 Exercised (75,000) $ 2.00 Cancelled (100,000) $ 0.75 ----------- ----------- Outstanding at December 31, 2001 12,939,764 $ 0.19 ----------- ----------- Granted under company stock option plan 250,000 $ 0.13 Granted outside company stock option plan -- Warrants granted 28,704,900 $ 0.07 Expired (500,000) $ 0.10 Cancelled (1,727,852) $ 0.18 ----------- ----------- Outstanding at December 31, 2002 39,666,812 $ 0.10 =========== =========== |
Options and Warrants Outstanding Options and Warrants Exercisable -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- Weighted Number Average Weighted Number Weighted Range of Outstanding at Remaining Average Exercisable at Average Exercise Price Dec. 31, 2002 Contractual Life Exercise Price Dec. 31, 2002 Exercise Price -------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- $0.05-1.68 12,939,764 4.32 $0.10 19,500,145 $0.16 |
As at December 31, 2002 all stock options and warrants have been granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant therefore no compensation expense has been recognized for grants of stock options and warrants in the statement of operations.
6. COMMITMENTS
We have premise leases and web server storage commitments totaling $43,126 extending to May 2003.
7. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
2002 2001 ------- ------ Cash flow information: Non-cash financing activities Issuance of capital stock for debt 173,000 71,500 |
8. COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain figures in the comparative period have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In 2003, we issued a total of 1,600,000 shares of our restricted common stock at $0.05 for total proceeds of $80,000.
In 2003, our stockholders approved a proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 shares. Stockholders also approved changing the name of our company to QuoteMedia, Inc. from Quotemedia.com, Inc.
EXHIBIT 3.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
QUOTEMEDIA, INC.
Quotemedia, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies as follows:
1. Pursuant to Section 78.403 of the Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated, these Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation restate, in their entirety, and amend, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation.
2. The text of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby restated to read in its entirety as follows:
FIRST: The name and of the Corporation shall be Quotemedia, Inc.
SECOND: The Corporation's registered office in the state of Nevada is located at 311 N. Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701. The name of its resident agent at that address is State Agent and Transfer Syndicate, Inc.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Nevada.
FOURTH: The said Corporation is to have perpetual existence unless dissolved according to law.
FIFTH: The total number of shares of all classes which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 110,000,000, of which 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Shares, par value $0.001 per share, and 100,000,000 shall be Common Shares, par value $0.001 per share, and the designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the shares of each class are as follows:
1. PREFERRED SHARES: The Corporation may divide and issue the Preferred Shares in series. Preferred Shares of each series when issued shall be designated to distinguish them from the shares of all other series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly vested with authority to divide the class of Preferred Shares into series and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any such series so established to the full extent permitted by these Articles of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Nevada in respect of the following:
(a) The number of shares to constitute such series, and the distinctive designations thereof;
(b) the rate and preference of dividends, if any, the time of payment of dividends, whether dividends are cumulative and the date from which any dividend shall accrue;
(c) whether shares may be redeemed and, if so, the redemption price and the terms and conditions of redemption;
(d) the amount payable upon shares in event of involuntary liquidation;
(e) the amount payable upon shares in event of voluntary liquidation;
(f) sinking fund or other provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase of shares;
(g) the terms and conditions on which shares may be converted, if the shares of any series are issued with the privilege of conversion;
(h) voting powers, as a class, to elect up to two directors to the Board of Directors, if any; and
(i) any other relative rights and preferences of shares of such series including, without limitation, any restriction on an increase in the number of shares of any series theretofore authorized and any limitation or restriction of rights or powers to which shares of any future series shall be subject.
2. COMMON SHARES:
(a) The rights of holders of Common Shares to receive dividends or share in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution, winding up of the affairs of the Corporation shall be subject to the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the Preferred Shares fixed in the resolution of resolutions which may be adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation providing for the issuance of one or more series of the Preferred Shares.
(b) The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Shares held by them of record at the time for determining the holders thereof entitled to vote.
(c) Unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, at all meetings of stockholders a majority of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum.
(d) The stockholders, by vote or concurrence of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation, or any class or series thereof, entitled to vote on the subject matter, may take any action which, except
for this provision, would require a two-thirds vote under the Nevada Corporation Code.
SIXTH: Cumulative voting in the election of Directors shall not be permitted by this Corporation.
SEVENTH: A stockholder of the Corporation shall not be entitled to a preemptive right to purchase, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire any unissued or treasury shares of stock of the Corporation, or any options or warrants to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any such unissued or treasury shares or any shares, bonds, notes, debentures, or other securities convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any such unissued or treasury shares.
EIGHTH: The governing board of this Corporation shall be known as directors. The affairs and management of this Corporation shall be under the control of the Corporation's Board of Directors, which shall consist of not less than one (1) nor more than seven (7) directors, to serve until his, her, or their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until the Corporation is required by statute or otherwise to increase the number of Board members.
NINTH: None of the directors or officers of this Corporation shall, in the absence of fraud, be disqualified by his office from contracting, leasing, or otherwise dealing with this corporation, either as a vendor, lessor, purchaser, or otherwise, of which he shall be a member or in which he may be pecuniarily interested in any manner from doing business with the Corporation. No director or officer, nor any firm, association, or corporation or with which he is connected as aforesaid shall be liable to account to this Corporation or its stockholders for any profit realized by him from or through any such contract, lease, or transaction, it being the express intent and purpose of this Article to permit this Corporation to buy or lease from, sell to or otherwise deal with partnerships, firms, or corporations of which the directors and officers or in which they or any of them may have a pecuniary interest, and that the contracts or leases of this Corporation, in the absence of fraud, not be void or voidable or affected in any manner by reason of any such membership. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof which authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction.
TENTH:
1. The Corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (except that an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the shares or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
2. The Corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he 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, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses including amounts paid in settlement and attorney fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; but no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the Corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses which such court deems proper.
3. To the extent that a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in (1) or (2) or this Article Tenth or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorney fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
4. Any indemnification under (1) or (2) of this Article Tenth (unless ordered by a court) and as distinguished from (3) of this Article shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in (1) or (2) above. Such determination shall be made by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding, or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or by the stockholders.
5. Expenses (including attorney fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition in (3) or (4) above, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent to repay such amount unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article Tenth.
6. The indemnification provided by this Article Tenth shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, and any procedure provided for by any of the foregoing, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
7. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, 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 provisions of this Article Tenth.
8. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Nevada, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director or officer of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director of officer.
ELEVENTH: The Corporation shall be permitted to conduct business in other states of the United States and to have one or more offices outside of the state of Nevada.
TWELFTH: The Board of Directors and stockholders of this Corporation shall have the right to hold their meetings outside of the state of Nevada when deemed most convenient or to the best interests of the Corporation.
THIRTEENTH: The Board of Directors may at any meeting, by a majority vote, sell, lease, exchange, and/or convey all of its property and assets, including its goodwill and or its corporate franchises, upon such terms and conditions and
for such consideration or considerations as the Board of Directors in their sole discretion deem expedient and for the best interest of the Corporation and said consideration or considerations may consist in whole or in part of shares of stock and/or securities of any other corporation or corporations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in all such cases the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock of said Corporation then issued and outstanding shall be voted in ratification of the Board of Directors action, said vote to be taken at a special stockholders' meeting of the Corporation, duly called for that purpose. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the power of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and said Board shall have power in its sole discretion to sell, lease, exchange and/or convey such parts of parcels of land or personal property or assets as the Board of Directors determine are no longer necessary or expedient to be held by the Corporation. It is, however, specifically understood that the Board of Directors may at their discretion create a lien or mortgage on any or all of the assets of the Corporation in order to borrow money should the Board of Directors feel that it is necessary for the conduct of the business.
FOURTEENTH: Stockholders shall at all times have the right to examine the books of the Corporation except as limited by these Articles of Incorporation. Such examination as hereinafter provided shall be made only by the stockholder in person, and no extract from the books or records of the Corporation shall be permitted to be made by any stockholder(s) of the Corporation. Such stockholder shall give assurance in writing satisfactory to the Board of Directors that he does not desire the information required or to be obtained by such inspection for the purpose of communicating the same to others who are not stockholders and, further, that he will not directly or indirectly disclose the Company's business or affairs to any person or persons whomsoever.
No information in regard to the business or operations of the Corporation and no copy of, or extract from, any of the books or records of the Corporation shall be furnished to any person by any officer or director of the Corporation except by direction and/or approval by the Board of Directors. Stockholders desiring information in regard to the business or operations of the Corporation, or desiring to make inspection of the books or records, shall first make application in writing to the Board of Directors stating the specific purpose of the application, the particular information desired and the books and records required for that purpose by such stockholder before such examination, and shall further satisfy the Board of Directors that said application is made in good faith and that said examination will not be detrimental to the interests of the Corporation.
FIFTEENTH: The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of any shares of the Corporation as the owner thereof for all purposes, including all rights deriving from such shares, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such shares or rights deriving from such shares on the part of any other person including without limiting the generality hereof, a purchaser, assignee, or transferee of such shares or rights deriving from such shares, unless and until such other person becomes the registered holder of such shares, whether or not the Corporation shall have either actual or constructive notice of the claimed interest of such other person. By way of example and not of limitation, until such person has become the registered holder of such shares, he shall not be entitled: to receive notice of the meetings of the stockholders; to vote at such
meetings; to examine a list of the stockholders; to be paid dividends or other sums payable to stockholders; or to own, enjoy, and exercise any other rights deriving from such shares against the Corporation.
SIXTEENTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to make and amend such prudential bylaws as they deem proper and not inconsistent with the Constitution or the laws of the United States or of this state for the management of the property of this Corporation, the regulation and government of its affairs, and for the certificate and transfer of its stock.
CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDENT
The undersigned, being the duly elected President of Quotemedia, Inc., a Nevada corporation, hereby certifies that the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation included hereinabove, were approved by a majority of the stockholders of the Corporation by a vote of 28,674,903 in favor, 204,436 against, 131,010 abstaining, at a meeting of the Corporation's stockholders duly called pursuant to notice, held on the 14th day of February, 2003.
/s/ David M. Shworan ----------------------------------- By: David Shworan Title: President |
EXHIBIT 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
QUOTEMEDIA, INC.
ADOPTED AS OF NOVEMBER 22, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE Article 1 Stockholders........................................................1 1.1 Annual Meetings.....................................................1 1.2 Special Meetings....................................................1 1.3 Location of Meetings................................................1 1.4 Notice..............................................................1 1.5 Waiver of Notice....................................................1 1.6 Conduct of Meetings.................................................1 1.7 Quorum..............................................................2 1.8 Action by Consent of Stockholders...................................2 1.9 Record Date.........................................................2 Article 2 Directors...........................................................3 2.1 Qualifications and Number...........................................3 2.2 Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies...........................3 2.3 Meetings............................................................3 2.4 Action Without a Meeting............................................4 2.5 Committees..........................................................4 Article 3 Officers............................................................4 3.1 Required Officers...................................................4 3.2 Qualifications......................................................4 3.3 Term of Office and Vacancies........................................4 3.4 Resignation.........................................................5 3.5 Removal.............................................................5 3.6 Powers and Duties...................................................5 Article 4 Indemnification.....................................................5 4.1 Right to Indemnification............................................5 4.2 Prepayment of Expenses..............................................5 4.3 Claims..............................................................5 4.4 Nonexclusivity of Rights............................................6 4.5 Other Indemnification...............................................6 4.6 Amendment or Repeal.................................................6 Article 5 Miscellaneous.......................................................6 5.1 Fiscal Year.........................................................6 5.2 Notice, What Constitutes............................................6 5.3 Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors, and Committees......................................................6 5.4 Form of Records.....................................................6 5.5 Amendment of Bylaws.................................................7 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF QUOTEMEDIA, INC. (Effective as of November 22, 2002) |
ARTICLE 1
STOCKHOLDERS
1.1 ANNUAL MEETINGS. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors on such date and at such time as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.
1.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors, the president, or stockholders holding 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares. No other person or persons may call special meetings of stockholders. Each special meeting shall be held on such date and at such time as is determined by the person or persons calling the meeting.
1.3 LOCATION OF MEETINGS. Each annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Nevada, as may be determined by the Board of Directors, or if no determination is made, at such place as may be determined by the president, or by any other officer authorized by the Board of Directors or the president to make such determination.
1.4 NOTICE. Notice of each annual or special meeting shall be in writing and signed by the president or vice president, or the secretary, or an assistant secretary, or by such other natural person or persons designated by the Board of Directors. The notice must state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and the date and time when, and the place where it is to be held. The notice shall contain such additional information as may be required by applicable law or determined by the Board of Directors. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, notice shall be given to such persons at such time, and in such manner, as the Board of Directors shall determine or if no determination is made, as the president, or any other officer so authorized by the Board of Directors or the president, shall determine.
1.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE. Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting by a writing signed by such stockholder, or the stockholder's duly authorized attorney, either before or after the meeting.
1.6 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, each annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be conducted in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Board of Directors may determine and as to matters not governed by such rules and procedures, as the chairperson of the meeting shall determine. The chairperson of any annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the Board of Directors and, in the absence of any such designation, shall be the president. Stockholders may participate in any annual or special meeting of stockholders by means of a telephone conference call or similar method of communication by which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other. Any such participation constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
1.7 QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of persons holding at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
1.8 ACTION BY CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the 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, shall be 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.
1.9 RECORD DATE. 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 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 a record date, which record
date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date
is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (1) in the case of
determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or
adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than
60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting; (2) in the case of
determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in
writing without a meeting, shall not be more than 10 days from the date upon
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors; and (3) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than 60
days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on
the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (2) the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in
writing without a meeting when no prior action of the Board of Directors is
required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent
setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the
Corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action of the Board
of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on
which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and
(3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be
at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the
resolution relating thereto. 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.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
2.1 QUALIFICATIONS AND NUMBER. Each director must be at least 18 years of age and a natural person. A director need not be a stockholder of this Corporation or a resident of the State of Nevada. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, with the specific number to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
2.2 ELECTION; RESIGNATION; REMOVAL; VACANCIES. The Board of Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders and each director shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Any newly created directorship or any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any cause may be filled 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 or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Directors shall be removed in the manner provided by the Nevada General Corporation Law. Any director may be removed by the stockholders of the Corporation only for cause at a meeting called for that purpose. The notice of the meeting shall state that the purpose or one of the purposes of the meeting is removal of the director. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal.
2.3 MEETINGS.
(a) TIME AND LOCATION. Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at such time and place within or without the State of Nevada as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or the person calling the meeting.
(b) CALL. No call shall be required for the regular meetings for which the time and place have been fixed by the Board of Directors. Special meetings may be called by or at the direction of the president or of a majority of the directors then in office.
(c) NOTICE. Notice need not be given for regular meetings for which the time and place have been fixed by the Board of Directors. Notice of the time, date, and location of a special meeting shall be given by the person or persons call the meeting at least 24 hours before the special meeting.
(d) QUORUM AND ACTION. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, or the Articles of Incorporation, the act of the directors holding a majority of the voting power of the directors, present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, is the act of the Board of Directors.
(e) TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, 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 committee by means of a telephone conference or similar method of communication by which all persons participating can hear each other.
Participation in a meeting in accordance with this subsection constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
2.4 ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by all of the members of the Board of Directors or of the committee, as the case may be. The written consent must be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be.
2.5 COMMITTEES.
(a) The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees of the Board of Directors, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided by law and in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers on which the Corporation desires to place a seal. The committee or committees shall have the name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
(b) Unless the Board of Directors designates one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace an absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, the members of any committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting may, whether or not they constitute a quorum, unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member of the committee. At meetings of any committee, a majority of the members or alternate members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of members or alternate members present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee.
(c) The committees shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings.
ARTICLE 3
OFFICERS
3.1 REQUIRED OFFICERS. The Corporation must have a president, secretary, and a treasurer. The Board of Directors may, if it so desires, choose from its members, a chairman of the board and a vice chairman of the board. The Corporation may also have one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, and assistant treasurers, and such other officers and agents as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Officers shall be chosen by the Board of Directors or chosen in the manner determined by the Board of Directors.
3.2 QUALIFICATIONS. Each officer must be a natural person and any natural person may hold two or more offices.
3.3 TERM OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution choosing the officer, each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been chosen or until his or her earlier resignation or
removal. Any vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors or in the manner determined by the Board of Directors.
3.4 RESIGNATION. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. The resignation shall take effect as of the date received or at any later time specified in the notice. The resignation need not be accepted to be effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of the Corporation, if any.
3.5 REMOVAL. Without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of an officer, any officer may be removed with or without cause by the Board of Directors or in the manner determined by the Board of Directors.
3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES. The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management and operation of the Corporation as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their office, subject to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 4
INDEMNIFICATION
4.1 RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another Corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (an "Indemnitee"), against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys' fees) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee. The Corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if the initiation of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
4.2 PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.
4.3 CLAIMS. If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses under this Article is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnitee has been received by the Corporation, the Indemnitee may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that
the Indemnitee was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
4.4 NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this Article IV shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders, or disinterested directors or otherwise.
4.5 OTHER INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or nonprofit enterprise.
4.6 AMENDMENT OR REPEAL. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IV shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
5.2 NOTICE, WHAT CONSTITUTES. Notices to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram, e-mail, facsimile, or telephone.
5.3 WAIVER OF NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, AND COMMITTEES. Any written waiver of notice, 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, directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
5.4 FORM OF RECORDS. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs, or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.
5.5 AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. The power to amend, alter, and repeal these Amended and Restated Bylaws and to make new Bylaws shall be vested in the Board of Directors subject to the Bylaws, if any, adopted by the stockholders.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Quotemedia, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as in effect on the date hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed by name as of November 22, 2002.
EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC. AND DAVID M. SHWORAN
November 13,2002
Mr. Dave Shworan
Suite 202-166 Corfield
St. Parksville, BC V9P 2H5
Dear Dave,
REFERENCE: EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
This letter outlines your employment contract as President/CEO of QuoteMedia.com Inc. As President/CEO you will provide overall leadership to the company. In your role, and as a condition precedent to this contract, you agree to arrange for Bravenet Services Inc. to invest $240,000 US in a QuoteMedia Private Placement ($40,000 for each of six months commencing November 12, 2002 at a offering price of $.05/share):
1. COMMENCEMENT DATE: November 15,2002
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT: This agreement will be for a two-year period renewable based on both parties agreement. You may terminate this agreement at any time upon providing 4 weeks notice, however if you terminate this contract prior to the conclusion of the first year, you will be subject to the provisions contained in paragraph 10 herein entitled "Retractable Warrants".
3. REMUNERATION: Salary to be paid for your position will be determined in the future. However, the salary will not be payable or accrued until such time as the company can afford to pay it.
4. SIGNING BONUS: A signing bonus of 4,000,000 warrants at $.05, with an expiry date of 5 years and vested upon commencement of employment will be given to you. The warrants will be issued as per the standard company policy of "net exercise" pricing. This warrant bonus will be subject to the section on "Retractable Warrants " under this agreement.
5. NET EXERCISE PRICING OF WARRANTS: Warrant holder may execute a "net exercise" pricing award whereby the Company agrees to simultaneously buy back shares of Common stock issueable upon such exercise at the prevailing market price (closing market price on day of exercise) in the amount of the exercise payment required to be paid by the Warrant holder (warrants exercised multiplied by warrant award price). Once the company has netted out by way of stock buyback the amount owing to it for warrants, the net balance of stock owing the holder will be issued in common shares.
6. PERFORMANCE AWARD: The company will issue you warrants as per Schedule "A" at a price of $.05 with an expiry date of 5 years and they will vest according to achievement of the thresholds outline in Schedule "A". These warrants will be issued as per the standard company policy of "net exercise" pricing. This warrant award will be subject to the section on "Retractable Warrants" under this agreement.
7. BUSINESS EXPENSES: The Company will reimburse you for all reasonable out of pocket business expenses when the company's cash position makes it feasible to do so. These expenses will be signed off by the Chairman of the Board.
8. INDEMNIFICATION: The Company will put in place Director's and Officer's Liability insurance when the company has the ability to pay for such a policy. Further, the company will take action at the Board meeting approving your appointment to give you a company indemnification from all legal actions, which may develop prior to your appointment as an Officer and Director of the Company.
9. DIRECTORSHIP: The Company will appoint you to the Board of Directors of the company and submit your name for formal ratification at the next Shareholders meeting or Consent Resolution approval.
10. RETRACTABLE WARRANTS: If you leave the employment of the company during the first year of this contract you will only be vested with a prorated share of the 4,000,000 warrants awarded to you as a signing bonus based on a 12 month formula, commencing November 15,2002.
11. SPECIAL VESTING CONDITIONS: If the Company successfully sells for $1.00 or more per share fully diluted or if the Company undergoes a takeover for $1.00 or more per share fully diluted, you will be vested with all outstanding warrants not yet vested with you according to performance chart in Schedule "A".
If this offer of employment is acceptable, please confirm your acceptance to the terms by signing below.
Sincerely yours,
QuoteMedia.com Inc.
/s/ Robert J. Thompson ---------------------- R. J. Thompson Chairman of the Board |
Terms of employment agreed to and accepted this 13th day of November 2002.
/s/ David M. Shworan ---------------------- Dave Shworan |
SCHEDULE "A"
PERFORMANCE AWARD OF WARRANTS SUMMARY
MONTHLY NET REVENUE TARGETS (1) WARRANTS AWARDED ------------------------------- ---------------- $40,000 3,000,000 $60,000 1,000,000 $250,000 1,000,000 $750,000 1,000,000 SHARE PRICE TARGETS (2) WARRANTS AWARDED ----------------------- ---------------- $.50/share 1,000,000 $.75/share 1,000,000 $1.00/share 3,000,000 $1.50/share 2,000,000 $2.00/share 3,000,000 |
(1) Notes:
- Net Revenue is defined as Gross Revenue less user exchange fees.
- All numbers are expressed in US dollars.
- All award levels are based on sustaining an average of the target
level over a three-month period. The award will not vest until a
three-month average of a target level is achieved.
(2) Notes:
- Share price levels are as per the closing price of QuoteMedia's stock
each day.
- All numbers are express in $US dollars.
- All award levels are based on sustaining an average of the target
level over a one-month period. The award will not vest until a
one-month average of a target level is achieved
EXHIBIT 10.7
QUOTEMEDIA, INC.
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
QUOTEMEDIA, INC. 2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 1. PURPOSE...................................................................1 2. DEFINITIONS...............................................................1 3. ADMINISTRATION............................................................5 (a) Authority of the Committee...........................................5 (b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority............................5 (c) Limitation of Liability..............................................6 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.....................................................6 (a) Limitation on Overall Number of Shares Subject to Awards.............6 (b) Application of Limitations...........................................6 5. ELIGIBILITY; PER-PERSON AWARD LIMITATIONS.................................6 6. SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS..................................................7 (a) General..............................................................7 (b) Options..............................................................7 (c) Stock Appreciation Rights............................................8 (d) Restricted Stock.....................................................9 (e) Deferred Stock......................................................10 (f) Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations.......................11 (g) Dividend Equivalents................................................11 (h) Other Stock-Based Awards............................................11 7. CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS..................................12 (a) Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards..............12 (b) Term of Awards......................................................12 (c) Form and Timing of Payment Under Awards; Deferrals..................12 (d) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability.............................13 8. PERFORMANCE AND ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS..................................13 (a) Performance Conditions..............................................13 (b) Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees..........13 (c) Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.....15 (d) Written Determinations..............................................16 i |
(e) Status of Section 8(b) and Section 8(c) Awards under Code Section 162(m)......................................................16 9. CHANGE IN CONTROL........................................................16 (a) Effect of "Change in Control."......................................16 (b) Definition of "Change in Control."..................................17 (c) Definition of "Change in Control Price."............................18 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................................18 (a) Compliance With Legal and Other Requirements........................18 (b) Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries............................18 (c) Adjustments.........................................................19 (d) Taxes...............................................................20 (e) Changes to the Plan and Awards......................................21 (f) Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan...........................21 (g) Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts.......................21 (h) Nonexclusivity of the Plan..........................................22 (i) Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares.............22 (j) Governing Law.......................................................22 (k) Plan Effective Date and Stockholder Approval; Termination of Plan...22 |
QUOTEMEDIA, INC.
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this 2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(the "Plan") is to assist QuoteMedia, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company")
and its subsidiaries in attracting, motivating, retaining and rewarding
high-quality executives and other employees, officers, directors and independent
contractors by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary
interest in the Company in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests
between such persons and the Company's stockholders, and providing such persons
with annual and long term performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts
in the creation of shareholder value. In the event that the Company is or
becomes a Publicly Held Corporation (as hereinafter defined), the Plan is
intended to qualify certain compensation awarded under the Plan for tax
deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code (as hereafter defined) to the
extent deemed appropriate by the Committee (or any successor committee) of the
Board of Directors of the Company.
2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof.
(a) "Annual Incentive Award" means a conditional right granted to a Participant under Section 8(c) hereof to receive a cash payment, Stock or other Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, after the end of a specified fiscal year.
(b) "Award" means any Option, SAR (including Limited SAR), Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any other right or interest, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
(c) "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such Participant's death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 10(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant's death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
(d) "Beneficial Owner", "Beneficially Owning" and "Beneficial Ownership" shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.
(e) "Board" means the Company's Board of Directors.
(f) "Cause" shall, with respect to any Participant, have the equivalent meaning (or the same meaning as "cause" or "for cause") set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary or, in the absence of any such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the failure by the Participant to perform his or her duties as assigned by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) in a reasonable manner, (ii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her employment agreement with the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary), if any, (iii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her non-competition and/or non-disclosure agreement with the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary), if any, (iv) any act by the Participant of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary), (v) chronic addition to alcohol, drugs or other similar substances affecting the Participant's work performance, or (vi) the commission by the Participant of any act, misdemeanor, or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the Participant or the Company. The good faith determination by the Committee of whether the Participant's employment was terminated by the Company for "Cause" shall be final and binding for all purposes hereunder.
(g) "Change in Control" means a Change in Control as defined with related terms in Section 9 of the Plan.
(h) "Change in Control Price" means the amount calculated in accordance with Section 9(c) of the Plan.
(i) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.
(j) "Committee" means a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee shall consist of at least two directors, and, in the event the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation (as hereinafter defined), each member of which shall be (i) a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by "non-employee directors" is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to apply to transactions under the Plan, and (ii) an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, unless administration of the Plan by "outside directors" is not then required in order to qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(k) "Corporate Transaction" means a Corporate Transaction as defined in Section 9(b)(i) of the Plan.
(l) "Covered Employee" means an Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee as specified in Section 8(e) of the Plan.
(m) "Deferred Stock" means a right, granted to a Participant under
Section 6(e) hereof, to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end
of a specified deferral period.
(n) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(o) "Disability" means a permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e) of the Code), as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee.
(p) "Dividend Equivalent" means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(g) hereof, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.
(q) "Effective Date" means the effective date of the Plan, which shall be November 22, 2002.
(r) "Eligible Person" means each Executive Officer of the Company (as defined under the Exchange Act) and other officers, Directors and employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary, and independent contractors with the Company or any Subsidiary. The foregoing notwithstanding, only employees of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be Eligible Persons for purposes of receiving any Incentive Stock Options. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
(s) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.
(t) "Executive Officer" means an executive officer of the Company as defined under the Exchange Act.
(u) "Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of Stock, Awards or other property as determined by the Committee or the Board, or under procedures established by the Committee or the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, the Fair Market Value of Stock as of any given date shall be the closing sale price per share reported on a consolidated basis for stock listed on the principal stock exchange or market on which Stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there is no sale on that date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported.
(v) "Good Reason" shall, with respect to any Participant, have the
equivalent meaning (or the same meaning as "good reason" or "for good reason")
set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or
Parent Corporation or Subsidiary or, in the absence of any such agreement, such
term shall mean (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Participant's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
assigned by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary), or any other
action by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) which results in a
diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding
for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in
bad faith and which is remedied by the Company (or Parent Corporation or
Subsidiary) promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant;
(ii) any failure by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) to comply
with its obligations to the Participant as agreed upon, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (iii) the Company's (or
Parent Corporation's or Subsidiary's) requiring the Participant to be based at any office or location outside of fifty miles from the location of employment as of the date of Award, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the Participant's responsibilities; (iv) any purported termination by the Company (or Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) of the Participant's employment otherwise than for Cause as defined in Section 2(f), or by reason of the Participant's Disability as defined in Section 2(o), prior to the Expiration Date.
(w) "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" means any Option intended to be designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(x) "Incumbent Board" means the Incumbent Board as defined in Section 9(b)(ii) of the Plan.
(y) "Limited SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.
(z) "Option" means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.
(aa) "Other Stock-Based Awards" means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h) hereof.
(bb) "Parent Corporation" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations in the chain (other than the Company) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
(cc) "Participant" means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.
(dd) "Performance Award" means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof, to receive Awards based upon performance criteria specified by the Committee or the Board.
(ee) "Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
(ff) "Publicly Held Corporation" shall mean a publicly held corporation as that term is used under Section 162(m)(2) of the Code.
(gg) "Restricted Stock" means Stock granted to a Participant under
Section 6(d) hereof, that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of
forfeiture.
(hh) "Rule 16b-3" and "Rule 16a-1(c)(3)" means Rule 16b-3 and Rule
16al (c)(3), as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and
Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(ii) "Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, and such other
securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Stock pursuant to
Section 10(c) hereof.
(jj) "Stock Appreciation Rights" or "SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.
(kk) "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity, entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% or more of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided, however, that except as otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or, during the period that the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, in order to comply with Code Section 162(m) or Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, the Board may exercise any power or authority granted to the Committee under this Plan. The Committee or the Board shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants, grant Awards, determine the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, prescribe Award agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award agreements and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein, and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee or the Board may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. In exercising any discretion granted to the Committee or the Board under the Plan or pursuant to any Award, the Committee or the Board shall not be required to follow past practices, act in a manner consistent with past practices, or treat any Eligible Person in a manner consistent with the treatment of other Eligible Persons.
(b) MANNER OF EXERCISE OF COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. In the event that the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation, the Committee, and not the Board, shall exercise sole and exclusive discretion on any matter relating to a Participant then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to the extent necessary in order that transactions by such Participant shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Any action of the Committee or the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its subsidiaries, Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 10(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and stockholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee or the Board, and the taking of any action by the Committee or the Board, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee or the Board. The Committee or the Board may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any subsidiary, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee or the Board shall determine, (i) to perform administrative functions, (ii) with respect to Participants not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions as the Committee or the Board may determine, and (iii) with respect to Participants subject to Section 16, to perform such other functions of the Committee or the Board as the Committee or the Board may determine to the extent performance of
such functions will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3
otherwise available for transactions by such persons, in each case to the extent
permitted under applicable law and subject to the requirements set forth in
Section 8(d). The Committee or the Board may appoint agents to assist it in
administering the Plan.
(c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Committee and the Board, and each member thereof, shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any executive officer, other officer or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the Company's independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and the Board, and any officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or the Board, shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.
(a) LIMITATION ON OVERALL NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall be the sum of (i) 10,000,000, plus (ii) the number of shares with respect to Awards previously granted under the Plan that terminate without being exercised, expire, are forfeited or canceled, and the number of shares of Stock that are surrendered in payment of any Awards or any tax withholding with regard thereto. Any shares of Stock delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, in no event shall the aggregate number of shares of Stock which may be issued pursuant to ISOs exceed 5,000,000 shares.
(b) APPLICATION OF LIMITATIONS. The limitation contained in Section 4(a) shall apply not only to Awards that are settleable by the delivery of shares of Stock but also to Awards relating to shares of Stock but settleable only in cash (such as cash-only SARs). The Committee or the Board may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.
5. ELIGIBILITY; PER-PERSON AWARD LIMITATIONS. Awards may be granted under
the Plan only to Eligible Persons. In each fiscal year during any part of which
the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may not be granted Awards relating to
more than 5,000,000 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 10(c), under each of Sections 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(f), 6(g), 6(h),
8(b) and 8(c). In addition, the maximum amount that may be earned as an Annual
Incentive Award or other cash Award in any fiscal year by any one Participant
shall be $2,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned as a Performance
Award or other cash Award in respect of a performance period by any one
Participant shall be $5,000,000.
6. SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS.
(a) GENERAL. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee or the Board may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee or the Board shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee or the Board shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee or the Board is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of Nevada law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant (but not the exercise) of any Award.
(b) OPTIONS. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee or the Board, provided that such exercise price shall not, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant of the Option and shall not, in any event, be less than the par value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such Option. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.
(ii) TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee or the Board shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which Options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of employment or upon other conditions, the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid (including in the discretion of the Committee or the Board a cashless exercise procedure), the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any subsidiary, or other property (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.
(iii) ISOS. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the
Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be
interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority
granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the
Plan or any ISO under Section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant
has first requested the change that will result in such
disqualification. Thus, if and to the extent required to comply with
Section 422 of the Code, Options granted as Incentive Stock Options
shall be subject to the following special terms and conditions:
(A) the Option shall not be exercisable more than ten years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent Corporation and the Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Participant, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) for no more than five years from the date of grant; and
(B) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and all other option plans of the Company or its Parent Corporation during any calendar year exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year shall not (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) exceed $100,000.
(iv) REPURCHASE RIGHTS. The Committee and the Board shall have the discretion to grant Options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock. Should the Optionee cease to be employed with or perform services to the Company (or a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) while holding such unvested shares, the Company shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Committee or the Board and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right.
(c) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) RIGHT TO PAYMENT. A SAR shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of stock on the date of exercise (or, in the case of a "Limited SAR" that may be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control, the Fair Market Value determined by reference to the Change in Control Price, as defined under Section 9(c) hereof), over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee or the Board. The grant price of an SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant except as provided under Section 7(a) hereof.
(ii) OTHER TERMS. The Committee or the Board shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of employment or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Limited SARs that may only be exercised in connection with a Change in Control or other event as specified by the Committee or the Board, may be granted on such terms, not inconsistent with this Section 6(c), as the Committee or the Board may determine. SARs and Limited SARs may be either freestanding or in tandem with other Awards.
(d) RESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) GRANT AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee or the Board may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee or the Board). During the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, subject to Section 10(b) below, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board at the time of the Award, upon termination of a Participant's employment during the applicable restriction period, the Participant's Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided that the Committee or the Board may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event
of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee or the Board may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock.
(iii) CERTIFICATES FOR STOCK. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee or the Board shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee or the Board may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.
(iv) DIVIDENDS AND SPLITS. As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee or the Board may require that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock or applied to the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.
(e) DEFERRED STOCK. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to Participants, which are rights to receive Stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) AWARD AND RESTRICTIONS. Satisfaction of an Award of Deferred Stock shall occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Deferred Stock by the Committee or the Board (or, if permitted by the Committee or the Board, as elected by the Participant). In addition, Deferred Stock shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee or the Board may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine. Deferred Stock may be satisfied by delivery of Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by the Deferred Stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee or the Board at the date of grant or thereafter. Prior to satisfaction of an Award of Deferred Stock, an Award of Deferred Stock carries no voting or dividend or other rights associated with share ownership.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, upon termination of a Participant's employment during the applicable deferral period thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award agreement evidencing the Deferred Stock), the Participant's Deferred Stock that is at that time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the Participant) shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee or the Board may
provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Deferred Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee or the Board may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Deferred Stock.
(iii) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board at date of grant, Dividend Equivalents on the specified number of shares of Stock covered by an Award of Deferred Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Deferred Stock at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) deferred with respect to such Deferred Stock and the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, as the Committee or the Board shall determine or permit the Participant to elect.
(f) BONUS STOCK AND AWARDS IN LIEU OF OBLIGATIONS. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of Company obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, provided that, in the case of Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within the discretion of the Committee to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Stock or other Awards are exempt from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee or the Board.
(g) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a freestanding basis or in connection with another Award. The Committee or the Board may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee or the Board may specify.
(h) OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee and the Board each is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee or the Board to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee or the Board, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries or business units. The Committee or the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Stock
delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration (including without limitation loans from the Company or a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary), paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, as the Committee or the Board shall determine. The Committee and the Board shall have the discretion to grant such other Awards which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock. Should the Optionee cease to be employed with or perform services to the Company (or a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary) while holding such unvested shares, the Company shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Committee or the Board and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h).
7. CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS.
(a) STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM, AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee or the Board, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any subsidiary, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a subsidiary, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any subsidiary. Such additional, tandem, and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award or award, the Committee or the Board shall require the surrender of such other Award or award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company or any subsidiary, in which the value of Stock subject to the Award is equivalent in value to the cash compensation (for example, Deferred Stock or Restricted Stock), or in which the exercise price, grant price or purchase price of the Award in the nature of a right that may be exercised is equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock minus the value of the cash compensation surrendered (for example, Options granted with an exercise price "discounted" by the amount of the cash compensation surrendered).
(b) TERM OF AWARDS. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee or the Board; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or SAR exceed a period of ten years (or such shorter term as may be required in respect of an ISO under Section 422 of the Code).
(c) FORM AND TIMING OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS; DEFERRALS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee or the Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or the Board or upon occurrence of one or more specified events
(in addition to a Change in Control). Installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee or the Board (subject to Section 10(e) of the Plan) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee or the Board. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of a reasonable interest rate on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.
(d) EXEMPTIONS FROM SECTION 16(B) LIABILITY. If and to the extent that
the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation, it is the intent of the
Company that this Plan comply in all respects with applicable provisions of Rule
16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) to the extent necessary to ensure that neither the
grant of any Awards to nor other transaction by a Participant who is subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act is subject to liability under Section 16(b)
thereof (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by
such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award
agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Rule
16a-1(c)(3) as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision will be
construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) so that such Participant shall
avoid liability under Section 16(b). In addition, the purchase price of any
Award conferring a right to purchase Stock shall be not less than any specified
percentage of the Fair Market Value of Stock at the date of grant of the Award
then required in order to comply with Rule 16b-3.
8. PERFORMANCE AND ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS.
(a) PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS. The right of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee or the Board. The Committee or the Board may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Sections 8(b) and 8(c) hereof in the case of a Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). At such times as the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, if and to the extent required under Code Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to a Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), shall be exercised by the Committee and not the Board.
(b) PERFORMANCE AWARDS GRANTED TO DESIGNATED COVERED EMPLOYEES. If and to the extent that the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of preestablished performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 8(b).
(i) PERFORMANCE GOALS GENERALLY. The performance goals for such
Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and
a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such
criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section
8(b). Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet
the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being "substantially uncertain." The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Awards. Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.
(ii) BUSINESS CRITERIA. One or more of the following business
criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or specified
subsidiaries or business units of the Company (except with respect to
the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall
be used exclusively by the Committee in establishing performance goals
for such Performance Awards: (1) total stockholder return; (2) such
total stockholder return as compared to total return (on a comparable
basis) of a publicly available index such as, but not limited to, the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index or the S&P Specialty Retailer Index;
(3) net income; (4) pretax earnings; (5) earnings before interest
expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (6) pretax operating
earnings after interest expense and before bonuses, service fees, and
extraordinary or special items; (7) operating margin; (8) earnings per
share; (9) return on equity; (10) return on capital; (11) return on
investment; (12) operating earnings; (13) working capital or
inventory; and (14) ratio of debt to stockholders' equity. One or more
of the foregoing business criteria shall also be exclusively used in
establishing performance goals for Annual Incentive Awards granted to
a Covered Employee under Section 8(c) hereof that are intended to
qualify as "performanced-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).
(iii) PERFORMANCE PERIOD; TIMING FOR ESTABLISHING PERFORMANCE
GOALS. Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance
Awards shall be measured over a performance period of up to ten years,
as specified by the Committee. Performance goals shall be established
not later than 90 days after the beginning of any performance period
applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be
required or permitted for "performance-based compensation" under Code
Section 162(m).
(iv) PERFORMANCE AWARD POOL. The Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring Company performance in connection with Performance Awards. The amount of such Performance Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 8(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 8(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such business
criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.
(v) SETTLEMENT OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS; OTHER TERMS. Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of Performance Awards.
(c) ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS GRANTED TO DESIGNATED COVERED EMPLOYEES. The Committee may, within its discretion, grant one or more Annual Incentive Awards to any Eligible Person, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8(c).
(i) ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARD POOL. The Committee may establish an
Annual Incentive Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for
purposes of measuring Company performance in connection with Annual
Incentive Awards. In the case of Annual Incentive Awards intended to
qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code
Section 162(m), the amount of such Annual Incentive Award pool shall
be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on
one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 8(b)(ii)
hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the
Committee in accordance with Section 8(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee
may specify the amount of the Annual Incentive Award pool as a
percentage of any such business criteria, a percentage thereof in
excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear
a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.
(ii) POTENTIAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. Not later than the end of the 90th day of each fiscal year, or at such other date as may be required or permitted in the case of Awards intended to be "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall determine the Eligible Persons who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amounts potentially payable thereunder, for that fiscal year, either out of an Annual Incentive Award pool established by such date under Section 8(c)(i) hereof or as individual Annual Incentive Awards. In the case of individual Annual Incentive Awards intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), the amount potentially payable shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 8(b)(ii) hereof in the given performance year, as specified by the Committee; in other cases, such amount shall be based on such criteria as shall be established by the Committee. In all cases, the maximum Annual Incentive Award of any Participant shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5 hereof.
(iii) PAYOUT OF ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. After the end of each fiscal year, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of (A) the Annual Incentive Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential Annual Incentive Award payable to each Participant in the Annual Incentive Award pool, or (B) the amount of potential Annual Incentive Award otherwise payable to each Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable to any Participant as an Annual Incentive Award shall be reduced from the amount of his or her potential Annual Incentive Award, including a determination to make no Award whatsoever. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive Award shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a fiscal year or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award.
(d) WRITTEN DETERMINATIONS. All determinations by the Committee as to
the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award pool
or potential individual Performance Awards and as to the achievement of
performance goals relating to Performance Awards under Section 8(b), and the
amount of any Annual Incentive Award pool or potential individual Annual
Incentive Awards and the amount of final Annual Incentive Awards under Section
8(c), shall be made in writing in the case of any Award intended to qualify
under Code Section 162(m). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility
relating to such Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards if and to the
extent required to comply with Code Section 162(m).
(e) STATUS OF SECTION 8(B) AND SECTION 8(C) AWARDS UNDER CODE SECTION
162(M). It is the intent of the Company that Performance Awards and Annual
Incentive Awards under Section 8(b) and 8(c) hereof granted to persons who are
designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees within the meaning
of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder shall, if so designated by the
Committee, constitute "qualified performance-based compensation" within the
meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, the
terms of Sections 8(b), (c), (d) and (e), including the definitions of Covered
Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner
consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. The foregoing
notwithstanding, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a
given Participant will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that
has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean
only a person designated by the Committee, at the time of grant of Performance
Awards or an Annual Incentive Award, as likely to be a Covered Employee with
respect to that fiscal year. If any provision of the Plan or any agreement
relating to such Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards does not comply
or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations
thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent
necessary to conform to such requirements.
9. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) EFFECT OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL." If and to the extent provided in the Award, in the event of a "Change in Control," as defined in Section 9(b):
(i) The Committee may, within its discretion, accelerate the
vesting and exercisability of any Award carrying a right to exercise
that was not previously vested and exercisable as of the time of the
Change in Control, subject to applicable restrictions set forth in
Section 10(a) hereof;
(ii) The Committee may, within its discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any limited SARs (and other SARs if so provided by their terms) and provide for the settlement of such SARs for amounts, in cash, determined by reference to the Change in Control Price;
(iii) The Committee may, within its discretion, lapse the restrictions, deferral of settlement, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any other Award granted under the Plan and such Awards may be deemed fully vested as of the time of the Change in Control, except to the extent of any waiver by the Participant and subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 10(a) hereof; and
(iv) With respect to any such outstanding Award subject to achievement of performance goals and conditions under the Plan, the Committee may, within its discretion, deem such performance goals and other conditions as having been met as of the date of the Change in Control.
(b) DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL." A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon:
(i) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction or series of transactions, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company's then outstanding voting securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (unless such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, liquidation, dissolution or sale (any such event being referred to as a "Corporate Transaction") is subsequently abandoned);
(ii) Individuals who, as of the date on which the Award is granted, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date on which the Award was granted whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company, as such
terms are used in Rule 14a-1 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(iii) the acquisition (other than from the Company) by any
person, entity or "group", within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act, of more than 50% of either
the then outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock or the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(hereinafter referred to as the ownership of a "Controlling Interest")
excluding, for this purpose, any acquisitions by (1) the Company or
its Subsidiaries, (2) any person, entity or "group" that as of the
date on which the Award is granted owns beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act) of a Controlling Interest or (3) any employee benefit plan of the
Company or its Subsidiaries.
(c) DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE." The "Change in Control Price" means an amount in cash equal to the higher of (i) the amount of cash and fair market value of property that is the highest price per share paid (including extraordinary dividends) in any Corporate Transaction triggering the Change in Control under Section 9(b)(i) hereof or any liquidation of shares following a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (ii) the highest Fair Market Value per share at any time during the 60-day period preceding and the 60-day period following the Change in Control.
10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. The Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee or the Board, postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Stock or other Company securities are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Company, as the Committee or the Board, may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations. The foregoing notwithstanding, in connection with a Change in Control, the Company shall take or cause to be taken no action, and shall undertake or permit to arise no legal or contractual obligation, that results or would result in any postponement of the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of benefits under any Award or the imposition of any other conditions on such issuance, delivery or payment, to the extent that such postponement or other condition would represent a greater burden on a Participant than existed on the 90th day preceding the Change in Control.
(b) LIMITS ON TRANSFERABILITY; BENEFICIARIES. No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan, including any Award or right which constitutes a derivative security as generally defined in Rule 16al(c) under the
Exchange Act, shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Company or a Subsidiary), or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other rights (other than ISOs and SARs in tandem therewith) may be transferred to one or more Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent such transfers and exercises are permitted by the Committee or the Board pursuant to the express terms of an Award agreement (subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee or the Board may impose thereon, and further subject to any prohibitions or restrictions on such transfers pursuant to Rule 16b-3). A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee or the Board.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS.
(i) ADJUSTMENTS TO AWARDS. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Stock and/or such other securities of the Company or any other issuer such that a substitution, exchange, or adjustment is determined by the Committee or the Board to be appropriate, then the Committee or the Board shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, substitute, exchange or adjust any or all of (A) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, (B) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (C) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, (D) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any outstanding Award, and (E) any other aspect of any Award that the Committee or Board determines to be appropriate.
(ii) ADJUSTMENTS IN CASE OF CERTAIN CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or any reorganization, merger, consolidation, or other form of corporate transaction in which the Company does not survive, or in which the shares of Stock are exchanged for or converted into securities issued by another entity, then the successor or acquiring entity or an affiliate thereof may, with the consent of the Committee or the Board, assume each outstanding Option or substitute an equivalent option or right. If the successor or acquiring entity or an affiliate thereof, does not cause such an
assumption or substitution, then each Option shall terminate upon the consummation of sale, merger, consolidation, or other corporate transaction. The Committee or the Board shall give written notice of any proposed transaction referred to in this Section 10(c)(ii) a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given either before or after the approval of such transaction), in order that Optionees may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such transaction within which to exercise any Options that are then exercisable (including any Options that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such transaction). An Optionee may condition his exercise of any Option upon the consummation of the transaction.
(iii) OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. In addition, the Committee (and the Board if and only to the extent such authority is not required to be exercised by the Committee to comply with Code Section 162(m)) is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and performance goals, and Annual Incentive Awards and any Annual Incentive Award pool or performance goals relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Company, any Related Entity or any business unit, or the financial statements of the Company or any Related Entity, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in view of the Committee's assessment of the business strategy of the Company, any Related Entity or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that such authority or the making of such adjustment would cause Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Awards granted under Section 8(b) hereof or Annual Incentive Awards granted under Section 8(c) hereof to Participants designated by the Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder to otherwise fail to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.
(d) TAXES. The Company and any Subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee or the Board may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant's tax obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee.
(e) CHANGES TO THE PLAN AND AWARDS. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, or the Committee's authority to grant Awards under the Plan, without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation (including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m)) or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. The Committee or the Board may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee or the Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if any right under this Plan would cause a transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest accounting that would, but for the right hereunder, be eligible for such accounting treatment, the Committee or the Board may modify or adjust the right so that pooling of interest accounting shall be available, including the substitution of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash otherwise payable hereunder for the right which caused the transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest accounting.
(f) LIMITATION ON RIGHTS CONFERRED UNDER PLAN. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary; (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person's or Participant's employment at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.
(g) UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS; CREATION OF TRUSTS. The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee of such trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the proceeds in alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee or the Board may specify and in accordance with applicable law.
(h) NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable including incentive arrangements and awards which do not qualify under Code Section 162(m).
(i) PAYMENTS IN THE EVENT OF FORFEITURES; FRACTIONAL SHARES. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash or other consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash or other consideration. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee or the Board shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
(j) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any Award agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.
(k) PLAN EFFECTIVE DATE AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL; TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, subject to subsequent approval within 12 months of its adoption by the Board by stockholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable) and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable NASDAQ requirements, and other laws, regulations, and obligations of the Company applicable to the Plan. Awards may be granted subject to stockholder approval, but may not be exercised or otherwise settled in the event stockholder approval is not obtained. The Plan shall terminate at such time as no shares of Common Stock remain available for issuance under the Plan and the Company has no further rights or obligations with respect to outstanding Awards under the Plan.
EXHIBIT 21
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF
QUOTEMEDIA.COM, INC.
(AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002)
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF ALLAN G. HUTCHISON, CPA, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-100453) of our report dated March 21, 2003 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Quotemedia, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December31, 2002.
/s/ Allan G. Hutchison, CPA Phoenix, Arizona March 21, 2003 |
EXHIBIT 99.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Quotemedia, Inc. (the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Dave Shworan, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ David M. Shworan --------------------------------- Dave Shworan Chief Executive Officer March 10, 2003 |
EXHIBIT 99.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Quotemedia, Inc.
(the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Keith
J. Randall, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to my best
knowledge and belief, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Keith J. Randall --------------------------------- Keith J. Randall Chief Financial Officer March 10, 2003 |