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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): November 21, 2022

 

ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.

  

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 000-55809 82-1873116

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

Commission file number

(IRS employer identification

number)

 

 

400 1ST AVE N., STE. 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN   55401
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (ZiP Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (833)991-0800

 

 

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

 

Emerging Growth Company x    

 

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. x

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
     
Common Stock N/A N/A

 

 

 

   
 

 

ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.

Form 8-K

Current Report

 

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

 

Resignation of Thomas Spruce as Chief Financial Officer

 

On November 16, 2022, Mr. Thomas Spruce resigned from the office of Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Spruce’s decision to step down as Chief Financial Officer was not related to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices. Mr. Spruce remain providing services to the Company as its President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Secretary, and a member of the Company’s board of directors.

 

Appointment of Jim Kellogg as Chief Financial Officer

 

Effective as of November 16, 2022, Jim Kellogg was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kellogg is [--] years old.

 

Biography of Jim Kellogg

 

Since its inception in January of 2005, Mr. Kellogg has served as the principal of J. Kellogg & Company, Inc., a business and tax consultant for business entities with annual gross sales of up to $10,000,000. Mr. Kellogg has provided legal support to clients’ business valuations, business interruption and divorce property valuations. He personally interviews, prepares and reviews approximately 1,000 personal, business, and fiduciary tax returns on an annual basis. Mr. Kellogg has been working as a professional tax adviser since 1983. Mr. Kellogg obtained his JD from the Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California, with an emphasis on taxation in 1995, and was certified as a financial planner by the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado in 1990.

 

Material Terms of Mr. Kellogg’s Employment Agreement

 

The initial term Mr. Kellogg’s employment agreement with the Company expires on November 15, 2023, and is subject to renewal for successive six-months periods. If Mr. Kellogg terminates his employment with the Company for good reason, or is terminated by the Company without cause, during the three months prior to the execution and delivery of a definitive agreement evidencing a change of control of the Company and through to 24-months following the closing of such change of control, then Mr. Kellogg will be entitled to vesting of 100% of any unvested stock option or award granted to him by the Company. Mr. Kellogg’s agreement includes standard confidentiality, non-interference and non-competition provisions.

 

Mr. Kellogg will be entitled to receive the following compensation from the Company: (i) a base salary equivalent to $1.00 per year, for the first year of his employment term; (ii) an annual bonus, if the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) exceeds the forecasted EBITDA approved by the Company’s board of directors at the beginning of such year; and (iii) options to purchase 300,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, at the commencement of his initial term of services, for an exercise price $0.10 per share, vesting in installments of 25% each upon completion of each 3 months of continuous service; and 150,000 options to purchase restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, at the commencement of his first renewal term of service. Mr. Kellogg will be entitled to the reimbursement of reasonable, documented expenses.

 

Related Party Transactions between Jim Kellogg and the Company

 

None.

 

Relationships between the Mr. Kellogg and other Officers and Directors of the Company

 

None.

 

   
 

 

ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

 

On November 20, 2022, the Company’s board of directors adopted and approved the Company’s First Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-Laws”).

 

On and after the effective date of the By-laws, the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholder, shall be held annually on a date and at a time, and via a format (in person, conference call, video conference etc.) designated by the board of directors and stated in a notice of the meeting. Prior to the amendment, the annual meeting was held on the third Thursday of May of each calendar year at 10:30 am. Pursuant to the new By-laws, notice of the meeting may now be served to stockholders by electronic transmission, upon receipt of confirmation.

 

Notice for special meetings of the Company’s board of directors may now be given with no less than 24 hours by email or text, in addition to notice in person, by letter or telephone call.

 

The Company’s officers, pursuant to the By-laws will be comprised of a chief executive officer, a president, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a secretary, a treasurer, a controller, and/or such other officers as may from time to time be elected or appointed by the board of directors. Consequently, new descriptions for the offices of chief operations officer and chief financial officer have been included to the By-laws under Sections 4.7 and 4.8, respectively.

 

Article XI of the By-laws, titled “Indemnification” has been amended in its entirety, to read as follows: “The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 11.1., a "director" or "officer" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.”

 

There have been no further amendments to the Company’s By-laws. A copy of the By-laws is attached as an Exhibit to this filing.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits

 

Certain exhibits listed below are incorporated by reference as so marked with the date and filing with which such exhibits were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission).

 

 

Exhibit

Number

Description
99.1 Jim Kellogg’s Employment Agreement
99.2 Jim Kellogg’s Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement
99.3 First Amended and Restated By-Laws of Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc.
101 Pursuant to Rule 406 of Regulation S-T, the cover page is formatted in Inline XBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language).
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101).

 

   
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Date: November 21, 2022

ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.

 

  By: /s/ Thomas Spruce
  Name: Thomas Spruce
  Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of November 16, 2022, is made by and among Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”) and Jim Kellogg (the “Executive”). Each of the Company and the Executive are referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive as its Chief Financial Officer, and the Executive wishes to accept such employment, on the terms set forth below, effective as of November 16, 2022 (“Effective Date”);

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and the covenants, representations and warranties set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and accepted, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1.       Term. The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, for an initial term of 12 months commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing through November 15, 2023, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof (the “Initial Term”), with such employment to continue for successive 6-month periods (with each successive period of employment referred to herein as a “Renewal Term”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (subject to termination as aforesaid) unless either Party notifies the other Party of non-renewal in writing prior to three months before the expiration of the initial term and each annual renewal, as applicable. (The period during which the Executive is employed hereunder being hereinafter referred to as the “Term”).

 

2.       Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer. The Executive shall devote a reasonable amount of his working time, energy, attention, skill and best efforts to the affairs of the Company consistent with the faithful performance of the duties of said offices and shall faithfully perform such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature as shall be specified and designated from time to time by the Company’s President, CEO, and Board of Directors. Duties include management of tax preparation and filing, financial reporting, accounting functions, financial planning, and compliance with regulatory requirements and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

3.       Compensation; Vacation and Leave.

 

(a)       Compensation. As the only consideration due Executive regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, Company will compensate Executive as (and only as) expressly stated in Exhibit A.

 

(b)       Vacation and Leave. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation, but Executive will not take more than two (2) weeks consecutive vacation. Unused vacation days in one calendar year shall not carry over to the following calendar year. Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees generally.

 

   
 

 

4.       Termination of Employment; Change of Control.

 

(a)       Termination upon Death or Disability. This Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically terminate on the date on which Executive dies or becomes permanently incapacitated. Executive shall be deemed to have become “permanently incapacitated” on the date that is thirty (30) days after the Company has determined that Executive has suffered a Permanent Incapacity (as defined below) and so notifies Executive or Executive’s personal representative. For purposes of this Agreement, “Permanent Incapacity” shall mean that (i) Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the service provider’s employer.

 

(b)       Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause (as defined below), effective upon delivery of written notice to Executive given at any time during the Term (without any necessity for prior notice). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the Executive’s: (i) conviction of any felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude, (ii) fraud against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or theft of or maliciously intentional damage to the property of the Company or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, (iii) breach of Executive’s fiduciary duties to the Company, or (iv) breach by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement after written notice and a reasonable period allowed to cure such breach as determined by the Company.

 

(c)       Termination by Company without Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause, effective upon delivery of written notice to Executive given at any time during the Term (without any necessity for prior notice) provided that the Company complies with all provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)       Termination by the Executive for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder with Good Reason (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (i) the material reduction of the Executive’s title, authority, duties and responsibilities or the assignment to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s position or positions with the Company; (ii) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement; or (iii) any change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform the services under this Agreement, which change is reasonably material to Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless notice of termination on account thereof (specifying a termination date no later than thirty (30) days from the date of such notice) is given no later than 30 days after the time at which the event or condition purportedly giving rise to Good Reason is first known by Executive and (y) if there exists (without regard to this clause (y)) an event or condition that constitutes Good Reason, the Company shall have fifteen (15) days from the date notice of such a termination is given to cure such event or condition and, if the Company does so, such event or condition shall not constitute Good Reason hereunder.

 

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(e)       Termination by the Executive other than for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, provided that the Executive gives the Company no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination.

 

(f)       Change of Control. If the Executive is terminated by the Company without “Cause”, other than for death or disability, or the Executive terminates for “Good Reason” at any time during the period that is three (3) months prior to the execution of a definitive agreement evidencing a Change in Control through the date that is twenty four (24) months following the closing date of a Change in Control, then the Executive will be entitled to the 100% acceleration of vesting of unvested stock as of the date of termination (i.e., accelerated vesting of all remaining shares that are then unvested). To receive the benefits described in this section, Executive must execute (and not revoke) a general release of claims (in a form attached hereto) of all known and unknown claims that Executive may then have against the Company and persons affiliated with the Company and return all Company property, in each case within thirty (30) days after the termination (the “Deadline”).

 

(g)        For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i)       Change in Ownership. A change in ownership of the Company occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, excluding the acquisition of additional stock by a person or more than one person acting as a group who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company.

 

(ii)       Change in Effective Control. A change in effective control of the Company occurs on the date that either: (A) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; or (B) a majority of the members of the Company’s Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided, that this paragraph (2) will apply to the Company only if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Company.

 

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(iii)       Change in Ownership of Substantial Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, “gross fair market value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

 

(iv)       Intended Interpretation. It is the intent of the Parties that the definition of Change in Control under this Agreement be construed consistent with the definition of “Change in Control” as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable Treasury Regulations, as amended from time to time.

 

5.       Payments Upon Termination.

 

(a)       Upon termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder due to Executive’s death or disability pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, (i) the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of the Executive) shall be entitled to receive any compensation earned and accrued under this Agreement prior to the date of termination (and reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination) and (ii) the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of the Executive) shall have no further rights to any other compensation or benefits hereunder, or any other rights hereunder (but, for the avoidance of doubt, shall receive such disability and death benefits as may be provided under the Company’s plans and arrangements in accordance with their terms).

 

(b)       Upon termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company for Cause or by Executive other than for Good Reason, (i) the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to Executive’s then Base Salary (if any) and other benefits (including any bonus for a calendar year completed before termination) earned and accrued under this Agreement prior to the date of termination (and reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination) and (ii) the Executive shall have no further rights to any other compensation or benefits under this Agreement on or after the termination of employment.

 

(c)       Upon termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder (i) by the Company without Cause or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, (x) the Company shall pay to Executive (I) an amount equal to Executive’s then Base Salary (if any) and other benefits (including any bonus for a calendar year completed before termination) earned and accrued under this Agreement prior to the date of termination (and reimbursement under this Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination); and (II) an amount equal to 1.0 times (a) the average of the Base Salary amounts paid to Executive over the three calendar years prior to the date of Termination (if any), (b) if less than three years have elapsed between the date of this Agreement and the date of termination, the highest Base Salary paid to Executive in any calendar year prior to the date of Termination (if any), or (c) if less than 12 months have elapsed from the date of this Agreement to the date of termination, the highest Base Salary received in any month times 12 (if any); and (y) the Executive shall have no further rights to any other compensation or benefits under this Agreement on or after the termination of employment.

 

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(d)       Nothing contained in this Section 5 shall affect the terms of any employee stock options, stock grants, or other equity-based compensation that may have been issued by the Company to Executive, which in the event of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company shall continue to be governed by their own terms and conditions.

 

(e)       Unless the payment is required to be delayed pursuant to Code Section 409A (as defined below), the cash amounts payable to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of the Executive) under this Section 6 shall be paid to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of the Executive) in a single-sum payment within 60 days following the effective date of termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

6.       Parachutes. If any amount payable to or other benefit receivable by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement would be deemed to constitute a Parachute Payment (as defined below), alone or when added to any other amount payable or paid to or other benefit receivable or received by the Executive which is deemed to constitute a Parachute Payment (whether or not under an existing plan, arrangement or other agreement), and would result in the imposition on the Executive of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, then the Parachute Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) so that the maximum amount of the Parachute Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount which would cause the Parachute Payments to be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. Any such reduction shall be made by first reducing severance benefits (if any). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the reduction of Parachute Payments under this Section 6 would be equal to or greater than $50,000, then there shall be no such reduction and the amount of the Parachute Payment that shall be payable will be the amount that will result in the greatest after-tax amount for the Executive. “Parachute Payment” shall mean a “parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G of the Code. The calculations under this Section 6 shall be as determined by the Company’s accountants.

 

7.       Execution of Release. The Executive acknowledges that, if required by the Company prior to making the payments and benefits set forth in Section 5 (other than accrued but unpaid Base Salary and other benefits), all such payments and benefits are subject to his execution of a general release from liability of the Company and its Officers (including his successor), Directors/Managers and employees, and such release becoming irrevocable by its terms. If Executive fails to execute such release, or such release does not become irrevocable, all such payments and benefits set forth in Section 5 hereof shall be forfeited.

 

8.       Application of Code Section 409A.

 

(a)       This Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty sanctions under Section 409A of the Code (“Code Section 409A”). If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time specified herein without incurring sanctions under Code Section 409A, then such benefit or payment will be provided in full (to the extent not paid in part at earlier date) at the earliest time thereafter when such sanctions will not be imposed. For purposes of Code Section 409A, all payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of such term under Code Section 409A) with the Company, each payment made under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment, and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement will be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event will Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment, except as permitted under Code Section 409A.

 

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(b)       Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, at the time of Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company, the Company has securities which are publicly traded on an established securities market and Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in Code Section 409A) and it is necessary to postpone the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable under this Agreement as a result of such termination of employment to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Code Section 409A, then the Company will postpone the commencement of the payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to Executive), until the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Executive’s “separation of service” with the Company. If any payments are postponed due to such requirements, such postponed amounts will be paid with interest at the applicable federal rate as provided under Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code in a lump sum to Executive on the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Executive’s “separation of service” with the Company. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of the postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of Code Section 409A will be paid to the personal representative of Executive’ s estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executive’s death. Payments pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement are intended to satisfy the short-term deferral exception under Code Section 409A.

 

(c)       All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement will be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement will be for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(d)       To the extent applicable, all grants, awards, bonuses or other payments made to Executive or for which Executive is eligible under any Company bonus, incentive, deferred compensation plan or program or any other compensation arrangement will be structured to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A or an exception from such requirements.

 

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9.       Covenants of the Executive.

 

(a)       Confidentiality. During the Term, the Company has and will continue to provide Executive with access to, and may confide in him, information, business methods and systems, techniques and methods of operation developed at great expense by the Company and which are assets of the Company. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that: (i) all Confidential Information (defined below) is the property of the Company and is unique, extremely valuable and developed and acquired by great expenditures of time, effort and cost; (ii) the misuse, misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure by Executive of the Confidential Information would constitute a breach of trust and would cause serious irreparable injury to the Company; and (iii) it is essential to the protection of the Company’s goodwill and to the maintenance of the Company’s competitive position that the Confidential Information be kept secret and that Executive not disclose the Confidential Information to others or use same to his own advantage or to the advantage of others. Accordingly, Executive shall not, during the Term or thereafter, directly or indirectly, in any manner, utilize or disclose to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or use on his own behalf, any confidential and proprietary information of the Company, including, but not limited to, information relating to strategic plans, sales, costs, client lists, client preferences, client identities, investment strategies, computer programs, profits or the business affairs and financial condition of the Company, or any of its clients, or any of the Company’s business methods, systems, marketing materials, clients or techniques (collectively “Confidential Information”), except for (i) such disclosures where required by law, but only after written notice to the Company detailing the circumstances and legal requirement for the disclosure; or (ii) as authorized during the performance of Executive’s duties for such use or purpose as are reasonably believed by Executive to be in the best interests of the Company. At any time, upon request, Executive shall deliver to the Company all of its property including, but not limited to, its Confidential Information (whether electronically stored or otherwise) which are in his possession or under his control. Property to be returned includes, but is not limited to, notebook pages, documents, records, prototypes, client files, drawings, electronically stored data, computer media or any other materials or property in Executive’s possession. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, subject to applicable securities laws, nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from taking Confidential Information into account when purchasing or selling the stock of the Company for Executive's own account.

 

(b)       Noninterference. The Parties acknowledge the obligations promised and restricted hereunder, which were negotiated in good faith and consideration received hereunder. During the Term and for a period of two (2) years following the end of the Term (the “Restricted Period”), for whatever reason, he will not, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of any third party, at any time or in any manner:

 

(i)       persuade, induce, solicit, influence or attempt to influence, or cause any person who is an employee of the Company to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or refer any such employee to anyone, without prior written approval from the Company;

 

(ii)       request or cause any of the Company’s clients or potential clients to cancel, modify or terminate any existing or continuing or, to Executive’s knowledge, prospective business relationship with the Company;

 

(iii)       engage in or participate in any effort or act to induce, or in any way cause, any client or, to Executive’s knowledge, prospective client of the Company, to deal with Executive or any other person or entity except in a capacity as representative of the Company or in a way that is non-competitive with the Company, or otherwise take any action which might reasonably be expected to be disadvantageous to the Company;

 

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(iv)       persuade, induce, solicit, influence or attempt to influence, or cause any client or, to Executive’s knowledge, prospective client of the Company to cease or refrain from doing business, or to decline to do business, or to change or alter any existing or prospective business relationship, with the Company;

 

(v)       accept business from, or perform or provide any services for, any client, or to Executive’s knowledge, prospective client of the Company, but only if such business or services were competitive with those of the Company;

 

(vi)       contract with or communicate with, in either case in connection with services, any client or, to Executive’s knowledge, prospective client of the Company, but only if such services were competitive with those of the Company; or

 

(vii)       misappropriate or provide any third party with any information concerning any client, or to Executive’s knowledge, prospective client of the Company, including but not limited to, the disclosure of any client name or data, in whatever form, to such third party, but only if such third party was a competitor of the Company or such information was Confidential Information.

 

(c)       Noncompetition. The Parties acknowledge the obligations promised and restricted hereunder, which were negotiated in good faith and consideration received hereunder. Executive acknowledges that he will have received material, nonpublic information upon the effective date, and have access to the Company’s Confidential Information, including the procedures, policies, and processes of the Company, which are deemed valuable to the Company and the Company’s competitors. During the Term and Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage or participate in, or become employed by, or affiliated with, or enter into or maintain a contractual relationship with, or render advisory or any other services to, any person or business entity or organization, of whatever form, that competes with or is a direct competitor to the Company in the United States or any other location in which the Company conducts business prior to your termination date.

 

(d)       Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that his compliance with the covenants in Sections 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) hereof (the “Restrictive Covenants”) is necessary to protect the good will, Confidential Information and other proprietary interests of the Company, that such covenants are supported by adequate and sufficient consideration, and that, in the event of any violation or threatened violation by Executive of any such provision, the Company will sustain serious, irreparable and substantial harm to its business, the extent of which will be difficult to determine and impossible to remedy by an action at law for money damages. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, in the event of such violation or threatened violation by him, the Company shall be entitled to seek an injunction before trial from any court of competent jurisdiction as a matter of course and upon the posting of a bond, in addition to all such other legal and equitable remedies as may be available to the Company. Executive further acknowledges that he has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions contained herein and the rights and remedies conferred upon the Company under this Agreement, and hereby acknowledges and agrees that the same are reasonable, are designed to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, and do not confer benefits upon the Company disproportionate to the detriment upon him. In the event that Executive violates any of the covenants in this Agreement and the Company commences legal action for injunctive or other relief, the Company shall have the benefit of the remaining period of the covenants taking into account the period before the date it was determined the covenants were breached, computed from the date Executive ceased violation of the covenants, either by order of the court or otherwise. Executive acknowledges that any claim or cause of action he may have against the Company shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of his covenants in Article 5 of this Agreement (e.g., these covenants are independent of any other provision in this Agreement and of any other promise made to Executive). Executive also acknowledges that his experience and capabilities are such that he can obtain suitable employment otherwise than in violation of the covenants in this Agreement and that the enforcement of these covenants will not prevent the earning of a livelihood nor cause undue hardship.

 

8
 

 

(e)       Remedies Cumulative and Concurrent. The rights and remedies of the Company as provided in this Section 9 shall be cumulative and concurrent and may be pursued separately, successively or together, at the sole discretion of the Company, and may be exercised as often as occasion therefor shall arise. The failure to exercise any right or remedy shall in no event be construed as a waiver or release thereof.

 

(f)       Executive’s Authorization. Executive authorizes the Company to inform any third parties, including future employers, prospective employers and the Company’s clients or prospective clients, of the existence of this Agreement and his obligations under it.

 

(g)       Survivability. The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive the cessation of Executive's employment for any reason, as well as the expiration of this Agreement at the end of its Term or at any time prior thereto.

 

(h)       Definition of Company. For purposes of this Section 9, the term “Company” shall include the Company and any of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates or any related companies including their respective successors and assigns.

 

10.       Other Provisions.

 

(a)       Severability. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) he has had an opportunity to seek advice of independent legal counsel and a tax accountant in connection with this Agreement and (ii) the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects. If any term or provision, including, without limitation, the Restrictive Covenants, of this Agreement is held to be illegal, unenforceable, invalid, void, or incapable of being enforced, such term or provision shall be excluded to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability; all other terms or provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect; and, to the extent permitted and possible, the invalid or unenforceable term or provision shall be reformed, rewritten, revised, and/or deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

 

9
 

 

(b)       Duration and Scope of Covenants. If any court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or geographical scope of such provision, then, after such determination has become final and unappealable, the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.

 

(c)       Arbitration.

 

(i)       Subject to the limitations of this Section 10(c), if any dispute arises between the Parties under or concerning this Agreement or the terms hereof, or regarding the manner in which Executive was treated while employed by the Company, the termination of his employment, or any alleged violation by the Company of Executive’s rights under any common law theory, or any applicable federal, state, or local law, statute, regulation, or ordinance (including without limitation 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and any other local, state, or federal legislation that pertains to employee rights or discrimination in employment), the Parties agree to submit such issue to final and binding arbitration in accordance with the then existing National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. Nothing in this Section 10(c), however, will preclude the Company from seeking the judicial relief set forth under Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(ii)       The Parties agree that the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration provisions in this Agreement will be governed exclusively by the Federal Arbitration Act (the “FAA”), 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., provided that they are enforceable under the FAA, and will otherwise be governed by the law of the State of California.

 

(iii)       The Parties agree and understand that one of the objectives of this arbitration agreement is to resolve disputes expeditiously, as well as fairly, and to those ends it is the obligation of all Parties to raise any disputes subject to arbitration hereunder in an expeditious manner. Accordingly, the Parties agree that, as to any dispute that can be brought hereunder, a demand for arbitration must be postmarked or delivered in person to the other Party no later than six (6) months after the date the demanding Party knows or should have known of the event or events giving rise to the claim. Failure to demand arbitration on a claim within these time limits is intended to, and will to the furthest extent permitted by law, be a waiver and release with respect to such claims. If, and only if, the waiver and release of claims referenced in the immediately preceding sentence is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable as against Executive or the Company under this Agreement, then the Parties will nevertheless submit such claims to arbitration pursuant to this Section 10(c) within the time permitted by law.

 

(iv)       The Company and Executive will jointly and equally pay the arbitrator’s fees.

 

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(v)       Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, arbitration will take place in County of Orange in the State of California.

 

(vi)       In rendering an award, the arbitrator will determine the rights and obligations of the Parties according to federal law and the substantive law of the State of California without regard to any principles governing conflicts of laws and the arbitrator’s decision will be governed by state and federal substantive law, including state and federal discrimination laws referenced in Section 10(c)(i) hereof, as though the matter were before a court of law.

 

(vii)       Any arbitration award will be accompanied by a written statement containing a summary of the issues in controversy, a description of the award, and an explanation of the reasons for the award. The decision of the arbitrator will be made within thirty (30) days following the close of the hearing. The Parties agree that the award will be enforceable exclusively by any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction within the County of Hennepin in the State of Minnesota.

 

(viii)       It is understood and agreed by the Parties that their agreement herein concerning arbitration does not contain, and cannot be relied upon Executive to contain, any promises or representations concerning the duration of the employment relationship, or the circumstances under or procedures by which the employment relationship may be modified or terminated.

 

(ix)       If any part of this arbitration procedure is in conflict with any mandatory requirement or applicable law, the law will govern, and that part of this arbitration procedure will be reformed and construed to the maximum extent possible in conformance with the applicable law. The arbitration procedure will remain otherwise unaffected and enforceable.

 

(d)       Notices. All notices, demands, consents, requests, instructions and other communications to be given or delivered or permitted under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be delivered and received by the intended recipient as follows: (i) if personally delivered, on the business day of such delivery (as evidenced by the receipt of the personal delivery service), (ii) if mailed certified or registered mail return receipt requested, two (2) business days after being mailed, (iii) if delivered by overnight courier (with all charges having been prepaid), on the business day of such delivery (as evidenced by the receipt of the overnight courier service of recognized standing), or (iv) if delivered by facsimile transmission or other electronic means, including email, on the business day of such delivery if sent by 6:00 p.m. in the time zone of the recipient, or if sent after that time, on the next succeeding business day. If any notice, demand, consent, request, instruction or other communication cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given (in accordance with this Section 10(d), or the refusal to accept same, the notice, demand, consent, request, instruction or other communication shall be deemed received on the second business day after the notice is sent (as evidenced by a sworn affidavit of the sender). All such notices, demands, consents, requests, instructions and other communications will be sent to the following addresses or facsimile numbers as applicable:

 

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If to the Company, to:  

Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc.
400 First Ave. North, Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Attention: CEO

Telephone: 833.991.0800

Email: info@xespn.com

   

 

 

 

If to the Executive, to:  

Jim Kellogg
____________________________________
____________________________________

Telephone: 714.496.7152

Email: jim@jkelloggcompany.com

 

 

Any such person may by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(d) to the other Parties hereto designate another address or person for receipt by such person of notices hereunder.

 

(e)       Section Headings. The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to or “Section” or “Sections” refer to the corresponding Article or Section or Sections of this Agreement, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

(f)       Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the word “including” shall mean including without limitation. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty, or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party is in breach of such representation, warranty, or covenant. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.

 

(g)       

 

(h)       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

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(i)       Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(j)       Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the Parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any such right, power or privilege nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

(k)       Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided, however, that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.

 

(l)       Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it reasonably determines to be required by law.

 

(m)       Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and legal representatives.

 

(n)       Survival. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of Section 9 and any other provisions of this Agreement expressly imposing obligations that survive termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, and the other provisions of this Section 10 to the extent necessary to effectuate the survival of such provisions, shall survive termination of this Agreement and any termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

(o)       Existing Agreements. The Executive represents to the Company that he is not subject or a Party to any employment or consulting agreement, non-competition covenant or other agreement, covenant or understanding which might prohibit him from executing this Agreement or limit his ability to fulfill his responsibilities hereunder.

 

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(p)       GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW WHICH COULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

 

 

[Signatures follow on next page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have caused their respective signature pages to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

  COMPANY:  
       
  ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.  
       
       
       
  By: /s/ Thomas Spruce  
  Name: Thomas Spruce  
  Title: President  
       
       
       
  EXECUTIVE:  
       
       
       
  By: /s/ Jim Kellogg  
  Name: Jim Kellogg  

 

   
 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

BASE SALARY

 

The Company shall pay the Executive during the Term a salary at a minimum rate of $1.00 per annum for the period beginning on the Effective Date through the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Base Salary”), in accordance with the standard payroll practices of the Company applicable to senior executives; provided, however, the Company’s Board (or compensation committee of the Company’s Board, the “Committee”) may review the Executive’s Base Salary and may provide for such increases therein as it may, in its discretion, deem appropriate. (Any such increased salary shall constitute the “Base Salary” as of the time of the increase.).

 

BONUS

 

During the Term, in addition to the Base Salary, for each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Term, the Executive may be entitled to an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) if the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) exceeds the forecasted EBITDA approved by the Board at the beginning of such year. Any acquisitions by the Company following Board approval of forecasted EBITDA shall be excluded from the calculation of EBITDA for such year. Any bonus shall be payable as soon as the Company's cash flow permits.

 

STOCK AWARDS

 

Subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and the terms and conditions of each applicable stock grant agreement, Executive shall be granted restricted shares of the Common Stock of the Company, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

i.At the commencement of the Initial Term and subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and the terms and conditions of the applicable stock grant agreement, Executive shall be granted options to purchase 300,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock (as currently constituted).

 

ii.At the commencement of each Renewal Term and subject to the approval of Company’s Board of Directors and the terms and conditions of the applicable stock grant agreement, Executive shall be granted options to purchase 150,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock (as currently constituted).

 

EXPENSES

 

Expense reimbursement is limited to required, reasonable telephone expenses and long-distance coach class (or equivalent) travel (transportation, lodging and meals) authorized in writing by Company in advance. Any such reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Executive for such fees and expenses incurred after the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc.

Notice of Stock Option Grant

 

The Optionee has been granted the following option to purchase shares of the Common Stock of Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc.:

 

Name of Optionee: Jim Kellogg
   
Total Number of Shares: 300,000
   
Type of Option: Nonstatutory Stock Option (NSO)
   
Exercise Price per Share: $0.10
   
Date of Grant: November 16 , 2022
   
Date Exercisable: This option may be exercised with respect to the first 25% of the Shares subject to this option after 3 months of continuous service completed by Optionee after the Vesting Commencement Date.  This option may be exercised with respect to an additional 25% of the Shares subject to this option for each 3 months of continuous Service completed by Optionee thereafter.
   
Vesting Commencement Date: November 16, 2022
   
Expiration Date: November 16, 2032.  This option expires 10 years from the Date of Grant set forth above.

 

 

By signing below, the Optionee and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement. This document is attached to, and made a part of, this Notice of Stock Option Grant. Section 13 of the Stock Option Agreement includes important acknowledgements of the Optionee.

 

 

 

Optionee:  

Electronic Servitor Publication

Network Inc.

 
           
           
By: /s/ Jim Kellogg   By: /s/ Thomas Spruce  
           
           
Name:  Jim Kellogg   Name: Thomas Spruce  
      Title: President  
           
           

 

   
 

 

THE OPTION GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON THE EXERCISE THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.:

Stock Option Agreement

 

SECTION 1. Grant Of Option.

 

(a)       Option. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and this Agreement, the Company grants to the Optionee on the Date of Grant the option to purchase at the Exercise Price the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. The Exercise Price is agreed to be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. This option is intended to be an NSO, as provided in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

(b)       $100,000 Limitation. Even if this option is designated as an ISO in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, it shall be deemed to be an NSO to the extent (and only to the extent) required by the $100,000 annual limitation under Section 422(d) of the Code.

 

SECTION 2. Right To Exercise.

 

(a)       Exercisability. Subject to the other conditions set forth in this Agreement, all or part of this option may be exercised prior to its expiration at the time or times set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

SECTION 3. No Transfer Or Assignment Of Option.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to sale under execution, attachment, levy or similar process.

 

SECTION 4. Exercise Procedures.

 

(a)       Notice of Exercise. The Optionee or the Optionee’s representative may exercise this option by: (i) signing and delivering written notice to the Company pursuant to Section 12(c) specifying the election to exercise this option, the number of Shares for which it is being exercised and the form of payment and (ii) delivering payment, in a form permissible under Section 5, for the full amount of the Purchase Price (together with any applicable withholding taxes under Subsection (b)). In the event that this option is being exercised by the representative of the Optionee, the notice shall be accompanied by proof (satisfactory to the Company) of the representative’s right to exercise this option.

 

   
 

 

(b)       Withholding Taxes. In the event that the Company determines that it is required to withhold any tax (including without limitation any income tax, social insurance contributions, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items legally applicable to the Optionee (the “Tax-Related Items”)) as a result of the grant, vesting or exercise of this option, or as a result of the transfer of shares acquired upon exercise of this option, the Optionee, as a condition of this option, shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to enable it to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. The Optionee acknowledges that the responsibility for all Tax-Related Items is the Optionee’s and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company (or its affiliate or agent).

 

(c)       Issuance of Shares. After satisfying all requirements for exercise of this option, the Company shall cause to be issued one or more certificates evidencing the Shares for which this option has been exercised. Such Shares shall be registered (i) in the name of the person exercising this option, (ii) in the names of such person and his or her spouse as community property or as joint tenants with the right of survivorship or (iii) with the Company’s consent, in the name of a revocable trust. Until the issuance of the Shares has been entered into the books and records of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company, no right to vote, receive dividends or any other right as a stockholder will exist with respect to such Shares. The Company shall cause such certificates to be delivered to or upon the order of the person exercising this option.

 

SECTION 5. Payment For Stock.

 

(a)       Cash. All or part of the Purchase Price may be paid in cash or cash equivalents.

 

(b)       Cashless Exercise. All or part of the Purchase Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by surrender of this option at the principal office of the Company together with notice of cashless election, in which event the Company shall issue the Optionee a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula: X = Y (A-B)/A where: X = the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to Optionee; Y = the number of shares of Common Stock for which this option is being exercised; A= the market price of the Common Stock; and B= the Exercise Price. For purposes of Rule 144 and this section, it is intended, understood and acknowledged that the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this option in a cashless exercise transaction shall be deemed to have been acquired at the time this option was issued. Moreover, it is intended, understood and acknowledged that the holding period for the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this option in a cashless exercise transaction shall be deemed to have commenced on the Date of Grant.

 

(c)       Surrender of Stock. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, all or any part of the Purchase Price may be paid by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Shares that are already owned by the Optionee. Such Shares shall be surrendered to the Company in good form for transfer and shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date when this option is exercised.

 

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(d)       Exercise/Sale. All or part of the Purchase Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company. However, payment pursuant to this Subsection (c) shall be permitted only if (i) Stock then is publicly traded and (ii) such payment does not violate applicable law.

 

SECTION 6. Term And Expiration.

 

(a)       Basic Term. This option shall in any event expire on the expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, which date is 10 years after the Date of Grant.

 

(b)       Part-Time Employment and Leaves of Absence. If the Optionee commences working on a part-time basis, then the Company may adjust the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. If the Optionee goes on a leave of absence, then the Company may adjust the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant in accordance with the Company’s leave of absence policy or the terms of such leave. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, Service shall be deemed to continue for any purpose under this Agreement while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of absence, if (i) such leave was approved by the Company in writing and (ii) continued crediting of Service for such purpose is expressly required by the terms of such leave or by applicable law (as determined by the Company). Service shall be deemed to terminate when such leave ends, unless the Optionee immediately returns to active work.

 

(c)       Notice Concerning ISO Treatment. Even if this option is designated as an ISO in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, it ceases to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an ISO to the extent that it is exercised:

 

(i)       More than three months after the date when the Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code);

 

(ii)       More than 12 months after the date when the Optionee ceases to be an Employee by reason of permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code); or

 

(iii)       More than three months after the date when the Optionee has been on a leave of absence for three months, unless the Optionee’s reemployment rights following such leave were guaranteed by statute or by contract.

 

SECTION 7. Right Of Repurchase.

 

(a)       Scope of Repurchase Right. Until they vest in accordance with the Notice of Stock Option Grant and Subsection (b) below, the Shares acquired under this Agreement shall be Restricted Shares and shall be subject to the Company’s Right of Repurchase. The Company, however, may decline to exercise its Right of Repurchase or may exercise its Right of Repurchase only with respect to a portion of the Restricted Shares. The Company may exercise its Right of Repurchase only during the Repurchase Period following the termination of the Optionee’s Service, but the Right of Repurchase may be exercised automatically under Subsection (d) below. If the Right of Repurchase is exercised, the Company shall pay the Optionee an amount equal to the lower of (i) the Exercise Price of each Restricted Share being repurchased or (ii) the Fair Market Value of such Restricted Share at the time the Right of Repurchase is exercised.

 

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(b)       Lapse of Repurchase Right. The Right of Repurchase shall lapse with respect to the Restricted Shares in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

(c)       Escrow. Upon issuance, the certificate(s) for Restricted Shares shall be deposited in escrow with the Company to be held in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Any additional or exchanged securities or other property described in Subsection (f) below shall immediately be delivered to the Company to be held in escrow. All ordinary cash dividends on Restricted Shares (or on other securities held in escrow) shall be paid directly to the Optionee and shall not be held in escrow. Restricted Shares, together with any other assets held in escrow under this Agreement, shall be (i) surrendered to the Company for repurchase upon exercise of the Right of Repurchase or (ii) released to the Optionee upon his or her request to the extent that the Shares have ceased to be Restricted Shares (but not more frequently than once every six months). In any event, all Shares that have ceased to be Restricted Shares, together with any other vested assets held in escrow under this Agreement, shall be released within 90 days.

 

(d)       Exercise of Repurchase Right. The Company shall be deemed to have exercised its Right of Repurchase automatically for all Restricted Shares as of the commencement of the Repurchase Period, unless the Company during the Repurchase Period notifies the holder of the Restricted Shares that it will not exercise its Right of Repurchase for some or all of the Restricted Shares. The Company shall pay to the holder of the Restricted Shares the purchase price determined under Subsection (a) above for the Restricted Shares being repurchased. Payment shall be made in cash or cash equivalents and/or by canceling indebtedness to the Company incurred by the Optionee in the purchase of the Restricted Shares. The certificate(s) representing the Restricted Shares being repurchased shall be delivered to the Company.

 

(e)       Termination of Rights as Stockholder. If the Right of Repurchase is exercised in accordance with this Section 7 and the Company makes available the consideration for the Restricted Shares being repurchased, then the person from whom the Restricted Shares are repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a holder of the Restricted Shares (other than the right to receive payment of such consideration). Such Restricted Shares shall be deemed to have been repurchased pursuant to this Section 7, whether or not the certificate(s) for such Restricted Shares have been delivered to the Company or the consideration for such Restricted Shares has been accepted.

 

(f)       Additional or Exchanged Securities and Property. In the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets, any other corporate reorganization, a stock split, the declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than stock, a spin-off, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities, any securities or other property (including cash or cash equivalents) that are by reason of such transaction exchanged for, or distributed with respect to, any Restricted Shares shall immediately be subject to the Right of Repurchase. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the exchange or distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number and/or class of the Restricted Shares. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the price per share to be paid upon the exercise of the Right of Repurchase, provided that the aggregate purchase price payable for the Restricted Shares shall remain the same.

 

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(g)       Transfer of Restricted Shares. The Optionee shall not transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any Restricted Shares without the Company’s written consent, except as provided in the following sentence. The Optionee may transfer Restricted Shares to one or more members of the Optionee’s Immediate Family or to a trust established by the Optionee for the benefit of the Optionee and/or one or more members of the Optionee’s Immediate Family, provided in either case that the Transferee agrees in writing on a form prescribed by the Company to be bound by all provisions of this Agreement. If the Optionee transfers any Restricted Shares, then this Agreement shall apply to the Transferee to the same extent as to the Optionee.

 

(h)       Assignment of Repurchase Right. The Board of Directors may freely assign the Company’s Right of Repurchase, in whole or in part. Any person who accepts an assignment of the Right of Repurchase from the Company shall assume all of the Company’s rights and obligations under this Section 7.

 

 

SECTION 8. Legality Of Initial Issuance.

 

No Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this option unless and until the Company has determined that:

 

(a)       It and the Optionee have taken any actions required to register the Shares under the Securities Act or to perfect an exemption from the registration requirements thereof;

 

(b)       Any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange or other securities market on which Stock is listed has been satisfied; and

 

(c)       Any other applicable provision of federal, State or foreign law has been satisfied.

 

SECTION 9. No Registration Rights.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, register or qualify the sale of Shares under the Securities Act or any other applicable law. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the sale of Shares under this Agreement to comply with any law.

 

SECTION 10. Restrictions On Transfer of shares.

 

(a)       Securities Law Restrictions. Regardless of whether the offer and sale of Shares under this option have been registered under the Securities Act or have been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any State or other relevant jurisdiction, the Company at its discretion may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of such Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on the stock certificates (or electronic equivalent) or the imposition of stop-transfer instructions) and may refuse (or may be required to refuse) to transfer Shares acquired hereunder (or Shares proposed to be transferred in a subsequent transfer) if, in the judgment of the Company, such restrictions, legends or refusal are necessary or appropriate to achieve compliance with the Securities Act or other relevant securities or other laws, including without limitation under Regulation S of the Securities Act or pursuant to another available exemption from registration. 

 

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(b)       Market Stand-Off. In connection with any underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company’s initial public offering, the Optionee or a Transferee shall not directly or indirectly sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, offer, grant or sell any option or other contract for the purchase of, purchase any option or other contract for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Shares acquired under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company or its managing underwriter. Such restriction (the “Market Stand-Off”) shall be in effect for such period of time following the date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be requested by the Company or such underwriter. In no event, however, shall such period exceed 180 days plus such additional period as may reasonably be requested by the Company or such underwriter to accommodate regulatory restrictions on (i) the publication or other distribution of research reports or (ii) analyst recommendations and opinions, including (without limitation) the restrictions set forth in Rule 2711(f)(4) of the National Association of Securities Dealers and Rule 472(f)(4) of the New York Stock Exchange, as amended, or any similar successor rules. The Market Stand-Off shall in any event terminate two years after the date of the Company’s initial public offering. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into which such Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to the Market Stand-Off. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares acquired under this Agreement until the end of the applicable stand-off period. The Company’s underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Subsection (b). This Subsection (b) shall not apply to Shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act.

 

(c)       Investment Intent at Grant. The Optionee represents and agrees that the Shares to be acquired upon exercising this option will be acquired for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof.

 

(d)       Investment Intent at Exercise. In the event that the sale of Shares under this option is not registered under the Securities Act but an exemption is available that requires an investment representation or other representation, the Optionee shall represent and agree at the time of exercise that the Shares being acquired upon exercising this option are being acquired for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof, and shall make such other representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and its counsel, including (if applicable because the Company is relying on Regulation S under the Securities Act) that as of the date of exercise the Optionee is (i) not a U.S. Person; (ii) not acquiring the Shares on behalf, or for the account or benefit, of a U.S. Person; and (iii) is not exercising the option in the United States.

 

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(e)       Legends. All certificates evidencing Shares purchased under this Agreement shall bear the following legend:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, ENCUMBERED OR IN ANY MANNER DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THE SHARES (OR THE PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE SHARES). SUCH AGREEMENT GRANTS TO THE COMPANY CERTAIN CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY. IN ADDITION, THE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER FOR A LIMITED PERIOD FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE UNDERWRITTEN PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF BY THE HOLDER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMPANY OR THE MANAGING UNDERWRITER. THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY WILL UPON WRITTEN REQUEST FURNISH A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE.”

 

All certificates evidencing Shares purchased under this Agreement in an unregistered transaction shall bear the following legend (and such other restrictive legends as are required or deemed advisable under the provisions of any applicable law):

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”) OR ANY SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, REOFFERED, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR DISPOSED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OR THE AVAILABILITY (CONFIRMED BY OPINION OF COUNSEL) OF AN ALTERNATIVE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE ACT), THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, REOFFERED, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR DISPOSED OF. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT.”

 

(f)       Removal of Legends. If, in the opinion of the Company and its counsel, any legend placed on a stock certificate representing Shares sold under this Agreement is no longer required, the holder of such certificate shall be entitled to exchange such certificate for a certificate representing the same number of Shares but without such legend.

 

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(g)       Administration. Any determination by the Company and its counsel in connection with any of the matters set forth in this Section 10 shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and all other persons.

 

SECTION 11. Adjustment Of Shares.

 

In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Common Stock into a lesser number of Shares, a reclassification, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, proportionate adjustments shall automatically be made in each of (i) the number and kind of Shares covered by this Option and any outstanding and unexercised right to purchase Shares that has not yet expired pursuant to Section 6 and (ii) the Exercise Price under this Option and the Purchase Price applicable to any unexercised stock purchase right described in clause (i) above. In the event of a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, a recapitalization, a spin-off, or a similar occurrence, the Board of Directors at its sole discretion may make appropriate adjustments in one or more of the items listed above; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall in any event make such adjustments as may be required by applicable state law. No fractional Shares shall be issued as a result of an adjustment under this Section 10, although the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional Shares or round up to the nearest whole Share.

 

SECTION 12. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)       Rights as a Stockholder. Neither the Optionee nor the Optionee’s representative shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to this option until the Optionee or the Optionee’s representative becomes entitled to receive such Shares by filing a notice of exercise and paying the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 4 and 5.

 

(b)       No Retention Rights. Nothing in this option or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Optionee) or of the Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her Service at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.

 

(c)       Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing. It shall be deemed effective upon (i) personal delivery, (ii) deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, (iii) deposit with Federal Express Corporation, with shipping charges prepaid or (iv) deposit with any internationally recognized express mail courier service. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Optionee at the address that he or she most recently provided to the Company in accordance with this Subsection (c).

 

(d)       Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Optionee and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Optionee). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

 

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(e)       Entire Agreement. The Notice of Stock Option Grant and this Agreement constitute the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede any other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) that relate to the subject matter hereof.

 

(f)       Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State.

 

SECTION 13. acknowledgements of the optionee.

 

In addition to the other terms, conditions and restrictions imposed on this option and the Shares issuable under this option pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan, the Optionee expressly acknowledges being subject to Sections 7 (Right of Repurchase), 8 (Legality of Initial Issuance) and 10 (Restrictions on Transfer of Shares, including without limitation the Market Stand-Off), as well as the following provisions:

 

(a)       Tax Consequences (No Liability for Discounted Options). The Optionee agrees that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes the Optionee’s tax liabilities. The Optionee shall not make any claim against the Company or its Board of Directors, officers or employees related to tax liabilities arising from this option or the Optionee’s other compensation. In particular, any Optionee subject to U.S. taxation acknowledges that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the Exercise Price is at least equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. Since Shares are not traded on an established securities market, the determination of their Fair Market Value is made by the Board of Directors or by an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. The Optionee acknowledges that there is no guarantee in either case that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation, and the Optionee shall not make any claim against the Company or its Board of Directors, officers or employees in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation was too low.

 

(b)       Electronic Delivery of Documents. The Optionee agrees to accept by email all documents relating to the Company, the Plan or this option and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, disclosures that may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission). The Optionee also agrees that the Company may deliver these documents by posting them on a website maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company. If the Company posts these documents on a website, it shall notify the Optionee by email of their availability. The Optionee acknowledges that he or she may incur costs in connection with electronic delivery, including the cost of accessing the internet and printing fees, and that an interruption of internet access may interfere with his or her ability to access the documents. This consent shall remain in effect until this option expires or until the Optionee gives the Company written notice that it should deliver paper documents.

 

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(c)       No Notice of Expiration Date. The Optionee agrees that the Company and its officers, employees, attorneys and agents do not have any obligation to notify him or her prior to the expiration of this option pursuant to Section 6, regardless of whether this option will expire at the end of its full term or on an earlier date related to the termination of the Optionee’s Service. The Optionee further agrees that he or she has the sole responsibility for monitoring the expiration of this option and for exercising this option, if at all, before it expires. This Subsection (c) shall supersede any contrary representation that may have been made, orally or in writing, by the Company or by an officer, employee, attorney or agent of the Company.

 

(d)       Waiver of Statutory Information Rights. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that, upon exercise of this option and until the first sale of the Company’s Stock to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act, he or she will be deemed to have waived any rights the Optionee might otherwise have had under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or under similar rights under other applicable law) to inspect for any proper purpose and to make copies and extracts from the Company’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records or the books and records of any subsidiary.  This waiver applies only in the Optionee’s capacity as a stockholder and does not affect any other inspection rights the Optionee may have under other law or pursuant to a written agreement with the Company. 

 

(e)       Grant Discretionary. The Optionee understands and acknowledges that the grant of an option does not in any way create any contractual or other right to receive additional grants of options (or benefits in lieu of options) at any time or in any amount and all determinations with respect to any additional grants, including (without limitation) the times when options will be granted, the number of Shares offered, the Exercise Price and the vesting schedule, will be at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(f)       Extraordinary Compensation. The value of this option shall be an extraordinary item of compensation outside the scope of the Optionee’s employment contract, if any, and shall not be considered a part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating severance, resignation, redundancy or end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments.

 

(g)       Authorization to Disclose. The Optionee hereby authorizes and directs the Optionee’s employer to disclose to the Company or any Subsidiary any information regarding the Optionee’s employment, the nature and amount of the Optionee’s compensation and the fact and conditions of the Optionee’s participation in the Plan, as the Optionee’s employer deems necessary or appropriate to facilitate the administration of the Plan.

 

(h)       Personal Data Authorization. The Optionee consents to the collection, use and transfer of personal data as described in this Subsection (h). The Optionee understands and acknowledges that the Company, the Optionee’s employer and the Company’s other Subsidiaries hold certain personal information regarding the Optionee, including (without limitation) the Optionee’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company and details of all options or any other entitlements to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Optionee’s favor (the “Data”). The Optionee further understands and acknowledges that the Company and/or its Subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary and that the Company and/or any Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to any third party assisting the Company. The Optionee understands and acknowledges that the recipients of Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere. The Optionee authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer Data, in electronic or other form, including a transfer to any broker or other third party with whom the Optionee elects to deposit Shares acquired under this option of such Data as may be required and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on the Optionee’s behalf. The Optionee may, at any time, view the Data, require any necessary modifications of Data or withdraw the consents set forth in this Subsection (h) by contacting the Company in writing.

 

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SECTION 14. Definitions.

 

(a)       “Agreement” shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.

 

(b)       “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time or, if a Committee has been appointed, such Committee.

 

(c)       “Company” shall mean Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(d)       “Immediate Family” shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law and shall include adoptive relationships.

 

(e)       “Optionee” shall mean the person named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

(f)       “Purchase Price” shall mean the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which this option is being exercised.

 

(g)       “Repurchase Period” shall mean a period of 90 consecutive days commencing on the date when the Optionee’s Service terminates for any reason, including (without limitation) death or disability.

 

(h)       “Restricted Share” shall mean a Share that is subject to the Right of Repurchase.

 

(i)       “Right of Repurchase” shall mean the Company’s right of repurchase described in Section 7.

 

(j)       “Service” means service as an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant.

 

(k)       “Transferee” shall mean any person to whom the Optionee has directly or indirectly transferred any Share acquired under this Agreement.

 

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(l)       “Transfer Notice” shall mean the notice of a proposed transfer of Shares described in Section 8.

 

(m)       “U.S. Person” shall mean a person described in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or provision), which generally defines a U.S. person as any natural person resident in the United States, any estate of which any executor or administrator is a U.S. Person, or any trust of which of any trustee is a U.S. Person.

 

 

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Exhibit 3.2

 

BY-LAWS

PAGE NUMBER 2

 

ELECTRONIC SERVITOR PUBLICATION NETWORK INC.

 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

By-Laws

 

 

 

Article I

The Stockholders

 

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of Electronic Servitor Publication Network Inc. (the "Corporation") shall be held annually on a date and at a time and via a format (in person, conference call, video conference, etc.) designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.

 

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the written resolution or request of two-thirds or more of the members of the Board of Directors, the president, or any executive vice president and shall be called upon the written request of the holders of two-thirds or more in amount, of each class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting on the matters(s) that are the subject of the proposed meeting, such written request in each case to specify the purpose or purposes for which such meeting shall be called, and with respect to stockholder proposals, shall further comply with the requirements of this Article.

 

Section 1.3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, stating the date, hour and place where it is to be held, shall be served either personally, by mail, or by electronic transmission, not less than fifteen nor more than sixty days before the meeting, upon each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, and to any other stockholder to whom the giving of notice may be required by law. Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and shall indicate that it is being issued by, or at the direction of, the person or persons calling the meeting. If, at any meeting, action is proposed to be taken that would, if taken, entitle stockholders to receive payment for their stock, the notice of such meeting shall include a statement of that purpose and to that effect. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail or with any private express mail service, postage or delivery fee prepaid, and if by electronic transmission, upon transmission receipt confirmation, and shall be directed to each such stockholder at his address, as it appears on the records of the stockholders of the Corporation, unless he shall have previously filed with the secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which case, it shall be mailed to the address designated in such request.

 

Section 1.4. Fixing Date of Record. (a) 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 of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. 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.

 

(b)       In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting (to the extent that such action by written consent is permitted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws), the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted.by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in its state of incorporation, 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 the Corporation's registered office shall be by band or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

   
 

 

BY-LAWS

PAGE NUMBER 3

 

(c)       In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty 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 of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 1.5. Inspectors. At each meeting of the stockholders, the polls shall be opened and closed, and the proxies and ballots shall be received and be taken in charge. All questions touching on the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes, shall be decided by one or more inspectors. Such inspectors shall be appointed by the Board of Directors before or at the meeting, or if no such appointment shall have been made, then by the presiding officer at the meeting. If for any reason any of the inspectors previously appointed shall fail to attend or refuse or be unable to serve, inspectors in place of any so failing to attend or refusing or unable to serve shall be appointed in like manner.

 

Section 1.6. Quorum. At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of the stockholders for all purposes, unless the representation of a larger number shall be required by law, and, in that case, the representation of the number so required shall constitute a quorum.

 

If the holders of the amount of stock necessary to constitute a quorum shall fail to attend in person or by proxy at the time and place fixed in accordance with these By-Laws for an annual or special meeting, a majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy may adjourn, from time to time, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until holders of the amount of stock requisite to constitute a quorum shall attend. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

Section 1.7. Business. The chairman of the Board, if any, the president, or in bis absence the vice-chairman, if any, or an executive vice president, in the order named, shall call meetings of the stockholders to order, and shall act as chairman of such meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors or executive committee may appoint any stockholder to act as chairman of any meeting in the absence of the chairman of the Board. The secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at all meetings of the stockholders, but in the absence of the secretary at any meeting of the stockholders, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 1.8. Stockholder Proposals. No proposal by a stockholder shall be presented for vote at a special or annual meeting of stockholders unless such stockholder shall, not later than the close of business on the fifth day following the date on which notice of the meeting is first given to stockholders, provide the Board of Directors or the secretary of the Corporation with written notice of intention to present a proposal for action at the forthcoming meeting of stockholders, which notice shall include the name and address of such stockholder, the number of voting securities that he holds of record and that be holds beneficially, the text of the proposal to be presented to the meeting and a statement in support of the proposal.

 

Any stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the applicable record date may make any other proposal at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders and the same may be discussed and considered, but unless stated in writing and filed with the Board of Directors or the secretary prior to the date set forth herein above, such proposal shall be laid over for action at an adjourned, special, or annual meeting of the stockholders taking place sixty days or more thereafter. This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or disapproval at the annual meeting of reports of officers, directors, and committees, but in connection with such reports, no new business proposed by a stockholder, ill@ stockholder, shall be acted upon at such annual meeting unless stated and filed as herein provided.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws, the Corporation shall be under no obligation to include any stockholder proposal in its proxy statement materials or otherwise present any such proposal to stockholders at a special or annual meeting of stockholders if the Board of Directors reasonably believes the proponents thereof have not complied with Sections I 3 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder; nor shall the Corporation be required to include any stockholder proposal not required to be included in its proxy materials to stockholders in accordance with any such section, rule or regulation.

 

   
 

 

BY-LAWS

PAGE NUMBER 4

 

Section 1.9. Proxies. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the secretary before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

 

Section 1.10. Voting by Ballot. The votes for directors, and upon the demand of any stockholder or when required by law, the votes upon any question before the meeting, shall be by ballot.

 

Section 1.11. Voting Lists. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten 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 of stock registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 1.12. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. If no designation is made or if a special meeting is otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation.

 

Section 1.13. Voting of Stock of Certain Holders. Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent, or proxy as the by-laws of such corporation may prescribe, or in the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may determine.

 

Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or an incompetent person may be voted by his administrator, executor, court-appointed guardian or conservator, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such stock into the name of such administrator, executor, court-appointed guardian or conservator. Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy.

 

Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a receiver may be voted, either in person or by proxy, by such receiver, and stock held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his name if authority to do so is contained in any appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was appointed.

 

A stockholder whose stock is pledged shall be entitled to vote such stock, either in person or by proxy, until the stock has been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy, the stock so transferred.

 

Shares of its own capital stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding stock at any given time, but shares of its own stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding stock at any given time.

 

Article II

Board of Directors

 

Section 2.1. General Powers. The business, affairs, and the property of the Corporation shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors (the "Board"), and, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-Laws, all of the powers of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board.

 

Section 2.2. Number of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall be not fewer than one nor more than five. Within the limits above specified, the number of directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

   
 

 

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Section 2.3. Election, Term and Removal. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to succeed those directors whose terms have expired. Each director shall hold office for the term for which elected and until bis or her successor shall be elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders. A director may be removed

from office at a meeting expressly called for that purpose by the vote of not less than a majority of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

Section 2.4. Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum; except that vacancies resulting from removal from office by a vote of the stockholders may be filled by the stockholders at the same meeting at which such removal occurs provided that the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation (assessed upon the basis of votes and not on the basis of number of shares) entitled to vote for the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall vote for each replacement director. All directors elected to fill vacancies shall bold office for a term expiring at the time of the next annual meeting of stockholders and upon election and qualification of his successor. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of an incumbent director.

 

Section 2.5. Resignations. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to the president or to the secretary of the Corporation. The resignation of any director shall take effect at the time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 2.6. Place of Meetings, etc. The Board of Directors may bold its meetings, and may have an office and keep the books of the Corporation (except as otherwise may be provided for by law), in such place or places in or outside the state of incorporation as the Board from time

to time may determine.

 

Section 2.7. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held as soon as practicable after adjournment of the annual meeting of stockholders at such time and place as the Board of Directors may fix. No notice shall be required for any such regular meeting of the Board.

 

Section 2.8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at places and times fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, or upon call of the chairman of the Board, if any, or vice-chairman of the Board, if any, the president, an executive vice president or two-thirds of the directors then in office.

 

The secretary or officer performing the secretary's duties shall give not less than twenty-four hours' notice by letter, email, text, or telephone (or in person) of all special meetings of the Board of Directors, provided that notice need not given of the annual meeting or of regular meetings held at times and places fixed by resolution of the Board. Meetings may be held at any time without notice if all of the directors are present, or if those not present waive notice in writing either before or after the meeting. The notice of meetings of the Board need not state the purpose of the meeting.

 

Section 2.9. Participation by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee thereof, may participate in a regular or special or any other meeting of the Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can bear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 2.10. Action by Written 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 prior or subsequent to such action all the members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 2.11. Quorum. A majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but if at any meeting of the Board there be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time.

 

   
 

 

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Section 2.12. Business. Business shall be transacted at meetings of the Board of Directors in such order as the Board may determine. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the chairman of tbe Board, if any, the president, or in his absence the vice-chairman, if any, or an executive vice president, in the order named, shall preside.

 

Section 2.13. Interest of Directors in Contracts. (a) No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the Corporation's directors or officers, are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:

 

(l)The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or

 

(2)The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or

 

(3)The contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors or the stockholders.

 

(b)       Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

 

Section 2.14. Compensation of Directors. Each director of the Corporation who is not a salaried officer or employee of the Corporation, or of a subsidiary of the Corporation, shall receive such allowances for serving as a director and such fees for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or the executive committee or any other committee appointed by the Board as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

Section 2.15. Loans to Officers or Employees. The Board of Directors may lend money to, guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist, any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of any subsidiary, whether or not such officer or employee is also a director of the Corporation, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guarantee, or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation; provided, however, that any such loan, guarantee, or other assistance given to an officer or employee who is also a director of the Corporation must be authorized by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any such loan, guarantee, or other assistance may be made with or without interest and may be unsecured or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, but not limited to, a pledge of shares of the Corporation, and may be made upon such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

Section 2.16. Nomination. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. However, any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations bas been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, the close of business on the last day of the eighth month after the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the fifth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder is a bolder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors, and; (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. The presiding officer at the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

 

   
 

 

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Article III

Committees

 

Section 3.1. Committees. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the number of directors then fixed by these By-Laws or resolution thereto, may establish such standing or special committees of the Board as it may deem advisable, and the members, terms, and authority of such committees shall be set forth in the resolutions establishing such committee.

 

Section 3.2. Executive Committee Number and Term of Office. The Board of Directors may, at any meeting, by majority vote of the Board of Directors, elect from the directors an executive committee. The executive committee shall consist of such number of members as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of the committee who shall preside at all meetings thereof, and the committee shall designate a member thereof to preside in the absence of the chairman.

 

Section 3.3. Executive Committee Powers. The executive committee may, while the Board of Directors is not in session, exercise all or any of the powers of the Board of Directors in all cases in which specific directions shall not have been given by the Board of Directors; except that the executive committee shall not have the power or authority of the Board of Directors to (i) amend the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation, (ii) fill vacancies on the Board of Directors, (iii) adopt an agreement or certification of ownership, merger or consolidation, (iv) recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets, or a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, (v) declare a dividend, or (vi) authorize the issuance of stock.

 

Section 3.4. Executive Committee Meetings. Regular and special meetings of the executive committee may be called and held subject to the same requirements with respect to time, place and notice as are specified in these By- Laws for regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the executive committee may be called by any member thereof. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special or regular meeting of the executive meeting if a quorum is present. At any meeting at which every member of the executive committee shall be present, in person or by telephone, even though without any notice, any business may be transacted. All action by the executive committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors at its meeting next succeeding such action.

 

The executive committee shalt fix its own rules of procedure and shall meet where and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors, but in every case the presence of a majority of the total number of members of the executive committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In every case, the affirmative vote of a quorum shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution.

 

Section 3.5. Executive Committee Vacancies. The Board of Directors, by majority vote of the Board of Directors then in office, shall fill vacancies in the executive committee by election from the directors.

 

Article IV

The Officers

 

Section 4.1. Number and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of, as the Board of Directors may determine and appoint from time to time, a chief executive officer, a president, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a secretary, a treasurer, a controller, and/or such other officers as may from time to time be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors, including such additional officers and vice-presidents with such designations, if any, as may be determined by the Board of Directors and such assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may elect a chairman of the Board and may also elect a vice-chairman as officers of the Corporation. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may leave unfilled any office except as may be required by law.

 

   
 

 

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The officers of the Corporation shall be elected or appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall bold office until his successor shall have been duly elected or appointed or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed by the Board of Directors.

 

Each of the salaried officers of the Corporation shall devote his entire time, skill, and energy to the business of the Corporation, unless the contrary is expressly consented to by the Board of Directors or the executive committee.

 

Section 4.2. Removal. Any officer may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby.

 

Section 4.3. The Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have such other authority and perform such other duties as are prescribed by law, by these By-Laws and by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the Board as chief executive officer, in which case he shall have such authority and perform such duties as are prescribed by these By-Laws and the Board of Directors for the chief executive officer.

 

Section 4.4. The Vice-Chairman. The vice-chairman, if any, shall have such authority and perform such other duties as are prescribed by these By-Laws and by the Board of Directors. In the absence or inability to act of the chairman of the Board and the president, he shall preside at the meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have and exercise all of the powers and duties of the chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may designate the vice-chairman as chief executive officer, in which case he shall have such authority and perform such duties as are prescribed by these By-Laws and the Board of Directors for the chief executive officer.

 

Section 4.5. The President. The president shall I have such authority and perform such duties as are prescribed by law, by these By-Laws, by the Board of Directors and by the chief executive officer (if the president is not the chief executive officer). The president, if there is no chairman of the Board, or in the absence or the inability to act of the chairman of the Board, shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. Unless the Board of Directors designates the chairman of the Board or the vice-chairman as chief executive officer, the president shall be the chief executive officer, in which case he shall have such authority and perform such duties as are prescribed by these By-Laws and the Board of Directors for the chief executive officer.

 

Section 4.6. The Chief Executive Officer. Unless the Board of Directors designates the chairman of the Board or the vice-chairman as chief executive officer, the president shall be the chief executive officer. The chief executive officer of the Corporation shall have, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, general supervision of the business, property and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to appoint and discharge agents and employees, and the powers vested in him by the Board of Directors, by law or by these By-Laws or which usually attach or pertain to such office.

 

Section 4.7. Chief Operations Officer. In the absence of the chairman of the Board, if any, the president and the vice-chairman, if any, or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, the chief operations officer shall perform the duties of the chairman of the Board, of the president and of the vice-chairman, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the chairman of the Board, the president and the vice-chairman. The chief operation officer may sign, with the secretary or an authorized assistant secretary, certificates for stock of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice-chairman, the Board of Directors or these By-Laws.

 

Section 4.8. The Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice-chairman, the Board of Directors, or these By-Laws. The position oversees the financial, accounting, and treasury functions and may also oversee human resources functions and ensures that the departments are being managed to the highest standards,

 

 

Section 4.9. The Vice-Presidents. The vice-presidents, if any, shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operation officer, the chief financial officer, the vice-chairman, the Board of Directors, or these By-Laws.

 

Section 4.10. The Treasurer. Subject to the direction of the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall have charge and custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation; when necessary or proper he shall endorse for collection, or cause to be endorsed, on behalf of the Corporation, checks, notes and other obligations, and shall cause the deposit of the same to the credit of the Corporation in such bank or banks or depositary as the Board of Directors may designate or as the Board of Directors by resolution may authorize; he shall sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation other than routine receipts and vouchers, the signing of which he may delegate; he shall sign all checks made by the Corporation (provided, however, that the Board of Directors may authorize and prescribe by resolution the manner in which checks drawn on banks or depositories shall be signed, including the use of facsimile signatures, and the manner in which officers, agents or employees shall be authorized to sign); unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, he shall sign with an officer-director all bills of exchange and promissory notes of the Corporation; whenever required by the Board of Directors, he shall render a statement of his cash account; he shall enter regularly full and accurate account of the Corporation in books of the Corporation to be kept by him for that purpose; he shall, at all reasonable times, exhibit his books and accounts to any director of the Corporation upon application at his office during business hours; and he shall perform all acts incident to the position of treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such sure ties as the Board of Directors may require.

 

   
 

 

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Section 4.11. The Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and (unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors) the minutes of all committees, in books provided for that purpose; he shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation; he may sign with an officer-director or any other duly authorized person, in the name of the Corporation, all contracts authorized by the Board of Directors or by the executive committee, and, when so ordered by the Board of Directors or the executive committee, he shall affix the seal of the Corporation thereto; he may sign with the president or an executive vice-president all certificates of shares of the capital stock; he shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers, and such other books and papers as the Board of Directors or the executive committee may direct, all of which shall, at all reasonable times, be open to the examination of any director, upon application at the secretary's office during business hours; and he shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office of the secretary, subject to the control of the chief executive officer and the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.12. The Controller. The controller shall be the accounting officer of the Corporation. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, the controller shall provide for and maintain adequate records of all assets, liabilities, and transactions of the Corporation, shall see that accurate audits of the Corporation's affairs are currently and adequately made and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him.

 

Section 4.13. The Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. The assistant treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may determine. The assistant secretaries as thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors may sign with the chairman of the Board, the president, or the vice-chairman, certificates for stock of the Corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The assistant treasurers and assistant secretaries, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the treasurer or the secretary, respectively, or chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the Board of Directors, or these By-Laws.

 

Section 4.14. Salaries. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the Corporation.

 

Section 4.15. Voting upon stocks. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors or by the executive committee, any officer, director or any person or persons appointed in writing by any of them, shall have full power and authority in behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any meetings of stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock, and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The Board of Directors may confer.like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Article V

Contracts and Loans

 

Section 5.1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

   
 

 

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Section 5.2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

Article VI

Certificates for Stock and Their Transfer

 

Section 6.1. Certificates for Stock. Certificates representing stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be signed by the chairman of the Board, the president, the vice-chairman and/or by the secretary or an authorized assistant secretary and shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation. The seal may be a facsimile. If a stock certificate is countersigned (i) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (ii) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In the event that any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. All certificates for stock shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares of stock represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares of stock and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificates shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares of stock shall I have been surrendered and canceled, except that, in the event of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate, a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

 

Section 6.2. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by bis attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the secretary of the Corporation, and on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such stock. The person in whose name stock stands on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation.

 

Article VII

Fiscal Year

 

Section 7.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January in each year and end on the last day of December in each year.

 

Article VIII

Seal

 

Section 8.1. Seal. The Board of Directors shall approve a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation.

 

Article IX

Waiver of Notice

 

Section 9.1. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these By-Laws or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or under the provisions of the corporation law of the state of incorporation, waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of any person at a meeting for which any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these By-Laws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the corporation law of the state of incorporation shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the person attends 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.

 

   
 

 

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Article X

Amendments

 

Section IO.I. Amendments. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted at any meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation (assessed upon the basis of votes and not on the basis of number of shares) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Article XI

Indemnification

 

Section 11.1. Indemnification. The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 11.1., a "director" or "officer" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.