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): April 4, 2018 (April 2, 2018)

 

 

Broadcom Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   333-222898   35-2617337

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

1320 Ridder Park Drive

San Jose, California

  95131
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 433-8000

 

 

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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

Emerging Growth Company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note

Completion of Redomiciliation

As part of the previously announced plan to restructure the Broadcom corporate group to cause the publicly traded parent company of the Broadcom group to be a Delaware corporation (the “ Redomiciliation Transaction ”), on April 2, 2018, Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Broadcom-Delaware ”) and Broadcom Limited, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (“ Broadcom-Singapore ”), received approval (the “ Court Approval Order ”) from the High Court of the Republic of Singapore of a statutory scheme of arrangement under Singapore law (the “ Scheme of Arrangement ”) previously approved by Broadcom-Singapore shareholders and pursuant to which all issued ordinary shares in the capital of Broadcom-Singapore as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Scheme of Arrangement would be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware.

After the close of market trading on April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Singapore lodged the Court Approval Order with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore, the Scheme of Arrangement became effective and binding on all shareholders of Broadcom-Singapore, and Broadcom-Singapore became a subsidiary of Broadcom-Delaware, thereby completing the Redomiciliation Transaction.

As part of the Redomiciliation Transaction and pursuant to an amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Broadcom Cayman L.P. (the “ Partnership ” and such agreement, as amended, the “ Partnership Agreement ”) which was executed on March 23, 2018 with the requisite consent of the limited partners party thereto, all outstanding exchangeable limited partnership units (the “ LP Units ”) of the Partnership (other than any LP Units held by Broadcom-Singapore and its subsidiaries) were mandatorily exchanged (the “ Mandatory Exchange ”) on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware immediately prior to the effective time of the Scheme of Arrangement. As a result, all outstanding limited partners of the Partnership have become common stockholders of Broadcom-Delaware. In addition, all related outstanding special preference shares in the capital of Broadcom-Singapore were automatically redeemed pursuant to Broadcom-Singapore’s governing documents upon the Mandatory Exchange of the LP Units.

The Broadcom-Delaware common stock issued in exchange for Broadcom-Singapore ordinary shares pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement was exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). Please refer to the definitive proxy statement (the “ Redomiciliation Proxy Statement ”) on Schedule 14A of Broadcom-Singapore filed on March 9, 2018 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) for additional information about the Redomiciliation Transaction.

Prior to the Redomiciliation Transaction, Broadcom-Singapore’s ordinary shares were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“ NASDAQ ”). Broadcom-Singapore’s ordinary shares will be suspended from trading on NASDAQ prior to the open of trading on April 5, 2018, and Broadcom-Singapore has requested that NASDAQ file with the SEC an application on Form 25 to delist the Broadcom-Singapore ordinary shares from NASDAQ and from registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Broadcom-Singapore expects to file a Form 15 with the SEC to terminate the registration under the Exchange Act of Broadcom-Singapore ordinary shares and suspend all of its reporting obligations under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act ten days after the date such Form 25 is filed.

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, Broadcom-Delaware is the successor issuer to Broadcom-Singapore, Broadcom-Delaware’s common stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and Broadcom-Delaware is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Broadcom-Delaware hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act. Broadcom-Delaware’s common stock will begin trading on NASDAQ at the start of trading on April 5, 2018 and will trade under the symbol “AVGO”, which is the same symbol under which Broadcom-Singapore ordinary shares previously traded. The CUSIP number for Broadcom-Delaware’s common stock is 11135F 101.

In addition, prior to the Redomiciliation Transaction, the Partnership’s LP Units were registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act due to the number of record holders of LP Units and, as a result, the Partnership was subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Subsequent to the Mandatory Exchange of LP Units, there is now only one beneficial owner of LP Units. Broadcom-Singapore expects to file (on behalf of the Partnership) a Form 15 with the SEC to terminate the registration under the Exchange Act of the LP Units and suspend all of the reporting obligations of the Partnership under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on, or as promptly as reasonably practicable following, the date hereof.


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Effective upon the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction, Broadcom-Delaware entered into indemnification and advancement agreements (the “ Indemnification and Advancement Agreements ”) with each of Broadcom-Delaware’s directors and officers. The Indemnification and Advancement Agreements provide for indemnification of the directors and officers of Broadcom-Delaware to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law as it now exists or may in the future be amended, against all expenses, liabilities and loss incurred in connection with their service as a director or officer on behalf of Broadcom-Delaware. In addition, the Indemnification and Advancement Agreements provide that, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, Broadcom-Delaware shall pay the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a director or officer of Broadcom-Delaware, in defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, that to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay all amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by Broadcom-Delaware.

The foregoing description of the Indemnification and Advancement Agreements is a general description only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Indemnification and Advancement Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to the Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Directors and Officers

In connection with the completion of the Redomiciliation Transaction, the directors and executive officers of Broadcom-Singapore immediately prior to the completion of the Redomiciliation Transaction became the directors and executive officers of Broadcom-Delaware. In addition, following completion of the Redomiciliation Transaction, Broadcom-Delaware replicated the committees of the board of directors, and the membership thereof, that previously were in place for Broadcom-Singapore. Information regarding Broadcom’s directors, executive officers and committee members is included in Broadcom-Singapore’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 20, 2018, under the headings “Proposal 1: Election of Directors”, “Corporate Governance—Board Committees” and “Executive Officers” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Director Compensation

On April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Delaware adopted a director compensation program for its non-employee directors, effective as of the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction. The terms of such director compensation program are substantially the same as the terms of the director compensation program maintained by Broadcom-Singapore immediately prior to the Redomiciliation Transaction (the “ Broadcom-Singapore Director Compensation Program ”). A description of the material terms of the Broadcom-Singapore Director Compensation Program is included in Broadcom-Singapore’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 20, 2018 under the heading “Directors’ Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Avago Technologies Limited 2009 Equity Award Plan

On April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Delaware assumed the Avago Technologies Limited 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan, including any addendums thereto (the “ Avago 2009 Plan ”) and provided that the securities issuable in connection with awards thereunder will be shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware rather than ordinary shares of Broadcom-Singapore, effective immediately upon the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction. A description of the material terms of the Avago 2009 Plan is included in Avago’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 3, 2009, which description is incorporated herein by reference. The Avago 2009 Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


Amended Equity Plans

Upon the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction, Broadcom-Delaware assumed each of the following equity plans (collectively, the “ Equity Plans ”) and all addendums thereto and assumed each outstanding and unvested equity award thereunder: the Broadcom Corporation 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, the LSI Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, the Amended and Restated Emulex Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan, the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Award Plan and the Broadcom Limited Second Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ Amended and Restated ESPP ”). On April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Delaware’s board of directors approved amendments (the “ Plan Amendments ”) to the Equity Plans, which became effective immediately upon consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction. The Plan Amendments amend the Equity Plans to provide that the securities issuable in connection with awards (including purchase rights under the Amended and Restated ESPP) thereunder will be shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware rather than ordinary shares of Broadcom-Singapore.

The Amended and Restated ESPP amended and restated the Amended and Restated Avago Technologies Limited Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ ESPP ”), originally adopted by Avago Technologies Limited, the predecessor to Broadcom-Singapore (“ Avago ”). A description of the material terms of the ESPP is included in Avago’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 3, 2009, which description is incorporated herein by reference. The Amended and Restated ESPP retains the material terms of the ESPP and provides for both the grant of purchase rights that are intended to qualify for favorable U.S. federal tax treatment (the “ Section  423 Component ”) under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and the grant of purchase rights that are not intended to be tax-qualified under Code Section 423 (the “ Non-Section 423 Component ”). The plan administrator designates offerings made under the Non-Section 423 Component and the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component generally will be operated and administered in the same manner. This description of the Amended and Restated ESPP does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Amended and Restated ESPP, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Broadcom Limited’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on February 2, 2016. The Equity Plans are filed as Exhibits 10.3-10.8 hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and the Plan Amendments are filed as Exhibits 10.9-10.14 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Severance Benefits Agreements

On April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Delaware assumed the following agreements with its executive officers: (i) the Severance Benefit Agreement between Avago and Hock E. Tan, dated January 23, 2014, which was assumed by Broadcom-Singapore; (ii) the Severance Benefit Agreement between Broadcom-Singapore and Thomas H. Krause, dated October 17, 2016; (iii) the Severance Benefit Agreement between Avago and Charlie B. Kawwas, dated June 9, 2015, which was assumed by Broadcom-Singapore; (iv) the Severance Benefit Agreement between Broadcom-Singapore and Mark Brazeal, dated September 26, 2017; (v) the Severance Benefit Agreement between Avago and Bryan T. Ingram, dated January 23, 2014, which was assumed by Broadcom-Singapore; (vi) the Offer of Continuing Employment between Avago and Dr. Kawwas, dated June 3, 2015, which was assumed by Broadcom-Singapore; and (vii) the Offer of Continuing Employment between Broadcom-Singapore and Henry Samueli (collectively, the “ Executive Agreements ”). In connection with the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction, the Executive Agreements will be deemed amended to the extent necessary so that all references to compensatory equity or equity-linked awards will refer to compensatory equity or equity-linked awards covering shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware. The Executive Agreements are filed as Exhibits 10.15-10.21 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

In connection with the Redomiciliation Transaction, Broadcom-Delaware filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on April 2, 2018, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 (the “ Certificate ) and incorporated herein by reference. In addition, Broadcom-Delaware adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws on April 4, 2018, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 (the “ Bylaws ). The summary of the material terms of the Certificate and Bylaws of Broadcom-Delaware are described under the heading “Description of Broadcom-Delaware Capital Stock” under Item 8.01 below and are incorporated into this Item 5.03 by reference.

Such descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate and Bylaws, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On April 2, 2018 and April 4, 2018, Broadcom-Singapore, as the sole stockholder of Broadcom-Delaware, approved certain matters necessary for the consummation of the Redomiciliation Transaction.


Item 8.01 Other Events.

DESCRIPTION OF BROADCOM-DELAWARE CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of Broadcom-Delaware’s capital stock is a summary. This summary is subject to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and the complete text of the Certificate and the Bylaws which are incorporated herein by reference.We encourage you to read that law and those documents carefully.

General

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate authorizes 2,900,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Each holder of Broadcom-Delaware common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Broadcom-Delaware stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, in an uncontested election, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of Broadcom-Delaware common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by Broadcom-Delaware’s board of directors out of legally available funds. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of common stock. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors. The time and amount of dividends will be dependent upon Broadcom-Delaware’s financial condition, operations, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, restrictions in Broadcom-Delaware’s debt instruments, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and any other factors the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors may consider relevant.

Liquidation

In the event of Broadcom-Delaware’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Broadcom-Delaware common stock are entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of Broadcom-Delaware’s debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of Broadcom-Delaware common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Broadcom-Delaware’s common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Broadcom-Delaware common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that Broadcom-Delaware may designate in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All outstanding shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate authorizes the board of directors of Broadcom-Delaware to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of any shares of preferred stock that it shall choose to issue, without vote or action by the stockholders.


Annual Stockholder Meetings

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, place (if any) and time, as exclusively selected by the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors. To the extent permitted under applicable law, Broadcom-Delaware may but is not obligated to conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws and Delaware Law

Some provisions of Delaware law and the Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws could make the following transactions difficult: acquisition of Broadcom-Delaware by means of a tender offer; acquisition of Broadcom-Delaware by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of incumbent officers and directors of Broadcom-Delaware. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in the best interests of Broadcom-Delaware, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for Broadcom-Delaware shares.

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Broadcom-Delaware to first negotiate with the company’s board of directors.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

Broadcom-Delaware is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock and a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of Broadcom-Delaware. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of Broadcom-Delaware.

Special Stockholder Meetings

The Broadcom-Delaware Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the company’s board of directors or by two or more stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Broadcom-Delaware.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

The Bylaws of Broadcom-Delaware establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws do not provide for the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.


Composition of the Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

The Broadcom-Delaware board of directors consists of not less than one nor more than 13 directors. In any uncontested elections of directors, a director nominee for the board of directors of Broadcom-Delaware will be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director by the shares represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, voting together as a single class. An incumbent director who is nominated for an uncontested election and fails to receive a majority of the votes present and voting for such director’s reelection would be required to tender his or her resignation to the board of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors (or any future committee the equivalent thereof) will make a recommendation to the board of directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The board of directors will act on the recommendation of such committee and will publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. In a contested election, a plurality voting standard will apply to director elections. The directors of Broadcom-Delaware are elected until the expiration of the term for which they are elected and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

The directors of Broadcom-Delaware may be removed only by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the holders of Broadcom-Delaware’s then-outstanding common stock. Furthermore, any vacancy on the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may be filled only by a majority vote of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

Choice of Forum

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, the Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against Broadcom-Delaware that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Although the Broadcom-Delaware Certificate contains the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.

Amendment of the Certificate and Bylaws

The amendment of any of the provisions in the Certificate requires approval by a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. The Bylaws of Broadcom-Delaware may be amended by the board of directors or by the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

The Broadcom-Delaware Certificate contains provisions that limit the liability of the directors and officers of Broadcom-Delaware for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, Broadcom Delaware directors and officers are not personally liable to the company or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

    any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the company or its stockholders;

 

    any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or

 

    any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.


Each of the Broadcom-Delaware Certificate and Bylaws provide that Broadcom-Delaware is required to indemnify its directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Broadcom-Delaware Bylaws also obligate it to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit it to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether Broadcom-Delaware would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under Delaware law. Broadcom-Delaware has entered into agreements with its directors and officers and expects to enter into agreements to indemnify other Broadcom-Delaware employees as determined by the Broadcom-Delaware board of directors. With specified exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Broadcom-Delaware also maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Uncertificated Shares

Holders of shares of common stock of Broadcom-Delaware do not have the right to require Broadcom-Delaware to issue certificates for their shares. Broadcom-Delaware will only issue uncertificated shares of common stock.

Stock Exchange Listing

The Broadcom-Delaware shares of common stock are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “AVGO,” the same symbol under which the Broadcom-Singapore ordinary shares were previously listed.

No Sinking Fund

The Broadcom-Delaware shares of common stock have no sinking fund provisions.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for Broadcom-Delaware’s common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Broadcom Inc., adopted as of April 2, 2018.
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Broadcom Inc., adopted as of April 4, 2018.
10.1    Form of Indemnification and Advancement Agreement.
10.2    Avago Technologies Limited 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Avago Technologies Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-153127) filed with the SEC on July 27, 2009).
10.3    Broadcom Corporation 2012 Stock Incentive Plan ( incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Broadcom Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 000-23993) filed with the SEC on January 29, 2015 ), as amended by the Amendment to the Broadcom Corporation 2012 Stock Incentive Plan ( incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 of Broadcom Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC December 23, 2016 ).
10.4    LSI Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-195741) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2014) as amended by the Amendment to the LSI Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Broadcom Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on December 23, 2016) .
10.5    Emulex Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-203858) filed with the SEC on May 5, 2015) , as amended by the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Emulex Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Broadcom Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on December 23, 2016) .


10.6    Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan, as amended and restated April  11, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Brocade Communication Systems, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 000-25601 ) filed with the SEC April  12, 2017) , as amended by the Amendment to the Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Broadcom Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-221654) filed with the SEC on November 11, 2017) .
10.7    Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Award Plan, effective as of May  24, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Brocade Communication Systems, Inc.’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 on Form S-8 Registration Statement (SEC File No. 333-211823) filed with the SEC on June 3, 2016) , as amended by the Amendment to the Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Broadcom Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-221654) filed with the SEC on November 11, 2017) .
10.8    Broadcom Limited Second Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Broadcom Limited’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on February 2, 2016) .
10.9    Amendment to the Broadcom Corporation 2012 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.10    Amendment to the LSI Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.11    Amendment to the Emulex Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.12    Amendment to the Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan.
10.13    Amendment to the Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Award Plan.
10.14    Amendment to the Broadcom Limited Second Amended and Restated Employees Share Purchase Plan.
10.15    Severance Benefit Agreement, dated January  23, 2014, between Avago Technologies Limited and Hock E. Tan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-34428) filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014) .
10.16    Severance Benefit Agreement, dated October  17, 2016, between Broadcom Limited and Thomas H. Krause, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 of Broadcom Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on December 23, 2016) .
10.17    Severance Benefit Agreement, dated June  3, 2015, between Avago Technologies Limited and Charlie Kawwas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-34428) filed with the SEC on June 10, 2015) .
10.18    Severance Benefit Agreement, dated September  26, 2017, between Broadcom Limited and Mark Brazeal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 of Broadcom Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on December 21, 2017) .
10.19    Severance Benefit Agreement, dated January  30, 2014, between Avago Technologies Limited and Bryan Ingram (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-34428) filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014) .
10.20    Offer of Continuing Employment, dated June  3, 2015, between Avago Technologies Limited and Charlie Kawwas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Avago Technologies Limited’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-34428) filed with the SEC on June 10, 2015) .
10.21    Offer of Continuing Employment, dated February 2, 2016, by and between Broadcom Limited and Henry Samueli (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.65 of Broadcom Limited’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-37690) filed with the SEC on March 10, 2016) .


SIGNATURE

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.

Date: April 4, 2018

 

Broadcom Inc.
By:  

/s/ Thomas H. Krause, Jr.

Name:   Thomas H. Krause, Jr.
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BROADCOM  INC.

Broadcom Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Broadcom Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 17, 2018.

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the “ DGCL ”) and by the written consent of its sole stockholder in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

3. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Broadcom Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE AND DURATION

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. The Corporation is to have a perpetual existence.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Authorized Shares . The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “ Common Stock ” and “ Preferred Stock .” The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is three billion (3,000,000,000). The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is two billion nine hundred million (2,900,000,000), having a par value of $0.001 per share, and the total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the corporation is authorized to issue is one hundred million (100,000,000), having a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

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Section 2. Common Stock .

(a) Voting . Each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held by such holder on all matters put to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

(b) Dividends . Subject to the rights of any holders of any shares of Preferred Stock which may from time to time come into existence and be outstanding, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to the payment of dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) in accordance with applicable law and to receive other distributions from the Corporation. Any dividends declared by the Board of Directors to the holders of the then outstanding Common Stock shall be paid to the holders thereof pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder as of the record date of such dividend.

(c) Liquidation . Subject to the rights of any holders of any shares of Preferred Stock which may from time to time come into existence and be outstanding, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the funds and assets of the Corporation that may be legally distributed to the Corporation’s stockholders after payments to creditors shall be distributed among the holders of the then outstanding Common Stock pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder.

Section 3. Preferred Stock . Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms as stated or expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided. Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by adopting a resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof and by filing a certificate of designations relating thereto in accordance with the DGCL, to determine and fix the number of shares of such series and such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including without limitation thereof, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be stated and expressed in such resolutions, all to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of any series of Preferred Stock may provide that such series shall be superior or rank equally or be junior to any other series of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by law.

 

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The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Authority . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Number of Directors . The Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than one nor more than thirteen (13) members, the exact number of which shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office.

Section 3. Term . Each director shall hold office until the next annual election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 4. Removal . Subject to the rights of any holders of any shares of Preferred Stock which may from time to time come into existence and be outstanding, directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 5. Vacancies . Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, whether arising through death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal, an increase in the number of directors or any other reason, may be filled only by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

Section 6. Powers . In addition to the powers and authority herein or by statute expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided, however , the amendment or repeal of any provision of the Bylaws, or the adoption of any new bylaw, after the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, shall not invalidate any prior act of the Board of Directors which would have been valid if such bylaws had not been adopted.

Section 7. Officers . Except as otherwise expressly delegated by resolution of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power and authority to appoint and remove officers of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VI

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Actions by Consent . Except as may be provided in a resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings of Stockholders . Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, unless otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may only be called by either (i) the Chair of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary of the Corporation upon direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors constituting the Board of Directors or (ii) two or more stockholders as provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

Section 3. Meeting Location . Meetings of stockholders may be held within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or in the Bylaws of the Corporation. The books of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

Section 4. Advance Notice . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VII

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Director Limitation of Liability . To the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If Delaware law is amended or interpreted after approval by the stockholders of this Article VII to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law as so amended or interpreted.

Section 2. Right to Indemnification .

(a) Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, except for liability (i) for any breach of a director’s loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to the liability of directors for unlawful payment of a dividend or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption) or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, any director or officer of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, 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, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person only if the Proceeding was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors.

 

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(b) Employees and Agents . The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any 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 an 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 or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 3. Contract Rights . The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

Section 4. Not Exclusive Remedy . The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, provision of the Bylaws of the Corporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Section 5. Amendment or Repeal . Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VII in respect of any matter occurring, or any Proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery (the “ Chancery Court ”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Bylaws of the Corporation or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as either may be amended from time to time) or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “ Foreign Action ”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article VIII.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT

From time to time any of the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, changed or repealed, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner and at the time prescribed by said laws, and all rights at any time conferred upon the stockholders of the Corporation by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of this Article IX.

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors shall have the power of adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation as provided therein. The Bylaws of the Corporation also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class. The Corporation may in the Bylaws of the Corporation confer powers upon its Board of Directors in addition to the foregoing and in addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors by applicable law.

( Signature Page to Follow .)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on this 2 nd day of April, 2018.

 

BROADCOM INC.
By:  

    /s/ Hock E. Tan

  Hock E. Tan
  President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Broadcom Inc. Certificate of Incorporation]

Exhibit 3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Broadcom Inc.

(a Delaware corporation)

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  

Article I - Corporate Offices

     1  

1.1

 

Registered Office

     1  

1.2

 

Other Offices

     1  

Article II - Meetings of Stockholders

     1  

2.1

 

Place of Meetings

     1  

2.2

 

Annual Meeting

     1  

2.3

 

Special Meeting

     1  

2.4

 

Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting

     5  

2.5

 

Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors

     9  

2.6

 

Proxy Access

     12  

2.7

 

Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings

     20  

2.8

 

Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice

     21  

2.9

 

Quorum

     21  

2.10

 

Adjourned Meeting; Notice

     21  

2.11

 

Conduct of Business

     22  

2.12

 

Voting

     22  

2.13

 

Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes

     22  

2.14

 

Proxies

     23  

2.15

 

List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote

     23  

2.16

 

Inspectors of Election

     23  

Article III - Directors

     24  

3.1

 

Powers

     24  

3.2

 

Number of Directors

     24  

3.3

 

Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors

     24  

3.4

 

Resignation, Removal and Vacancies

     25  

3.5

 

Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone

     26  

3.6

 

Regular Meetings

     26  

3.7

 

Special Meetings; Notice

     26  

3.8

 

Quorum

     26  

3.9

 

Board Action by Written Consent without a Meeting

     27  

3.10

 

Fees and Compensation of Directors

     27  

Article IV - Committees

     27  

4.1

 

Committees of Directors

     27  

4.2

 

Committee Minutes

     27  

4.3

 

Meetings and Actions of Committees

     28  

Article V - Officers

     28  

5.1

 

Officers

     28  

5.2

 

Appointment of Officers

     28  

5.3

 

Subordinate Officers

     29  

5.4

 

Removal and Resignation of Officers

     29  

 

i


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.5

 

Vacancies in Offices

     29  

5.6

 

Representation of Shares of Other Corporations and Entities

     29  

5.7

 

Authority and Duties of Officers

     29  

Article VI - Records

     29  

Article VII - General Matters

     30  

7.1

 

Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

     30  

7.2

 

Stock Certificates

     30  

7.3

 

Lost Certificates

     30  

7.4

 

Shares Without Certificates

     31  

7.5

 

Construction; Definitions

     31  

7.6

 

Dividends

     31  

7.7

 

Fiscal Year

     31  

7.8

 

Seal

     31  

7.9

 

Transfer of Stock

     31  

7.10

 

Stock Transfer Agreements

     32  

7.11

 

Registered Stockholders

     32  

7.12

 

Waiver of Notice

     32  

Article VIII - Notice by Electronic Transmission

     32  

8.1

 

Notice by Electronic Transmission

     32  

8.2

 

Definition of Electronic Transmission

     33  

Article IX - Indemnification

     33  

9.1

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     33  

9.2

 

Indemnification of Others

     34  

9.3

 

Prepayment of Expenses

     34  

9.4

 

Determination; Claim

     34  

9.5

 

Non-Exclusivity of Rights

     34  

9.6

 

Insurance

     35  

9.7

 

Other Indemnification

     35  

9.8

 

Continuation of Indemnification

     35  

9.9

 

Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation

     35  

Article X - Amendments

     36  

Article XI - Forum Selection

     36  

 

ii


Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Broadcom Inc.

(Adopted as of April 4, 2018)

 

     
  

 

  

Article I - Corporate Offices

1.1 Registered Office .

The address of the registered office of Broadcom Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”).

1.2 Other Offices .

The Corporation may have additional offices at any place or places, within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Corporation’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) may from time to time establish or as the business of the Corporation may require.

Article II - Meetings of Stockholders

2.1 Place of Meetings .

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive offices or at such other place as designated by the Board.

2.2 Annual Meeting .

The Board shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and other business properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.4 may be transacted.

2.3 Special Meeting .

(i) Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only (a) by the Chair of the Board or by the Secretary of the Corporation upon direction of the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors constituting the Board or (b) by the Secretary of the Corporation, following his or her receipt of one or more written demands to call a special meeting of the stockholders in accordance with, and subject to, this Section 2.3 from two or more stockholders of record as of the record date fixed in accordance with Section 2.3(iv) who hold, in the aggregate, at least ten percent (10%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation. The notice of a special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes of the special meeting, and the business to be conducted at the special meeting shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice. Except in accordance with this Section 2.3, stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders. Stockholders who nominate persons for election to the Board at a special meeting must also comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2.5.


(ii) No stockholder may demand that the Secretary of the Corporation call a special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to Section 2.3(i) unless a stockholder of record has first submitted a request in writing that the Board fix a record date (a “ Demand Record Date ”) for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to demand that the Secretary of the Corporation call such special meeting, which request shall be in proper form and delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.3, a request by a stockholder of record for the Board to fix a Demand Record Date shall set forth:

(a) As to each Requesting Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(a), except that for purposes of this Section 2.3 the term “Requesting Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(a));

(b) As to each Requesting Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(b), except that for purposes of this Section 2.3 the term “Requesting Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(b) and the disclosure in clause (10) of Section 2.4(iii)(b) shall be made with respect to the business proposed to be conducted at the special meeting or the proposed election of directors at the special meeting, as the case may be);

(c) As to the purpose or purposes of the special meeting, (1) a reasonably brief description of the purpose or purposes of the special meeting and the business proposed to be conducted at the special meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the special meeting and any material interest in such business of each Requesting Person, and (2) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Requesting Persons or (y) between or among any Requesting Person and any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the request for the special meeting or the business proposed to be conducted at the special meeting; and

(d) If directors are proposed to be elected at the special meeting, the Nominee Information (as defined below) for each person whom a Requesting Person expects to nominate for election as a director at the special meeting.

For purposes of this Section 2.3(iii), the term “ Requesting Person ” shall mean (A) the stockholder of record making the request to fix a Demand Record Date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to demand that the Secretary of the Corporation call a special meeting, (B) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf such request is made, and (C) any affiliate of such stockholder of record or beneficial owner.

 

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(iv) Within ten (10) days after receipt of a request to fix a Demand Record Date in proper form and otherwise in compliance with this Section 2.3 from any stockholder of record, the Board may adopt a resolution fixing a Demand Record Date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to demand that the Secretary of the Corporation call a special meeting, which date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the Demand Record Date is adopted by the Board. If no resolution fixing a Demand Record Date has been adopted by the Board within the ten (10) day period after the date on which such a request to fix a Demand Record Date was received, the Demand Record Date in respect thereof shall be deemed to be the twentieth (20 th ) day after the date on which such a request is received. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.3 to the contrary, no Demand Record Date shall be fixed if the Board determines that the demand or demands that would otherwise be submitted following such Demand Record Date could not comply with the requirements set forth in clauses (b), (d), (e) or (f) of Section 2.3(vi).

(v) Without qualification, a special meeting of the stockholders shall not be called pursuant to Section 2.3(i) unless two or more stockholders of record as of the Demand Record Date who hold, in the aggregate, at least ten percent (10%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation (the “ Requisite Percentage ”) timely provide one or more demands to call such special meeting in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation. Only stockholders of record on the Demand Record Date shall be entitled to demand that the Secretary of the Corporation call a special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to Section 2.3(i). To be timely, a stockholder of record’s demand to call a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the Demand Record Date. To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.3, a demand to call a special meeting shall set forth (a) the business proposed to be conducted at the special meeting or the proposed election of directors at the special meeting, as the case may be, (b) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), if applicable, and (c) with respect to any stockholders of record submitting a demand to call a special meeting (except for any stockholder that has provided such demand in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “ Exchange Act ”) by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A) (a “ Solicited Stockholder ”) the information required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.3 of a Requesting Person. A stockholder of record may revoke a demand to call a special meeting by written revocation delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at any time prior to the special meeting. If any such revocation(s) are received by the Secretary of the Corporation after the Secretary of the Corporation’s receipt of written demands from the holders of the Requisite Percentage of stockholders, and as a result of such revocation(s), there no longer are unrevoked demands from the Requisite Percentage of stockholders to call a special meeting, the Board shall have the discretion to determine whether or not to proceed with the special meeting.

(vi) The Secretary of the Corporation shall not accept, and shall consider ineffective, a written demand from a stockholder to call a special meeting (a) that does not comply with this Section 2.3, (b) that relates to an item of business to be transacted at such meeting that is not a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law, (c) that includes an item of business to be transacted at such meeting that did not appear on the written request that resulted in the determination of the Demand Record Date, (d) that relates to an item of business (other than the election of directors) that is identical or substantially similar to an item of business (a “ Similar Item ”) for which a record date for notice of a stockholder meeting (other than the Demand Record Date) was previously fixed and such demand is delivered between the time beginning on the sixty-first (61 st ) day after such previous record date and ending on the one-year anniversary of such previous record date, (e) if a Similar Item will be submitted for stockholder approval at any stockholder meeting to be held on or before the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day after the Secretary of the Corporation receives such demand, or (f) if a Similar Item has been presented at the most recent annual meeting or at any special meeting held within one (1) year prior to receipt by the Secretary of the Corporation of such demand to call a special meeting.

 

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(vii) After receipt of demands in proper form and in accordance with this Section 2.3 from stockholders of record holding the Requisite Percentage, the Board shall duly call, and determine the place, date and time of, a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose or purposes and to conduct the business specified in the demands received by the Corporation; provided , that the date of any such special meeting shall not be more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date on which valid special meeting demand(s) from stockholders of record holding the Requisite Percentage are delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, the Board may submit its own proposal or proposals for consideration at such a special meeting. The record date for notice and voting for such a special meeting shall be fixed in accordance with Section 2.13 of these Bylaws. The Board shall provide written notice of such special meeting to the stockholders in accordance with Section 2.7 of these Bylaws.

(viii) In connection with a special meeting called in accordance with this Section 2.3, the stockholders of record (except for any Solicited Stockholder) who requested that the Board fix a record date for notice and voting for the special meeting in accordance with this Section 2.3 or who delivered a demand to call a special meeting to the Secretary of the Corporation shall further update and supplement the information previously provided to the Corporation in connection with such request or demand, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such request or demand pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the special meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the special meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

(ix) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, the Secretary of the Corporation shall not be required to call a special meeting pursuant to this Section 2.3 except in accordance with this Section 2.3. If the Board shall determine that any request to fix a record date for notice and voting for the special meeting or demand to call and hold a special meeting was not properly made in accordance with this Section 2.3, or shall determine that the stockholders of record requesting that the Board fix such record date or submitting a demand to call the special meeting have not otherwise complied with this Section 2.3, then the Board shall not be required to fix such record date or to call and hold the special meeting. In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.3, each Requesting Person shall comply with all requirements of applicable law, including all requirements of the Exchange Act, with respect to any request to fix a record date for notice and voting for the special meeting or demand to call a special meeting.

 

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2.4 Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting .

(i) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (b) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder present in person who (1)(A) was a stockholder of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) has complied with this Section 2.4 or (2) properly made such proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, which proposal has been included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting. The foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. The only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Person calling the meeting pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Section 2.3 of these Bylaws. As used in these Bylaws, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Person” shall mean any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity. For purposes of this Section 2.4 and Section 2.5 of these Bylaws, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual or special meeting of the Corporation, or, if the proposed stockholder is not an individual, a qualified representative of such proposing stockholder, appear at such annual meeting. A “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be, if such proposed stockholder is (x) a general or limited partnership, any general partner or person who functions as a general partner of the general or limited partnership or who controls the general or limited partnership, (y) a corporation or a limited liability company, any officer or person who functions as an officer of the corporation or a limited liability company, any officer or person who functions as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company or any officer, director, general partner or person who functions as an officer, director or general partner of any entity ultimately in control of the corporation or limited liability company or (z) a trust, any trustee of such trust. This Section 2.4 shall apply to any business that may be brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders other than nominations for election to the Board at an annual meeting, which shall be governed by Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of these Bylaws. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board must comply with Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of these Bylaws, and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations for election to the Board except as expressly provided in Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of these Bylaws.

(ii) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (b) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year 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 sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, “ Timely Notice ”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth:

(a) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (1) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (2) the number of shares of each class or series of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (1) and (2) are referred to as “ Stockholder Information ”);

 

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(b) As to each Proposing Person, (1) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“ Synthetic Equity Position ”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further , that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (2) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (3)(x) if such Proposed Person is (i) a general or limited partnership, syndicate or other group, the identity of each general partner and each person who functions as a general partner of the general or limited partnership, each member of the syndicate or group and each person controlling the general partner or member, (ii) a corporation or a limited liability company, the identity of each officer and each person who functions as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company, each person controlling the corporation or limited liability company and each officer, director, general partner and person who functions as an officer, director or general partner of any entity ultimately in control of the corporation or limited liability company or (iii) a trust, any trustee of such trust (each such Person or Persons set forth in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), a “ Responsible Person ”), any fiduciary duties owed by such Responsible Person to the equity holders or other beneficiaries of such Proposing Person and any material interests or relationships of such Responsible Person that are not shared generally by other record or beneficial holders of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such Proposing Person to propose such business to be brought before the meeting, and (y) if such Proposing Person is a natural person, any material interests or relationships of such natural person that are not shared generally by other record or beneficial holders of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such Proposing Person to propose such business to be brought before the meeting, (4) any material shares or any Synthetic Equity Position in any principal competitor of the Corporation in any principal industry of the Corporation held by such Proposing Persons, (5) a summary of any material discussions regarding the business proposed to be brought before the meeting (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other record or beneficial holder of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation (including their names), (6) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (7) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation, on the other hand, (8) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (9) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement 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 or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (10) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (1) through (10) are referred to as “ Disclosable Interests ”); provided, however , that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

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(c) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (2) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (3) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other Person (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and (4) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however , that the disclosures required by this Section 2.4(iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

 

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(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.4, the term “ Proposing Person shall mean (a) the stockholder of record providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, (c) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation or associate (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for the purposes of these Bylaws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner and (d) any other Person with whom such stockholder or such beneficial owner (or any of their respective other participants in such solicitation) is Acting in Concert. A Person shall be deemed to be “ Acting in Concert ” with another Person for purposes of these Bylaws if such Person knowingly acts (whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, arrangement or understanding) in concert or in parallel with, or towards a common goal with such other Person, relating to changing or influencing the control of the Corporation or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, where (1) each Person is conscious of the other Person’s conduct, and this awareness is an element in their decision-making processes, and (2) at least one additional factor suggests that such Persons intend to act in concert or in parallel, which such additional factors may include, without limitation, exchanging information (whether publicly or privately), attending meetings, conducting discussions or making or soliciting invitations to act in concert or in parallel; provided , that a Person shall not be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any other Person solely as a result of the solicitation or receipt of (A) revocable proxies or consents from such other Person in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a proxy or consent solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A or (B) tenders of securities from such other Person in a public tender or exchange offer made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act by means of a tender offer statement filed on Schedule TO. A Person Acting in Concert with another Person shall be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any third party who is also Acting in Concert with such other person.

(v) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

(vi) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

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(vii) This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, other than any proposal made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement. In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

(viii) For purposes of these Bylaws, “ public disclosure ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.5 Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors .

(i) Nominations of any person for election to the Board at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may only be made at such meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board, including by any committee or Persons authorized to do so by the Board or these Bylaws, (b) by a stockholder present in person (as defined in Section 2.4) (1) who was a beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.5 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 2.5 as to such notice and nomination, or (c) by a stockholder of the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.6 of these Bylaws; provided that this clause (c) shall apply only in the case of an annual meeting. The foregoing clauses (b) and (c) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

(ii) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting, the stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4(ii) of these Bylaws) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required to be provided by this Section 2.5, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. If the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Person calling such special meeting, then for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at a special meeting, the stockholder must (a) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its proposed nominee as required to be provided by this Section 2.5, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4(viii) of these Bylaws) of the date of such special meeting was first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth:

(a) As to each Nominating Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined herein, except that for purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(a));

(b) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined herein, except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(b) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.4(iii)(c) shall be made with respect to nomination of each person for election as a director at the meeting); and

(c) As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (1) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (2) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (3) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or his or her respective other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (1) through (3) are referred to as “ Nominee Information ”), and (4) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.5(vi).

(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “ Nominating Person shall mean (a) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made and (c) any other participant in such solicitation.

(v) A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

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(vi) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in this Section 2.5 and the candidate for nomination, if not nominated by the Board, must have previously delivered (in accordance with the time period prescribed for delivery in a notice to such candidate given by or on behalf of the Board), to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (a) a completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such candidate for nomination and (b) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporation) that such candidate for nomination (1) is not and, if elected as a director during his or her term of office, will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given and will not give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (2) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed therein or to the Corporation and (3) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors and in effect during such person’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect).

(vii) The Board may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board in writing prior to the meeting of stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

(viii) A candidate for nomination as a director shall further update and supplement the materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.5, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

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(ix) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

(x) No candidate shall be eligible for nomination as a director of the Corporation unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with this Section 2.5, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 2.5, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots case for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

(xi) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no candidate for nomination shall be eligible to be seated as a director of the Corporation unless nominated and elected in accordance with Section 2.4 and this Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of these Bylaws.

2.6 Proxy Access .

(i) Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.6, if any Eligible Stockholder (as defined below) or group of up to 20 Eligible Stockholders submits to the Corporation a Proxy Access Notice (as defined below) that complies with this Section 2.6 and such Eligible Stockholder or group of Eligible Stockholders otherwise satisfies all the terms and conditions of this Section 2.6 (such Eligible Stockholder or group of Eligible Stockholders, a “ Nominating Stockholder ”), the Corporation shall include in its proxy statement and on its form of proxy and ballot, as applicable (collectively, “ proxy materials ”), for any annual meeting of stockholders, in addition to any persons nominated for election by the Board or any committee thereof:

(a) the name of any person or persons nominated by such Nominating Stockholder for election to the Board at such annual meeting of stockholders who meets the requirements of this Section 2.6 (a “ Nominee ”);

(b) disclosure about the Nominee and the Nominating Stockholder required under the rules of the Commission or other applicable law to be included in the proxy materials;

(c) subject to the other applicable provisions of this Section 2.6, a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, that is not contrary to any of the Commission’s proxy rules, including Rule 14a-9 under the Exchange Act (a “ Supporting Statement ”), included by the Nominating Stockholder in the Proxy Access Notice intended for inclusion in the proxy materials in support of the Nominee’s election to the Board; and

(d) any other information that the Corporation or the Board determines, in its discretion, to include in the proxy materials relating to the nomination of the Nominee, including, without limitation, any statement in opposition to the nomination and any of the information provided pursuant to this Section 2.6.

 

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(ii) Maximum Number of Nominees .

(a) The Corporation shall not be required to include in the proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders more Nominees than that number of directors constituting twenty percent (20%) of the total number of directors of the Corporation on the last day on which a Proxy Access Notice may be submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 (rounded down to the nearest whole number, but not less than two) (the “ Maximum Number ”). The Maximum Number for a particular annual meeting shall be reduced by: (1) the number of Nominees who are subsequently withdrawn and (2) the number of director candidates for which the Corporation shall have received notice that a stockholder intends to nominate as a candidate for director at the annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2.5(i)(b) of these Bylaws. In the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board after the deadline set forth in Section 2.6(iv) but before the date of the annual meeting of stockholders, and the Board resolves to reduce the size of the Board in connection therewith, the Maximum Number shall be calculated based on the number of directors as so reduced.

(b) Any Nominating Stockholder submitting more than one Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials shall rank such Nominees based on the order that the Nominating Stockholder desires such Nominees to be selected for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials in the event that the total number of Nominees submitted by Nominating Stockholders exceeds the Maximum Number. In the event that the number of Nominees submitted by Nominating Stockholders exceeds the Maximum Number, the highest ranking Nominee from each Nominating Stockholder will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials until the Maximum Number is reached, going in order from largest to smallest of the number of shares of common stock of the Corporation owned by each Nominating Stockholder as disclosed in each Nominating Stockholder’s Proxy Access Notice. If the Maximum Number is not reached after the highest ranking Nominee of each Nominating Stockholder has been selected, this process will be repeated as many times as necessary until the Maximum Number is reached. If, after the deadline for submitting a Proxy Access Notice as set forth in Section 2.6(iv), a Nominating Stockholder ceases to satisfy the requirements of this Section 2.6 or withdraws its nomination or a Nominee ceases to satisfy the requirements of this Section 2.6 or becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board, whether before or after the mailing of definitive proxy materials, then the nomination shall be disregarded, and the Corporation: (1) shall not be required to include in its proxy materials the disregarded Nominee and (2) may otherwise communicate to its stockholders, including without limitation by amending or supplementing its proxy materials, that the Nominee will not be included as a Nominee in the proxy materials and the election of such Nominee will not be voted on at the annual meeting of stockholders.

(iii) Eligibility of Nominating Stockholder .

(a) An “ Eligible Stockholder ” is a person who has either (1) been a record holder of the shares of common stock used to satisfy the eligibility requirements in this Section 2.6(iii) continuously for the three-year period specified in Subsection (b) below or (2) provides to the Secretary of the Corporation, within the time period referred to in Section 2.6(iv), evidence of continuous ownership of such shares for such three-year period from one or more securities intermediaries in a form that satisfies the requirements as established by the Commission for a stockholder proposal under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule).

 

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(b) An Eligible Stockholder or group of up to 20 Eligible Stockholders may submit a nomination in accordance with this Section 2.6 only if the person or each member of the group, as applicable, has continuously owned at least the Minimum Number (as defined below) of shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock throughout the three-year period preceding and including the date of submission of the Proxy Access Notice, and continues to own at least the Minimum Number through the date of the annual meeting of stockholders. Two or more funds that are (1) under common management and investment control, (2) under common management and funded primarily by a single employer or (3) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (two or more funds referred to under any of clause (1), (2) or (3), collectively a “ Qualifying Fund ”), shall be treated as one Eligible Stockholder. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a nomination by a group of Eligible Stockholders, any and all requirements and obligations for an individual Eligible Stockholder that are set forth in this Section 2.6, including the minimum holding period, shall apply to each member of such group; provided, however , that the Minimum Number shall apply to the ownership of the group in the aggregate. Should any stockholder withdraw from a group of Eligible Stockholders at any time prior to the annual meeting of stockholders, the group of Eligible Stockholders shall only be deemed to own the shares held by the remaining members of the group.

(c) The “ Minimum Number ” of shares of the Corporation’s common stock means three percent (3%) of the number of outstanding shares of common stock as of the most recent date for which such amount is given in any filing by the Corporation with the Commission prior to the submission of the Proxy Access Notice.

(d) For purposes of this Section 2.6, an Eligible Stockholder “owns” only those outstanding shares of the common stock of the Corporation as to which the Eligible Stockholder possesses both:

 

  (1) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares; and

 

  (2) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares;

provided , that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (1) and (2) shall not include any shares: (x) sold by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (y) borrowed by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates for any purpose or purchased by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell, or (z) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares, cash or other property based on the notional amount or value of outstanding shares of the Corporation, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, or if exercised would have, the purpose or effect of: (i) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such Eligible Stockholder’s or any of its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (ii) hedging, offsetting, or altering to any degree, gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such Eligible Stockholder or any of its affiliates. An Eligible Stockholder “owns” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the Eligible Stockholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. An Eligible Stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney, or other similar instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the Eligible Stockholder. An Eligible Stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the Eligible Stockholder has loaned such shares; provided that the Eligible Stockholder has the power to recall such loaned shares on no more than five (5) business days’ notice and includes in the Proxy Access Notice an agreement that it will (1) promptly recall such loaned shares upon being notified that any of its Nominees will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 2.6 and (2) continue to hold such recalled shares (including the right to vote such shares) through the date of the annual meeting of stockholders. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Each Nominating Stockholder shall furnish any other information that may reasonably be required by the Board to verify such stockholder’s continuous ownership of at least the Minimum Number during the three-year period referred to above.

 

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(e) No person may be in more than one group constituting a Nominating Stockholder, and if any person appears as a member of more than one group, it shall be deemed to be a member of the group that owns the greatest aggregate number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock as reflected in the Proxy Access Notice, and no shares may be attributed as owned by more than one person constituting a Nominating Stockholder under this Section 2.6.

(iv) To nominate a Nominee, the Nominating Stockholder must, no earlier than one hundred fifty (150) calendar days and no later than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before the date of the Corporation’s proxy materials released to stockholders in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, submit to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation all of the following information and documents (collectively, the “ Proxy Access Notice ”):

(a) A Schedule 14N (or any successor form) relating to the Nominee, completed and filed with the Commission by the Nominating Stockholder as applicable, in accordance with the Commission’s rules;

(b) A written notice of the nomination of such Nominee that includes the following additional information, agreements, representations and warranties by the Nominating Stockholder (including each group member):

 

  (1) the information, representations and agreements required with respect to the nomination of directors pursuant to Sections 2.5(iii), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xi) of these Bylaws, except that for purposes of this Section 2.6 the term “Nominating Stockholder” shall be substituted for the term “Nominating Person”;

 

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  (2) the details of any relationship that existed within the past three (3) years and that would have been described pursuant to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) if it existed on the date of submission of the Schedule 14N;

 

  (3) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder acquired securities of the Corporation in the ordinary course of business and did not acquire, and is not holding, securities of the Corporation for the purpose or with the effect of influencing or changing control of the Corporation and that neither the Eligible Stockholder nor any Nominee being nominated presently has such intent;

 

  (4) a representation and warranty that the Nominee’s candidacy or, if elected, Board membership, would not violate the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or any applicable state or federal law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s common stock is traded;

 

  (5) a representation and warranty that the Nominee:

 

  (A) does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Corporation and otherwise would qualify as an “independent director” under the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the Corporation’s common stock is traded and any applicable rules of the Commission and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board in determining and disclosing independence of the Corporation’s directors;

 

  (B) would meet the audit committee independence requirements under the rules of the Commission and of the principal stock exchange on which the Corporation’s common stock is traded;

 

  (C) would qualify as a “non-employee director” for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule);

 

  (D) would qualify as an “outside director” for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision);

 

  (E) is not and has not been, within the past three (3) years, an officer, director, affiliate or representative of a competitor, as defined under Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended, and if the Nominee has held any such position during this period, details thereof; and

 

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  (F) is not and has not been subject to any event specified in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D (or any successor rule) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Item 401(f) under Regulation S-K (or any successor rule) under the Exchange Act;

 

  (6) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 2.6(iii), has provided evidence of ownership to the extent required by Section 2.6(iii)(a), and such evidence of ownership is true, complete and correct;

 

  (7) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder intends to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 2.6(iii) through the date of the annual meeting of stockholders;

 

  (9) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder has not and will not engage in or support, directly or indirectly, a “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) (without reference to the exception in Section 14a-1(l)(2)(iv)) (or any successor rules) with respect to the annual meeting of stockholders, other than a solicitation in support of the Nominee or any nominee of the Board;

 

  (10) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder will not use any proxy card other than the Corporation’s proxy card in soliciting stockholders in connection with the election of a Nominee at the annual meeting of stockholders;

 

  (11) if desired by the Nominating Stockholder, a Supporting Statement;

 

  (12) in the case of a nomination by a group, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all group members with respect to matters relating to the nomination, including withdrawal of the nomination;

 

  (13) in the case of any Eligible Stockholder that is a Qualifying Fund consisting of two or more funds, documentation demonstrating that the funds are eligible to be treated as a Qualifying Fund and that each such fund comprising the Qualifying Fund otherwise meets the requirements set forth in this Section 2.6; and

 

  (14) a representation and warranty that the Nominating Stockholder has not nominated and will not nominate for election any individual as director at the annual meeting of stockholders other than its Nominee(s);

 

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(c) An executed agreement pursuant to which the Nominating Stockholder (including each group member) agrees:

 

  (1) to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with the nomination, solicitation and election;

 

  (2) to file with the Commission any solicitation materials with the Corporation’s stockholders relating to any Nominee or one or more of the Corporation’s directors or director nominees, regardless of whether any such filing is required under any law, rule or regulation or whether any exemption from filing is available for such materials under any law, rule or regulation;

 

  (3) to assume all liability stemming from any action, suit or proceeding concerning actual or alleged legal or regulatory violations arising out of any communication by the Nominating Stockholder with the Corporation, its stockholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election of directors, including, without limitation, the Proxy Access Notice;

 

  (4) to indemnify and hold harmless (jointly and severally with all other group members, in the case of a group member) the Corporation and each of its directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss, damages, expenses, demands, claims or other costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of any nomination submitted by the Nominating Stockholder (including, without limitation, relating to any breach or alleged breach of its obligations, agreements, representations or warranties) pursuant to this Section 2.6; and

 

  (5) in the event that (x) any information included in the Proxy Access Notice, or any other communication by the Nominating Stockholder (including with respect to any group member) with the Corporation, its stockholders or any other person in connection with the nomination or election of directors ceases to be true and accurate in all material respects (or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading), or (y) the Nominating Stockholder (including any group member) fails to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 2.6(iii), the Nominating Stockholder shall promptly (and in any event within 48 hours of discovering such misstatement, omission or failure) (i) in the case of clause (x) above, notify the Corporation and any other recipient of such communication of the misstatement or omission in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to correct the misstatement or omission, and (ii) in the case of clause (y) above, notify the Corporation why, and in what regard, the Nominating Stockholder fails to comply with the eligibility requirements described in Section 2.6(iii) (it being understood that providing any such notification referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall not be deemed to cure any defect or limit the Corporation’s rights to omit a Nominee from its proxy materials as provided in this Section 2.6); and

 

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  (d) An executed agreement by the Nominee:

 

  (1) providing the representations and information required of a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation in Section 2.5(vi) of these Bylaws, and such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request; and

 

  (2) that the Nominee (x) consents to be named in the proxy materials as a nominee and, if elected, to serve on the Board and (y) has read and agrees to adhere to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and any other Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors generally.

The information and documents required by this Section 2.6(iv) shall be: (a) provided with respect to and executed by each group member, in the case of information applicable to group members; and (b) provided with respect to the persons specified in Instruction 1 to Items 6(c) and 6(d) of Schedule 14N (or any successor item) if and to the extent applicable to a Nominating Stockholder or group member. The Proxy Access Notice shall be deemed submitted on the date on which all the information and documents referred to in this Section 2.6(iv) (other than such information and documents contemplated to be provided after the date the Proxy Access Notice is provided) have been delivered to or, if sent by mail, received by the Secretary of the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders or the public announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Proxy Access Notice pursuant to this Section 2.6.

(v) Exceptions and Clarifications .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.6, (1) the Corporation may omit from its proxy materials any Nominee and any information concerning such Nominee (including a Nominating Stockholder’s Supporting Statement), (2) any nomination shall be disregarded, and (3) no vote on such Nominee will occur (notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation), and the Nominating Stockholder may not, after the last day on which a Proxy Access Notice would be timely, cure in any way any defect preventing the nomination of the Nominee, if:

 

  (A) the Nominating Stockholder or the designated lead group member, as applicable, or any qualified representative thereof, does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders to present the nomination submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 or the Nominating Stockholder withdraws its nomination prior to the annual meeting of stockholders;

 

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  (B) the Board determines that such Nominee’s nomination or election to the Board would result in the Corporation violating or failing to be in compliance with the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or any applicable law, rule or regulation to which the Corporation is subject, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s common stock is traded; or

 

  (C) (x) the Nominating Stockholder fails to continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Section 2.6(iii), (y) any of the representations and warranties made in the Proxy Access Notice cease to be true, complete and correct in all material respects (or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading), (z) the Nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board or (w) the Nominating Stockholder or the Nominee materially violates or breaches any of its agreements, representations or warranties in this Section 2.6.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.6, the Corporation may omit from its proxy materials, or may supplement or correct, any information, including all or any portion of the Supporting Statement included in the Proxy Access Notice, if: (1) such information is not true and correct in all material respects or omits a material statement necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (2) such information directly or indirectly impugns the character, integrity or personal reputation of, or, without factual foundation, directly or indirectly makes charges concerning improper, illegal or immoral conduct or associations with respect to, any person; or (3) the inclusion of such information in the proxy materials would otherwise violate the Commission’s proxy rules or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. Once submitted with a Proxy Access Notice, a Supporting Statement may not be amended, supplemented or modified by the Nominee or Nominating Stockholder.

(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation may solicit against, and include in the proxy materials its own statement relating to, any Nominee.

(d) This Section 2.6 provides the exclusive method for a stockholder to include nominees for election to the Board in the Corporation’s proxy materials (including, without limitation, any proxy card or written ballot).

2.7 Notice of Stockholders Meetings .

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with either Section 2.8 or Section 8.1 of these Bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be 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.

 

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2.8 Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice .

Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be deemed given:

(i) if mailed, when deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the Corporation’s records; or

(ii) if electronically transmitted as provided in Section 8.1 of these Bylaws.

An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by mail or by a form of electronic transmission, as applicable, shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

2.9 Quorum .

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders; provided , that in no event shall a quorum consist of less than a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any such meeting of the stockholders. If, however, a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.10 of these Bylaws until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

2.10 Adjourned Meeting; Notice .

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any 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, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

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2.11 Conduct of Business .

The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other Persons as the chairperson of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

2.12 Voting .

Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the DGCL, each stockholder shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

2.13 Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes .

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, 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, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. 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, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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2.14 Proxies .

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another Person or Persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, 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. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

2.15 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote .

The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting ( provided, however , that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder entitled to vote and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder entitled to vote. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) 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 (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal executive offices. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall 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 the 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. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.15 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

2.16 Inspectors of Election .

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more Persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If any Person appointed as inspector or any alternate fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint a Person to fill that vacancy.

 

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Such inspectors shall:

(i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the validity of any proxies and ballots;

(ii) count all votes or ballots;

(iii) count and tabulate all votes;

(iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspector(s); and

(v) certify its or their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and its or their count of all votes and ballots.

Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspection with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspectors of election may appoint such Persons to assist them in performing their duties as they determine.

Article III - Directors

3.1 Powers .

Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and any limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws related to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board.

3.2 Number of Directors .

The authorized number of directors constituting the Board shall be determined from time to time by one or more resolutions of the Board, provided the Board shall consist of at least one (1) member and not more than thirteen (13) members. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

3.3 Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors .

Each director to be elected by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director by the shares represented and entitled to vote therefor at a meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present (an “ Election Meeting ”); provided, however , that if the Board determines that the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected at such meeting (a “ Contested Election ”), and the Board has not rescinded such determination by the record date of the Election Meeting as initially announced, each of the directors to be elected at the Election Meeting shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the shares represented and entitled to vote at such meeting with respect to the election of such director. For purposes of this Section 3.3, a “majority of votes cast” means that the number of votes cast “for” a candidate for director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director (with “abstentions” and “broker non-votes” not counted as votes cast as either “for” or “against” such director’s election). In an election other than a Contested Election, stockholders will be given the choice to cast votes “for” or “against” the election of directors or to “abstain” from such vote and shall not have the ability to cast any other vote with respect to such election of directors. In a Contested Election, stockholders will be given the choice to cast “for” or “withhold” votes for the election of directors and shall not have the ability to cast any other vote with respect to such election of directors. In the event an Election Meeting involves the election of directors by separate votes by class or classes or series, the determination as to whether an election constitutes a Contested Election shall be made on a class by class or series by series basis, as applicable.

 

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If an incumbent director who is nominated for an election other than a Contested Election fails to receive a majority of the votes present and voting for such director’s reelection, such director shall tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (or any future committee the equivalent thereof) will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the recommendation of such committee and will publicly disclose its decision within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the election results. A director who tenders his or her resignation may not participate in any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof until the Board has determined not to accept his or her resignation.

Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.

3.4 Resignation, Removal and Vacancies .

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or upon the happening of an event specified therein, and if no time or event is specified, at the time of its receipt. When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date or upon the happening of an event to occur on a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have 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 as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.

Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, any director may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the term to which the director is appointed and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board shall be deemed to exist under these Bylaws in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director, unless the size of the Board is reduced by the remaining directors.

 

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3.5 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone .

The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any 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 such participation in a meeting pursuant to these Bylaws shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.6 Regular Meetings .

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

3.7 Special Meetings; Notice .

Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary of the Corporation or a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

(ii) sent by U.S. first-class mail, postage prepaid;

(iii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail; or

(iv) sent by other means of electronic transmission,

directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, or other address for electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail, or (iii) sent by other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be deposited in the U.S. mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive offices) nor the purpose of the meeting.

3.8 Quorum .

At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

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A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

3.9 Board Action by Written Consent without a Meeting .

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

3.10 Fees and Compensation of Directors .

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

Article IV - Committees

4.1 Committees of Directors .

The Board may 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 such member or members 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 or in these Bylaws, 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 that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.

4.2 Committee Minutes .

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

 

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4.3 Meetings and Actions of Committees .

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);

(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum);

(v) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting); and

(vi) Section 7.12 (waiver of notice),

with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However :

(i) regular meetings of committees may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the applicable committee, or otherwise by either resolution of the Board or resolution of the applicable committee;

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board or the chairperson of the applicable committee; and

(iii) the Board may adopt rules for the governance of any committee to override the provisions that would otherwise apply to the committee pursuant to this Section 4.3, provided that such rules do not violate the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

Article V - Officers

5.1 Officers .

The officers of the Corporation shall include a president and a secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, an executive chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer, one (1) or more vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant treasurers, one (1) or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

5.2 Appointment of Officers .

The Board shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws.

 

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5.3 Subordinate Officers .

The Board may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the President, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.

5.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers .

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5 Vacancies in Offices .

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board or as provided in Section 5.2.

5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations and Entities .

The Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations or other entity or entities standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other Person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such Person having the authority.

5.7 Authority and Duties of Officers .

All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.

Article VI - Records

A stock ledger consisting of one or more records in which the names of all of the Corporation’s stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the corporation are recorded in accordance with Section 224 of the DGCL shall be administered by or on behalf of the Corporation. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, or method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time and, with respect to the stock ledger, that the records so kept (i) can be used to prepare the list of stockholders specified in Sections 219 and 220 of the DGCL, (ii) record the information specified in Sections 156, 159, 217(a) and 218 of the DGCL, and (iii) record transfers of stock as governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

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Article VII - General Matters

7.1 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments .

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

7.2 Stock Certificates .

The shares of the Corporation shall not be represented by certificates but shall be uncertificated and represented by book-entry notations in the books of the Corporation, provided that the Board by resolution may provide that some or all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two officers authorized to sign stock certificates representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. The Chair of the Board, the President, Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be specifically authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile or electronic signature. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has 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.

7.3 Lost Certificates .

The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

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7.4 Shares Without Certificates

Unless the Board determines that all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, the Corporation shall adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

7.5 Construction; Definitions .

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

7.6 Dividends .

The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

7.7 Fiscal Year .

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.

7.8 Seal .

The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, adopt a corporate seal, which, if adopted by the Board, may be altered by the Board. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

7.9 Transfer of Stock .

Shares of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares endorsed by the appropriate Person or Persons (or by delivery of duly executed instructions with respect to uncertificated shares), with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement or execution, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing the names of the Persons from and to whom it was transferred.

 

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7.10 Stock Transfer Agreements .

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

7.11 Registered Stockholders .

The Corporation:

(i) 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

(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

7.12 Waiver of Notice .

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the Person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a Person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the Person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

Article VIII - Notice by Electronic Transmission

8.1 Notice by Electronic Transmission .

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

(i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and

(ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other Person responsible for the giving of notice.

 

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However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

  (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

  (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

  (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

  (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

8.2 Definition of Electronic Transmission .

An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Article IX - Indemnification

9.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers .

The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, except for liability (i) for any breach of a director’s loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to the liability of directors for unlawful payment of a dividend or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption) or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, any director or officer of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, 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, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.4, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Person only if the Proceeding was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

 

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9.2 Indemnification of Others .

The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any 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 an 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 or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such Proceeding, if such Person acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such Person’s conduct was unlawful.

9.3 Prepayment of Expenses .

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any officer or director of the Corporation, and may pay the expenses incurred by any employee or agent of the Corporation, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however , that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article IX or otherwise.

9.4 Determination; Claim .

If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) under this Article IX is not paid in full within sixty (60) days, or a claim for advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full within thirty (30) days, after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation the claimant may thereafter (but not before) file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

9.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights .

The rights conferred on any Person by this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

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9.6 Insurance .

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

9.7 Other Indemnificatio n .

The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

9.8 Continuation of Indemnification .

The rights to indemnification and to prepayment of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IX shall continue notwithstanding that the Person has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such Person.

9.9 Amendment or Repeal ; Interpretation .

The provisions of this Article IX shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as a director or officer of the Corporation (whether before or after the adoption of these Bylaws), in consideration of such Person’s performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article IX the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former director or officer of the Corporation. With respect to current and former directors and officers of the Corporation, the rights conferred under this Article IX are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of theses Bylaws. With respect to any directors or officers of the Corporation who commence service following adoption of these Bylaws, the rights conferred under this provision shall be present contractual rights and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such director or officer commencing service as a director or officer of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection (i) hereunder of any Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification or (ii) under any agreement providing for indemnification or advancement of expenses to an officer or director of the Corporation in effect prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article IX shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the executive chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer appointed pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws, and to any vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, or other officer of the Corporation appointed by (x) the Board pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws or (y) an officer to whom the Board has delegated the power to appoint officers pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the Board (or equivalent governing body) of such other entity pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “vice president” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for purposes of this Article IX.

 

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Article X - Amendments

The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation or waive the observance of any bylaw (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively). Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation or waiver of the observance of any bylaw by the Board shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation or waive the observance of any bylaw (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retrospectively or prospectively); provided, however , that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Article XI - Forum Selection

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery (the “ Chancery Court ”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be 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 a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “ Foreign Action ”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

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Broadcom Inc.

Certificate of Amendment and Restatement of Bylaws

 

     
  

 

  

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified and acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), and that the foregoing Amended and Restated Bylaws were approved on April 4, 2018, effective as of April 4, 2018 by the Corporation’s board of directors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 4 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Hock E. Tan

Name: Hock E. Tan
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.1

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT AGREEMENT

This Indemnification and Advancement Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made as of                     , 20         by and between Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [●], [a member of the Board of Directors / an officer] of the Company (“ Indemnitee ”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering indemnification and advancement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers, or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification and advancement of expenses against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”). The Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification and advancement of expenses;

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance, to indemnification, and to advancement of expenses may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;


WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and is not a substitute therefor, nor diminishes or abrogates any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, DGCL and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate additional protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified and be advanced expenses.

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

Section 1.     Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director / officer] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law). This Agreement does not create any obligation on the Company to continue Indemnitee in such position and is not an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.

Section 2.     Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a)    “ Agent ” means any person who is authorized by the Company or an Enterprise to act for or represent the interests of the Company or an Enterprise, respectively.

(b)    A “ Change in Control ” occurs upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

i.    Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

ii.    Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

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iii.    Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

iv.    Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

v.    Other Events. 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 (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

vi.    For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms have the following meanings:

 

  1 Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

  2 Person ” has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided , however , that Person excludes (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

  3 Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided , however , that Beneficial Owner excludes any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

(c)     “ Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was acting as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or Agent of the Company or an Enterprise.

(d)    “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

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(e)    “ Enterprise ” means any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity for which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or Agent.

(f)    “ Expenses ” includes all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i)  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 appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel will be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, do not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(g)    “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “ Independent Counsel ” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(h)        “ Potential Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Company enters into any written or oral agreement, undertaking or arrangement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (ii) any Person or the Company publicly announces an intention to take or consider taking actions which if consummated would constitute a Change in Control; (iii) any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 5% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors increases his beneficial ownership of such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such Person on the date hereof; or (iv) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has occurred

 

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(i)    The term “ Proceeding ” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. A Proceeding also includes a situation the Indemnitee believes in good faith may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding.

(j)    [“ Related Entities ” means [●].]

Section 3.     Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 4.     Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. The Company will not indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses under this Section 4 related to any claim, issue or matter in a Proceeding for which Indemnitee has been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless, and only to the extent that, the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought determines upon application by Indemnitee that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

Section 5.     Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding the extent that Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, will be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

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Section 6.     Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party but to which Indemnitee is a witness, deponent, interviewee, or otherwise asked to participate.

Section 7.     Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

Section 8.     Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including but not limited to, the DGCL and any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that expand the Company’s ability to indemnify its officers and directors) if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor).

Section 9.     Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company is not obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment to Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding:

(a)    for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except to the extent provided in Section 16(b) and except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

(b)    for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company 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 Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or

 

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(c)    initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advancement, of Expenses, including a Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement, (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

Section 10.     Advances of Expenses.

(a)    The Company will advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee if (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company or Enterprise, including a proceeding initiated pursuant to Section 14 or (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation,. The Company will advance the Expenses within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.

(b)    Advances will be unsecured and interest free. Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, thus Indemnitee qualifies for advances upon the execution of this Agreement and delivery to the Company. No other form of undertaking is required other than the execution of this Agreement. The Company will make advances without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.

Section 11.     Procedure for Notification of Claim for Indemnification or Advancement.

(a)    Indemnitee will notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. Indemnitee will include in the written notification to the Company a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding and provide such 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 following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Indemnitee’s failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company will not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification or advancement.

 

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(b)    The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

Section 12.     Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

(a)    Unless a Change of Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made:

i.    by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;

ii.    by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;

iii.     if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by the Board; or

iv.    if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.

(b)    If a Change in Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee requests such selection be made by the Board)

(c)     The party selecting Independent Counsel pursuant to subsection (a)(iii) or (b) of this Section 12 will provide written notice of the selection to the other party. The notified party may, within ten (10) days after receiving written notice of the selection of Independent Counsel, deliver to the selecting party a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “ Independent Counsel ” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, Independent Counsel has not been selected or, if selected, any objection to has not been resolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court designates. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel will be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

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(d)    Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. The Company will advance and pay any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making the indemnification determination irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing of the determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied and providing a copy of any written opinion provided to the Board by Independent Counsel.

(e)    If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee within ten (10) days after such determination.

Section 13.     Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a)    In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, will be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b)    If the determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification has not made pursuant to Section 12 within sixty (60) days after the latter of (i) receipt by the Company of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding for which Indemnitee requested Indemnification (the “ Determination Period ”), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee will be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an 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. The Determination Period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided , further , the Determination Period may be extended an additional fifteen (15) days if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a)(iv) of this Agreement.

 

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(c)    The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

(d)    For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee acted based on the records or books of account of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or an Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise. Further, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company,” as referred to in this Agreement if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan. The provisions of this Section 13(d) is not exclusive and does not limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e)    The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise may not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 14.     Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a)    Indemnitee may commence litigation against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company does not advance Expenses pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement within the Determination Period, (iv) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 5 or 6 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(d) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3, 4, 7, or 8 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee must commence such Proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such Proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided , however , that the foregoing clause does not apply in respect of a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company will not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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(b)    If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 will be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee may not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company will have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be and will not introduce evidence of the determination made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.

(c)    If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an 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.

(d)    The Company is, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(e)    It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance to Indemnitee such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action concerning this Agreement, Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company, or concerning any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. and will indemnify Indemnitee against any and all such Expenses unless the court determines that each of the Indemnitee’s claims in such Proceeding were made in bad faith or were frivolous or are prohibited by law.

Section 15.     Establishment of Trust .

 

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(a)    In the event of a Potential Change in Control or a Change in Control, the Company will, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a trust for the benefit of Indemnitee (the “ Trust ”) and from time to time upon written request of Indemnitee will fund such Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy the reasonably anticipated indemnification and advancement obligations of the Company to the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding for which Indemnitee has demanded indemnification and/or advancement prior to the Potential Change in Control or Change in Control (the “ Funding Obligation ”). The trustee of the Trust (the “ Trustee ”) will be a bank or trust company or other individual or entity chosen by the Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Nothing in this Section 15 relieves the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

(b)    The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the Funding Obligation will be determined by mutual agreement of the Indemnitee and the Company or, if the Company and the Indemnitee are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Counsel selected in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. The terms of the Trust will provide that, except upon the consent of both the Indemnitee and the Company, upon a Change in Control: (i) the Trust may not be revoked, or the principal thereof invaded, without the written consent of the Indemnitee; (ii) the Trustee will advance, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, within two (2) business days of a request by the Indemnitee; (iii) the Company will continue to fund the Trust in accordance with the Funding Obligation; (iv) the Trustee will promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise; and (v) all unexpended funds in such Trust revert to the Company upon mutual agreement by the Indemnitee and the Company or, if the Indemnitee and the Company are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Counsel selected in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. New York law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) governs the Trust and the Trustee will consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware Court of Chancery, in accordance with Section 25 of this Agreement.

Section 16.     Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a)    The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement may not be limited or restricted by any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement in any way with respect to any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status occurring prior to any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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(b)    The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity).

i.    The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees:

1)    the Company is the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any request for indemnification or advancement of Expenses made pursuant to this Agreement concerning any Proceeding arising from or related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with the Company;

2)     the Company is primarily liable for all indemnification and indemnification or advancement of Expenses obligations for any Proceeding arising from or related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise;

3)    any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity) to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding are secondary to the obligations of the Company’s obligations;

4)    the Company will indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, any Related Entity) or insurer of any such Person; and

ii.    the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases (A) any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity) from any claim of contribution, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement and (B) any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Indemnitee against any Related Entity (or former Related Entity), whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from any Related Entity (or former Related Entity), directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right.

iii.    In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss for Indemnitee, the payor has a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurers under this Agreement or, to the extent such subrogation is unavailable and contribution is found to be the applicable remedy, the payor shall have a right of contribution with respect to the amounts paid. In no event will payment by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity) or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance of Expenses to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity).

 

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iv.    Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Related Entity) is specifically in excess over the Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses or any valid and collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company.

(c)    To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, the Company will obtain a policy or policies covering Indemnitee to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies, including coverage in the event the Company does not or cannot, for any reason, indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee as required by this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to this Agreement, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company will give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. Indemnitee agrees to assist the Company efforts to cause the insurers to pay such amounts and will comply with the terms of such policies, including selection of approved panel counsel, if required.

(d)    The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee for any Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. The Company and Indemnitee intend that any such Enterprise (and its insurers) be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise. The Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses to Indemnitee is secondary to the obligations the Enterprise or its insurers owe to Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to take all reasonably necessary and desirable action to obtain from an Enterprise indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise.

(e)    In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee from any Enterprise or insurance carrier. Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Section 17.     Duration of Agreement. This Agreement continues until and terminates upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee ceases to serve as a [director / officer] of the Company or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement are binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

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Section 18.     Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions will be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 19.     Interpretation . Any ambiguity in the terms of this Agreement will be resolved in favor of Indemnitee and in a manner to provide the maximum indemnification and advancement of Expenses permitted by law. The Company and Indemnitee intend that this Agreement provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly provided, without limitation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.

Section 20.     Enforcement.

(a)    The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.

(b)    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and is not a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Section 21.     Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement is binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed or constitutes a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor will any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

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Section 22.     Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company does not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

Section 23.     Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand to the other party, (b) sent by reputable overnight courier to the other party or (c) sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, with receipt of oral confirmation that such communication has been received:

(a)    If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee provides to the Company.

(b)    If to the Company to:

Name: Broadcom Inc.

Address: 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131

Attention: Mark Brazeal

Email: mark.brazeal@broadcom.com

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

Section 24.     Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

Section 25.     Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties are governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or Proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or Proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

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Section 26.     Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together constitutes one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 27.     Headings. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute part of this Agreement or affect the construction thereof.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY     INDEMNITEE
By:                                                

 

Name:     Name:  
Office:     Address:   Broadcom Inc.
      1320 Ridder Park Drive
      San Jose, CA 95131

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit 10.9

AMENDMENT TO THE

BROADCOM CORPORATION

2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the Broadcom Corporation 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Article Five, Section IV.A of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. All references to the “Corporation,” “Broadcom Limited” or “Broadcom Limited (Registration No. 201505572G), a limited company incorporated under the Republic of Singapore” in the Plan shall refer to the Company. The following will replace Section F of the Appendix to the Plan in its entirety:

“F. Corporation shall mean Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

2. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Corporation.

 

3. The following will replace Section E of the Appendix to the Plan in its entirety:

“E. Shares shall mean shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.”

 

4. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

* * * * *

Exhibit 10.10

AMENDMENT TO THE

LSI CORPORATION

2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the LSI Corporation 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. The following will replace Section 2.11 of the Plan in its entirety:

“2.11 “ Company ” means Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

2. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Company.

 

3. The following will replace Section 2.45 of the Plan in its entirety:

“2.45. “ Shares ” means shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.”

 

4. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

* * * * *

Exhibit 10.11

AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMULEX CORPORATION

2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the Amended and Restated Emulex Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. All references in the Plan to the “Company” or “Broadcom Limited” or “Broadcom Limited, a limited company incorporated under the Republic of Singapore” shall refer to the Company. The following will replace Section 2.17 of the Plan in its entirety:

“2.17 “ Company ” means Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

2. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Company. The following will replace Section 2.16 of the Plan in its entirety:

“2.16 “ Shares ” means shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.”

 

3. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

* * * * *

Exhibit 10.12

AMENDMENT TO THE

BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

2009 STOCK PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan, as amended (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 22(a) of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. The following will replace Section 2(k) of the Plan in its entirety:

“(k) “ Company ” means Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

2. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Company.

 

3. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

* * * * *

Exhibit 10.13

AMENDMENT TO THE

BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED INDUCEMENT AWARD PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Award Plan, as amended (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. The following will replace Section 2( k ) of the Plan in its entirety:

“( k ) “ Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company.”

 

2. The following will replace Section 2( l ) of the Plan in its entirety:

“( l ) “ Company ” means Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

3. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Company.

 

4. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

* * * * *

Exhibit 10.14

AMENDMENT TO THE

BROADCOM LIMITED

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN

April 4, 2018

This Amendment (this “ Amendment ”) to the Broadcom Limited Second Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan (as amended, the “ Plan ”) is effective as of the date first set forth above, such amendment being approved by the Board of Directors of Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), pursuant to Section 20 of the Plan. The Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1. All references to the “Company” or “Broadcom Limited, a company organized under the laws of Singapore” in the Plan shall refer to the Company. The following will replace Section 2(e) of the Plan in its entirety:

“(e) “ Company ” shall mean Broadcom Inc., a Delaware corporation.”

 

2. All references to “ordinary shares” or other similar terms in the Plan shall refer to shares of the common stock of the Company. All references to “Ordinary Shares” in the Plan shall be deleted and replaced with “Shares”.

 

3. The following will replace the first sentence of Section 2(g) of the Plan:

“(g) “ Designated Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary that has been designated by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan, such designation to specify whether such participation is in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component.”

 

4. The following will replace Section 2(u) of the Plan in its entirety:

“(u) “ Shares ” shall mean shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.”

 

5. The following sentence will be added to the end of Section 13(a) of the Plan:

“For periods from February 1, 2016 to April 3, 2018, references to the Company in this paragraph shall be deemed to mean Broadcom Limited, a company organized under the laws of Singapore (“ Broadcom Singapore ”) and references to the Board in this paragraph shall be deemed to mean the board of directors of Broadcom Singapore.”

 

6. Except as provided in this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

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