GLAUKOS Corp 8-K, filed Nov 20, 2020
GLAUKOS Corp (GKOS)
About this 8-K
GLAUKOS Corp filed this 8-K on November 20, 2020, reporting on events of November 17, 2020.
Items reported
- 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
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
| |||
(State or other jurisdiction | | (Commission | | (I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) | | File Number) | | Identification No.) |
| ||
| | |
| ||
| ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Not Applicable
(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:
Title of each class: |
| Trading Symbol |
| Name of each exchange on which registered: |
| |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On November 17, 2020, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Glaukos Corporation (the “Company”) approved amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). In addition to purely ministerial or minor conforming changes, these amendments principally provide for the following:
| ● | Updates to the advance notice provisions in Section 2.4 of the Bylaws to require each nominee for director to complete a written questionnaire with respect to the nominee’s background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence and to provide certain other representations and agreements to the Company regarding compliance with the Company’s corporate governance and other policies applicable to directors of the Company, voting commitments or compensatory arrangements with another party that have not been disclosed to the Company and the nominee’s current intent to serve as a director for the full term for which the nominee is standing for election. The changes to Section 2.4 of the Bylaws also clarify that the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a stockholders’ meeting cannot exceed the number of directors to be elected. |
| ● | Clarification in Section 2.8 of the Bylaws of the authority of the chairperson to conduct a stockholders’ meeting, including authority to adjourn a meeting, and the Board’s authority to postpone, reschedule or cancel a previously scheduled stockholders’ meeting. |
| ● | Updates to various provisions of the Bylaws, including Sections 2.5, 7.1 and 7.2, to permit electronic notices in accordance with recent amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
| ● | Revisions to Sections 2.12 and 3.9 of the Bylaws to clarify the expanded flexibility for electronic delivery of proxies and written consents in accordance with recent amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law, and the addition of a new Section 9.5 to clarify and permit the use of electronic signatures for consents, agreements, certificates or other instruments executed on behalf of the Company. |
| ● | Addition of a new Section 9.4 providing for the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless the Company consents in writing to the election of an alternative forum. The new Section 9.4 also incorporates into the Bylaws the existing state exclusive forum provision from Article X of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, which provides for the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for certain disputes between the Company and its stockholders, including derivative actions, claims involving a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, officer, employee or its stockholders, actions asserting claims under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws and actions governed by the internal affairs doctrine. |
| ● | Revisions to Article V to clarify the Company’s required officer positions. |
| ● | Revisions to Section 6.1 to permit any two authorized officers (rather than specified combinations of officers) to sign stock certificates on behalf of the Corporation. |
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
| Description |
3.1 |
| |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 20, 2020 | GLAUKOS CORPORATION | ||
| | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph E. Gilliam | |
|
| Name: | Joseph E. Gilliam |
|
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Development |
3
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
GLAUKOS CORPORATION
(amended and restated as of November 17, 2020)
TABLE OF CONTENTS | | |
| | |
| Page | |
| | |
ARTICLE I — CORPORATE OFFICES | 1 | |
1.1 | REGISTERED OFFICE | 1 |
1.2 | OTHER OFFICES | 1 |
ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | 1 | |
2.1 | PLACE OF MEETINGS | 1 |
2.2 | ANNUAL MEETING | 1 |
2.3 | SPECIAL MEETING | 1 |
2.4 | ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES | 1 |
2.5 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 6 |
2.6 | QUORUM | 7 |
2.7 | ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE | 7 |
2.8 | CONDUCT OF BUSINESS | 7 |
2.9 | VOTING | 8 |
2.10 | STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 9 |
2.11 | RECORD DATES | 9 |
2.12 | PROXIES | 10 |
2.13 | LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE | 10 |
2.14 | INSPECTORS OF ELECTION | 10 |
ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS | 11 | |
3.1 | POWERS | 11 |
3.2 | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 11 |
3.3 | ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS | 11 |
3.4 | RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES | 11 |
3.5 | PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE | 12 |
3.6 | REGULAR MEETINGS | 12 |
3.7 | SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE | 12 |
3.8 | QUORUM; VOTING | 13 |
3.9 | BOARD OR COMMITTEE ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 13 |
3.10 | FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS | 14 |
ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES | 14 | |
4.1 | COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS | 14 |
4.2 | COMMITTEE MINUTES | 14 |
4.3 | MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES | 14 |
4.4 | SUBCOMMITTEES | 15 |
ARTICLE V — OFFICERS | 15 | |
5.1 | OFFICERS | 15 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
(continued) | ||
| | Page |
| | |
5.2 | APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS | 15 |
5.3 | SUBORDINATE OFFICERS | 16 |
5.4 | REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS | 16 |
5.5 | VACANCIES IN OFFICES | 16 |
5.6 | REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS | 16 |
5.7 | AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS | 16 |
5.8 | THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD | 17 |
5.9 | THE VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD | 17 |
5.10 | THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 17 |
5.11 | THE PRESIDENT | 17 |
5.12 | THE VICE PRESIDENTS AND ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS | 17 |
5.13 | THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES | 17 |
5.14 | THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS | 18 |
ARTICLE VI — STOCK | 18 | |
6.1 | STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES | 18 |
6.2 | SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES | 19 |
6.3 | LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES | 19 |
6.4 | DIVIDENDS | 20 |
6.5 | TRANSFER OF STOCK | 20 |
6.6 | STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS | 20 |
6.7 | REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS | 20 |
ARTICLE VII — MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER | 21 | |
7.1 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 21 |
7.2 | NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS | 21 |
7.3 | NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL | 21 |
7.4 | WAIVER OF NOTICE | 22 |
ARTICLE VIII — INDEMNIFICATION | 22 | |
8.1 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS | 22 |
8.2 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION | 23 |
8.3 | SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE | 23 |
8.4 | INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS | 23 |
8.5 | ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES | 23 |
8.6 | LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION | 24 |
8.7 | DETERMINATION; CLAIM | 24 |
8.8 | NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS | 25 |
8.9 | INSURANCE | 25 |
8.10 | SURVIVAL | 25 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
(continued) | ||
| | Page |
| | |
8.11 | EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION | 25 |
8.12 | CERTAIN DEFINITIONS | 25 |
ARTICLE IX — GENERAL MATTERS | 26 | |
9.1 | EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS | 26 |
9.2 | FISCAL YEAR | 26 |
9.3 | SEAL | 26 |
9.4 | FORUM SELECTION | 26 |
9.5 | ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, ETC. | 27 |
9.6 | CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS | 27 |
ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS | 27 | |
-iii-
ARTICLE I — CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 | REGISTERED OFFICE |
The registered office of Glaukos Corporation (the “Corporation”) shall be fixed in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation. References in these Bylaws to the “Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time, including the terms of any certificate of designations of any series of Preferred Stock.
1.2 | OTHER OFFICES |
The Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the Corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 | PLACE OF MEETINGS |
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors 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 General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.
2.2 | ANNUAL MEETING |
The annual meeting of stockholders (any such meeting being referred to in these Bylaws as an “Annual Meeting”) shall be held on such date, at such time, and at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting. At an Annual Meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3 | SPECIAL MEETING |
A special meeting of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, may be called only as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
2.4 | ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES |
(i)Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an Annual Meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an Annual Meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) by a stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a
stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such Annual Meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these Bylaws and applicable law. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8, or any successor provision, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “1934 Act”) and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, for the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business before an Annual Meeting.
(a)To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.4(i) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be timely received by the secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the 45th day nor earlier than the 75th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no Annual Meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of an Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such Annual Meeting, or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such Annual Meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an Annual Meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
(b)To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before an Annual Meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before such Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at such Annual Meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with
- 2 -
respect to any securities of the Corporation, (5) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (6), a “Business Solicitation Statement”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented not later than ten days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) and (4) above as of the record date for notice of the meeting. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
(c)Without exception, no business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before an Annual Meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of an Annual Meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at such Annual Meeting that business was not properly brought before such Annual Meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4(i), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at such Annual Meeting that any such business not properly brought before such Annual Meeting shall not be conducted.
(ii)Advance Notice of Director Nominations at an Annual Meeting. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an Annual Meeting. Nominations of persons for election or re-election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be made at an Annual Meeting only (A) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (B) by a stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such Annual Meeting and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at any annual meeting shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the Corporation.
(a)To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the
- 3 -
Corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the final three sentences of Section 2.4(i)(a) above.
(b)To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:
(1)as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the Corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as a director of the Corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the Corporation and its stockholders, (G) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.4(i)(d) below, and (H) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election or re- election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected or re-elected, as the case may be); and
(2)As to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (5) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect or re-elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).
(c)At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election or re-election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the Corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given and (2) such other information (i) as may reasonably be
- 4 -
required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director or audit committee financial expert of the Corporation under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any publicly-disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation and (ii) that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).
(d)To be eligible to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the Corporation, the candidate for nomination must deliver to the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) a completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the Corporation upon written request) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee, and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporation upon written request) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not and, if elected as a director during his or her term in office, will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given and will not give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in such representation and agreement or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with such proposed nominee’s nomination or service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in such representation and agreement, (C) would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with the Corporation’s code of business conduct and ethics, corporate governance guidelines, stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, and any other policies or guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors and in effect during such proposed nominee’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by or on behalf of any candidate for nomination, the secretary of the Corporation will provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect), and (D) currently intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election.
(e)Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the Corporation at an Annual Meeting unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of an Annual Meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at such Annual Meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these Bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at such Annual Meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
- 5 -
(iii)Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings.
(a)For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected or re-elected, nominations of persons for election or re-election to the Board of Directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(iii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the Corporation that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.4(ii)(b), (ii)(c) and (ii)(d) above. To be timely, such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected or re-elected at such meeting. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at any special meeting shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(iii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(b)The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.
(iv)Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any rights of:
(a)a stockholder to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a¬8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act; or
(b)the Corporation to omit a proposal from the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a¬8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.
2.5 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a 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
- 6 -
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 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.
2.6 | QUORUM |
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. 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 a 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 power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
2.7 | ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE |
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws otherwise require, 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 Corporation 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 of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 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.
2.8 | CONDUCT OF BUSINESS |
The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairperson of any meeting of stockholders
- 7 -
shall have the right and authority to postpone, convene and (for any reason or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, and to determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business. Such procedure or regulation with respect to the meeting, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting, (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present (including, without limitation, rules and procedures for removal of disruptive persons from the meeting), (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other person as the chairperson of the meeting shall, in his or her discretion, determine, (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The chairperson at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting (including, without limitation, determinations with respect to the administration and/or interpretation of any procedure or regulation with respect to the meeting, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson), shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if chairperson should so determine, such chairperson shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the Board of Directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the board, if any, the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson) or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the board and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the Corporation, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting.
2.9 | VOTING |
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 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 or these Bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder.
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
- 8 -
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.
2.10 | STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING |
Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series of Preferred Stock or any other class of stock or series thereof that have been expressly granted the right to take action by written consent, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
2.11 | RECORD DATES |
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors 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 of Directors 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 of Directors, 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 of Directors 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 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 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 of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
- 9 -
2.12 | PROXIES |
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders 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. The authorization of a person to act as proxy may be documented, signed and delivered in accordance with Section 116 of the DGCL, provided that such authorization shall set forth, or be delivered with information enabling the Corporation to determine, the identity of the stockholder granting such authorization.
2.13 | LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE |
The Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; 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. The stockholder list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation 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 10 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 Corporation’s principal place of business. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. 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. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
2.14 | INSPECTORS OF ELECTION |
Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the
- 10 -
best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed and designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each share, (ii) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspector or inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots.
In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspector or inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law to be so considered. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all.
ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS
3.1 | POWERS |
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2 | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS |
The Board of Directors 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 solely by resolution of the Board of Directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3 | ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS |
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. 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.
3.4 | RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES |
Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, 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 director. 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.
- 11 -
Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 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 of Directors, 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, 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 shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. If the directors are divided into classes, a person so elected by the directors then in office to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
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 of Directors (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.
3.5 | PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE |
The Board of Directors 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 of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, 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.
3.6 | REGULAR MEETINGS |
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
3.7 | SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE |
Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president,
- 12 -
the secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors, at such times and places as he or she or they shall designate.
Notice of each special meeting shall state the date, time and, except as provided below, place, if any, of the meeting, and shall be delivered to each director at least 24 hours before the time at which such meeting is to be held or, if mailed by United States first-class mail, at least four days before the day on which such meeting is to be held. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to any director may be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director at such director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, or may be given by telephone or by any means of electronic transmission (including, without limitation, electronic mail) directed to an address for receipt by such director of electronic transmissions appearing on the records of the Corporation. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office nor the purpose of the meeting.
3.8 | QUORUM; VOTING |
At all meetings of the Board of Directors, 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 of Directors, 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.
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 of Directors, 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 the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.
3.9 | BOARD OR COMMITTEE 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 of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Any such consent may be documented, signed and delivered in any manner permitted by Section 116 of the DGCL. After any such action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.
- 13 -
3.10 | FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES
4.1 | COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS |
The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members 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 of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; 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 Corporation.
4.2 | COMMITTEE MINUTES |
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
4.3 | MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES |
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(i)Section 3.5 (place of meetings; meetings by telephone);
(ii)Section 3.6 (regular meetings);
(iii)Section 3.7 (special meetings; notice);
(iv)Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);
(v)Section 3.9 (board or committee action by written consent without a meeting); and
(vi)Section 7.5 (waiver of notice)
- 14 -
with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members. However:
(i)the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined by resolution of the committee;
(ii)special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the committee; 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 of Directors 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.
4.4 | SUBCOMMITTEES |
Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the resolutions of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
ARTICLE V — OFFICERS
5.1 | OFFICERS |
The officers of the Corporation shall be a president, a secretary and a chief financial officer. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairperson of the Board of Directors, a vice chairperson of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, a treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, 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.
5.2 | APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS |
The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in this Section 5 for the regular election to such office.
- 15 -
5.3 | SUBORDINATE OFFICERS |
The Board of Directors 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 Corporation 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 of Directors may from time to time determine.
5.4 | REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS |
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.
Any officer may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, 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 officer. 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 Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5 | VACANCIES IN OFFICES |
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 5.3.
5.6 | REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS |
The chairperson of the Board of Directors, the president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other Corporation or corporations standing in the name of this Corporation. 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.
5.7 | AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS |
All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
- 16 -
5.8 | THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD |
The chairperson of the board, if any, shall have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of the chairperson of the board. The chairperson of the board shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors.
5.9 | THE VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD |
The vice chairperson of the board shall have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of the vice chairperson of the board. In the case of absence or disability of the chairperson of the board, the vice chairperson of the board shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairperson of the board.
5.10 | THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
The chief executive officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, ultimate authority for decisions relating to the supervision, direction and management of the affairs and the business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of chief executive officer, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation. If at any time the office of the chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall not be filled, or in the event of the temporary absence or disability of the chairperson of the board and the vice chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairperson of the board unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
5.11 | THE PRESIDENT |
The president shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of president. The president shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the board or the chief executive officer. In the event of the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, the president shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chief executive officer unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
5.12 | THE VICE PRESIDENTS AND ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS |
Each vice president and assistant vice president shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer or the president.
5.13 | THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES |
(i)The secretary shall attend meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and minutes of all such proceedings in a book or books kept for such purpose. The secretary shall have all such further powers and duties as are
- 17 -
customarily and usually associated with the position of secretary or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer or the president.
(ii)Each assistant secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the secretary, the assistant secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary.
5.14 | THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS |
(i)The chief financial officer shall be the principal financial officer of the Corporation and, if a treasurer is not appointed, shall also be the treasurer of the Corporation. The chief financial officer shall have custody of the Corporation’s funds and securities, shall be responsible for maintaining the Corporation’s accounting records and statements, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited moneys or other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The chief financial officer shall also maintain adequate records of all assets, liabilities and transactions of the Corporation and shall assure that adequate audits thereof are currently and regularly made. The chief financial officer shall have all such further powers and duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of chief financial officer or treasurer, or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson, the chief executive officer or the president.
(ii)The treasurer and any assistant treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president or the chief financial officer. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the treasurer, the assistant treasurer (or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer.
ARTICLE VI — STOCK
6.1 | STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES |
The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of 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 Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation 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
- 18 -
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 Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.
The Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, 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 Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation 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 Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. 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, STOLEN OR DESTROYED 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 Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation 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 Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged
- 19 -
loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
6.4 | DIVIDENDS |
The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.
6.5 | TRANSFER OF STOCK |
Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation 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; provided, however, that such succession, assignment or authority to transfer is not prohibited by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, applicable law or contract.
6.6 | STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS |
The Corporation 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 Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
6.7 | REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS |
The Corporation:
(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.
- 20 -
ARTICLE VII — MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
7.1 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
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 Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Notice shall be given (i) if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, (ii) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at the stockholder’s address, or (iii) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address (unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by the DGCL to be given by electronic transmission). A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation. A notice by electronic mail will include any files attached thereto and any information hyperlinked to a website if such electronic mail includes the contact information of an officer or agent of the Corporation who is available to assist with accessing such files or information. Any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws provided by means of electronic transmission (other than any such notice given by electronic mail) may only be given in a form consented to by such stockholder, and any such notice by such means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to be given as provided by the DGCL.
An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
The terms “electronic mail,” “electronic mail address,” “electronic signature” and “electronic transmission” as used herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the DGCL.
7.2 | 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 Corporation 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 Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
7.3 | 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
- 21 -
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 Corporation 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.
7.4 | WAIVER OF NOTICE |
Whenever notice is required to be given to stockholders, directors or other persons 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 or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, 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.
ARTICLE VIII — INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, 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 (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Corporation or an officer of the Corporation, or while a director of the Corporation or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any 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 such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
- 22 -
8.2 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION |
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or while a director or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
8.3 | SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE |
To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
8.4 | INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS |
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and its agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified to such person or persons as the Board of Directors determines.
8.5 | ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES |
Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Corporation in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems reasonably appropriate and shall be subject to the Corporation’s expense guidelines. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any claim for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these Bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 8.6(ii) or 8.6(iii) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.
- 23 -
8.6 | LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION |
Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):
(i)for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;
(ii)for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iii)for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iv)initiated by such person against the Corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (a) the Board of Directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the Corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or
(v)if prohibited by applicable law; provided, however, that if any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforcebable.
8.7 | DETERMINATION; CLAIM |
If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Corporation shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are incurred by such person in
- 24 -
connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Corporation under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.
8.8 | NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS |
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
8.9 | INSURANCE |
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
8.10 | SURVIVAL |
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall 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.
8.11 | EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION |
Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.
8.12 | CERTAIN DEFINITIONS |
For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a director,
- 25 -
officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, 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 (excluding any “parachute payments” within the meanings of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended); and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX — GENERAL MATTERS
9.1 | EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS |
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
9.2 | FISCAL YEAR |
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors.
9.3 | SEAL |
The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
9.4 | FORUM SELECTION |
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (B) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (C) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (D) any action or proceeding asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (ii) the federal district courts of the United
- 26 -
States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding an interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9.4.
9.5 | ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, ETC. |
Any document, including, without limitation, any consent, agreement, certificate or instrument, required by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed by any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All other contracts, agreements, certificates or instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
9.6 | 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 an entity and a natural person.
ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed only as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
- 27 -