UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

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

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 28, 2014

 

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-13357 84-0835164
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

 

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202-1132
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  303-573-1660

 

 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On August 28, 2014, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Royal Gold, Inc. (the “Company”), based on the recommendation of the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, approved a revised form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement, effective August 28, 2014, to be entered into with the Company’s officers and directors. Among other things, the revisions to the form clarify certain procedural requirements for obtaining indemnification and the advancement of expenses.

 

The foregoing description of the revised form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

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

 

On August 28, 2014, the Board approved several amendments to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as amended, the “Bylaws”), effective as of August 28, 2014, including the following:

 

Voting Standard.   The Bylaws were amended to provide that except as otherwise provided by law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on a subject matter by the stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the stockholders on matters other than the election of directors.

 

Lead Director. The Bylaws were amended to permit, rather than require, the Board to elect a lead independent director. Following the amendment, the Board has discretion to evaluate the need for a lead independent director in light of the Board’s leadership structure, and in particular when the Chairman of the Board is an independent director.

 

The above description of the amendments to the Company’s Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Bylaws filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

10.1 Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Royal Gold, Inc.  
  (Registrant)  
       
Dated:  September 4, 2014 By:   /s/ Bruce C. Kirchhoff  
    Bruce C. Kirchhoff  
    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary  

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   Amended and Restated Bylaws
10.1   Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

 

(As of August 28, 2014)

 

ARTICLE I
Offices

 

Section 1. Business Offices. The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in Denver, Colorado. The Corporation may also have offices at such other place or places both within and without the State of Delaware and the State of Colorado as the board of directors (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

Section 2. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board.

 

ARTICLE II
Stockholders

 

Section 1. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on the third Wednesday in the month of November in each year, or on such other date as may be determined by the Board, for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not invalidate any action taken by the Board or officers of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time only by (i) the chairman of the Board, (ii) the chief executive officer, (iii) the president, or (iv) the Board. Any request to call a special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business conducted at any special meeting of the stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting and specified in the notice of such special meeting.

 

Section 3. Place of Meeting. Each meeting of the stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place, either within or outside the State of Delaware or the State of Colorado, as may be designated in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held by means of remote communication.

 

Section 4. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

 

(1)               The proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting of the stockholders, and nominations of persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting of the stockholders, may be made only (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the Board or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who was a stockholder of record, and, with respect to any beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation, if different than the stockholder of record, on whose behalf such business is proposed or such nomination or nominations are made, only if such person was the beneficial owner, both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 4 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, (ii) who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election of directors or such business, as the case may be, and (iii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in subsection (2) of this Section 4. As to proposals sought to be included in any proxy statement of the Corporation, stockholders shall comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As to matters not sought to be included in any proxy statement of the Corporation, subsection (2) of this Section 4 shall be the exclusive means for stockholders to make nominations or submit business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. In addition, for business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws and applicable law.

 

 
 

 

(2)               For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to this Section 4, the stockholder (a) must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, and (b) must provide any updates or supplements to such notice at such times and in the forms required by this Section 4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, in the case of an annual meeting, not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting ( provided , however , that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than thirty (30) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before such annual meeting, or not more than ten (10) calendar days following the day on which public announcement (as defined below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form for purposes of this subsection (2) of this Section 4, such notice shall set forth the information required by subsection (5) of this Section 4.

 

(3)               Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2 of this Article II. Stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) if a purpose for such meeting as stated in the Corporation’s notice for such meeting is the election of one or more directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 4 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, (ii) who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and (iii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in subsection (4) of this Section 4.

 

(4)               If a special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 2 of this Article II for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, then for nominations of persons for election to the Board to be properly brought before such special meeting by a stockholder pursuant to subsection (3) of this Section 4, the stockholder (a) must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in the proper form to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, and (b) must provide any updates or supplements to such notice at such times and in the forms required by this Section 4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice relating to a special meeting shall be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before such special meeting nor less than the later of (i) ninety (90) calendar days prior to such meeting or (ii) if a public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting less than one hundred (100) calendar days prior to such meeting, ten (10) calendar days following such public announcement. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form for purposes of this subsection (4) of this Section 4, such notice shall set forth the information required by clauses (a), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of subsection (5) of this Section 4.

 

2
 

 

(5)               To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 4, such stockholder’s notice (as specified in subsection (2) of this Section 4 or subsection (4) of this Section 4) shall set forth:

 

(a)                as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (ii) a description of all Derivative Interests (as defined below) that have been entered into, as of the date of the notice, by or on behalf of such proposed nominee or any affiliate or associate thereof, such description to include (1) the class, series, and actual or notional number, principal amount or dollar amount of all securities of the Corporation underlying or subject to such Derivative Interests, (2) the material economic terms of such Derivative Interests, and (3) the contractual counterparty for such Derivative Interests, (iii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary or other business agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S−K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (iv) a statement whether such person, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon such person’s failure to receive the required vote for re-election at the next meeting at which such person would stand for re-election and upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board, in accordance with these Bylaws;

 

(b)               as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment), (ii) any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder, or any affiliate or associate thereof, on the one hand, and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons), on the other hand, regarding the proposal, and (iv) all other information relating to the proposal, the stockholder or any affiliate or associate thereof that would be required to be disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the stockholder pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(c)                as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, and any affiliate or associate thereof, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, and any affiliate or associate thereof, (iii) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (iv) a description of all Derivative Interests that have been entered into as of the date of the notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, or by any affiliate or associate thereof, such description to include (1) the class, series, and actual or notional number, principal amount or dollar amount of all securities of the Corporation underlying or subject to such Derivative Interests, (2) the material economic terms of such Derivative Interests, and (3) the contractual counterparty for such Derivative Interests, and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

3
 

 

(d)               a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business or nominations by the stockholder;

 

(e)                a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation, entitled to vote at such meeting, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nominations; and

 

(f)                a representation as to whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, is or intends to be part of a group that intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal.

 

For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(b) of the Exchange Act, and the meaning of the term “group” shall be within the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

For purposes of these Bylaws, “Derivative Interests” shall mean (i) any option, warrant, convertible security, appreciation right or similar right with an exercise, conversion or exchange privilege, or a settlement payment or mechanism, related to any security of the Corporation, or any similar instrument with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any security of the Corporation, in any such case whether or not it is subject to settlement in any security of the Corporation or otherwise and (ii) any arrangement, agreement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of any securities) which includes an opportunity for the stockholder, or any affiliate or associate thereof, or any proposed nominee, or any affiliate or associate thereof, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation, to mitigate any loss or manage any risk associated with any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation or to increase or decrease the number of securities of the Corporation which such person is or will be entitled to vote or direct the vote, in any case whether or not it is subject to settlement in any security of the Corporation or otherwise; provided, however, that Derivative Interests shall not include:

 

(a) rights of a pledgee under a bona fide pledge of any security of the Corporation unless such pledgee has voting rights with respect to such security; (b) rights applicable to all holders of a class or series of securities of the Corporation to receive securities of the Corporation pro rata, or obligations to dispose of securities of the Corporation, as a result of a merger, exchange offer or consolidation involving the Corporation; (c) rights or obligations to surrender any number or principal amount of securities of the Corporation, or have any number or principal amount of securities of the Corporation withheld, upon the receipt or exercise of a derivative security issued pursuant to an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or the receipt or vesting of any securities issued pursuant to an employee benefit plan of the Corporation, in order to satisfy the exercise price or the tax withholding consequences of receipt, exercise, or vesting; (d) interests in broad-based index options, broad-based index futures, and broad-based publicly traded market baskets of stocks approved for trading by the appropriate federal governmental authority; (e) interests or rights to participate in employee benefit plans of the Corporation held by current or former directors, employees, consultants or agents of the Corporation; or (f) options granted to an underwriter in a registered public offering for the purpose of satisfying over-allotments in such offering.

 

4
 

 

(6)               Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of subsection (2) of this Section 4 to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation specifying the size of the increased Board at least one hundred (100) days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 4 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not more than ten (10) calendar days following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(7)               Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a meeting of the stockholders and no person shall be eligible for election as a director by means of stockholder nomination except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4. The chairman of the Board or other person presiding at a meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that any business or nomination was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 and, if such person should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting, any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted, and any nomination not properly brought before the meeting shall be disregarded.

 

(8)               A stockholder providing notice of nominations of persons for election to the Board at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders shall further update and supplement such notice so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to subsection (5)(a) of this Section 4 through subsection 5(f) of this Section 4 shall be true and correct both as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such updated and supplemental information shall be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, not later than the later of five (5) business days after such record date or five (5) business days after the public announcement of such record date, and (b) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of ten (10) business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof, not later than eight (8) business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated and supplemental information not later than eight (8) business days before the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before the date of such rescheduled meeting).

 

(9)               Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 4, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

5
 

 

               Section 5. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, 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 any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date for any such determination of stockholders, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If the Board so fixes a record date for purposes of determining stockholders entitled to notice of a meeting of stockholders, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, then the record date shall be: (a) for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, the close of business on the day preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, the close of business on the day preceding the day on which the meeting is held and (b) for determining stockholders for any other purpose, the close of business on the day on which the Board 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 may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

               Section 6. Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, if any, the day and hour of any meeting of stockholders, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders or proxyholders may be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given, unless otherwise provided by law, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, except to the extent that such notice is waived or is not required as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), or these Bylaws. Such notice shall be given in accordance with, and shall be deemed effective as set forth in, Sections 222 and 232 (or any successor section or sections) of the DGCL. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the foregoing, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation pursuant to these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given.

 

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

 

Section 7. Voting Lists. The officer who has charge of the stock books of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a designated place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

6
 

 

               Section 8. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

               Section 9. Quorum and Required Vote. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. If less than a majority of voting power of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, either the presiding officer of the meeting or a majority of the voting power of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time in accordance with Section 6 of this Article II, until a quorum shall be present or represented. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote that leaves less than a quorum.

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on a subject matter by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the stockholders on matters other than the election of directors.

 

Except as provided in Section 4 of Article III of these Bylaws or as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, each director shall be elected if the votes cast “for” such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast “against” such nominee’s election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders for which either (a) (i) the secretary receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated a person for election to the Board in compliance with the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Section 4 of this Article II and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or prior to the day next preceding the date the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders or (b) the number of nominees for election to the Board at such meeting exceeds the number of directors to be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes shall not be counted as votes cast either “for” or “against” a director’s election. If directors are to be elected by a plurality of votes cast, stockholders shall not be permitted to vote “against” a nominee. The Board shall nominate for election or re-election as director only candidates who agree to tender, promptly following the annual meeting at which they are elected or re-elected as director, irrevocable resignations that will be effective upon (x) the failure to receive the required vote at the next annual meeting at which they stand for re-election and (y) Board acceptance of such resignation. In addition, the Board shall fill director vacancies and newly created directorships only with candidates who agree to tender, promptly following their appointment to the Board, the same form of resignation tendered by other directors. The Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject such resignation, and absent a determination by the Board that it is in the best interests of the Corporation for an unsuccessful incumbent to remain as a director, the Board shall accept that person’s resignation. The Board shall consider the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the election results or such shorter time period as may be required by applicable law. The director who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in the Board’s decision.

 

If authorized by the Board, and subject to such guidelines as the Board may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, participate in a meeting of stockholders and be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting whether such meeting is held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (a) the Corporation implements reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (b) the Corporation implements reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (c) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action is maintained by the Corporation.

 

7
 

 

Section 10. Voting of Shares. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote pursuant to the provisions of these Bylaws shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock having voting rights held by such stockholder. In the election of directors, each record holder of stock entitled to vote at such election shall have the right to vote the number of shares owned by him for as many persons as there are directors to be elected, and for whose election he has the right to vote. Cumulative voting shall not be allowed.

 

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the provisions of these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, and without a vote, if a consent or consents 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 (which consent may be signed in counterparts) and shall be delivered to the Corporation. No consent shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL (or any successor section or sections thereto). 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.

 

Section 12. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record for Action Without a Meeting. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede, nor be more than ten (10) days after, the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the secretary of the Corporation signed by the stockholder, request that the Board fix a record date. The Board shall promptly, but in all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board within ten (10) days after the date on which such request is received, and no prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date 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 by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, to its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of stockholders meetings are recorded. Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

In the event a disclosure or proxy statement or other written materials are distributed to stockholders whose consents are being solicited, such disclosure or proxy statement or other written materials shall be delivered to the Corporation at its principal place of business to the attention of the secretary no later than the date such materials are first distributed to any shareholder whose consent is being or will be solicited.

 

(1)               Notice Requirements. Any stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 must describe the action that the stockholder proposes to take by written consent. For each such proposal, every notice by a stockholder must state the information required by Section 4, subsection (5) of this Article II, except that all references to business to be brought before a meeting in Section 4, subsection (5) of this Article II shall, for purposes of this Section 12, subsection (1), be references to the proposed action to be taken by written consent and all references to delivery or solicitation of proxies in Section 4, subsection (5) of this Article II shall, for purposes of this Section 12, subsection (1), be references to delivery or solicitation of consents. The Corporation may require the stockholder of record and/or beneficial owner requesting a record date for proposed stockholder action by written consent to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the validity of the request for a record date.

 

8
 

 

(2)               Date of Consent. Every written consent purporting to take or authorize the taking of corporate action (each such written consent is referred to in this subsection (2) and in subsections (3) and (4) as a “Consent”) must bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the Consent, and no Consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated Consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 12, Consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take such action are so delivered to the Corporation.

 

(3)               Inspectors of Election. Within three (3) business days after receipt of the earliest dated Consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided in this Section 12 or the determination by the Board that the Corporation should seek corporate action by written consent, as the case may be, the secretary shall engage nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections for the purpose of performing a ministerial review of the validity of the Consents and revocations. The cost of retaining inspectors of election shall be borne by the Corporation.

 

Consents and revocations shall be delivered to the inspectors upon receipt by the Corporation. As soon as Consents and revocations are received, the inspectors shall review the Consents and revocations and shall maintain a count of the number of valid and unrevoked Consents. In the event the inspectors determine that valid and unrevoked Consents representing a sufficient number of shares to approve the actions proposed to be taken by consent have been delivered, the inspectors shall inform the Corporation and the soliciting stockholders of that determination, and in any event the inspectors shall inform the Corporation and the soliciting stockholders of the number of valid, unrevoked Consents received by the inspectors as of the close of business on the sixtieth (60th) day following the earliest-dated Consent delivered to the Corporation.

 

(4)               Challenge to Validity of Consent. Nothing contained in this Section 12 shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Board or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any Consent or related revocations, whether before or after certification by the secretary of the Corporation, such other officer of the Corporation as the Board may designate, or the inspectors, as the case may be, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution, or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

ARTICLE III

Board of Directors

 

Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon the Board by these Bylaws, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders or officers.

 

Section 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Board shall consist of such number of directors as may be determined from time to time by the Board, but such number shall not be less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12). Directors shall be divided into three (3) classes and elected as provided in Article Fifth of the Certificate of Incorporation at each annual meeting of stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article III. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware or stockholders of the Corporation. Directors shall be removable in the manner provided by the statutes of the State of Delaware.

 

9
 

 

Section 3. Nomination of Directors. Nominations of candidates for election as directors at any annual meeting of stockholders at which directors will be elected may be made (i) by the Board, or (ii) by any stockholder entitled to vote at any such meeting only in accordance with the procedures established in Section 4 of Article II of these Bylaws.

 

Section 4. Vacancies. Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. A director’s resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any vacancy, or newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled by a majority of directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and a director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors of the class of which such director is a part and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, unless sooner displaced. If at any time, by reason of death, resignation or other cause, the Corporation should have no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by law. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors of the class of which he or she is a part, and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, unless sooner displaced.

 

Section 5. Chairman. The Board may elect a chairman, and any such chairman shall (when present) preside at meetings of the Board and lead the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities. In the absence of the chairman, a member of the Board selected by the members present shall preside at meetings of the Board. The Board may delegate such other authority and assign such additional duties to the chairman as it may from time to time determine.

 

Section 6. Lead Director. The Board may, from time to time, elect an Independent Director as a lead director, and such lead director shall (when present) preside at meetings of the Independent Directors. For purposes of these Bylaws, the term Independent Director shall mean a director who qualifies as an “Independent Director” within the meaning of Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules (or any successor provision), whether or not any securities of the Corporation are then listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

 

Section 7. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board shall be held as soon as practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders, at the time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware or the State of Colorado, determined by the Board for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. The Board may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or outside the State of Delaware or the State of Colorado, for the holding of additional regular meetings.

 

Section 8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, or the president. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place, either within or outside the State of Delaware or the State of Colorado, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them.

 

Section 9. Notice. Notice of every meeting of the Board shall be given to each director at such director’s usual place of business or at such other address as shall have been furnished by him or her for such purpose. Such notice shall be properly and timely given if it is (a) deposited in the United States mail not later than the fifth (5th) calendar day preceding the date of the meeting, or (b) personally delivered, telegraphed, sent by either facsimile transmission, electronic mail (effective when directed to an electronic mail address of the director), or other electronic transmission (as defined in Section 232(c) of the DGCL and effective when directed to the director), or communicated by telephone or in person at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the meeting. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.

 

10
 

 

Section 10. Quorum and Voting. The presence in person of a majority of the total number of directors determined pursuant to Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. If less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. No director may vote or act by proxy at any meeting of the Board.

 

Section 11. Committees. The Board may, by one (1) or more resolutions, designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, amending the Bylaws of the Corporation, or approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

 

Section 12. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, which may include, among other forms of compensation determined by the Board, a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board, a stated salary as director, an annual retainer as director, and equity compensation as director. Additionally, directors shall be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of any committee of the Board may be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings and service on such committee.

 

Section 13. Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee, as the case may be.

 

Section 14. Participation in Meetings by Telephone. Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

11
 

 

ARTICLE IV

Officers and Agents

 

Section 1. Number and Qualifications. The Board shall elect such officers of the Corporation with the titles and duties that it designates, provided that the Corporation shall have at least two (2) officers at any time, and provided that one such officer shall have the duty to record the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board in a book to be kept for that purpose. There may be a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents (which may include one or more executive vice presidents), a chief financial officer, a secretary, a treasurer and a general counsel. One person may hold any number of offices, except that no person may simultaneously hold the offices of president and secretary.

 

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board annually at the first meeting of the Board held after each annual meeting of the stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Any agent elected or appointed by the Board shall remain an agent of the Corporation until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Section 3. Salaries. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or by any officer or officers authorized by the Board to prescribe the salary of such other officers, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.

 

Section 4. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not in itself create contract rights.

 

Section 5. Vacancies. Any officer or agent may resign at any time, subject to any rights or obligations under any existing contracts between such officer or agent and the Corporation, by giving notice to the Corporation. An officer’s or agent’s resignation shall take effect at the time stated therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term.

 

Section 6. Authority and Duties of Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall have the authority and shall exercise the powers and perform the duties specified below, and as may be additionally specified by the chairman of the Board, president, or chief executive officer, the Board or these Bylaws, except that in any event each officer shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be required by law:

 

(a) Chief Executive Officer and President. The chief executive officer shall have the general executive responsibility for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have such powers customarily and usually associated with the position of chief executive officer, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation and shall exercise such other powers, authority and responsibilities as the Board may determine. In the absence of or during the disability of the chief executive officer, the Board may designate an officer who shall have and exercise the powers, authority, and responsibilities of the chief executive officer. The president shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board if the offices of chief executive officer and president are held by the same individual, and subject to the direction and control of the chief executive officer if the offices of chief executive officer and president are held by different individuals, participate in the supervision of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The president shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and shall have and exercise such powers, authority and responsibilities as the Board may determine (if the offices of chief executive officer and president are held by the same individual) or as the chief executive officer or the Board may determine (if the offices of chief executive officer and president are held by different individuals).

 

12
 

 

(b) Vice-President. The vice president shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board, Chairman of the Board, president or chief executive officer, participate in the supervision of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she shall have and exercise such powers, authority, and responsibilities as the Board may determine.

 

(c) Secretary and Assistant Secretary. The secretary shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board, Chairman of the Board, president or chief executive officer, keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders and directors and shall give all required notices and have charge of such books and papers as the Board may require. He or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and shall submit such reports to the Board or to any committee as the Board or such committee may request. Any action or duty required to be performed by the secretary may be performed by an assistant secretary.

 

(d) Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The chief financial officer shall be the principal financial officer of the Corporation. He or she shall render such accounts and reports as may be required by the Board or any committee of the Board. The financial records, books and accounts of the Corporation shall be maintained subject to the direct or indirect supervision of the chief financial officer. The treasurer shall have direct or indirect custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incident to the position of treasurer. In addition, the chief financial officer shall be subject to the direction and control of the Board, Chairman of the Board, president or chief executive officer.

 

(e) General Counsel. The general counsel shall be the chief legal officer of the Corporation and shall have general control of all matters of legal import concerning the Corporation. He or she shall perform all duties incident to the position of general counsel. In addition, the general counsel shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Board, Chairman of the Board, president or chief executive officer.

 

(f) Subordinate Officers. The Board may from time to time appoint one or more assistant officers to the officers of the Corporation and such other subordinate officers as the Board may deem advisable. Such subordinate officers shall have such powers, authority and responsibilities as the Board, Chairman of the Board, president or the chief executive officer may from time to time determine. Each subordinate officer shall hold his or her position at the pleasure of the Board.

 

Section 7. Surety Bonds. The Board may require any officer or agent of the Corporation to execute to the Corporation a bond in such sums and with such sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties and for the restoration to the Corporation of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE V

Stock

 

Section 1. Issuance of Shares. The issuance or sale by the Corporation of any shares of its authorized capital stock of any class, including treasury shares, shall be made only upon authorization by the Board, except as otherwise may be provided by statute or these Bylaws.

 

Section 2. Certificates. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or a combination of both. To the extent that shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form authorized by the Board. In order to certify the number of shares owned in the Corporation, any such certificates shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by (a) the chairman of the Board, president, or a vice-president, and (b) the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Certificates of stock shall be consecutively numbered and shall be in such form consistent with law as shall be prescribed by the Board.

 

13
 

 

Section 3. Payment for Shares. Shares shall be issued for such consideration (but not less than the par value thereof) as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Treasury shares shall be disposed of for such consideration as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Such consideration shall be paid in such form and in such manner as the Board shall determine. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the Board as to the value of such consideration shall be conclusive. The capital stock issued by the Corporation shall be deemed to be fully paid and non-assessable stock if: (a) the entire amount of the consideration has been received by the Corporation in the form of cash, services rendered, personal property, real property, leases of real property or a combination thereof; or (b) not less than the amount of the consideration determined to be capital pursuant to statute has been received by the Corporation in such form and the Corporation has received a binding obligation of the subscriber or purchaser to pay the balance of the subscription or purchase price; provided, however, nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board from issuing partly paid shares pursuant to statute.

 

Section 4. Lost Certificate. In case of a certificate of stock of the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board may direct the issuance of a new certificate in lieu thereof upon such terms and conditions in conformity with law as it may prescribe. When authorizing the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owners of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as the Board may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 5. Transfer of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization of the registered holder thereof, or by such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Corporation’s secretary or a transfer agent for such stock, if any, and if such shares are represented by a certificate or certificates, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power (or by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer) and the payment of any taxes thereon; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer. The person in whose name shares are registered on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation; provided, however, that whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, and written notice thereof shall be given to the Corporation’s secretary or to such transfer agent, such fact shall be stated in the entry of transfer. No transfer of shares shall be valid against the Corporation, or its stockholders and creditors, for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from whom and to whom transferred.

 

Section 6. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

14
 

 

Section 7. Transfer Agents, Registrars and Paying Agents. The Board may, at its discretion, appoint one or more transfer agents, registrars and agents for making payment upon any class of stock, bond, debenture or other security of the Corporation. Such agents and registrars may be located either within or outside the State of Delaware or the State of Colorado. They shall have such rights and duties and shall be entitled to such compensation as may be agreed.

 

ARTICLE VI

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Section 1. General Scope. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is a party or is or was threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed 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, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, 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, or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all expenses, liability, loss (including attorneys’ fees), judgment, fine, amount paid in settlement and actually and reasonably incurred by such person. The Corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person on account of any action, claim or proceeding (other than as specifically provided in this Article VI) initiated by such person against the Corporation unless such action, claim or proceeding (i) relates to such person’s right to indemnification under any indemnification agreement entered into by such person and the Corporation, (ii) was authorized in the specific case by action of the Board, or (iii) as otherwise required under the DGCL.

 

Section 2. Advance Expenses. Subject to any applicable laws, the Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Corporation in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified.

 

Section 3. Non-Contravention and Non-Exclusivity. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall not contravene the provisions of any applicable laws and such rights shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, action of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The provisions of this Article VI shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 6 of this Article VI but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the DGCL or otherwise. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or by any other applicable law.

 

Section 4. Non-Duplication. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any director or officer who is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise shall not be interpreted so as to duplicate any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

Section 5. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

15
 

 

Section 6. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article VI to directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

Section 7. Continuation of Rights. The rights provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person. Subject to any applicable laws, all rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VI shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article VI is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such directors or officers, or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder.

 

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

 

Section 1. Waivers of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting or (in the case of a stockholder) by proxy 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 was 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 unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

Section 2. Presumption of Assent. A director or stockholder of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board or stockholders at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he or she shall file a written dissent of such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director or stockholder who voted in favor of such action.

 

Section 3. Voting of Securities by the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, on behalf of the Corporation the chief executive officer, president, or any vice-president shall attend in person or by substitute appointed by him or her, or shall execute written instruments appointing a proxy or proxies to represent the Corporation at, all meetings of the stockholders of any other corporation, association or other entity in which the Corporation holds any stock or other securities, and may execute written waivers of notice with respect to any such meetings. At all such meetings and otherwise, the chief executive officer, president, or any vice-president, in person or by substitute or proxy as aforesaid, may vote the stock or other securities so held by the Corporation and may execute written consents and any other instruments with respect to such stock or securities and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of said stock or securities, subject, however, to the instructions, if any, of the Board.

 

Section 4. Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Seal, Delaware”. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced.

 

Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as established by the Board.

 

16
 

 

Section 6. Exclusive Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (as any may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware, or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any securities of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 6.

 

Section 7. Amendments. Unless such power is not provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, all bylaws of the Corporation shall be subject to amendment, alteration or repeal, and new bylaws may be made, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board.

 

17

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

(AUGUST 2014)

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement” ) dated as of
____________, is made by and between Royal Gold, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation” ), and the undersigned member of the Board of Directors or officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation ( “Indemnitee” ).

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation is aware that competent and experienced persons are increasingly reluctant to serve as directors, officers, managers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of corporations unless they are protected by comprehensive liability insurance and indemnification, due to increased exposure to litigation costs and risks resulting from their service to such corporations, and due to the fact that the exposure frequently bears no reasonable relationship to the compensation of such directors, officers, managers, employees and other agents or fiduciaries;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended from time to time, the “ Bylaws ”) and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL” ), under which the Corporation is organized, empower the Corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, agents and fiduciaries by agreement and to indemnify persons who serve, at the request of the Corporation, as the directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of other corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, limited liability companies or other enterprises, and expressly provides that the indemnification provided by the Bylaws and the DGCL are not exclusive;

 

WHEREAS, such Bylaws and the DGCL contemplate that contracts, insurance policies and other financial arrangements may be entered into with respect to indemnification of directors, officers, employees or agents;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation has purchased and presently maintains a policy or policies of directors’ and officers’ liabilities insurance (“ D&O Insurance ”) covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by the Corporation’s directors and officers in the performance of their services to the Corporation;

 

WHEREAS, uncertainties regarding the adequacy of coverage of D&O Insurance as well as uncertainties regarding the applicability, amendment and enforcement of statutory provisions and provisions of the Corporation’s Amended Certificate of Incorporation (as amended from time to time, the “Certificate” ) and the Bylaws have raised questions concerning the adequacy and reliability of the protection afforded directors and officers;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation and Indemnitee have previously entered into an Indemnification Agreement (the “ Prior Agreement ”), and the Corporation and Indemnitee desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety with this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Corporation to obligate itself contractually to indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement so that Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve the Corporation free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be adequately protected; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Corporation on condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Corporation and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1
 

 

1.            Definitions . As used in this Agreement,

 

(a)             Change in Control . The term “Change in Control” shall mean a change in the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Corporation or any successor in interest to the Corporation, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. A Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following occur after the date of this Agreement: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) other than the Corporation, a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 15% or more of the total voting power represented by the Corporation’s then outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, (iii) there occurs a “change in control” or “change of control” in an employment agreement between the Corporation and the Indemnitee, if any, (iv) the stockholders of the Corporation approve (A) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other entity other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 60% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a plan of dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or an agreement for the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer by the Corporation of (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, or (v) there occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Corporation is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

(b)             Continuing Directors . The term “ Continuing Directors ” shall mean, as of the date of determination, any individual who (i) was a director at the beginning of the two year period preceding such date of determination or, if later, the date of this Agreement, or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period preceding such date of determination (or, if later, the date of this Agreement) or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, but shall exclude any person whose initial election to the Board of Directors occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (including any person nominated by a person who has expressed an intent to effect a Change in Control or engage in a proxy or other control contest), other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents or an actual or threatened tender offer.

 

(c)             Corporate Status . The term “ Corporate Status ” describes the status of an individual who is or was a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise which such individual is or was serving at the request of the Corporation.

 

(d)             Corporation . References to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the Corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Corporation (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is or was a party which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, managers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, manager, officer, employee, agent, control person, or fiduciary of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, manager, employee, control person, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

2
 

 

(e)             Expenses . The term “Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses, including, without limitation, any damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines and penalties (whether civil, criminal or other) incurred in connection with a Proceeding; amounts paid by Indemnitee in settlement of a Proceeding, including any interest and assessments; any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement; and all attorneys’ fees and disbursements, accountants’ fees, private investigation fees and disbursements, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, fees and expenses of witnesses, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, or expenses, reasonably incurred by or for Indemnitee in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness or participant in a Proceeding or establishing Indemnitee’s right of entitlement to indemnification for any of the foregoing. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other bond or its equivalent.

 

(f)             Fines . References to “ fines ” shall include, without limitation, any fines, penalties and assessments, as well as any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan.

 

(g)             Independent Legal Counsel . For purposes of this Agreement, “Independent Legal Counsel” shall mean an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in the matters of corporation law, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(e) hereof, who shall not have otherwise performed services for the Corporation or any indemnitee of the Corporation within the last three years (other than with respect to matters concerning the right of any Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity agreements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any attorney who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or an Indemnitee in any action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(h)             Other Enterprise . References to “other enterprise” shall include, without limitation, employee benefit plans sponsored by the Corporation or made available by the Corporation to its employees.

 

(i)             Proceeding . The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, inquiry, proceeding, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation (whether designated by the investigative agency as a formal investigation or otherwise), administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or investigative nature, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, as a witness or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee or of any inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise; in each case whether or not Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement can be provided under this Agreement; provided that any such action, suit or proceeding which is brought by Indemnitee against the Corporation or directors, officers, managers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Corporation shall not be deemed a Proceeding, except (i) with respect to actions or proceedings to establish or enforce a right to indemnity under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy or under the Certificate or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect, (ii) in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such Proceeding, or (iii) as otherwise required under the DGCL, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

3
 

 

(j)             Reviewing Party . A “Reviewing Party” shall mean the party elected pursuant to Section 9(c) of this Agreement.

 

(k)             Serving at the Request of the Corporation . References to “ serving at the request of the Corporation ” shall include any service as a director, officer, manager, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, manager, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary with respect to service as a director, officer, manager, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise.

 

(l)             Substantiating Documentation . The term “substantiating documentation” shall mean, as applicable (i) copies of bills or invoices for costs incurred by or for Indemnitee, or copies of court or agency orders or decrees or settlement agreements, as the case may be, accompanied by a sworn statement from Indemnitee that such bills, invoices, court or agency orders or decrees or settlement agreements, represent costs or liabilities meeting the definition of “Expenses” herein and/or (ii) documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

 

(m)             Threatened Change in Control . A “ Threatened Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) the Corporation (or any affiliate of the Corporation) entering into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (ii) any person (including, without limitation, the Corporation) publicly announcing an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control; or (iii) the Board notifying Indemnitee in writing that a threat of a Change in Control exists.

 

(n)             To the Fullest Extent Authorized or Permitted by Law . The phrase “ to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law ” shall include, but not be limited to: (i) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, even if such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate or Bylaws or by statute; (ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL or such provision thereof; (iii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL or any other applicable law, statute or rule adopted after the date of this Agreement that expands the right of a corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary; and (iv) in the event of any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL or any applicable law, statute or rule that narrows the right of a corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, and to the extent such amendments and/or replacements are not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted pursuant to this Agreement as of the date hereof.

 

(o)             Voting Securities . “Voting Securities” shall mean any securities of the Corporation that vote generally in the election of directors.

 

2.            Indemnity of Indemnitee .

 

The Corporation hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law against any and all Expenses if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or participant or witness in, or is threatened to be made a party to or participant or witness in, any Proceeding. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:

 

4
 

 

(a)             Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation . Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 2(a) if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant or witness in any Proceeding other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation. Pursuant to this Section 2(a) , Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, 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 Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)             Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation . Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 2(b) if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant or witness in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 2(b) , Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such 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; provided, however, that, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine, upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such Expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

3. Additional Indemnification.

 

(a)             Additional Indemnity . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 2 , the Corporation shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant or witness in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation).

 

(b)             Limitations on Additional Indemnity .

 

(i)             Excluded Action or Omissions . No indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof shall be paid by the Corporation to indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses resulting from acts, omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee is prohibited from receiving indemnification under this Agreement or applicable law; provided, however, notwithstanding any limitation set forth in this Section 3(b)(i) regarding the Corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 8 to receive Expense Advances hereunder with respect to any such Proceeding unless and until a court having jurisdiction over the Proceeding shall have made a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that Indemnitee has engaged in acts, omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee is prohibited from receiving indemnification under this Agreement or applicable law.

 

(ii)             Claims Under Exchange Act . No indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof shall be paid by the Corporation to indemnify Indemnitee for (i) Expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor statute or similar provisions of any Federal, state or local statutory law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Corporation by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act” ), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided, however, that notwithstanding any limitation set forth in this Section 3(b)(ii) regarding the Corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 8 to receive Expense Advances hereunder with respect to any such Proceeding unless and until a court having jurisdiction over the Proceeding shall have made a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that Indemnitee has violated said statute.

 

5
 

 

(iii)             Lack of Good Faith . No indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof shall be paid by the Corporation to indemnify Indemnitee for any Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any action instituted (A) by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction over such action determines as provided in Section 10 that each of the material assertions made by the Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not made in good faith or was frivolous, or (B) by or in the name of the Corporation to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction over such action determines as provided in Section 10 that each of the material defenses asserted by Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous.

 

(iv)             Proceedings Initiated by Indemnitee . No indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof shall be paid by the Corporation to indemnify or make Expense Advances to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, counterclaim or crossclaim, except (A) with respect to actions or proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy or under the Certificate or Bylaws, (B) in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such Proceeding or (C) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the DGCL, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, Expense Advance or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

(c)             Mandatory Payment of Expenses . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in the defense of any Proceeding or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.

 

4.            Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability.

 

(a)             Other Parties Jointly Liable . The Corporation hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Corporation who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding.

 

(b)             Corporation Jointly Liable; Full Payment . Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 2 and 3 hereof is available, in respect of any Proceeding in which the Corporation is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Corporation shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of all Expenses relating to such Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Corporation hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Corporation shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Corporation is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

6
 

 

(c)             Corporation Jointly Liable; Shared Payment . Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Corporation set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any Expenses in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding in which Corporation is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Corporation shall contribute to the amount of Expenses actually incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Corporation and all officers, directors or employees of the Corporation other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with him (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Corporation and all officers, directors or employees of the Corporation other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Corporation and all officers, directors or employees of the Corporation other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with him (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

(d)             Registration of Securities . In connection with the registration of the Corporation’s securities, the relative benefits received by the Corporation and Indemnitee shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions that the net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Corporation and the Indemnitee, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the applicable prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the securities so offered. The relative fault of the Corporation and Indemnitee shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Corporation or Indemnitee and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

(e)             Equitable Considerations . The Corporation and Indemnitee agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4(e) were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. In connection with any registration of the Corporation’s securities, in no event and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 4(e) shall an Indemnitee be required to contribute any amount hereunder in excess of the lesser of (i) that proportion of the total of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities indemnified against equal to the proportion of the total securities sold under such registration statement that is being sold by Indemnitee or (ii) the proceeds received by Indemnitee from its sale of securities under such registration statement. No person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 10(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(f)             Survival Regardless of Investigation . The indemnification and contribution provided for herein will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Indemnitee or any officer, director, employee, agent or controlling person of Indemnitee.

 

7
 

 

5.            Maintenance of D&O Insurance.

 

The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as the Indemnitee shall continue to serve as a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation and thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation, the Corporation shall promptly maintain in full force and effect D&O Insurance in reasonable amounts from established and reputable insurers, provided that D&O Insurance is available to the Corporation on commercially reasonable terms. In all policies of D&O Insurance, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Corporation’s directors, if the Indemnitee is a director; or of the Corporation’s officers, if the Indemnitee is not a director of the corporation but is an officer; or of the Corporation’s key employees, if the Indemnitee is not a director or officer of the Corporation and the D&O Insurance names key employees as insureds. If the Indemnitee is not a director, officer or an employee of the Company, but rather is another agent of the Company, the Indemnitee shall have the rights and benefits, if any, under the D&O Insurance as are reasonable and customary for agents serving in such a capacity. If the Corporation decides to allow D&O Insurance coverage to lapse because D&O Insurance is not available to the Corporation on commercially reasonable terms, the Corporation shall so notify Indemnitee as soon as reasonably practicable. Upon any Change in Control, the Corporation shall obtain continuation and/or “tail” coverage consistent with the foregoing provisions for a period of no less than six years following the date of such Change in Control.

 

6.            Security; Establishment of a Trust.

 

(a)             Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and (i) approved by the Board or (ii) in the event of a Threatened Change in Control or a Change in Control, the Corporation shall at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Corporation’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust, letter of credit or other collateral or financing arrangement (each such security arrangement, the “ Security ”). The Security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee. The Security shall be in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all Expenses reasonably anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, participating in or defending any Proceedings, and any and all judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, fines penalties and amounts paid in settlement) in connection with any and all Proceedings from time to time actually paid or claimed, reasonably anticipated or proposed to be paid. The amount or amounts of such Security shall be determined by mutual agreement of the Indemnitee and the Corporation or, if the Corporation and the Indemnitee are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Legal Counsel selected in accordance with Section 9(e) hereof.

 

(b)             Establishment of a Trust. To the extent the Corporation provides the Security pursuant to Section 6(a) in the form of a funded trust (the “ Trust ”), the Corporation may, in its discretion, establish one collective trust for the benefit of all persons who may have rights similar to those of the Indemnitee and the Trust shall form part of such single collective trust. The trustee of the Trust (the “ Trustee ”) shall be a bank or trust company or other individual or entity chosen by the Corporation and reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 6(b) shall relieve the Corporation of any of its obligations under this Agreement. The terms of the Trust shall provide that, except upon the consent of both the Indemnitee and the Corporation, upon a Change in Control (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded, without the written consent of the Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee shall advance, within two (2) business days of a request by the Indemnitee and upon the execution and delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation, any and all Expenses to the Indemnitee, (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by the Corporation in accordance with the funding obligations set forth above, (iv) the Trustee shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise and (v) all unexpended funds in such Trust shall revert to the Corporation upon mutual agreement by the Indemnitee and the Corporation or, if the Indemnitee and the Corporation are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Legal Counsel selected in accordance with Section 9(e) hereof, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The Trust shall be governed by Delaware law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) and the Trustee shall consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court.

 

8
 

 

7.            Choice of Counsel .

 

The Corporation shall have the right to approve Indemnitee’s selection of counsel with respect to any Proceeding (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall only be withheld where there is a conflict of interest with respect to such counsel and the Corporation under applicable ethical rules or where such counsel is not experienced in matters of the kind presented). Where it is feasible to do so without impairing the Indemnitee’s ability to defend himself or herself in a Proceeding, Indemnitee agrees to cooperate with the Corporation to reduce expenses and maximize the insurance coverage applicable to a particular Proceeding, including without limitation, by agreeing to be jointly represented by legal counsel with other directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Corporation who are also involved with the Proceeding; provided, however , that nothing in this sentence shall be construed to prevent Indemnitee from retaining his or her separate counsel, at the expense of the Corporation, where there would be a conflict of interest, as determined by counsel for Indemnitee, as a result of any such joint representation.

 

8.            Advances of Expenses .

 

(a)             Payment of Expenses . Expenses (other than judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by Indemnitee shall be paid by the Corporation, in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, as soon as practicable but in any event no later than twenty (20) days after receipt of Indemnitee’s written request accompanied by substantiating documentation and Indemnitee’s undertaking to repay such amount to the extent it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(b)             Undertaking . The obligation of the Corporation to make an advance payment of Expenses to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 8(a) (an “ Expense Advance ”) shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that a Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law or this Agreement, the Corporation shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby undertakes and agrees to reimburse the Corporation) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law or this Agreement, the Certificate or the Bylaws, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law or this Agreement, the Certificate or the Bylaws shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Corporation for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Corporation for any Expense Advance shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged by the Corporation in connection with any such amounts determined to be owed by Indemnitee.

 

(c)             Limitation on Expense Advance . Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions in this Section 8 , the Corporation shall not be obligated to make an Expense Advance to Indemnitee in connection with a lawsuit filed directly by the Corporation against Indemnitee if an absolute majority of the members of the Board of Directors reasonably determines in good faith, within ten (10) days of Indemnitee’s request for an Expense Advance, that the facts known to them at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that Indemnitee acted in bad faith after Indemnitee has had an opportunity, with counsel, to present his case to the Board. If such a determination is made, Indemnitee may have such decision reviewed by another forum, in the manner set forth in Section 10 , with all references therein to “indemnification” being deemed to refer to “Expense Advance” and the burden of proof shall be on the Corporation to demonstrate clearly and convincingly that, based on the facts known at the time, Indemnitee acted in bad faith. The Corporation may not avail itself of this Section 8(c) as to a given lawsuit if, at any time after the occurrence of the activities or omissions that are the primary focus of the lawsuit, the Corporation has undergone a Change in Control.

 

9
 

 

9.            Right of Indemnitee to Indemnification Upon Application; Procedure Upon Application .  It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the law and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

(a)             Notice . Indemnitee shall give the Corporation notice in writing in accordance with Section 19 of this Agreement as soon as practicable of any Proceeding made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Corporation shall not relieve the Corporation of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.

 

(b)             Requests for Indemnification . In order to obtain indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written request therefor. Such request or requests may be delivered from time to time and at such times as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion.

 

(c)             Reviewing Party/Cooperation by Indemnitee . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(b) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following three methods, which shall be at the election of the Indemnittee, (i) by a majority of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by Independent Legal Counsel or (iii) if there are no disinterested directors or a Change in Control shall have occurred, by the stockholders. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Reviewing Party and provide to the Reviewing Party upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Nothing in this Agreement shall require Indemnitee to waive any of his rights under the United States Constitution or to provide information which is privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. Any Independent Legal Counsel, member of the Board, or stockholder of the Corporation shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under the Agreement of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Reviewing Party shall be borne by the Corporation (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Corporation hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. If the Reviewing Party shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after (i) receipt by the Corporation of the request therefor or (ii) the selection of Independent Legal Counsel as provided in Section 9(e) (if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Legal Counsel), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, thereto; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders and if within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Corporation of the request for such determination the Board resolves to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at a special meeting thereof or at the next annual meeting thereof and such determination is made thereat.

 

(d)            Payment of Indemnification. If, in regard to any Expenses, no determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification is legally required as a condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder, the Corporation shall pay to Indemnitee, within five business days of the receipt by the Corporation of the request for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(b) , an amount equal to such Expenses. If a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification in regard to any Expenses is legally required as a condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder and Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof to be entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall pay to Indemnitee, within five business days after Indemnitee has been determined or deemed to be entitled to indemnification, an amount equal to such Expenses.

 

10
 

 

(e)             Independent Legal Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, the Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 9(e) . The Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board). Indemnitee or the Corporation, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Corporation or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Legal Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Legal Counsel” as defined in Section 1(g) and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Legal Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Legal Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Legal Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(b) hereof, no Independent Legal Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Corporation or Indemnitee may seek judicial resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Corporation or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Legal Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Legal Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Legal Counsel under Section 9(c) hereof. The Corporation shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Legal Counsel incurred by such Independent Legal Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, and the Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 9(e) , regardless of the manner in which such Independent Legal Counsel was selected or appointed.

 

(f)             Presumption in Favor of Indemnification . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Reviewing Party shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(b) . For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence, shall be on the Corporation to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

 

11
 

 

(g)             Presumption of Good Faith . Indemnitee shall be presumed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Corporation in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation by an independent certified public accountant, by a financial advisor or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, manager, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Corporation shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(g) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed (unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary) that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(h)             Presumption for Settlements . The Corporation acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed (unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary) that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(i)             Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of the receipt by the Corporation of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, the Corporation has liability insurance in effect which may cover such Proceeding, the Corporation shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in each of the Corporation’s policies. The Corporation shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

10.            Remedies.

 

(a)             Adjudication of Entitlement . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 , (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(c) within the periods specified therein, or (iv) payment of indemnification is not made within the periods specified in Section 9(d) , Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication of his entitlement to such indemnification. The Corporation shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.

 

(b)             Determination of Not Entitled . In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(c) that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 10 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced in any way by reason of that adverse determination.

 

(c)             Determination of Entitled . If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(c) that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 10 , absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

12
 

 

(d)             Expenses Incurred in Action to Enforce or Interpret . The Corporation shall also indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law against all Expenses and, in accordance with Section 8 , also advance such Expenses to Indemnitee that are actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding brought by Indemnitee (i) to establish or enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Certificate, Bylaws or applicable law, or (ii) to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Corporation, in each case regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses, contribution or insurance recovery.

 

(e)             Interest . Interest shall be paid by the Corporation to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Corporation indemnifies or is obliged to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification (or reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses) and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Corporation.

 

11.            Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive . The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Certificate, the Bylaws, the DGCL, any D&O Insurance, any agreement, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. However, Indemnitee shall reimburse the Corporation for amounts paid to Indemnitee pursuant to such other rights to the extent such payments duplicate any payments received pursuant to this Agreement.

 

12.            Continuation of Indemnity . All agreements and obligations of the Corporation contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is 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, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by reason of the fact that Indemnitee was a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation or serving in any other capacity referred to herein.

 

13.              Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

14.            Indemnification for Expenses as a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

15.              Settlement of Claims . The Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Corporation’s prior written consent. The Corporation shall not (i) settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee or (ii) seek or agree to any judicial or regulatory bar order or other order, decree or stipulation (pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, any similar foreign, federal or state statute, regulation, rule or law, or otherwise) that would prohibit Indemnitee from enforcing Indemnitee’s rights hereunder, in either case without Indemnitee’s prior written consent. Neither the Corporation nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold or delay their consent to any proposed settlement. The Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Corporation was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action.

 

13
 

 

16.            Enforcement . The Corporation expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on the Corporation hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation, and acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in continuing as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

17.            Governing Law; Venue; Binding Effect; Amendment and Termination .

 

(a)             Governing Law . This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(b)             Venue . The Corporation and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the State of Delaware, and each party hereto specifically waives the right to seek transfer of any action or proceeding out of the designated forum pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sections 1404 and 1406, any state forum non conveniens statute or the common law doctrine of forum non conveniens .

 

(c)             Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s heirs, personal representatives and assigns and to the benefit of the Corporation, its successors and assigns. The Corporation shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect, and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken effect.

 

(d)             Amendment . No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Corporation and Indemnitee.

 

18.            Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be in any way affected or impaired thereby, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. Each section of this Agreement is a separate and independent portion of this Agreement. If the indemnification to which Indemnitee is entitled with respect to any aspect of any claim varies between two or more sections of this Agreement, that section providing the most comprehensive indemnification shall apply.

 

19.              Notice . Notice to the Corporation shall be directed to Royal Gold, Inc., 1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: General Counsel. Notice to Indemnitee shall be directed to the address set forth under Indemnitee’s signature hereto. The foregoing addresses may be changed from time to time by the addressee upon notice to the other parties. Notice shall be deemed received three days after the date postmarked if sent by prepaid mail, properly addressed.

 

20.            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile also shall deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver a manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.

 

14
 

 

21.            No Construction as Employment Agreement . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Indemnitee any right to be retained in the employ of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

 

22.            Entire Agreement. The Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and shall be of no further force and effect. This Agreement and the documents expressly referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications, understandings or agreements relating to such subject matter.

 

23.            Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to execute all documents and to perform all acts that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

24.            No Duplication of Payments. The Corporation shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against the Indemnitee to the extent the Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment from or on behalf of the Corporation (under any insurance policy, provision of the Certificate or Bylaws or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.

 

25.            Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Corporation against the Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Corporation shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

15
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:  
       
  ROYAL GOLD, INC.  
  a Delaware corporation  
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    
       
  INDEMNITEE:
       
  Signature:    
       
  Name:      
       
  Address:    
       

 

16