S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2024

Registration No. 333-   

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

LOGO

VIASAT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware      33-0174996

(State or Other Jurisdiction 

of Incorporation or Organization) 

  

 (I.R.S. Employer

 Identification No.)

 

 

6155 El Camino Real

Carlsbad, California 92009

(760) 476-2200

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc.

2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc.

(Full Title of the Plans)

 

 

Robert J. Blair, Esq.

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Viasat, Inc.

6155 El Camino Real

Carlsbad, California 92009

(760) 476-2200

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Craig M. Garner, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

12670 High Bluff Drive

San Diego, California 92130

(858) 523-5400

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Large accelerated filer  

   Accelerated filer  

   

 

Non-accelerated filer  

   Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

Proposed sales to take place as soon after the effective date of the registration statement as awards granted under the above-named plans are granted, exercised and/or distributed.


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement on Form S-8 is filed by Viasat, Inc. (“Viasat”) to register an additional 3,430,000 shares of Viasat common stock for issuance under the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. (the “1996 Plan”) pursuant to an amendment and restatement of the 1996 Plan approved by the stockholders of Viasat on September 5, 2024. In accordance with Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the prior Form S-8 registration statements (Commission File Nos. 333-21113, 333-68757, 333-67010, 333-109959, 333-153828, 333-169593, 333-184029, 333-207064, 333-220556, 333-228221, 333-234634, 333-249941, 333-255690, 333-260249, 333-268281, and 333-275464) are incorporated herein by reference.

This registration statement on Form S-8 is also filed by Viasat to register 377,500 shares of Viasat common stock for issuance under the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc. (the “Inducement Plan”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of Viasat on September 5, 2024.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). These documents and the documents incorporated by reference into this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

Viasat hereby incorporates the following documents in this registration statement by reference:

 

  (a)

Viasat’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 29, 2024;

 

  (b)

Viasat’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 (filed with the SEC on August 9, 2024);

 

  (c)

Viasat’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2024, September 9, 2024 and September 9, 2024;

 

  (d)

All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) since the end of the fiscal year covered by Viasat’s Annual Report on Form 10-K referred to in clause (a) above; and

 

  (e)

The description of Viasat common stock filed as Exhibit 4.7 to Viasat’s Annual Report on Form 10-K referred to in clause (a) above, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

2


In addition, all documents filed by Viasat pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Under no circumstances shall any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Subsection (b) of Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; and the indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Section 145 also empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

 

3


Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Viasat’s certificate of incorporation limits the liability of its directors to Viasat or its stockholders (in their capacity as directors but not in their capacity as officers) to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Specifically, Viasat’s directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty as director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Viasat’s bylaws generally provide for mandatory indemnification of its directors and officers to the full extent provided by the DGCL. In addition, Viasat has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that generally provide for mandatory indemnification under circumstances for which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware law.

Viasat maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of Viasat, or is or was a director or officer of Viasat serving at the request of Viasat as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not Viasat would have the power or obligation to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of the bylaws.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

  Exhibit           Incorporated by Reference    Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

     Form                File No.              Exhibit         Filing Date        

 5.1

   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP                X

 10.1

   1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. (As Amended and Restated Effective September 5, 2024)      8-K        000-21767        10.1      09/09/2024   

 10.2

   Form of Stock Option Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc.      10-K        000-21767        10.4      05/26/2015   

 10.3

   Form of Stock Option Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Independent Director      10-Q        000-21767        10.4      11/09/2023   

 10.2

   Form of Performance Stock Option Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc.      10-Q        000-21767        10.1      02/09/2018   

 

4


  Exhibit           Incorporated by Reference    Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

  Number  

  

Exhibit Description

     Form              File No.            Exhibit       Filing Date        

 10.4

   Form of Performance Stock Option Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. (Stock Price)    10-Q    000-21767    10.1    02/08/2024   

 10.5

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Global    10-K    000-21767    10.5    05/25/2017   

 10.6

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Independent Director    10-Q    000-21767    10.5    11/09/2023   

 10.7

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Executive    10-K    000-21767    10.7    05/26/2015   

 10.8

   Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Financial Performance    10-Q    000-21767    10.1    08/09/2024   

 10.9

   Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Relative Total Shareholder Return    10-Q    000-21767    10.2    08/09/2024   

 10.10

   2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc.                X

 10.11

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc. - Executive                X

 10.12

   Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc. – Relative Total Shareholder Return                X

 23.1

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                X

 23.2

   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)                X

 24.1

   Power of Attorney (see signature page)                X

 107

   Calculation of Filing Fee Table                X

 

5


Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Table” in the effective Registration Statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such posteffective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carlsbad, State of California, on September 11, 2024.

 

      Viasat, Inc.
             By:  

 /s/ Mark Dankberg

        Mark Dankberg
        Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Mark Dankberg and Robert Blair, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Mark Dankberg        

Mark Dankberg

  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2024

/s/ Shawn Duffy         

Shawn Duffy

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  September 11, 2024

/s/ Richard Baldridge        

Richard Baldridge

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ James Bridenstine        

James Bridenstine

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ Sean Pak               

Sean Pak

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ John Stenbit              

John Stenbit

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ Andrew Sukawaty         

Andrew Sukawaty

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ Rajeev Suri               

Rajeev Suri

  Director   September 11, 2024

/s/ Theresa Wise           

Theresa Wise

  Director   September 11, 2024
EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

 

LOGO    12670 High Bluff Drive
   San Diego, California 92130
   Tel: +1.858.523.5400 Fax: +1.858.523.5450
   www.lw.com
  

 

FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES

September 11, 2024

   Austin    Milan
   Beijing    Munich
   Boston    New York
   Brussels    Orange County
   Century City    Paris
   Chicago    Riyadh
   Dubai    San Diego
   Düsseldorf    San Francisco
   Frankfurt    Seoul
   Hamburg    Silicon Valley
   Hong Kong    Singapore
   Houston    Tel Aviv
   London    Tokyo
   Los Angeles    Washington, D.C.         
   Madrid   

Viasat, Inc.

6155 El Camino Real

Carlsbad, California 92009

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-8; 3,807,500 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

To the addressees set forth above:

We have acted as special counsel to Viasat, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance of 3,430,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to the Company’s 1996 Equity Participation Plan (as amended and restated, the “1996 Plan”) and 377,500 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan,” and together with the 1996 Plan, the “Plans”), for an aggregate of 3,807,500 shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”). The Shares are included in a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on September 11, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”). This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issuance of the Shares.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, when the Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the recipients, or certificates representing the Shares (in the form of the specimen certificate incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K) have been manually signed by an authorized officer of the transfer agent and registrar therefor, and subject to the Company completing all actions and proceedings required on its part to be taken prior to the issuance of the Shares, and when the Shares have been issued by the Company in the circumstances contemplated by the Plans for legal consideration in excess of par value, the issuance of the Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have assumed that the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


ViaSat, Inc.

September 11, 2024

Page 2

 

LOGO

 

 

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Sincerely,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

2024 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

OF VIASAT, INC.

Viasat, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), adopted the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), effective as of the date that the Board approves the Plan, for the benefit of Eligible Persons.

The purposes of this Plan are as follows:

(1)  To provide an incentive for Eligible Persons to further the growth, development and financial success of the Company by personally benefiting through the ownership of Company stock and/or rights which recognize such growth, development and financial success.

(2)  To enable the Company to obtain the services of Eligible Persons considered essential to the long range success of the Company by offering them an opportunity to own stock in the Company and/or rights which will reflect the growth, development and financial success of the Company.

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1  General. Wherever the following terms are used in this Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1.2  Board. “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.3  Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through either of the following transactions:

(a)  any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders which the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept; or

(b)  there is a change in the composition of the Board over a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months (or less) such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the nearest whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more proxy contests for the election of Board members, to be comprised of individuals who either (i) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (ii) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or nomination was approved by the Board.

1.4  Code. “Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

1.5  Committee. “Committee” shall mean the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board comprised of two or more Directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as a Non-Employee Director and an Independent Director.


1.6  Common Stock. “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any equity security of the Company issued or authorized to be issued in the future, but excluding any preferred stock and any warrants, options or other rights to purchase Common Stock. Debt securities of the Company convertible into Common Stock shall be deemed equity securities of the Company.

1.7 Company. “Company” shall mean Viasat, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

1.8  Corporate Transaction. “Corporate Transaction” shall mean any of the following stockholder-approved transactions to which the Company is a party:

(a)  a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the State in which the Company is incorporated, form a holding company or effect a similar reorganization as to form whereupon this Plan and all Options are assumed by the successor entity;

(b)  the sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company in a transaction not covered by the exceptions to clause (a) above; or

(c)  any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred or issued to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger.

1.9  Director. “Director” shall mean a member of the Board.

1.10  Dividend Equivalent. “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Common Stock) of dividends paid on Common Stock, awarded under Article VII of this Plan.

1.11 Eligible Person. “Eligible Person” shall mean any prospective Employee who has not previously been an Employee or Director of the Company or a Subsidiary, or who is commencing employment with the Company or a Subsidiary following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Company or a Subsidiary, if he or she is granted an award in connection with his or her commencement of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary and such grant is an inducement material to his or her entering into employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule IM-5636-1 or any successor rule, if the Company’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and/or the applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time). The Committee may in its discretion adopt procedures from time to time to ensure that a prospective Employee is eligible to participate in the Plan prior to the granting of any awards to such individual under the Plan (including without limitation a requirement that each such prospective Employee certify to the Company prior to the receipt of an award under the Plan that he or she has not been previously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, or if previously employed, has had a bona fide period of non-employment, and that the grant of awards under the Plan is an inducement material to his or her agreement to enter into employment with the Company or a Subsidiary).

1.12  Employee. “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company, or of any corporation which is a Subsidiary.

 

2


1.13  Equity Restructuring. “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding awards.

1.14  Exchange Act. “Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1.15  Fair Market Value. “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock as of a given date shall be (a) the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the principal exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then trading or quoted, if any (or as reported on any composite index which includes such principal exchange), on such date, or if shares were not traded on such date, then on the last preceding date on which a trade occurs; or (b) if Common Stock is not traded on an exchange but is quoted on an automated quotation system, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on such date as reported by such quotation system, or if there is no closing price for a share of Common Stock on such date, then the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such a quotation exists; or (c) if Common Stock is not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on an automated quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as established by the Committee acting in good faith.

1.16  Grantee. “Grantee” shall mean an Eligible Person granted a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, Stock Payment or Stock Appreciation Right, or an award of Restricted Stock Units, under this Plan.

1.17  Independent Director. “Independent Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee and who qualifies as “independent” within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2), or any successor rule, if the Company’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and/or the applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time.

1.18 Non-Employee Director. “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

1.19  Non-Qualified Stock Option. “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option not intended or not qualifying as an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code. All Options granted under this Plan shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

1.20  Option. “Option” shall mean a stock option granted under Article III of this Plan.

1.21  Optionee. “Optionee” shall mean an Eligible Person granted an Option under this Plan.

1.22  Performance Award. “Performance Award” shall mean a cash bonus, stock bonus or other performance or incentive award that is paid in cash, Common Stock or a combination of both, awarded under Article VII of this Plan.

1.23  “Permanent Disability” means that an individual is unable to perform his or her duties by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, as reasonably determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

 

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1.24 Plan. “Plan” shall mean the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc., as amended and restated.

1.25  QDRO. “QDRO” shall mean a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.

1.26  Restricted Stock. “Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article VI of this Plan.

1.27  Restricted Stock Unit. “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a right to receive Common Stock awarded under Article VII of this Plan.

1.28  Restricted Stockholder. “Restricted Stockholder” shall mean an Eligible Person granted an award of Restricted Stock under Article VI of this Plan.

1.29  Rule 16b-3. “Rule 16b-3” shall mean that certain Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time.

1.30  Stock Appreciation Right. “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under Article VIII of this Plan.

1.31  Stock Payment. “Stock Payment” shall mean (a) a payment in the form of shares of Common Stock, or (b) an option or other right to purchase shares of Common Stock, as part of a deferred compensation arrangement, made in lieu of all or any portion of the compensation, including without limitation, salary, bonuses and commissions, that would otherwise become payable to an Eligible Person in cash, awarded under Article VII of this Plan.

1.32  Subsidiary. “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

1.33 Termination of Consultancy. “Termination of Consultancy” shall mean the time when the engagement of an Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder as a consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement; but excluding terminations where there is a simultaneous commencement of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Consultancy, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Consultancy resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations of Consultancy. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate a consultant’s service at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing.

 

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1.34  Termination of Employment. “Termination of Employment” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between an Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding (i) terminations where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment of an Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder by the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, terminations which result in a temporary severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (iii) terminations which are followed by the simultaneous establishment of a consulting or service relationship by the Company or a Subsidiary with the former employee. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Employment resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations of Employment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate an Employee’s employment at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing.

ARTICLE II.

SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

2.1  Shares Subject to Plan. The shares of stock subject to Options, awards of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents, awards of Restricted Stock Units, Stock Payments or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Common Stock, initially shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The aggregate number of such shares which may be issued upon exercise of such options or rights or upon any such awards under the Plan shall not exceed 377,500 shares of Common Stock (the “Overall Share Limit”). The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such options or rights or upon any such awards may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

2.2  Add-Back of Shares. If any award under this Plan expires or is canceled without having been fully exercised or paid, or an award is settled in cash without the delivery of shares of Common Stock to the award holder, the number of shares subject to such award shall, to the extent of such expiration, cancellation or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of awards and added back to the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under Section 2.1, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Furthermore, any shares subject to awards which are adjusted pursuant to Section 10.3 and become exercisable with respect to shares of stock of another corporation shall be considered canceled and may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Further, shares of Common Stock withheld by the Company or tendered by an Optionee, Grantee or a Restricted Stockholder to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an award and/or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to any award shall be available for future grants of awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Any shares of Common Stock forfeited by a Grantee or a Restricted Stockholder or repurchased by the Company under Section 6.5 or Article VII will again be available for future grants of awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding awards shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan.

ARTICLE III.

GRANTING OF OPTIONS

3.1  Eligibility. Any Eligible Person selected by the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(i) shall be eligible to be granted an Option. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

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3.2  Granting of Options.

(a)  The Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute discretion, and subject to applicable limitations of this Plan:

(i)  Select from among the Eligible Persons such of them as in its opinion should be awarded Options;

(ii)  Determine the number of shares to be subject to such Options granted to the selected Eligible Persons; and

(iii)  Determine the terms and conditions of such Options, consistent with this Plan.

(b)  Upon the selection of an Eligible Person to be granted an Option, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to issue the Option and may impose such conditions on the grant of the Option as it deems appropriate. Except as permitted under Section 10.3 of the Plan, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall, without stockholder approval, be (i) repriced, exchanged for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower price or otherwise modified where the effect would be to reduce the exercise price of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right; or (ii) exchanged for cash or an alternate award under the Plan.

ARTICLE IV.

TERMS OF OPTIONS

4.1  Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option Agreement, which shall be executed by the Optionee and an authorized officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, consistent with this Plan.

4.2  Option Price. The price per share of the shares subject to each Option shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.

4.3  Option Term. The term of an Option shall be set by the Committee in its discretion; provided, however, that no Option shall have a term longer than six (6) years from the date the Option is granted. The Committee may extend the term of any outstanding Option in connection with any Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy of the Optionee, or amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a termination.

4.4  Option Vesting.

(a)  The period during which the right to exercise an Option in whole or in part vests in the Optionee shall be set by the Committee and the Committee may determine that an Option may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted. At any time after grant of an Option, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the period during which an Option vests.

(b)  No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as applicable, shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee.

 

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ARTICLE V.

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

5.1  Partial Exercise. An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares and the Committee may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise be with respect to a minimum number of shares.

5.2  Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company or his office:

(a)  A written notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Committee stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion;

(b)  Such representations and documents as the Committee, in its absolute discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. The Committee or Board may, in its absolute discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and book entries and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;

(c)  In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 10.1 by any person or persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option; and

(d)  Full cash payment to the Secretary of the Company for the shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised. However, the Committee, may in its discretion, (i) allow a delay in payment up to thirty (30) days from the date the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised; (ii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Optionee, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; (iii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the surrender of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of Option exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; (iv) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration; (v) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code) and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Committee or the Board; (vi) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; or (vii) allow payment through any combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi). In the case of a promissory note, the Committee may also prescribe the form of such note and the security to be given for such note. The Option may not be exercised, however, by delivery of a promissory note or by a loan or other extension of credit from the Company when or where such loan or other extension of credit is prohibited by law.

 

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5.3  Conditions to Issuance of Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates, or make any book entries, for shares of stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a)  The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed;

(b)  The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law, or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body which the Committee or Board shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

(c)  The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d)  The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Committee may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience; and

(e)  The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares, including payment of any applicable withholding tax.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to any Optionee certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued in connection with any Option and instead such shares of Common Stock shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

5.4  Rights as Stockholders. The holders of Options shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, stockholders of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of an Option unless and until certificates representing such shares have been issued by the Company to such holders or book entries evidencing such shares have been made by the Company.

5.5  Ownership and Transfer Restrictions. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and transferability of the shares purchasable upon the exercise of an Option as it deems appropriate. Any such restriction shall be set forth in the respective Stock Option Agreement and may be referred to on the certificates or book entries evidencing such shares. The Committee may direct that the certificates or book entries evidencing shares acquired by exercise of an Option refer to such requirement to give prompt notice of disposition.

ARTICLE VI.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

6.1  Award of Restricted Stock.

(a)  The Committee may from time to time, in its absolute discretion:

(i)  Select from among the Eligible Persons such of them as in its opinion should be awarded Restricted Stock; and

(ii)  Determine the purchase price, if any, and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock, consistent with this Plan.

 

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(b)  The Committee shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Common Stock to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock.

(c)  Upon the selection of an Eligible Person to be awarded Restricted Stock, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to issue such Restricted Stock and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.

6.2  Restricted Stock Agreement. Restricted Stock shall be issued only pursuant to a written Restricted Stock Agreement, which shall be executed by the Eligible Person and an authorized officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, consistent with this Plan. The issuance of any shares of Restricted Stock shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Section 5.3.

6.3  Rights as Stockholders. Upon delivery of the shares of Restricted Stock to the escrow holder pursuant to Section 6.6, the Restricted Stockholder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in his Restricted Stock Agreement, including, subject to Section 10.15 and the last sentence of this Section 6.3 below, the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided, however, that in the discretion of the Committee, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Common Stock shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Restricted Stock that is subject to vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Restricted Stockholder to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.

6.4  Restriction. All shares of Restricted Stock issued under this Plan (including any shares received by holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of each individual Restricted Stock Agreement, be subject to such restrictions as the Committee shall provide, which restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and vesting restrictions based on duration of employment with the Company, Company performance and individual performance; provided, further, that by action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Committee may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, remove any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement.

6.5  Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. The Committee shall provide in the terms of each individual Restricted Stock Agreement that the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Restricted Stockholder the Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions under the Restricted Stock Agreement immediately upon a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy between the Restricted Stockholder and the Company, at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Restricted Stockholder for such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that provision may be made that no such right of repurchase shall exist in the event of a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of the Company or because of the Restricted Stockholder’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise. Unless provided otherwise by the Committee, if no cash consideration was paid by the Restricted Stockholder upon issuance, a Restricted Stockholder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall lapse upon the last to occur of Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy with the Company.

6.6  Escrow. The Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Committee may appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate representing Restricted Stock until all of the restrictions imposed under the Restricted Stock Agreement with respect to the shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been removed.

 

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6.7  Legend. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed upon shares of Restricted Stock hereunder, the Committee shall cause a legend or legends to be placed on certificates or book entries representing all shares of Restricted Stock that are still subject to restrictions under Restricted Stock Agreements, which legend or legends shall make appropriate reference to the conditions imposed thereby.

ARTICLE VII.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS,

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, STOCK PAYMENTS

7.1  Performance Awards. Any Eligible Person selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Awards. The Committee shall select the performance criteria (and any permissible adjustments) for each Performance Award for purposes of establishing the performance goal or performance goals applicable to such Performance Award for the designated performance period. The performance criteria that may be used to establish such performance goals may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation and (iv) amortization), (b) gross or net sales or revenue, (c) net income (either before or after taxes), (d) operating earnings or profit, (e) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), (f) return on assets, (g) return on capital, (h) return on stockholders’ equity, (i) return on sales, (j) gross or net profit or operating margin, (k) costs, (l) funds from operations, (m) expenses, (n) working capital, (o) earnings per share, or (p) price per share of the Common Stock, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators. The performance goals for a performance period may be established in writing by the Committee based on one or more of the foregoing performance criteria, which goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit or an individual. In making such determinations, the Committee may consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Eligible Person.

7.2  Dividend Equivalents. Any Eligible Person selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award is granted, and the date such Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Subject to Section 10.15, such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.3  Stock Payments. Any Eligible Person selected by the Committee may receive Stock Payments in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares shall be determined by the Committee and may be based upon the Fair Market Value, book value, net profits or other measure of the value of Common Stock or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, determined on the date such Stock Payment is made or on any date thereafter.

 

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7.4  Restricted Stock Units. Any Eligible Person selected by the Committee may be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit award shall be determined by the Committee. Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Unit award will not be issued until the Restricted Stock Unit award has vested. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Grantee of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units until such time as the award has vested and such Common Stock underlying the award has been issued.

7.5  Performance Award Agreement, Dividend Equivalent Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, Stock Payment Agreement. Each Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Restricted Stock Units and/or Stock Payment shall be evidenced by a written agreement, which shall be executed by the Grantee and an authorized Officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, consistent with this Plan.

7.6  Term. The term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Restricted Stock Unit and/or Stock Payment shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

7.7  Exercise Upon Termination of Employment. A Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Restricted Stock Unit and/or Stock Payment is exercisable or payable only while the Grantee is an Employee, consultant or Independent Director; provided that the Committee may determine that the Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Restricted Stock Unit and/or Stock Payment may be exercised or paid subsequent to Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of the Company, or because of the Grantee’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.

7.8  Payment on Exercise. Payment of the amount determined under Section 7.1 or 7.2 above shall be in cash, in Common Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee. To the extent any payment under this Article VII is effected in Common Stock, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Section 5.3.

ARTICLE VIII.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

8.1  Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (i) in connection and simultaneously with the grant of an Option, (ii) with respect to a previously granted Option, or (iii) independent of an Option. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be evidenced by a written Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, which shall be executed by the Grantee and an authorized officer of the Company; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall have a term longer than six (6) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted. Except as permitted under Section 10.3 of the Plan, no Stock Appreciation Right shall, without stockholder approval, be (i) repriced, exchanged for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower price or otherwise modified where the effect would be to reduce the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right; or (ii) exchanged for cash or an alternate award under the Plan.

8.2  Coupled Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)  A Coupled Stock Appreciation Right (“CSAR”) shall be related to a particular Option and shall be exercisable only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable.

 

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(b)  A CSAR may be granted to the Grantee for no more than the number of shares subject to the simultaneously or previously granted Option to which it is coupled.

(c)  A CSAR shall entitle the Grantee (or other person entitled to exercise the Option pursuant to this Plan) to surrender to the Company unexercised a portion of the Option to which the CSAR relates (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company in exchange therefor an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the Option exercise price from the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the CSAR by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the CSAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

8.3 Independent Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) An Independent Stock Appreciation Right (“ISAR”) shall be unrelated to any Option and shall have a term set by the Committee. An ISAR shall be exercisable in such installments as the Committee may determine. An ISAR shall cover such number of shares of Common Stock as the Committee may determine; provided, however, that unless the Committee otherwise provides in the terms of the ISAR or otherwise, no ISAR granted to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exercisable until at least six months have elapsed from (but excluding) the date on which the Option was granted. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to each ISAR shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the ISAR is granted. An ISAR is exercisable only while the Grantee is an Employee, consultant or Independent Director; provided that the Committee may determine that the ISAR may be exercised subsequent to Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of the Company, or because of the Grantee’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.

(b)  An ISAR shall entitle the Grantee (or other person entitled to exercise the ISAR pursuant to this Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the ISAR (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the ISAR from the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the ISAR by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the ISAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

8.4  Payment and Limitations on Exercise.

(a)  Payment of the amount determined under Sections 8.2(c) and 8.3(b) above shall be in cash, in Common Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee. To the extent such payment is effected in Common Stock it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Section 5.3 above pertaining to Options.

(b)  Grantees of Stock Appreciation Rights may be required to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Board or Committee.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

ADMINISTRATION

9.1  Duties and Powers of Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of this Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret this Plan and the agreements pursuant to which Options, awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments are granted or awarded, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of this Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. Any such grant or award under this Plan need not be the same with respect to each Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder. The Board may revest in itself the authority to administer the Plan at any time; provided, however, that any action taken by the Board in connection with the administration of the Plan shall not be deemed approved by the Board unless such actions are approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. Awards under the Plan will be approved by (a) the Committee comprised entirely of Independent Directors or (b) a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors.

9.2 Actions Required Upon Grant of Award. Following the issuance of any award under the Plan, the Company shall, in accordance with the listing requirements of the applicable securities exchange, (a) promptly issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the grant, including the recipient(s) of the grant and the number of shares involved (and if the disclosure relates to an executive officer, or the award was individually negotiated, then the disclosure must include the identity of the recipient), and (b) notify the applicable securities exchange of such grant no later than the earlier to occur of (i) five calendar days after entering into the agreement to issue the award or (ii) the date of the public announcement of the award.

9.3  Majority Rule; Unanimous Written Consent. The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by a memorandum or other written instrument signed by all members of the Committee.

9.4  Compensation; Professional Assistance; Good Faith Actions. Members of the Committee shall receive such compensation for their services as members as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities which members of the Committee incur in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, or other persons. The Committee, the Company and the Company’s officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or the Board in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Optionees, Grantees, Restricted Stockholders, the Company and all other interested persons. No members of the Committee or Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan, Options, awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments, and all members of the Committee and the Board shall be fully protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.

 

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ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

10.1  Not Transferable.

(a) Options, Restricted Stock awards, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments under this Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a QDRO, unless and until such rights or awards have been exercised, or the shares underlying such rights or awards have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. No Option, Restricted Stock award, Restricted Stock Unit award, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

(b) During the lifetime of the Optionee or Grantee, only he may exercise an Option or other right or award (or any portion thereof) granted to him under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a QDRO. After the death of the Optionee or Grantee, any exercisable portion of an Option or other right or award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Stock Option Agreement or other agreement, be exercised by his personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’s or Grantee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

10.2  Amendment, Suspension or Termination of this Plan. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.2, this Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee. However, the Board or the Committee will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law, or the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is then listed. No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of Options, Restricted Stock awards, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Options, Restricted Stock awards, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments theretofore granted or awarded, unless the award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of this Plan.

10.3  Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

(a)  Subject to Section 10.3(d), in the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property) (other than normal cash dividends), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including, but not limited to, a Corporate Transaction), or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (other than an Equity Restructuring), in the Committee’s sole discretion, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Option, Restricted Stock award, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, Restricted Stock Unit award or Stock Payment, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of:

(i)  the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Options, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments may be granted under the Plan, or which may be granted as Restricted Stock (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued),

 

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(ii)  the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents, or Stock Payments, and in the number and kind of shares of outstanding Restricted Stock, and

(iii)  the grant or exercise price with respect to any Option, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment, and

(b)  Subject to Section 10.3(d), in the event of any Corporate Transaction or other transaction or event described in Section 10.3(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, the Committee in its discretion is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Committee determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any option, right or other award under this Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

(i)  In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the agreement or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the holder’s request, for either the purchase of any such Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such option, right or award or realization of the holder’s rights had such option, right or award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested or the replacement of such option, right or award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

(ii)  In its sole and absolute discretion, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of such Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event that it cannot be exercised after such event;

(iii)  In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of such Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, that for a specified period of time prior to such transaction or event, such option, right or award shall be vested and/or exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in (i) Section 4.4 or (ii) the provisions of such Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award;

 

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(iv)  In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of such Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, that upon such event, such option, right or award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

(v)  In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents, or Stock Payments, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and awards and options, rights and awards which may be granted in the future; and

(vi)  In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide either by the terms of a Restricted Stock award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such event that, for a specified period of time prior to such event, the restrictions imposed under a Restricted Stock Agreement upon some or all shares of Restricted Stock may be terminated, and, some or all shares of such Restricted Stock may cease to be subject to repurchase or forfeiture under Section 6.5 after such event.

(c)  Subject to Section 10.7, the Committee may, in its discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company.

(d)  In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 10.3(a) and 10.3(b):

(i)  The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted. The adjustments provided under this Section 10.3(d) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected holder and the Company.

(ii)  The Committee shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Committee may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan).

 

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10.4  Tax Withholding. Each Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder must pay the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Committee, for payment of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or other taxable event related to any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment by the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Company shall be entitled to deduct from other compensation payable to each Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or other taxable event related to any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow such Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder to (a) satisfy such tax obligations in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or by check made payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of the foregoing payment forms in its discretion, (b) satisfy such tax obligations by the deduction of such amounts from other compensation payable to each Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder, (c) elect to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable under such Option or other award (or allow the return of shares of Common Stock) having a fair market value equal to the amounts required to be withheld, (d) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at the time the tax obligations are satisfied, unless the Company otherwise determines, satisfy such tax obligations by (i) delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to satisfy the tax obligations, or (ii) delivery by the Optionee, Grantee, or Restricted Stockholder to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to satisfy the tax withholding; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Committee, or (e) satisfy such tax obligations through any combination of the foregoing. For avoidance of doubt, the Committee may determine the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock for tax purposes upon settlement of an award using such methodology as may be required by applicable laws or as appropriate for administrative reasons. The number of shares of Common Stock which may be so withheld or returned pursuant to clause (c) above shall be limited to the number of shares of Common Stock which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or return no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income (or, to the extent provided by the Committee, such higher withholding rate that is in no event greater than the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)). If any tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under clause (c) above by the Company’s retention of shares of Common Stock (or the return of shares of Common Stock) from the Option or other award creating the tax obligation and there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at the time the tax obligation is satisfied, the Company may elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on the applicable Optionee’s, Grantee’s or Restricted Stockholder’s behalf some or all of the shares of Common Stock retained or returned and to remit the proceeds of the sale to the Company or its designee, and each Optionee’s, Grantee’s or Restricted Stockholder’s acceptance of an award under the Plan will constitute the Optionee’s, Grantee’s or Restricted Stockholder’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this sentence.

10.5  Loans. The Committee may, in its discretion, and to the extent permitted by law extend one or more loans to Eligible Persons in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment granted under this Plan, or the issuance, vesting or distribution of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units awarded under this Plan. The terms and conditions of any such loan shall be set by the Committee. No loans will be made to Eligible Persons if such loans would be prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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10.6  Forfeiture Provisions. Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to awards under the Plan, the Committee shall have the right (to the extent consistent with the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3) to provide, in the terms of Options or other awards made under the Plan, or to require the recipient to agree by separate written instrument, that (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the recipient upon any receipt or exercise of the award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Common Stock underlying such award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of such award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (a) a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the award, or (b) the recipient at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Committee.

10.7  Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan, and any Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment granted, or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit awarded, to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

10.8  Effect of Plan Upon Options and Compensation Plans. The adoption of this Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company (i) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Eligible Persons or (ii) to grant or assume options or other rights otherwise than under this Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

10.9  Compliance with Laws. This Plan, the granting and vesting of Options, Restricted Stock awards, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments under this Plan and the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock and the payment of money under this Plan or under Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments granted or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, Options, Restricted Stock awards, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

10.10  Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Plan.

 

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10.11  Governing Law. This Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

10.12  Section 409A. To the extent that the Committee determines that any award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the award agreement evidencing such award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and award agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that the Committee determines that any award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including Department of Treasury guidance), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable award agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance.

10.13 Dividend Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, dividends and Dividend Equivalents with respect to an award that is subject to vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such award shall only be paid out to the Restricted Stockholder or Grantee, as applicable, to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the award vests.

10.14 Stockholder Approval Not Required. It is expressly intended that approval of the Company’s stockholders not be required as a condition of the effectiveness of the Plan, and the Plan’s provisions shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent for all purposes. Specifically, Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c) generally requires stockholder approval for stock option plans or other equity compensation arrangements adopted by companies whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market pursuant to which stock awards or stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees or consultants of such companies. Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4) provides an exemption in certain circumstances for “employment inducement” awards (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Company’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, then awards under the Plan may only be made to Employees who have not previously been an Employee or Director of the Company or a Subsidiary, or following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Company or a Subsidiary, in each case as an inducement material to the Employee’s entering into employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. Awards under the Plan will be approved by (a) the Committee comprised entirely of Independent Directors or (b) a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. Accordingly, pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4), the issuance of awards and the shares of Stock issuable upon exercise or vesting of such awards pursuant to the Plan are not subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

10.15 Clawback Provisions. All awards (including, without limitation, any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by an Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder upon any receipt or exercise of any award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the award) shall be subject to the provisions of any clawback policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any clawback policy adopted to comply with applicable law (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder), as and to the extent set forth in such clawback policy or the applicable award agreement. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement between an Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder and the Company or any affiliate.

 

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10.16 No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Plan or in any award agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Optionee any right to continue in the employ of, or as a consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or as a Director of the Company, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without good cause. As consideration for the granting of an award under the Plan, the Committee may require the Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder to agree, in the written award agreement, to remain in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary for such period after the date of grant as may be fixed in the award agreement or by action of the Committee following grant of the award.

 

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EX-10.11

Exhibit 10.11

VIASAT, INC.

2024 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

(EXECUTIVE VERSION)

 

 

Grant:

 

    Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

 

   

 

Name:

 

                       

Grant Date:

 

                  

   

Signature:

 

                     

Vesting Commencement Date:

 

           

 

              

   

 

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF RSU AWARD:

 

By signing where indicated above, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) and the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc. (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”). You acknowledge that you have reviewed and fully understand all of the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, and have had the opportunity to obtain advice of counsel prior to accepting the grant of RSUs pursuant to this Agreement. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) upon any questions relating to this Agreement and the Plan.

 

 


TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RSU AWARD:

1.  Grant. Effective on the Grant Date, you have been granted the number of shares indicated above of RSUs providing you the right to receive Common Stock of ViaSat, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan. This award of Restricted Stock Units is intended to constitute an “employment inducement” award under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq rules regarding shareholder approval of stock option plans or other equity compensation arrangements. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Award shall be interpreted in accordance with and consistent with such exception.

2.  Forfeiture Upon Termination. Until vested, the RSU shall be subject to forfeiture in the event of the termination of your employment or service with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries for any reason, whether such termination is occasioned by you, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with or without cause or by mutual agreement (“Termination of Employment”).

3.  Transferability. Until vested and issued upon settlement, the RSU or any right or interest therein is not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Until Common Stock is issued upon settlement of the RSU, you will not be deemed for any purpose to be, or have rights as, a Company shareholder by virtue of this award. You are not entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock by virtue of this award.

4.  Vesting.

(a)  The RSU will vest and no longer be subject to the restrictions of and forfeiture under this Agreement in one-third (1/3rd or 33%) increments. The first one-third will vest on the 13th month anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date and the remaining two-thirds will vest on the second, and third anniversaries of the Vesting Commencement Date.

(b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the RSU shall be fully vested upon your Termination of Employment by reason of death or permanent disability. “Permanent disability” means that you are unable to perform your duties by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, as reasonably determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

5.  Payment. Except as provided in Section 6, within ten days following the vesting of the RSU, you will be issued shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested shares, in settlement of the RSU (subject to the withholding requirements described in Section 7 below, as applicable).

6.  Deferral Election

(a)  Initial Election.

(i)  If you make a valid initial deferral election, then you can elect to defer the timing of receipt of the Common Stock otherwise deliverable under Section 5 to a later date. You may make a separate initial deferral election with respect to each one-fourth portion of your RSU award. The initial deferral election must be made within 30 days of the Grant Date.

(ii)  If you are a “specified employee” (as determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) on the date of your “separation from service” (as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations), the delivery of any of your Common Stock to be delivered upon such “separation from service” shall be delayed to the extent necessary to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and such payment shall be paid or distributed to you on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of your “separation from service” or (b) the date of your death.

 

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(b)  Subsequent Deferral Election. Under certain circumstances, you may make one additional deferral election with respect to receipt of the Common Stock otherwise deliverable. That second deferral election:

(i)  must be made at least 12 months prior to the scheduled delivery date;

(ii)  will not be effective for at least 12 months after you make it; and

(iii)  must postpone delivery for at least five years but no more than 10 years from the scheduled delivery date.

Notwithstanding any deferral election you make, all Common Stock will be delivered in satisfaction of the RSU upon a Change in Control (so long as such Change in Control also constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation, within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and the Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations) or within 30 days after your death.

Such deferral elections must comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations or other guidance issued thereunder as well as any Plan rules on deferrals.

(c)  Unforeseeable Emergencies. Notwithstanding your existing elections, in the event you have an “unforeseeable emergency” resulting in severe financial hardship to you, you may elect to receive an earlier delivery of your vested shares in accordance with the applicable rules. Any such distribution shall occur within 30 days following the Committee’s determination that an “unforeseeable emergency” exists.

An “unforeseeable emergency” means your severe financial hardship resulting from (i) an illness of yours, your spouse or your dependent, (ii) loss of your property due to casualty or (iii) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond your control. The determination of whether you have an unforeseeable emergency is made by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

To apply for such a distribution, you must file a request indicating the nature of the unforeseeable emergency, the amount of your financial hardship as well as whether or not the hardship may be relieved through insurance or through the disposition of other assets.

If the Committee determines that you qualify, then the shares to be delivered to you cannot have a value in excess of the amount necessary to satisfy your hardship, plus an amount necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution. This must be approved by the Committee, in its sole discretion, after taking into account the extent to which you could satisfy the hardship through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of such of your assets as would not itself cause severe financial hardship and as otherwise required by law.

7.  Withholding.

(a)  You understand and agree that if you defer receipt of the Common Stock under Section 6 certain tax withholdings will be due upon vesting in the RSU, but prior to an issuance of the shares of Common Stock to you. In particular, upon vesting, withholding for employment taxes under FICA and Medicare (the “FICA Taxes”) will be due even if you have elected deferred delivery of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon settlement of the RSU. If shares of Common Stock subject to the RSU are issued on an accelerated basis to satisfy the FICA Taxes under this Section 7(a), then you will also have income tax on such shares as wages and the corresponding income tax withholding provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax laws (together with the FICA Tax, the “FICA-Related Taxes”) also apply. If you defer receipt of the Common Stock under Section 6, (i) your FICA-Related Taxes shall first be satisfied by the deduction of such amounts from other compensation payable to you, and (ii) to the extent the other compensation payable to you is determined by the Company to be insufficient to satisfy your FICA-Related Taxes, your acceptance of this RSU constitutes your instruction and authorization to the Company to satisfy the FICA-Related Taxes through the accelerated issuance and withholding of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable pursuant to the RSU having a then-current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the FICA-Related Taxes of the Company based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates.

 

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(b)  The Company has the authority to deduct or withhold, or require you to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable Federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including any FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising from the vesting of the RSU and/or receipt of the shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the RSU (provided, however, that the satisfaction of your FICA-Related Taxes upon vesting of the RSU in the event you defer receipt of the Common Stock under Section 6 will be handled in the manner provided in Section 7(a) above and not pursuant to this Section 7(b)). At any time not less than five business days before any such tax withholding obligation arises, you may satisfy your tax obligation, in whole or in part, by either: (i) electing to have the Company withhold from your salary or other cash compensation payable to you or shares otherwise to be delivered upon settlement of the RSU with a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount of the tax withholding obligation, or (ii) paying the amount of the tax withholding obligation directly to the Company in cash. Unless you choose to satisfy your tax withholding obligation in accordance with subsection (ii) above, your tax withholding obligation will be automatically satisfied in accordance with subsection (i) above. The Committee or the Board will have the right to disapprove an election to pay your tax withholding obligation under subsection (ii) in its sole discretion.

(c)  In the event your tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under subsection (ii) of Section 7(a) above or subsection (i) of Section 7(b) above, then the Company, upon approval of the Committee or the Board, may elect (in lieu of withholding shares) to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on your behalf (pursuant to this authorization) a whole number of shares from those shares of Common Stock issuable to you upon settlement of the RSU as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation. Your acceptance of this RSU constitutes your instruction and authorization to the Company and such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in the previous sentence, as applicable. Such shares will be sold on the day the tax withholding obligation arises or as soon thereafter as practicable. The shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other participants of the Plan in which all participants receive an average price. You will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale. To the extent permissible under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed your tax withholding obligation, the Company agrees to pay such excess in cash to you as soon as practicable. You acknowledge that the Company or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation.

(d)  The Company may refuse to issue any Common Stock in settlement of your RSU to you until your tax withholding obligations are satisfied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company has the right to retain without notice from shares issuable under the RSU or from salary payable to you, shares or cash having a value sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation.

8.  No Effect on Employment. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be interpreted to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate your employment or services at any time, nor confer upon you the right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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9.  Plan Governs. This RSU award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan. You acknowledge and agree that the Plan has been introduced voluntarily by the Company and in accordance with its terms it may be amended, cancelled, or terminated by the Company, in its sole discretion, at any time. The grant of RSUs under the Plan is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive an award of RSUs or benefits in lieu of RSUs in the future. Future awards of RSUs, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company, including, but not limited to, the timing of the award, the number of shares and vesting provisions. By execution of this Agreement, you consent to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. Defined terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise defined herein.

10.  Amendment. The Committee may amend, terminate or revoke this Agreement in any respect to the extent determined necessary or desirable by the Committee in its discretion to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. You expressly understand and agree that no additional consent from you shall be required in connection with such amendment, termination or revocation.

11.  Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement and the RSUs shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Unless you have made a timely deferral election pursuant to Section 6(a), this RSU award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), each payment that you may be eligible to receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment.

12.  Governing Law and Venue.

(a)  The RSU grant and the provisions of this Agreement are governed by, and subject to, the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflict of law provisions, as provided in the Plan.

(b)  For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of San Diego County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

13.  Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

14.  Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

15.  Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, on the RSU and on any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

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16.  Waiver. You acknowledge that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by you or any other Grantee.

 

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EX-10.12

Exhibit 10.12

 

VIASAT, INC.

2024 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT –

RELATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN

 

 Grant Date:

Target Number of PSUs:        Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (“PSUs”)

Maximum Number of PSUs:      PSUs

 

 Name:                                                     

 

 Signature:                                                    

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF PSU AWARD:

 

By signing where indicated above, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) and the 2024 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan of Viasat, Inc. (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”). You acknowledge that you have reviewed and fully understand all of the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, and have had the opportunity to obtain advice of counsel prior to accepting the grant of PSUs pursuant to this Agreement. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) upon any questions relating to this Agreement and the Plan.

 

 


TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PSU AWARD:

1.  Grant. Effective on the Grant Date, you have been granted the number of PSUs indicated above providing you the right to receive Common Stock of Viasat, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan. This award of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units is intended to constitute an “employment inducement” award under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq rules regarding shareholder approval of stock option plans or other equity compensation arrangements. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Award shall be interpreted in accordance with and consistent with such exception.

2.  Forfeiture Upon Termination. Except as provided in the Vesting Schedule (as defined below), until vested, the PSUs will be subject to forfeiture in the event of the termination of your employment or service with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries for any reason, whether such termination is occasioned by you, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with or without cause or by mutual agreement (“Termination of Employment”).

3.  Transferability. Until vested and issued upon settlement, neither the PSUs nor any right or interest therein is transferable by you except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Until Common Stock is issued upon settlement of the PSUs, you will not be deemed for any purpose to be, or have rights as, a Company shareholder by virtue of this award. You are not entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock by virtue of this award unless and until such shares of Common Stock have been issued to you upon settlement of the PSUs.

4.  Vesting. The PSUs will vest in accordance with the “Vesting Schedule” attached hereto as Exhibit A.

5.  Payment. You will be issued shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested PSUs in settlement of the PSUs (subject to the withholding requirements described in Section 6 below, as applicable) (a) if the Measurement Date occurs on May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], within ten days following the Certification Date, or (b) if the Measurement Date occurs as a result of a Change in Control, within ten days following the vesting of the PSUs in accordance with the Vesting Schedule.

6.  Withholding.

(a)  The Company has the authority to deduct or withhold, or require you to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable Federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including any FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising from the vesting of the PSUs and/or receipt of the shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the PSUs. At any time not less than five business days before any such tax withholding obligation arises, you may satisfy your tax obligation, in whole or in part, by either: (i) electing to have the Company withhold from your salary or other cash compensation payable to you or shares of Common Stock otherwise to be delivered upon settlement of the PSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount of the tax withholding obligation, or (ii) paying the amount of the tax withholding obligation directly to the Company in cash. Unless you choose to satisfy your tax withholding obligation in accordance with subsection (ii) above, your tax withholding obligation will be automatically satisfied in accordance with subsection (i) above. The Committee or the Board will have the right to disapprove an election to pay your tax withholding obligation under subsection (ii) in its sole discretion.

 

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(b)  In the event your tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under subsection (i) of Section 6(a) above, then the Company, upon approval of the Committee or the Board, may elect (in lieu of withholding shares) to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on your behalf (pursuant to this authorization) a whole number of shares from those shares of Common Stock issuable to you upon settlement of the PSUs as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation. Your acceptance of this PSU award constitutes your instruction and authorization to the Company and such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in the previous sentence, as applicable. Such shares will be sold on the day the tax withholding obligation arises or as soon thereafter as practicable. The shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other participants of the Plan in which all participants receive an average price. You will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale. To the extent permissible under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed your tax withholding obligation, the Company agrees to pay such excess in cash to you as soon as practicable. You acknowledge that the Company or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation.

(c)  The Company may refuse to issue any Common Stock in settlement of your PSUs to you until your tax withholding obligations are satisfied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company has the right to retain without notice from shares issuable under the PSUs or from salary payable to you, shares or cash having a value sufficient to satisfy your tax withholding obligation.

7.  No Effect on Employment. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be interpreted to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate your employment or services at any time, nor confer upon you the right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.

8.  Plan Governs. This PSU award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan. You acknowledge and agree that the Plan has been introduced voluntarily by the Company and in accordance with its terms it may be amended, cancelled, or terminated by the Company, in its sole discretion, at any time. The grant of PSUs under the Plan is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive an award of PSUs or benefits in lieu of PSUs in the future. Future awards of PSUs, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company, including, but not limited to, the timing of the award, the number of shares and vesting provisions. By execution of this Agreement, you consent to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. Defined terms used herein will have the meaning set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise defined herein.

9.  Amendment. The Committee may amend, terminate or revoke this Agreement in any respect to the extent determined necessary or desirable by the Committee in its discretion to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. You expressly understand and agree that no additional consent from you will be required in connection with such amendment, termination or revocation.

10.  Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement and the PSUs will be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. This PSU award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder under the “short-term deferral” exception set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (and, accordingly, the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder shall be distributed to you within the time period required under such “short-term deferral” exception). For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), each payment that you may be eligible to receive under this Agreement will be treated as a separate and distinct payment.

 

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11.  Governing Law and Venue.

(a)  The PSU grant and the provisions of this Agreement are governed by, and subject to, the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflict of law provisions, as provided in the Plan.

(b)  For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of San Diego County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

12.  Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

13.  Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions will nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

14.  Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, on the PSUs and on any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

15.  Waiver. You acknowledge that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by you or any other Grantee.

 

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EXHIBIT A: VESTING SCHEDULE OF PSU AWARD

Capitalized terms used in this Exhibit A and not defined in Section 4 below will have the meanings given them in the Agreement to which this Exhibit A is attached.

1.  Performance Vesting. Subject to Section 2 below, you will be eligible to vest in the PSUs based on the Company’s Relative TSR Ranking for the Performance Period as follows:

(a)  Measurement Date Occurs On May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3]. In the event the Measurement Date is May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], you will vest in such number of PSUs on the Certification Date as is determined by multiplying (i) the “Target Number of PSUs” subject to this Agreement, by (ii) the TSR Performance Multiplier determined as of the Measurement Date (rounded to the nearest whole share), subject to your continued employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary through the Measurement Date.

(b)  Measurement Date Occurs As a Result of Change in Control.

(i)  Notwithstanding Section 1(a) above, in the event of a Change in Control prior to May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], such number of PSUs will become “Vesting Eligible PSUs” on the date of such Change in Control as is determined by multiplying (A) the “Target Number of PSUs” subject to this Agreement, multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) one hundred percent (100%) or (2) the TSR Performance Multiplier as of the Measurement Date, as determined by the Committee prior to such Change in Control. Subject to Section 2 below, the “Vesting Eligible PSUs” will remain eligible to vest following such Change in Control on May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], subject to your continued employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary (or any successor thereof) through such date.

(ii)  In the event of a Change in Control on or after May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], if the Certification Date has not yet occurred prior to the date of such Change in Control, such number of PSUs will vest as of the date of the Change in Control as is determined by multiplying equal to (A) the “Target Number of PSUs” subject to this Agreement, multiplied by (B) the TSR Performance Multiplier as of the Measurement Date.

2.  Effect of Termination of Employment.

(a)  Effect of Termination Due to Death or Permanent Disability.

(i)  In the event of your Termination of Employment as a result of your death or Permanent Disability prior to May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3] and prior to a Change in Control, you will remain eligible to vest on the Certification Date in such portion of the PSUs as are determined to vest on the Certification Date based on the Company’s Relative TSR Ranking for the Performance Period.

(ii)  In the event of your Termination of Employment as a result of your death or Permanent Disability on or after the date of a Change in Control but prior to May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], you will vest in the remaining Vesting Eligible PSUs on the date of your Termination of Employment.

(b)  Effect of Other Terminations.

(i)  In the event of your Termination of Employment for any reason other than your death or Permanent Disability prior to May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3] and prior to a Change in Control, any unvested PSUs will be forfeited; provided, however, that the PSUs will be subject to any time-based accelerated vesting as may be provided in any employment or severance agreement between you and the Company, and in the event any such accelerated vesting applies and the Measurement Date would otherwise occur under Section 1(a) during the period covered by such time-based accelerated vesting, you will remain eligible to vest on the Certification Date in such portion of the PSUs as are determined to vest on the Certification Date based on the Company’s Relative TSR Ranking for the Performance Period.

 

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(ii)   In the event of your Termination of Employment for any reason other than your death or Permanent Disability on or after the date of a Change in Control but prior to May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], any unvested PSUs will be forfeited; provided, however, that the Vesting Eligible PSUs will be subject to any time-based accelerated vesting as may be provided in any employment or severance agreement between you and the Company (and any such unvested Vesting Eligible PSUs that vest on an accelerated basis will vest on the date of your Termination of Employment).

(iii)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any such agreement between you and the Company provides for accelerated vesting upon your termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason” (each as defined in any such agreement), such accelerated vesting will only apply to the extent (i) your termination without “cause” occurs on or after the Grant Date, or (ii) the circumstances giving rise to “good reason” first occur on or after the Grant Date; and, in addition to the foregoing, to the extent any such agreement between you and the Company provides for accelerated vesting upon your termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason” following a “change in control” (each as defined in any such agreement), such accelerated vesting will only apply to the extent a “change in control” occurs on or after the Grant Date and will not apply to any “change in control” that occurred prior to the Grant Date (including, without limitation, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Share Purchase Agreement relating to Connect Topco Limited, between the Investor Sellers, the Management Sellers, the Optionholder Sellers, and the Company, dated November 8, 2021). Any employment, services, severance, change in control or other compensation agreement between you and the Company is hereby amended to be consistent with the foregoing.

3.   Forfeiture. Subject to Section 2 above, any portion of this PSU award that does not vest (or remain eligible to vest) as a result of your Termination of Employment or as a result of less than the “Maximum Number of PSUs” subject to this award vesting (or remaining eligible to vest) by reason of the TSR Performance Multiplier being less than 175% will automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited by you on the date of your Termination of Employment or the Certification Date, as applicable, and you will have no further right or interest in or with respect to such portion of this PSU award. In no event will more than the “Maximum Number of PSUs” subject to this award vest pursuant to this Exhibit A.

4.   Definitions. For purposes of this Exhibit A, the following terms will have the meanings given below:

(a)    “Beginning Market Value” means, for each of the Company and the Peer Companies for the Performance Period, the average of the closing price per share of the company’s stock for the twenty consecutive trading days beginning with and including the first day of the Performance Period (or, if the first day of the Performance Period is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) as published in The Wall Street Journal or such other authoritative source as the Committee may determine.

(b)   “Certification Date” means the date on which the Committee certifies the TSR Performance Multiplier, which certification will occur no later than thirty days following the Measurement Date; provided, however, that in the event the Measurement Date is the date of a Change in Control, the Certification Date will be the date of such Change in Control (or, if such date is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day).

 

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(c)   “Change in Control” means and includes each of the following occurring on or after the Grant Date:

(i)   A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of the Company’s Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than forty percent (40%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition;

(ii)   The individuals who, as of the Grant Date are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s common stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this definition, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened “Election Contest” (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; or

(iii)   The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

(A)   Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

(B)   After which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing forty percent (40%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 4(c)(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 40% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

The Board shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

(d)   Ending Market Value” means, for each of the Company and the Peer Companies for the Performance Period, (i) in the event the Measurement Date is May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], the average of the closing price per share of the company’s stock for the last twenty consecutive trading days ending with and including the Measurement Date, or (ii) in the event the Measurement Date is the date of a Change in Control, the closing price per share of the company’s stock on the Measurement Date (or if the Measurement Date is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) as published in The Wall Street Journal or such other authoritative source as the Committee may determine.

 

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(e)   “Measurement Date” means the first to occur of (a) May 31, [INSERT GRANT YEAR + 3], or (b) the date on which a Change in Control occurs (or, in each case, if such date is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day).

(f)   “Peer Companies” means those companies included in the Russell 3000 Index on the first day of the Performance Period (or if the first day of the Performance Period is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) and which remain publicly-traded and listed on a national securities exchange through the last day of the Performance Period (or if the last day of the Performance Period is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day).

(g)   “Performance Period” means the period beginning on June 1, [INSERT GRANT YEAR] and ending on the Measurement Date.

(h)   Permanent Disabilitymeans that you are unable to perform your duties by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least twelve (12) months, as reasonably determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

(i)   “Relative TSR Ranking” means the Company’s TSR relative to the TSRs of the Peer Companies. The Company’s Relative TSR Ranking will be determined by ranking the Company and the Peer Companies from highest to lowest according to their respective TSRs. After this ranking, the percentile performance of the Company relative to the Peer Companies will be determined as follows:

P = 1 – ((R-1)/(N-1))

 

  Where:

“P” represents the Company’s percentile performance, which will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest whole percentile by application of regular rounding.

“N” represents the number of Peer Companies.

“R” represents the Company’s ranking among the Peer Companies.

(j)   “TSR” means, with respect to the Performance Period, the total value delivered to stockholders of the Company (or of a Peer Company, as applicable), as measured by the change in the price of the Common Stock of the Company (or common stock of a Peer Company, as applicable) over the Performance Period (positive or negative) from the Beginning Market Value for the Performance Period to the Ending Market Value for such Performance Period, plus dividends paid over the Performance Period assuming dividends are reinvested based on the price of the Common Stock of the Company (or common stock of a Peer Company, as applicable) on the last trading day of the month during which the ex-dividend date occurs.

(k)   The “TSR Performance Multiplier” means, for the Performance Period, the performance multiplier determined pursuant to the chart below based on the Company’s Relative TSR Ranking. If the Company achieves a Relative TSR Ranking that falls between the foregoing levels, the Performance Multiplier will be determined by linear interpolation between the applicable levels.

 

     
   

Relative TSR Ranking Relative to the Russell 3000 for
the Performance Period

 

  

TSR Performance Multiplier

 

   
 

At or above the 90th Percentile

   175%  
 

At the 50th Percentile

   100%  
 

At or Below the 25th Percentile

   0%  

 

8

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Viasat, Inc. of our report dated May 29, 2024 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Viasat, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Diego, California

September 11, 2024

 

1

EX-FILING FEES
0000797721VIASAT INCEX-FILING FEESfalsefalsetruetrue0.00014760.0001476 0000797721 2024-09-11 2024-09-11 0000797721 2 2024-09-11 2024-09-11 0000797721 1 2024-09-11 2024-09-11 iso4217:USD xbrli:pure xbrli:shares
Exhibit 107
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE TABLE
Form
S-8
(Form Type)
Viasat, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities
 
  Security 
  Type
  
 Security 
Class
Title
  
Fee
Calculation 
Rule
  
Amount to
be
Registered
(1)
  
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Share
  
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
  
Fee Rate
  
Amount of
Registration
Fee
Equity
   Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   
Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
   3,430,000
(2)
   $
15.24 (3)
   $52,273,200 (3)    $
147.60
 per $
1,000,000
   $7,716
Equity
   Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   
Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
   377,500 (4)    $15.24 (3)    $5,753,100 (3)    $
147.60
 per $
1,000,000
   $850
Total Offering Amounts
        $58,026,300         $8,566
Total Fee Offsets (5)
                  $0
Net Fee Due
                  $8,566
 
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the above-named plans by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of our
common
stock.
(2)
Covers 3,430,000 additional shares of Viasat common stock available for issuance under the 1996 Plan, pursuant to an amendment and restatement of the 1996 Plan approved by the stockholders of Viasat on September 5, 2024.
(3)
The Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share has been estimated in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The computation is based upon the average of the high and low prices of Viasat common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on September
4, 2024, because the offering price of the securities to be granted in the future is not currently determinable.
(4)
Covers 377,500 shares of Viasat common stock available for issuance under the Inducement Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors of Viasat on September 5, 2024.
(5)
The Registrant does not have any fee offsets.