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8-K

Bubblr Inc. (BBLR)

8-K 2023-04-12 For: 2023-04-06
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Added on April 11, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 6, 2023

Bubblr, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wyoming 333-260902 86-2355916
(State or other jurisdiction of<br><br> <br>incorporation or organization) (Commission<br><br> <br>File Number) (I.R.S. Employer<br><br> <br>Identification Number)
21 West 46th Street<br><br> <br>New York, New York 10036
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (647) 646 2263
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

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

Emerging growth company [ ]

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

SECTION 5 – Corporate Governance and Management


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

On April 6, 2023, we appointed Professor Paul Morrissey as a member of our Board of Directors.

Mr. Morrissey is a Globally renowned figure in the world of Telecommunications and Media. He is a serial technology entrepreneur and a visiting Professor at some of the leading Universities in Europe, including Liverpool John Moores University, where he is the ‘Entrepreneur in Residence.’ The Professor is also the Global Ambassador for AI, Big Data Analytics, and Customer Experience at TM Forum, the Global Standards body for Telecommunications. He also sits as an active advisory board member at the industry-agnostic entity AI Forum and has recently been appointed to the inaugural Board of the World Broad-Band Association (WBBA). In 2022 he was appointed to the Advisory Board of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) at the UK House of Lords, overseeing policy directives for the safe use of Web3.0 and the Metaverse. He also sits on the advisory board of EXFO, the Canadian Fibre Monitoring company.

Mr. Morrissey has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

On April 6, 2023, our board of directors approved a Non-Executive Board Agreement and Stock Option Grant in favor of Mr. Morrissey. The description of the agreement and grant provided below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete terms of the agreement and grant, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and incorporated by reference herein. Aside from the agreement and stock grant, there are no material direct or indirect interests in transactions with us over the last two years.

The agreement with Mr. Morrissey provides that we will compensate him with a yearly fee of $300,000, paid on a monthly basis, but reduced to $120,000 until securing $5m in capital. We also agreed to grant Mr. Morrissey an option to purchase 1,920,000 shares of common stock, at $0.155 per share, with 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% vesting monthly over the following two years. He is also entitled to six-month severance if terminated for good cause or if he resigns for good reason in a constructive termination. Mr. Morrissey agreed to a two-year non-solicit restrictive covenant.

SECTION 9 – Financial Statements andExhibits


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits


Exhibit No. Description
10.1 Non-Executive Board Agreement dated April 6, 2023, with Paul Morrissey
10.2 Stock Option Grant dated April 6, 2023, with Paul Morrissey
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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.

Dated: April 12, 2023 Bubblr, Inc.
By: /s/ Timothy Burks
Name:<br><br> <br>Title: Timothy Burks<br><br> Chief Executive Officer
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NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD AGREEMENT


THIS NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of April 6, 2023 (the "Effective Date") by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the "Company"), and Professor Paul Morrissey (the "Director").

RECITALS


**A.**Company desires to obtain the services of Director to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors (the “BoD”), and the Director desires to serve on Bod, upon the following terms and conditions.

**B.**Company has spent significant time, effort, and money to develop certain Proprietary Information (as defined below), which the Company considers vital to its business and goodwill.

**C.**The Proprietary Information may necessarily be communicated to or received by Director in the course of serving on BoD for the Company, and Company desires to obtain the Services of Director only if, in doing so, it can protect its Proprietary Information and goodwill.

**D.**Company does not, however, desire to receive from Director, or for Director to either induce the use of or use in connection with the performance of the Services, any information which is confidential to or ownership of which resides in a third party, whether acquired either prior to or subsequent to Director's retention hereunder.

AGREEMENT


NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Board of Directors Member. The company hereby retains Director to serve on its BoD. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be the period commencing on the Effective Date and terminating upon six (6) months prior written notice delivered by either party to the other for any reason.

Upon any termination of the Services as provided in the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall terminate except that the provisions set forth in Sections 2.b, 4, and 5 of this Agreement shall survive such termination.

2. Position, Duties, Responsibilities.

a. Duties. Director shall perform those services (“Services”) as reasonably requested by

the Company from time to time it is envisioned that this will be approximately ten days per month. The Director shall devote Director's commercially reasonable efforts and attention to the performance of the Services for the Company on a timely basis. Director shall also make himself available to answer questions, provide advice and provide Services to the Company upon reasonable request and notice from the Company.

a.  IndependentContractor; No Conflict. It is understood and agreed, and it is the intention of the parties hereto, that the Director is an independent contractor and not the employee, agent, joint ventures, or partner of Company for any purposes whatsoever. Director is skilled in providing the Services. To the extent necessary, Director shall be solely responsible for any and all taxes related to the receipt of any payment under this Agreement. Director hereby represents, warrants, and covenants that Director has the right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and that neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement, nor the performance of the Services by Director will conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which Director is now or hereinafter becomes obligated.

3. Payments, Benefits, Expenses.

a. Payments. The Company will pay Director for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of $300,000 (£250,000) per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments, but currently reduced by 60% to $120,000 (£100,000) per annum until the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing with the 60% being accrued and deferred until that time.

b. Bonus. The Company may also pay to the Director any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the

Director’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board at its sole discretion.

c. Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of the issuance of the equity to Director, are the sole responsibility of Director. Director understands their own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on the matter.

(a) The Director will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (Appendix A), as per the Stock Option Grant detail (Appendix B.)

d. Health and Other Medical. Director shall be eligible to participate in all Company health, medical, dental, and life insurance plan benefits, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, the Company will provide Director with reimbursement of the Director’s health and other medical plan insurance premiums with the submission of a proof of payment.

e. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time, reimburse Director for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company, provided that Director submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.

4. Termination.

a. General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 4, at such time as Director’s Agreement is terminated by the Director or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Director, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Director pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Director’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 4 shall be made to Director, or in the event of Director’s death, to such beneficiary as Director may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Director has not so designated, then to the spouse of Director, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Director.

b. Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 4.c, (b) the Director’s termination pursuant to section 4.d, or (c) the Director’s death.

c. By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Director upon the first to occur of the following:

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c. By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Director upon the first to occur of the following:

(1)       Disability. Upon the Director’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Director will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.

(2)      Cause. Upon the Director’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:

(i) Any violation by Director of any material provision of this Agreement.
(ii) Embezzlement by Director of funds or property of the Company;
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(iii)      a felonious act,

(3)      By the Director. This Agreement may be terminated by the Director upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:

(a)      Change in Control. The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Director on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).

(b)      Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Director of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Director, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 4.

(c)      Voluntary Termination. Director’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 4.c.(3) (a) and (b) above.

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(c)      Voluntary Termination. Director’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 4.c.(3) (a) and (b) above.

  1. Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Director’s agreement with Company, except for termination by Company for any reason within three months of the effective date, or for Cause as provided in Section 4. c(2) hereof or for termination by the Director pursuant to Section 4. c(3)(c) hereof, the Director shall be entitled to (a) payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base as defined in Section 3(a) (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in 3(d) for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal monthly payments are made. Director expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Director hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Director may have related to or arising out of Director’s termination. Directors right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Director not violating any of his ongoing obligations under this Agreement.

(5) Representations. Director represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.

4. Proprietary Information; Work Product; Non-Disclosure.

a. Defined. Company has conceived, developed and owns, and continues to conceive and develop, certain property rights and information, including but not limited to its business plans and objectives, client and customer information, financial projections, marketing plans, marketing materials, logos, and designs, and technical data, inventions, processes, know-how, algorithms, formulae, franchises, databases, computer programs, computer software, user interfaces, source codes, object codes, architectures and structures, display screens, layouts, development tools and instructions, templates, and other trade secrets, intangible assets and industrial or proprietary property rights which may or may not be related directly or indirectly to Company's business and all documentation, media or other tangible embodiment of or relating to any of the foregoing and all proprietary rights therein of Company (all of which are hereinafter referred to as the "Proprietary Information"). Although certain information may be generally known in the relevant industry, the fact that Company uses it may not be so known. In such instance, the knowledge that Company uses the information would comprise Proprietary Information. Furthermore, the fact that various fragments of information or data may be generally known in the relevant industry does not mean that the manner in which Company combines them, and the results obtained thereby, are known. In such instance, that would also comprise Proprietary Information.

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a. General Restrictions on Use. Director agrees to hold all Proprietary Information in confidence and not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, copy, publish, summarize, or remove from Company's premises any Proprietary Information (or remove from the premises any other property of Company), except (i) during the consulting relationship to the extent authorized and necessary to carry out Director's responsibilities under this Agreement, and (ii) after termination of the consulting relationship, only as specifically authorized in writing by Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such restrictions shall not apply to: (x) information which Director can show was rightfully in Director's possession at the time of disclosure by Company; (y) information which Director can show was received from a third party who lawfully developed the information independently of Company or obtained such information from Company under conditions which did not require that it be held in confidence; or (z) information which, at the time of disclosure, is generally available to the public.

b. Ownership of Work Product. All Work Product shall be considered work(s) made by Director for hire for Company and shall belong exclusively to Company and its designees. If by operation of law, any of the Work Product, including all related intellectual property rights, is not owned in its entirety by Company automatically upon creation thereof, then Director agrees to assign, and hereby assigns, to Company and its designees the ownership of such Work Product, including all related intellectual property rights. "Work Product" shall mean any writings (including excel, power point, emails, etc.), programming, documentation, data compilations, reports, and any other media, materials, or other objects produced as a result of Director's work or delivered by Director in the course of performing that work.

c.  Incidents and Further Assurances. Company may obtain and hold in its own name copyrights, registrations, and other protection. Use of these copyrights, registrations, and other protection are prohibited from use, by the Director.

d. Return of Proprietary Information. Upon termination of this Agreement, Director shall upon request by the Company promptly deliver to Company at Company’s sole cost and expense, all drawings, blueprints, manuals, specification documents, documentation, source or object codes, tape discs and any other storage media, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, flowcharts, and all other materials in its possession or under its control relating to the Proprietary Information and/or Services, as well as all other property belonging to Company which is then in Director's possession or under its control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Director shall retain ownership of all works owned by Director prior to commencing work for Company hereunder, subject to Company's nonexclusive, perpetual, paid up right and license to use such works in connection with its use of the Services and any Work Product.

e. Remedies/Additional ConfidentialityAgreements. Nothing in this Section 4 is intended to limit any remedy of Company under applicable state or federal law. At the request of Company, Director shall also execute Company's standard "Confidentiality Agreement" or similarly named agreement as such agreement is currently applied to and entered into by Company's most recent employees.

5. Miscellaneous.

a. Notices. All notices required under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given or made for all purposes upon receipt of such written notice or communication. Notices to each party shall be sent to the address set forth below the party's signature on the signature page of this Agreement. Either party hereto may change the address to which such communications are to be directed by giving written notice to the other party hereto of such change in the manner provided above.

b.  EntireAgreement. This Agreement and any documents attached hereto as Exhibits constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and therein and supersede and replace any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect to such matters. The provisions of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended, or replaced in whole or in part only upon the written consent of both parties to this Agreement.

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a. Severability, Enforcement. If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or inoperative, the validity and effect of the other provisions herein shall not be affected thereby, provided that no such severability shall be effective if it causes a material detriment to any party.

b. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, enforceability, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. The venue for any and all disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be the State of Wyoming.

c. Injunctive Relief. The parties agree that in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the covenants in Section 4, the damage or imminent damage to the value and the goodwill of Company's business will be irreparable and extremely difficult to estimate, making any remedy at law or in damages inadequate. Accordingly, the parties agree that Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief against Director in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any such provisions by Director, in addition to any other relief (including damages) available to Company under this Agreement or under applicable state or federal law. In the event that the Director accidentally breaches any of the covenants in Section 4, the damage sought shall be limited to the value of the compensation received by the Director from the Company

d.Publicity. The Company shall, with prior written approval by Director, have the right to use the name, biography, and picture of Director on the Company’s website, marketing, and advertising materials.

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INWITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

Bubblr, Inc Board<br>of Directors Member
Signature: /s/ Timothy Burks Signature: /s/ Paul Morrissey
Name: Timothy Burks Name: Paul Morrissey
Title: CEO
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BUBBLR, INC.

2022 INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCKOPTION GRANT NOTICE

Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.

Participant: Paul Morrissey
Hire Date: April 6, 2023
Grant Date: April 6, 2023
Vesting Commencement Date: 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years
Number of Shares Subject to Option: 1,920,000
Exercise Price (per Unit): $0.16
Options Expiration Date: Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option<br> Agreement)
Type of Option: Incentive Stock Option* <br> þ Nonqualified Stock Option

Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.

BUBBLR, INC. PARTICIPANT
By: /s/ Timothy Burks /s/ Paul Morrissey
Name: Timothy Burks Signature
Its: CEO Paul Morrissey
Date:<br>April 6, 2023

* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement

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BUBBLR, INC.

2022INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of the Option are as follows:

1.                  Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.

2.                  Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

3.                  Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.

If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.

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4.                  Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.

5.                  Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.

6.                  Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.

7.                  Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:

(a)                General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;

(b)               Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;

(c)                Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and

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(d)               Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).

The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.

It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.


8.                  Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.

9.                  Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.

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10.              Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.

11.              No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.

12.              Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

13.              Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.

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