RUDOLPH TECHNOLOGIES INC --12-31 false 0001094392 0001094392 2019-10-25 2019-10-25

 

 

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): October 25, 2019

 

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-36226

 

22-3531208

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

16 Jonspin Road

Wilmington, Massachusetts

01887

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (978) 253-6200

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report): Not applicable

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

RTEC

 

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

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 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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

As previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Rudolph Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Rudolph”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 24, 2019, on June 23, 2019, Rudolph entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Nanometrics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Nanometrics”), and PV Equipment Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Nanometrics (“Merger Sub”).

On October 25, 2019, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Merger Sub merged with and into Rudolph (the “Merger”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased and Rudolph continued its existence under Delaware law as the surviving corporation in the Merger and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Nanometrics, which was renamed “Onto Innovation Inc.” (“Onto Innovation”) upon the consummation of the Merger.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

As described above, on October 25, 2019, Rudolph and Nanometrics completed their previously announced Merger. As a result of the Merger, Rudolph became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Onto Innovation (formerly Nanometrics). At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of common stock of Rudolph, par value $0.001 per share (“Rudolph Common Stock”) (other than shares owned by Rudolph or Nanometrics), was automatically converted into the right to receive 0.8042 (the “Exchange Ratio”) shares of Onto Innovation common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Onto Innovation Common Stock”), and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Onto Innovation Common Stock any former holder of Rudolph Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive.

At the Effective Time, options to purchase shares of Rudolph Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (“Rudolph Options”), all of which were fully vested, were assumed by Nanometrics and converted into an option to acquire that number of shares of Onto Innovation Common Stock (each, an “Onto Innovation Option”) equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the number of shares of Rudolph Common Stock underlying the applicable Rudolph Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share number of Onto Innovation Common Stock, and with a per share exercise price equal to (A) the per share exercise price applicable to such Rudolph Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio, with the resulting exercise price per share rounded up to the nearest whole cent. Each assumed and converted Onto Innovation Option will continue to be governed by substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Rudolph Option immediately prior to the Effective Time (including the term, exercisability and vesting schedule as were applicable to the Rudolph Option immediately before the Effective Time).

At the Effective Time, each Rudolph time-based restricted stock unit and performance-based restricted stock unit that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and was not vested (each, a “Rudolph RSU”) was assumed by Nanometrics and converted into an award to receive that number of shares of Onto Innovation Common Stock (each, an “Onto Innovation RSU”) equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Rudolph Common Stock subject to such Rudolph RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio, with the resulting number of Onto Innovation shares rounded up or down to the nearest whole share of Onto Innovation Common Stock. Each assumed and converted Onto Innovation RSU will continue to have, and will be subject to, substantially the same terms and conditions as applied to the applicable Rudolph RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (including the vesting and settlement schedule(s) as were applicable to the corresponding Rudolph RSU immediately before the Effective Time).

Any share of Rudolph Common Stock underlying a Rudolph RSU that is vested and so is not assumed by Nanometrics, but as to which such underlying share of Rudolph Common Stock was not issued by the Effective Time (including any performance-based Rudolph RSUs) were issued as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and were treated as a share of Rudolph Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and received the same consideration provided to holders of Rudolph Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.


The issuance of Onto Innovation Common Stock in connection with the Merger, as described above, was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Nanometrics’ registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333- 233304), filed with the SEC and declared effective on September 10, 2019.

The foregoing summary description of the completion of the Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Rudolph with the SEC on June 24, 2019 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

Item 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

On October 25, 2019, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, Rudolph notified the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that the Merger had been consummated and requested that the trading of Rudolph Common Stock on the NYSE be suspended prior to market open on October 28, 2019 and that the listing of the shares of Rudolph Common Stock on the NYSE be withdrawn. In addition, Rudolph requested that the NYSE file with the SEC a notification on Form 25 to report the delisting of the shares of Rudolph Common Stock from the NYSE and to deregister the shares under Section 12(b) and Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Rudolph intends to file with the SEC a Form 15 suspending Rudolph’s reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth under Item 2.01, Item 3.01, Item 5.01 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.

Upon the Effective Time, a change in control of Rudolph occurred, and Rudolph became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Onto Innovation (formerly Nanometrics). The information contained in the Introductory Note above and in Item 2.01 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.

In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, on October 25, 2019, upon completion of the Merger, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Rudolph was reconstituted to consist of three directors, comprised of Michael P. Plisinski, Steven R. Roth and Robert A. Koch. The then-serving members of the Board of Rudolph, other than Mr. Plisinski, namely David B. Miller, Jeffrey A. Aukerman, Leo Berlinghieri, Daniel H. Berry, Vita A. Cassese, Thomas G. Greig and John R. Whitten, resigned as directors on October 25, 2019 at the request of Nanometrics upon completion of the Merger (not because of any disagreement on any matter relating to the registrant’s operations, policies or practices).

On October 25, 2019, upon completion of the Merger, Elvino da Silveira and Richard Rogoff ceased to be officers of Rudolph and the officers of the Merger Sub, Messrs. Plisinski, Roth and Koch, remained the officers of Rudolph.

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

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, Rudolph’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated in its entirety (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), and Rudolph’s bylaws were amended and restated in their entirety (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”).

Copies of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and are incorporated into this Item 5.03 by reference.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

2.1

   

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 23, 2019, by and among Rudolph Technologies, Inc., Nanometrics Incorporated and PV Equipment Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Rudolph Technologies, Inc. with the SEC on June 24, 2019).*

         
 

3.1

   

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rudolph Technologies, Inc., dated October 25, 2019.

         
 

3.2

   

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rudolph Technologies, Inc., dated October 25, 2019.

* All schedules (or similar attachments) have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company will furnish copies of any schedules to the SEC upon request.


SIGNATURES

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

Date: October 28, 2019

 

 

RUDOLPH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

             

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Michael P. Plisinski

 

 

 

Michael P. Plisinski

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RUDOLPH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.

THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share.

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 General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FIFTH: In furtherance of and not in limitation of powers conferred by statute, it is further provided:

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

2.    Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

3.    The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation.

SIXTH: To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, 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.

The Corporation may indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person or his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.


Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article SIXTH, nor the adoption of any provision of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article SIXTH, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article SIXTH, in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article SIXTH, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal, or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

SEVENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute and this Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

EIGHTH: Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery 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, other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or as to which the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time) or governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding 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 EIGHTH.

 

- 2 -

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

RUDOLPH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             Page  
ARTICLE I   
STOCKHOLDERS      1  
 

1.1

  Place of Meetings      1  
 

1.2

  Annual Meeting      1  
 

1.3

  Special Meetings      1  
 

1.4

  Notice of Meetings      1  
 

1.5

  Voting List      1  

        

 

1.6

  Quorum      2  
 

1.7

  Adjournments      2  
 

1.8

  Voting and Proxies      2  
 

1.9

  Action at Meeting      3  
 

1.10

  Conduct of Meetings      3  
 

1.11

  Action without Meeting      4  
ARTICLE II   
DIRECTORS      5  
 

2.1

  General Powers      5  
 

2.2

  Number, Election and Qualification      5  
 

2.3

  Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board      5  
 

2.4

  Tenure      5  
 

2.5

  Quorum      5  
 

2.6

  Action at Meeting      5  
 

2.7

  Removal      6  
 

2.8

  Vacancies      6  
 

2.9

  Resignation      6  
 

2.10

  Regular Meetings      6  
 

2.11

  Special Meetings      6  
 

2.12

  Notice of Special Meetings      6  
 

2.13

  Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment      6  
 

2.14

  Action by Consent      7  
 

2.15

  Committees      7  
 

2.16

  Compensation of Directors      7  
ARTICLE III   
OFFICERS      7  
 

3.1

  Titles      7  
 

3.2

  Election      8  

 

i


  3.3    Qualification      8  
  3.4    Tenure      8  
  3.5    Resignation and Removal      8  
  3.6    Vacancies      8  
  3.7    Salaries      8  
  3.8    Delegation of Authority      8  
ARTICLE IV   
CAPITAL STOCK      8  
  4.1    Issuance of Stock      8  
  4.2    Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares      9  
  4.3    Transfers      9  
           4.4    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates      10  
  4.5    Record Date      10  
  4.6    Regulations      10  
ARTICLE V   
GENERAL PROVISIONS      11  
  5.1    Fiscal Year      11  
  5.2    Corporate Seal      11  
  5.3    Waiver of Notice      11  
  5.4    Voting of Securities      11  
  5.5    Evidence of Authority      11  
  5.6    Certificate of Incorporation      11  
  5.7    Severability      11  
  5.8    Pronouns      11  
ARTICLE VI   
INDEMNITY      12  
  6.1    Third Party Actions      12  
  6.2    Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation      12  
  6.3    Successful Defense      13  
  6.4    Payment of Expenses in Advance      13  
  6.5    Claims      13  
  6.6    Indemnity Not Exclusive      13  
  6.7    Insurance      13  
  6.8    Other Sources      13  
  6.9    The Corporation      13  
  6.10    Employee Benefit Plans      14  
  6.11    Continuation of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses      14  

 

ii


ARTICLE VII   
AMENDMENTS      14  
  7.1    By the Board of Directors      14  
           7.2    By the Stockholders      14  

 

iii


ARTICLE I

STOCKHOLDERS

1.1    Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or, if not so designated, at the principal executive office of the corporation. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication in a manner consistent with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

1.2    Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

1.3    Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.

1.4    Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to (in a manner consistent with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. The notices of all meetings shall state the place, if any, date and time of the meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If notice is given by mail, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed given at the time specified in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

1.5    Voting List. The corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b), for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting during ordinary


business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a physical location (and not solely by means of remote communication), then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present.    Except as otherwise provided by law, such list shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 1.5 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

1.6    Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or classes or series of capital stock is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on such matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

1.7    Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these Bylaws by the chairman of the meeting or by a majority of the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum. It shall not be necessary to notify any stockholder of any adjournment of less than 30 days if the time and place, if any, of the adjourned meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which adjournment is taken, unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

1.8    Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote upon the matter in question for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate action without a meeting, may vote or express such consent or dissent in person (including by means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting) or may authorize another person or persons to vote or act for such stockholder by a proxy executed or transmitted in a manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized agent and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the Secretary of the corporation. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from the date of its execution, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it satisfies the requirements to qualify as irrevocable under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

2


1.9    Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any matter, other than the election of directors, to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting shall be decided by the vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority in voting power of the votes cast by the holders of all of the shares of stock present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter (or if there are two or more classes or series of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class or series, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of that class or series present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter), except when a different vote is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any election by stockholders of directors shall be determined by the vote of the majority of the votes cast; provided, however, that if, as of the tenth (10th) day preceding the date the corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting the stockholders of the corporation, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast. For purposes of this bylaw, “a majority of the votes cast” shall mean that number of shares cast “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election (with “abstentions” and “broker non-votes” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director’s election).

1.10    Conduct of Meetings.

(a)    Chairman of Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the Chairman’s absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the Vice Chairman’s absence by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence, by the President, or in the President’s absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of all of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen by the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the Secretary’s absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

(b)    Rules, Regulations and Procedures. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the corporation as it shall deem appropriate including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to recess and/or adjourn the meeting and prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman 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

 

3


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 shall be determined; (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 of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

1.11    Action without Meeting.

(a)    Taking of Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on such action were present and voted. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders may act by written consent to elect directors; provided, however, that, if such consent is less than unanimous, such action by written consent may be in lieu of holding an annual meeting only if all of the directorships to which directors could be elected at an annual meeting held at the effective time of such action are vacant and are filled by such action.

(b)    Electronic Transmission of Consents. A telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (i) that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the corporation or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded if, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

 

4


(c)    Notice of Taking of Corporate Action. Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the corporation.

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

2.1    General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, who may exercise all of the powers of the corporation except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

2.2    Number, Election and Qualification. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the number of directors of the corporation shall be established from time to time by the stockholders or the Board of Directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders by such stockholders as have the right to vote on such election. Election of directors need not be by written ballot. Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.

2.3    Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may appoint from its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board, neither of whom need be an employee or officer of the corporation. If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of the Board, such Chairman shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors appoints a Vice Chairman of the Board, such Vice Chairman shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman’s absence, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors.

2.4    Tenure. Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until a successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

2.5    Quorum. A majority of the directors at any time in office shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than such a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

2.6    Action at Meeting. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, unless a greater number is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

5


2.7    Removal. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, any one or more or all of the directors of the corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that the directors elected by the holders of a particular class or series of stock may be removed without cause only by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series.

2.8    Vacancies. Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy or newly-created directorship on the Board of Directors, however occurring, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of such director’s predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a position resulting from a newly-created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until a successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

2.9    Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event.

2.10    Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.

2.11    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place designated in a call by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, two or more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only a single director in office.

2.12    Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the date, place and time of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be duly given to each director (a) in person or by telephone at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, (b) by sending an electronic transmission, or delivering written notice by hand or reputable overnight delivery service, to such director’s last known business, home or electronic transmission address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, or (c) by sending written notice by first-class mail to such director’s last known business or home address at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.

2.13    Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

6


2.14    Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing or by electronic transmission, and the written consents or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors 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.

2.15    Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board of Directors thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee 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 of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors and subject to the provisions of law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these Bylaws for the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

2.16    Compensation of Directors. Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation or any of its parent or subsidiary entities in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such service.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

3.1    Titles. The officers of the corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.

 

7


3.2    Election. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at such meeting or at any other meeting.

3.3    Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

3.4    Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the resolution electing or appointing such officer, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

3.5    Resignation and Removal. Any officer may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following such officer’s resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether such officer’s compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided for in a duly authorized written agreement with the corporation.

3.6    Vacancies. The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reason and may, in its discretion, leave unfilled for such period as it may determine any offices. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of such officer’s predecessor and until a successor is elected and qualified, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

3.7    Salaries. Officers of the corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

3.8    Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

4.1    Issuance of Stock. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the corporation or the whole or any part of any shares of the authorized capital stock of the corporation held in the corporation’s treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by vote of the Board of Directors in such manner, for such lawful consideration and on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

8


4.2    Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Every holder of stock of the corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by law and by the Board of Directors, representing the number of shares held by such holder registered in certificate form. Each such certificate shall be signed in a manner that complies with Section 158 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Each certificate for shares of stock that are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of stockholders or among such holders and the corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.

If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock, provided that in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests a copy of the full text of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or, with respect to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

4.3    Transfers. Shares of stock of the corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only on the books of the corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of stock of the corporation. Subject to applicable law, shares of stock represented by certificates shall be transferred only on the books of the corporation by the surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Uncertificated shares may be transferred by delivery of a written assignment or power of attorney

 

9


properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.

4.4    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the corporation may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity and posting of such bond as the corporation may require for the protection of the corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.

4.5    Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or to express consent (or dissent) to corporate action without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and such record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 10 days after the date of adoption of a record date for a consent without a meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action to which such record date relates.

If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first consent is properly delivered to the corporation. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

4.6    Regulations. The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of shares of stock of the corporation shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

 

10


ARTICLE V

GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1    Fiscal Year. Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December in each year.

5.2    Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

5.3    Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by 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 provided before, at or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in any such waiver. 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.

5.4    Voting of Securities. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise designate, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Treasurer may waive notice of, vote, or appoint any person or persons to vote, on behalf of the corporation at, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this corporation (with or without power of substitution) at, any meeting of stockholders or securityholders of any other entity, the securities of which may be held by this corporation, or with respect to the execution of any written or electronic consent in the name of the corporation as a holder of such securities.

5.5    Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.

5.6    Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these Bylaws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.

5.7    Severability. Any determination that any provision of these Bylaws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these Bylaws.

5.8    Pronouns. All pronouns used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.

 

11


ARTICLE VI

INDEMNITY

6.1    Third Party Actions. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the corporation, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or 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. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, the corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such director or officer only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the director or officer was authorized in the specific case by the board of directors of the corporation. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

6.2    Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the corporation, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, the corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such director or officer only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the director or officer was authorized in the specific case by the board of directors of the corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VI, no person shall be indemnified hereunder for any expenses or amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action to recover short-swing profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

12


6.3    Successful Defense. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

6.4    Payment of Expenses in Advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, by an individual who may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 or 6.2, shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article VI.

6.5    Claims. If a claim by a director or officer for indemnification (following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Article VI is not paid in full within thirty days after a written claim therefor by the person entitled to indemnification hereunder has been received by the corporation, such person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving that such person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

6.6    Indemnity Not Exclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to the other sections of this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

6.7    Insurance. The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI.

6.8    Other Sources. The corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to 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 nonprofit 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.

6.9    The Corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees

 

13


or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under and subject to the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation the provisions of Section 6.4) with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

6.10    Employee Benefit Plans. For purposes of this Article VI, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article VI.

6.11    Continuation of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

7.1    By the Board of Directors. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors.

7.2    By the Stockholders. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.

 

14