ACV Auctions Inc 8-K, filed Oct 19, 2026
ACV Auctions Inc. (ACVA)
About this 8-K
ACV Auctions Inc filed this 8-K on October 19, 2026, reporting on events of October 16, 2026.
ACV Auctions completed its merger with a Copart subsidiary on October 16, 2026, after a tender offer at $10.50 per share; aggregate consideration was approximately $1,801,021,081.00 and ACV became a wholly owned subsidiary of Copart. AI summary
Items reported
- Item 2.01: Completed an acquisition or sale of assets
- Item 3.01: Delisting notice or listing transfer
- Item 3.03: Change to shareholders' rights
- Item 5.01: Change in control
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 5.03: Charter or bylaw amendment, or fiscal year change
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Introductory Note.
As previously disclosed on September 10, 2026 in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by ACV Auctions Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ACV”), ACV entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 10, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), among ACV, Copart, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Apple Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
| Item 2.01. | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets. |
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions described therein and in the Offer to Purchase, dated September 17, 2026, and the related Letter of Transmittal, on September 17, 2026, Merger Sub commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) to purchase all of ACV’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ACV Stock”), at a price per share of ACV Stock of $10.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest, subject to any withholding of taxes (the “Offer Price”).
The Offer and related withdrawal rights expired at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on October 15, 2026 (the “Expiration Date”) and was not extended. According to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary and paying agent for the Offer, as of the Expiration Date, 116,818,409 shares of ACV Stock were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the Offer, representing, together with the shares already owned by Parent and Merger Sub, approximately 68.43% of the shares of ACV Stock outstanding. The number of shares of ACV Stock tendered satisfied the condition to the Offer that there be validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn, in the Offer a number of shares of ACV Stock that, together with the shares of ACV Stock then owned by Merger Sub and its “affiliates” (as such term is defined in Section 251(h)(6) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”)), represent at least one share more than 50% of the shares of ACV Stock outstanding at the Expiration Date. All other conditions to the Offer were satisfied or waived as of the Expiration Date. As a result, following the Expiration Date, Merger Sub irrevocably accepted for payment, and promptly paid for, all the shares of ACV Stock tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the terms of the Offer and the Merger Agreement.
Following the consummation of the Offer, the remaining conditions to the Merger (as defined below) set forth in the Merger Agreement were satisfied or waived, and on October 16, 2026, Merger Sub merged with and into ACV (the “Merger” and, together with the Offer and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transactions”), with ACV continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The Merger was completed pursuant to Section 251(h) of the DGCL without a meeting of stockholders of ACV. Pursuant to the Merger, each share of ACV Stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) (other than (i) shares of ACV Stock (a) owned by ACV as a treasury share at the Effective Time, (b) owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any other wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent both at the commencement of the Offer and immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (c) irrevocably accepted by Merger Sub for purchase in the Offer, and (ii) shares of ACV Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that are held by holders who are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL and have properly exercised and perfected their respective demands for appraisal of such shares of ACV Stock in the time and manner provided in Section 262 of the DGCL and, as of the Effective Time, have neither validly withdrawn nor lost their rights to such appraisal and payment under the DGCL),was converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash, without interest, subject to any withholding of taxes (“Merger Consideration”).
In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time:
| ● | each outstanding option to purchase shares of ACV Stock (“Stock Options”) which was vested and had a per share exercise price less than the Merger Consideration was canceled in exchange for the right to receive a cash payment equal to (x) the number of shares of ACV Stock subject to such Stock Option multiplied by (y) the excess of (A) the Offer Price over (B) the applicable per share exercise price of the Stock Option, subject to any withholding of taxes. Each outstanding Stock Option that was vested and had a per share exercise price equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration was canceled for no consideration; |
| ● | each unvested outstanding Stock Option was converted into an option to acquire a number of shares of common stock of Parent (a “Converted Stock Option”) determined by multiplying the number of such Stock Options by the Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Merger Agreement), at an exercise price per share of common stock of Parent equal to the exercise price per share of such Stock Option divided by the Exchange Ratio; |
| ● | each outstanding award of restricted stock units with respect to shares of ACV Stock that was subject to vesting conditions based solely on continued employment or service (each, a “Restricted Stock Unit”), that was held by a non-employee member of the board of directors or by any former service provider of ACV was fully vested (to the extent unvested), and converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, subject to any withholding of taxes; |
| ● | each other Restricted Stock Unit was converted into a restricted stock unit award, with respect to a number of shares of common stock of Parent (a “Converted RSU”) determined by multiplying the number of shares of ACV Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Unit by the Exchange Ratio; and |
| ● | each restricted stock unit award with respect to shares of ACV Stock that includes performance-based vesting conditions (each, a “Performance Stock Unit”) was converted into a restricted stock unit award, with respect to a number of shares of common stock of Parent (a “Converted PSU”) determined by multiplying the number of shares of ACV Stock subject to such Performance Stock Unit based on the greater of target and actual performance (as determined by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors in its discretion) by the Exchange Ratio. |
ACV’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) has been terminated and all outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP have been exercised.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by ACV with the SEC on September 10, 2026, and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 3.01. | Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.
In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, ACV notified The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) of the consummation of the Merger and requested that the NYSE suspend trading of the shares of ACV Stock and file with the SEC a Form 25 Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration to delist and deregister the shares of ACV Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). ACV also intends to file with the SEC a Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration on Form 15 under the Exchange Act, requesting the termination of registration of the shares of ACV Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and the suspension of ACV’s reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to the shares of ACV Stock.
| Item 3.03. | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note, Item 2.01, Item 3.01 and Item 5.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
| Item 5.01. | Changes in Control of Registrant. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note, Item 2.01, Item 5.02 and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
As a result of the consummation of the Offer, a change in control of ACV occurred. At the Effective Time, ACV became a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The aggregate consideration paid by Parent and Merger Sub in connection with the acquisition of control of ACV was approximately $1,801,021,081.00, which Parent funded from cash on hand and available cash resources. Neither the Offer nor the Merger was subject to any financing condition.
| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, George Chamoun, Brian Radecki, Brian Hirsch, Eileen Kamerick, Robert Goodman, Kirsten Castillo and René F. Jones, being all of the directors of ACV immediately prior to the Effective Time, ceased to be directors of ACV as of the Effective Time.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, (i) the directors of Merger Sub as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, which consisted of A. Jayson Adair and Leah C. Stearns, became the directors of ACV and (ii) the officers of ACV as of immediately prior to the Effective Time remained the officers of the ACV.
| Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Following the Effective Time, on October 19, 2026, the Company’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated in its entirety. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, ACV’s bylaws were amended and restated in their entirety. Copies of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are attached as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 2.1* | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 10, 2026, among ACV, Parent and Merger Sub (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40256) filed by ACV on September 10, 2026) | |
| 3.1** | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ACV | |
| 3.2** | Amended and Restated Bylaws of ACV | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
| * | Schedules and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. ACV hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to such agreement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| ACV AUCTIONS INC. | ||||||||
| Date: October 19, 2026 | By: | /s/ George Chamoun | ||||||
| Name: George Chamoun | ||||||||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
Exhibit 3.1
TWELFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ACV AUCTIONS INC.
ACV Auctions Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify that:
ONE: The name of this corporation is ACV Auctions Inc. The date of filing of the original certificate of incorporation of this corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was December 30, 2014.
TWO: This Twelfth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which restates and integrates and also further amends the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL. This Twelfth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”).
THREE: Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation of this corporation, as heretofore amended, is hereby amended, integrated and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
The name of the corporation is ACV Auctions Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o 25l Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Services Company.
ARTICLE III
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE IV
This Corporation is authorized to issue one class of shares to be designated Common Stock. The total number of shares of Common Stock the Corporation has authority to issue is 1,000 with par value of $0.001 per share.
ARTICLE V
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII
To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, no director or officer of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders and shall otherwise be indemnified by the Corporation for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.
The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation, any predecessor to the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation.
Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VII, in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal, or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
ARTICLE VIII
Except as provided in Article VII above, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
2
The Corporation has caused this Twelfth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation on this 16th day of October, 2026.
| ACV AUCTIONS INC. | ||
| By | /s/ George Chamoun | |
| Name: George Chamoun | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
3
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS OF
ACV AUCTIONS INC.
ADOPTED OCTOBER 16, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I — MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | - 1 - | |||||
| 1.1 |
Place of Meetings | - 1 - | ||||
| 1.2 |
Annual Meeting | - 1 - | ||||
| 1.3 |
Special Meeting | - 1 - | ||||
| 1.4 |
Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings | - 2 - | ||||
| 1.5 |
Quorum | - 2 - | ||||
| 1.6 |
Adjourned Meeting; Notice | - 2 - | ||||
| 1.7 |
Conduct of Business | - 2 - | ||||
| 1.8 |
Voting | - 3 - | ||||
| 1.9 |
Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting | - 3 - | ||||
| 1.10 |
Record Date for Stockholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consents | - 4 - | ||||
| 1.11 |
Proxies | - 5 - | ||||
| 1.12 |
List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote | - 5 - | ||||
| ARTICLE II — DIRECTORS | - 5 - | |||||
| 2.1 |
Powers | - 5 - | ||||
| 2.2 |
Number of Directors | - 5 - | ||||
| 2.3 |
Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors | - 6 - | ||||
| 2.4 |
Resignation and Vacancies | - 6 - | ||||
| 2.5 |
Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone | - 7 - | ||||
| 2.6 |
Conduct of Business | - 7 - | ||||
| 2.7 |
Regular Meetings | - 7 - | ||||
| 2.8 |
Special Meetings; Notice | - 7 - | ||||
| 2.9 |
Quorum; Voting | - 7 - | ||||
| 2.10 |
Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting | - 8 - | ||||
| 2.11 |
Fees and Compensation of Directors | - 8 - | ||||
| 2.12 |
Removal of Directors | - 8 - | ||||
| ARTICLE III — COMMITTEES | - 8 - | |||||
| 3.1 |
Committees of Directors | - 8 - | ||||
| 3.2 |
Committee Minutes | - 8 - | ||||
| 3.3 |
Meetings and Actions of Committees | - 9 - | ||||
| 3.4 |
Subcommittees | - 9 - | ||||
| ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS | - 9 - | |||||
| 4.1 |
Officers | - 9 - | ||||
| 4.2 |
Appointment of Officers | - 9 - | ||||
| 4.3 |
Subordinate Officers | - 9 - | ||||
| 4.4 |
Removal and Resignation of Officers | - 10 - | ||||
| 4.5 |
Vacancies in Offices | - 10 - | ||||
| 4.6 |
Representation of Shares of Other Corporations | - 10 - | ||||
| 4.7 |
Authority and Duties of Officers | - 10 - | ||||
- i -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE V — INDEMNIFICATION | - 10 - | |||||
| 5.1 |
Third Party Actions | - 10 - | ||||
| 5.2 |
Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation | - 11 - | ||||
| 5.3 |
Successful Defense | - 12 - | ||||
| 5.4 |
Determination of Conduct | - 12 - | ||||
| 5.5 |
Payment of Expenses in Advance | - 12 - | ||||
| 5.6 |
Indemnity Not Exclusive | - 12 - | ||||
| 5.7 |
Insurance Indemnification | - 12 - | ||||
| 5.8 |
The Company | - 13 - | ||||
| 5.9 |
Employee Benefit Plans | - 13 - | ||||
| 5.10 |
Continuation of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses | - 13 - | ||||
| 5.11 |
Indemnity Fund | - 13 - | ||||
| ARTICLE VI — STOCK | - 13 - | |||||
| 6.1 |
Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares | - 13 - | ||||
| 6.2 |
Special Designation on Certificates | - 14 - | ||||
| 6.3 |
Lost Certificates | - 14 - | ||||
| 6.4 |
Dividends | - 14 - | ||||
| 6.5 |
Stock Transfer Agreements | - 14 - | ||||
| 6.6 |
Registered Stockholders | - 15 - | ||||
| 6.7 |
Transfers | - 15 - | ||||
| ARTICLE VII — MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER | - 15 - | |||||
| 7.1 |
Notice of Stockholder Meetings | - 15 - | ||||
| 7.2 |
Notice by Electronic Transmission | - 15 - | ||||
| 7.3 |
Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address | - 16 - | ||||
| 7.4 |
Notice to Person with Whom Communication is Unlawful | - 16 - | ||||
| 7.5 |
Waiver of Notice | - 16 - | ||||
| ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL MATTERS | - 17 - | |||||
| 8.1 |
Fiscal Year | - 17 - | ||||
| 8.2 |
Seal | - 17 - | ||||
| 8.3 |
Annual Report | - 17 - | ||||
| 8.4 |
Construction; Definitions | - 17 - | ||||
| ARTICLE IX— AMENDMENTS | - 17 - | |||||
- ii -
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I — MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
1.1 Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders of ACV Auctions Inc. (the “Company”) shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Company’s principal executive office.
1.2 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date and time as may be designated by resolution of the Board from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting. The Company shall not be required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders, provided that (i) the stockholders are permitted to act by written consent under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and these bylaws, (ii) the stockholders take action by written consent to elect directors and (iii) the stockholders unanimously consent to such action or, if such consent is less than unanimous, all of the directorships to which directors could be elected at an annual meeting held at the effective time of such action are vacant and are filled by such action.
1.3 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board, Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President (in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer) or by one or more stockholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at that meeting.
If any person(s) other than the Board calls a special meeting, the request shall:
(i) be in writing;
(ii) specify the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted; and
(iii) be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by facsimile transmission to the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President (in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer) or the Secretary of the Company.
The officer(s) receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, in accordance with these bylaws, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting. No business may be transacted at such special meeting other than the business specified in such notice to stockholders. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 1.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board may be held.
1.4 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
1.5 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, at each meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, until a quorum is present or represented.
1.6 Adjourned Meeting; Notice. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Company may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 1.10 of these bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
1.7 Conduct of Business. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by the President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board, or in the absence of such designation by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business.
- 2 -
1.8 Voting. The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.10 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot and, unless otherwise required by law, need not be conducted by inspectors of election unless so determined by the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person or by proxy at such meeting. If authorized by the Board, such requirement of a written ballot shall be satisfied by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 7.2 of these bylaws), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder.
Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
1.9 Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required by the DGCL to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
An electronic transmission (as defined in Section 7.2) consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxy holder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxy holder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for purposes of this section, provided that any such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Company can determine (i) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxy holder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxy holder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxy holder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission.
In the event that the Board shall have instructed the officers of the Company to solicit the vote or written consent of the stockholders of the Company, an electronic transmission of a stockholder written consent given pursuant to such solicitation may be delivered to the Secretary or the President of the Company or to a person designated by the Secretary or the President. The Secretary or the President of the Company or a designee of the Secretary or the President shall cause any such written consent by electronic transmission to be reproduced in paper form and inserted into the corporate records.
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Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Company as provided in Section 228 of the DGCL. In the event that the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such provision shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such provision concerning any vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.
1.10 Record Date for Stockholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consents. In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.
If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 1.10 at the adjourned meeting.
In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company in accordance with applicable law. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
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In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
1.11 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.
1.12 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Company shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Company shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Company’s principal place of business. In the event that the Company determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Company may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Company. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE II — DIRECTORS
2.1 Powers. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.
2.2 Number of Directors. The Board shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
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2.3 Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors. Except as provided in Section 2.4 of these bylaws, and subject to Sections 1.2 and 1.9 of these bylaws, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
2.4 Resignation and Vacancies. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Company. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws:
(i) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
(ii) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.
If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the Company should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the voting stock at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL as far as applicable.
A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
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2.5 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
2.6 Conduct of Business. Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board, or in the absence of such designation by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
2.7 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
2.8 Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:
(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;
(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;
(iii) sent by facsimile; or
(iv) sent by electronic mail,
directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the Company’s records.
If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Company’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.
2.9 Quorum; Voting. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
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The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.
2.10 Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
2.11 Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
2.12 Removal of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.
ARTICLE III — COMMITTEES
3.1 Committees of Directors. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Company. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Company.
3.2 Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.
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3.3 Meetings and Actions of Committees. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(i) Section 2.5 (Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone);
(ii) Section 2.7 (Regular Meetings);
(iii) Section 2.8 (Special Meetings; Notice);
(iv) Section 2.9 (Quorum; Voting);
(v) Section 2.10 (Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting); and
(vi) Section 7.5 (Waiver of Notice)
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:
(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board or by resolution of the committee;
(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board; and
(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee or subcommittee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
3.4 Subcommittees. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS
4.1 Officers. The officers of the Company shall be a President and a Secretary. The Company may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a Chairperson of the Board, a Vice Chairperson of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
4.2 Appointment of Officers. The Board shall appoint the officers of the Company, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3 of these bylaws.
4.3 Subordinate Officers. The Board may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Company may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.
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4.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Company. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract to which the officer is a party.
4.5 Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the Board or as provided in Section 4.3.
4.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, the President or any other person authorized by the Board or the President is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Company all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of the Company. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
4.7 Authority and Duties of Officers. Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, the officers of the Company shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Company as may be designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.
ARTICLE V — INDEMNIFICATION
5.1 Third Party Actions. The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or an agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, as a director or officer 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 him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
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The Company may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or an agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
5.2 Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Company shall 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 Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and 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 Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
The Company may 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 Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was an employee or agent of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company, any predecessor of the Corporation, or any subsidiary of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorney’s fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
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Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, and 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 Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
5.3 Successful Defense. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 5.1 and 5.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
5.4 Determination of Conduct. Any indemnification under Sections 5.1 and 5.2 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that the indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 5.1 and 5.2. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board or the Executive Committee by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) or if such quorum is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
5.5 Payment of Expenses in Advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Article V.
5.6 Indemnity Not Exclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or granted pursuant to the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or limiting any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, certificate of incorporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another while holding such office.
5.7 Insurance Indemnification. The Company shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, any predecessor of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust 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 the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article V.
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5.8 The Company. For purposes of this Article V, references to “the Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting Company, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under and subject to the provisions of this Article V (including, without limitation the provisions of Section 5.4) with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
5.9 Employee Benefit Plans. For purposes of this Article V, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Article V.
5.10 Continuation of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advanced of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
5.11 Indemnity Fund. Upon resolution passed by the Board, the Company may create a trust fund, grant a security interest and/or use other means (including, without limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or similar arrangements), to ensure the payment of certain of its obligations arising under this Article V and/or agreements which may be entered into between the Company and its officers and/or directors from time to time.
ARTICLE VI — STOCK
6.1 Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares. The shares of the Company shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Company. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Company by the Chairperson of the Board or Vice-Chairperson of the Board, or the President or a Vice-President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Company shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.
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The Company may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Company in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Company shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
6.2 Special Designation on Certificates. If the Company is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Company shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
6.3 Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Company and cancelled at the same time. The Company may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Company may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
6.4 Dividends. The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Company’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Company’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Company available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
6.5 Stock Transfer Agreements. The Company shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Company to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Company of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
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6.6 Registered Stockholders. The Company:
(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner;
(ii) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares; and
(iii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
6.7 Transfers. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Company shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.
ARTICLE VII — MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
7.1 Notice of Stockholder Meetings. Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the Company’s records. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Company that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
7.2 Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Company under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Company. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:
(i) the Company is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Company in accordance with such consent; and
(ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.
However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:
(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
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(ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and
(iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.
An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Company that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Notice by a form of electronic transmission shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.
7.3 Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Company under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Company. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Company, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Company of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
7.4 Notice to Person with Whom Communication is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Company is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
7.5 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
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ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.
8.2 Seal. The Company may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board. The Company may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
8.3 Annual Report. The Company shall cause an annual report to be sent to the stockholders of the Company to the extent required by applicable law. If and so long as there are fewer than 100 holders of record of the Company’s shares, the requirement of sending an annual report to the stockholders of the Company is expressly waived (to the extent permitted under applicable law).
8.4 Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.
ARTICLE IX — AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. However, the Company may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
A bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the Board.
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