BYLAWS
OF
NVIDIA
CORPORATION
(A
DELAWARE CORPORATION)
(Amended
and Restated as of March 9, 2006)
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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ARTICLE
I
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Offices
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1
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Section
1.
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Registered
Office
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1
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Section
2.
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Other
Offices
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1
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ARTICLE
II
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Corporate
Seal
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1
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Section
3.
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Corporate
Seal
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1
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ARTICLE
III
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Stockholders’
Meetings
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1
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Section
4.
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Place
of Meetings
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1
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Section
5.
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Annual
Meetings
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1
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Section
6.
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Special
Meetings
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3
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Section
7.
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Notice
of Meetings
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3
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Section
8.
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Quorum
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4
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Section
9.
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Adjournment
and Notice of Adjourned Meetings
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4
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Section
10.
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Voting
Rights
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4
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Section
11.
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Joint
Owners of Stock
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4
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Section
12.
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List
of Stockholders
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5
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Section
13.
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Action
Without Meeting
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5
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Section
14.
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Organization
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5
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ARTICLE
IV
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Directors
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Section
15.
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Number
and Term of Office
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5
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Section
16.
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Nomination
of Director Candidates
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6
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Section
17.
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Powers
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6
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Section
18.
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Classes
of Directors
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6
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Section
19.
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Vacancies
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6
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Section
20.
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Resignation
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6
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Section
21.
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Removal
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7
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Section
22.
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Meetings
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7
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Section
23.
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Quorum
and Voting
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7
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Section
24.
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Action
without Meeting
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8
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Section
25.
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Fees
and Compensation
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8
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Section
26.
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Committees
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8
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Section
27.
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Organization
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9
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ARTICLE
V
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Officers
|
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Section
28.
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Officers
Designated
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9
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Section
29.
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Tenure
and Duties of Officers
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9
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Section
30.
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Delegation
of Authority
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10
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Section
31.
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Resignations
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10
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Section
32.
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Removal
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11
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ARTICLE
VI
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Execution
Of Corporate Instruments And Voting Of Securities Owned By The
Corporation
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Section
33.
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Execution
of Corporate Instruments
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11
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Section
34.
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Voting
of Securities Owned by the Corporation
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11
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ARTICLE
VII
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Shares
Of Stock
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Section
35.
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Form
and Execution of Certificates
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11
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Section
36.
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Lost
Certificates
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12
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Section
37.
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Transfers
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12
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Section
38.
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Fixing
Record Dates
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12
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Section
39.
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Registered
Stockholders
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13
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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(CONTINUED)
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PAGE
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ARTICLE
VIII
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Other
Securities Of The Corporation
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Section
40.
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Execution
of Other Securities
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13
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ARTICLE
IX
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CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS
|
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Section
41.
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Transactions
with Interested Parties
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13
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Section
42.
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Quorum
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14
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ARTICLE
X
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Dividends
|
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Section
43.
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Declaration
of Dividends
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14
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Section
44.
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Dividend
Reserve
|
14
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ARTICLE
XI
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Fiscal
Year
|
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Section
45.
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Fiscal
Year
|
14
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ARTICLE
XII
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Indemnification
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Section
46.
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Indemnification
of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and
Other
Agents
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14
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ARTICLE
XIII
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Notices
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Section
47.
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Notices
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17
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ARTICLE
XIV
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Amendments
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Section
48.
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Amendments
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18
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BYLAWS
OF
NVIDIA
CORPORATION
(A
DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE
I
OFFICES
Section
1. Registered
Office.
The
registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in
the
City of Dover, County of Kent.
Section
2. Other
Offices.
The
corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of
business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may
also
have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of
Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the
business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE
II
CORPORATE
SEAL
Section
3. Corporate
Seal.
The
Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist
of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate
Seal-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE
III
STOCKHOLDERS’
MEETINGS
Section
4. Place
of Meetings.
Meetings
of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either
within
or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time
by the
Board of Directors, or, if not so designated, then at the principal executive
offices of the corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section
2 of
these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine
that
the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely
by
means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the “DGCL”).
Section
5. Annual
Meetings.
(a) The
annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of
election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before
it, shall be held on
such
date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board
of
Directors.
(b) At
an
annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted
as
shall have been properly brought before the annual meeting. For nominations
or
other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder,
(i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the
Secretary of the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter
for stockholder action under the DGCL, (iii) if the stockholder, or the
beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made,
has
provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in
Section 5(c)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a
proposal, have delivered 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 any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination
or
nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders
of a
percentage of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such
stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or
nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either
case,
have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no
Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to
this
section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or
nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have
required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 5.
To be timely, a stockholder’s written notice shall be delivered to the Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the
close
of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th)
day
prior to the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials
for
the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders or any longer period provided
for by applicable law; provided,
however,
that in
the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty
(30)
days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary
of
the preceding year’s annual meeting, to be timely, such stockholder’s written
notice must be delivered to the Secretary not later than ninety (90) days
prior
to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th)
day
following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting
is
first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of
an
annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s
notice as described above.
1
(c) A
stockholder’s written notice sent to the Secretary shall set forth: (i) as to
each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection
as a director all information relating to such person that is required to
be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election
contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A
under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and Rule 14a-4(d)
thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy
statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (ii) as
to any
other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting,
a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting,
the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest
in
such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice
and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal
is
made (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the
corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class and number of
shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (C) whether either such stockholder
or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy
to
holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the
corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal
or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders
of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an
affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).
(d) Notwithstanding
anything in the third sentence of Section 5(b) of these Bylaws to the
contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the
Board
of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement
naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased
Board of Directors made by the corporation at least one hundred (100) days
prior
to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s
notice required by this Section 5 shall also be considered timely, but only
with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase,
if it
shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the
corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day
following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the
corporation.
(e) Except
as
set forth in Section 19 of these Bylaws, only such persons who are nominated
in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be
eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted
at an
annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting
in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power
and
duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought
before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance
with
the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination
or
business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective
proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the
meeting and shall be disregarded.
2
(f) Notwithstanding
the provisions of these Bylaws, in order for a stockholder to include
information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement
and
form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as
required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing in these
Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion
of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the
1934 Act.
(g) For
purposes of this Section 5, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in
a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press
or
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.
Section
6. Special
Meetings.
(a) Special
meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose
or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the
Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors
(whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships
at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for
adoption).
(b) No
business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified
in
such notice. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of
such
special meeting, which shall be held not less than ten (10) nor more than
thirty
(30) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination
of
the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall
cause
notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with
the
provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. Nothing contained in this
paragraph (b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time
when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors
may be
held.
(c) Nominations
of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special
meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to
the
corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder
of
record at the time of giving notice provided for in these Bylaws who shall
be
entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures
set
forth in this Section 6(c). In the event the corporation calls a special
meeting
of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the
Board
of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the
case
may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s
notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 5 of these
Bylaws shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices
of
the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the
close
of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such meeting
or
the tenth (10th) 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 at such meeting. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period
for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
Section
7. Notice
of Meetings.
Except
as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic
transmission in the manner provided by Section 232 of the DGCL, of each meeting
of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty
(60)
days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote
at such
meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the
case of
special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, 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 any such meeting. If mailed, notice
is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed
to
the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of
the corporation. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting
of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to
notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before
or
after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance
thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except
when the stockholder 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. Any stockholder so waiving notice
of
such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all
respects as if due notice thereof had been given.
3
Section
8. Quorum.
At all
meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by
the
Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person,
by
remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the
holders
of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
In
the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from
time
to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders
of a
majority of the voting power of the shares represented thereat, but no other
business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at
a duly
called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by
statute or by applicable stock exchange rules or the rules of the NASDAQ
Stock
Market, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters
other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority
of
shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented
by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter
shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected
by
a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote
communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate
vote
by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided
by
the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority
of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of such class or classes
or
series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or
represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled
to take
action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided
by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the
affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election
of
directors) of the voting power of the shares of such class or classes or
series
present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented
by
proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or
series.
Section
9. Adjournment
and Notice of Adjourned Meetings.
Any
meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from
time
to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority
of
the voting power of the shares casting votes present in person, by remote
communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When
a
meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be
given
of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof 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 thirty (30) days or
if
after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting,
a
notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section
10. Voting
Rights.
For the
purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting
of the
stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose
names
shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date,
as
provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any
meeting of stockholders. Unless otherwise provided in the corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation each stockholder, shall at every meeting of
the
stockholders, be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock having
voting power held by such stockholder. Every person entitled to vote shall
have
the right to do so in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or
by an
agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with the DGCL.
An
agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted or
acted
upon after three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides
for a longer period.
Section
11. Joint
Owners of Stock.
If
shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names
of
two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint
tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if
two (2)
or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same
shares,
unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished
with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the
relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting
shall
have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act binds all;
(b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting binds
all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any
particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question
proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief
as
provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the
Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority
or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or
even-split in interest.
4
Section
12. List
of Stockholders.
The
officer in charge of the stock ledger of the corporation or the transfer
agent
shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such
list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane
to
the meeting, (a) 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 (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal
place of business of the corporation. 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 also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting
during the whole meeting thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder
who is
present. If the meeting is to be held 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 gain access to such list shall be provided with the
notice of the meeting.
Section
13. Action
Without Meeting.
No
action shall be taken by the stockholders expect at an annual or special
meeting
of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall
be
taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic
transmission.
Section
14. Organization.
(a) At
every
meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a
Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer,
or,
if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, a chairman
of the meeting chosen by the Chief Executive Officer shall act as chairman
of
the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence any person appointed by the
chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The
corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct
of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or
convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors,
if
any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe
such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the
judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the
proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing
an
agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for
maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations
on
participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation
and
their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the
chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time
fixed
for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions
or
comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the
polls
for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and
time
of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the
stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.
Unless
and to the extent determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of
stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of
parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE
IV
DIRECTORS
Section
15. Number
and Term of Office.
(a) The
authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance
with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders
unless
so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.
5
(b) At
any
meeting of stockholders for the election of one or more directors at which
a
quorum is present, each such director shall be elected by the vote of the
majority of the votes cast with respect to that director, provided that
if the
number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors
shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in
person
or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of
directors. For purposes of this Section, a majority of the votes cast means
that
the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast
as “withheld” for that director. If a director then serving on the Board of
Directors does not receive the necessary votes, the director shall offer
to
tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee or other committee that may be designated by the Board
will
make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the
resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act
on such
committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale
within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results.
In
making their decision, the Committee and the Board will evaluate the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders and shall consider all factors
and
information deemed relevant. The director who tenders his or her resignation
will not participate in the Committee’s recommendation or the Board’s decision.
Section
16. Nomination
of Director Candidates.
Nominations for the election of Directors at the annual meeting, by or at
the
direction of the Board of Directors, may be made by any nominating committee
or
person appointed by the Board of Directors. Nominations may also be made
by any
stockholder of record of the corporation entitled to vote for the election
of
directors at the annual meeting who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in Section 5 hereof. Nominations for the election of directors at a
special meeting of stockholders shall be made pursuant to the procedures
of
Section 6 hereof.
Section
17. Powers.
The
powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its business conducted and
its
property controlled by or under the direction of the Board of Directors,
except
as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of
Incorporation.
Section
18. Classes
of Directors.
Subject
to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect
additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be
divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and
Class III. Directors shall be assigned to a class in accordance with a
resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding
the
foregoing provisions of this Section 18, each director shall serve until
his
successor is duly elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or
removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of
Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. In case of any
increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of persons serving
as
directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class
or
series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors in each class shall be
apportioned to the extent permitted by the DGCL by the Board of Directors
as
nearly equal as possible; provided,
further,
in the
event a seat on the Board of Directors is up for election, the Board of
Directors shall be permitted to shorten or lengthen the term of such seat
in
order to keep the classes apportioned nearly as equal as possible. Subject
to
the limitation set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, at each annual
meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three
years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual
meeting.
Section
19. Vacancies.
Unless
otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the
rights
of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise provided
by
applicable law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall,
unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies
or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled
only
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even
though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors or by a sole remaining
director. Except (i) as otherwise provided by applicable law or (ii) as may
be
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors by resolution and subject
to the
rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any director elected
in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder
of
the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred
and
until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy
in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 19
in the
case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.
Section
20. Resignation.
Any
director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing
or by
electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether
it
will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or
at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it
shall
be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or
more
directors shall 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,
and
each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the
term
of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall
have
been duly elected and qualified.
6
Section
21. Removal.
Subject
to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock the Board of
Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time
(i)
with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation
entitled to vote generally at an election of directors or (ii) without cause
by
the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66-2/3%) of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting
stock
of the corporation, entitled to vote generally at an election of
directors.
Section
22. Meetings.
(a) Regular
Meetings.
Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings
of
the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within
or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of
Directors. No notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board
of
Directors.
(b) Special
Meetings.
Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings
of
the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without
the
State of Delaware whenever called in writing, including electronic
communication, by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer,
the
President, any two directors or any one director in the event there is only
one
director in office.
(c) Meetings
by Electronic Communications Equipment.
Any
member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate
in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other,
and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in
person
at such meeting.
(d) Notice
of Special Meetings.
Notice
of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall
be
delivered orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging
system
or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages,
facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic
means,
during normal business hours, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the
date
and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by
first
class mail, charges prepaid, at least three (3) days before the date of the
meeting.
(e) Waiver
of Notice.
Notice
of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at
any
time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by
attendance thereat, except when the director attends the 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. The transaction
of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee
thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as
though the business was transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call
and
notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting,
each
of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written
waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such
waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes
of the meeting.
Section
23. Quorum
and Voting.
(a) Unless
the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with
respect to indemnification questions arising under Section 46 hereof, for
which
a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time
to
time, and except with respect to certain transactions questions arising under
Section 41, for which a quorum is set by Section 42 hereof, a quorum of the
Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors
fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the
Certificate of Incorporation; provided,
however,
at any
meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors
present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular
meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement
at
the meeting.
7
(b) At
each
meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions
and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the
directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate
of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section
24. Action
without 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, and such writing or writings
or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings
of
the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if
the
minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the
minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section
25. Fees
and Compensation.
Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may
be
approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution
of
the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for
attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and
at
any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation
in any
other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving
compensation therefor.
Section
26. Committees.
(a) Executive
Committee.
The
Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one (1)
or
more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent
permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors
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 which may require
it;
but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i)
approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or
matter
expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval,
or
(ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the
corporation.
(b) Other
Committees.
The
Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees
as may
be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors
shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors and shall
have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution
or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such
committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these
Bylaws.
(c) Term.
The
Board
of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred
Stock, and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 26 may
at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or
terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member
shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the
committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any
time
for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors
may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or
increase in the number of members of the committee. 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,
and,
in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee,
the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified
from
voting, whether or not he or they 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.
8
(d) Meetings.
Unless
the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the
Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this
Section 26 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the
Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has
been
given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular
meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee
may be
held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee,
and may be called by the chairman of such committee or a member of such
committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place
of
such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice
to
members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings
of
the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may
be
waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after
the
meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except
when
the director attends such special 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. Unless otherwise provided by
the
Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee,
a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority
of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the
act of
such committee.
Section
27. Organization.
At every
meeting of the directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if
a
Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer
(if a
director), or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is
absent the President (if a director), or, if the President has not been
appointed or is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or,
in
the absence of any such person, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary,
or in
his absence, any person directed to do so by the Chief Executive Officer,
or if
the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, then any
person
directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE
V
OFFICERS
Section
28. Officers
Designated.
The
officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the
Board
of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors (provided that
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Bylaws, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed an officer of the corporation
unless so designated by the Board of Directors), the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial
Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or
more
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents
with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors
may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall
deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the
corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law.
The
salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall
be
fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.
Section
29. Tenure
and Duties of Officers.
(a) General.
All
officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and
until
their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner
removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be
removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer
becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of
Directors.
(b) Duties
of Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board
of
Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and
shall
also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors shall designate from time to time.
(c) Duties
of Chief Executive Officer.
The
Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
and at
all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board
of
Directors has been appointed and is present. The Chief Executive Officer
shall
perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform
such
other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall
designate from time to time.
9
(d) Duties
of President.
Unless
some other officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors,
have
general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of
the
corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to
the
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers
as
the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
(e) Duties
of Vice Presidents.
The Vice
Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence
or
disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant.
The
Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office
and
shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board
of
Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(f) Duties
of Secretary.
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board
of
Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute
book
of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these
Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board
of
Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall
perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly
incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have
such
other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
The
Chief Executive Officer may direct any Assistant Secretary or other office
or
director to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence
or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other
duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive
Officer shall designate from time to time.
(g) Duties
of Chief Financial Officer.
The
Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account
of
the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements
of
the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required
by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Financial
Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody
of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer
shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time. The Chief
Executive Officer may direct the Vice President of Finance, Treasurer or
any
Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or Assistant Controller, to assume
and
perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability
of the Chief Financial Officer and, in the absence or disability of the Chief
Financial Officer, each Vice President of Finance, Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer, or the Controller or Assistance Controller shall perform other
duties
commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties
and
have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer
shall designate from time to time.
(h) Treasurer.
The
Treasurer shall have such duties as may be specified by the Chief Financial
Officer to assist the Chief Financial Officer in the performance of his or
her
duties to perform such other duties and have other powers as may from time
to
time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive
Officer.
(i) Assistant
Treasurer.
The
Chief Executive Officer may direct any Assistant Treasurer to assume and
perform
the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer,
and
each Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to
the
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers
as
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from
time
to time.
Section
30. Delegation
of Authority.
The
Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of
any
officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision
hereof.
Section
31. Resignations.
Any
officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic
transmission to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary.
Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons
to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in
which
event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless
otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation
shall
not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without
prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with
the
resigning officer.
10
Section
32. Removal.
Any
officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause,
by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time,
or by
the unanimous written or electronic consent of the directors in office at
the
time, or by any committee of the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive
Officer or superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been
conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
VI
EXECUTION
OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING
OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
Section
33. Execution
of Corporate Instruments.
(a) The
Board
of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the
signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on
behalf
of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf
of
the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into
contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by
law
or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the
corporation.
(b) Unless
otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise
required by law, promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences
of indebtedness of the corporation, and other corporate instruments or documents
requiring the corporate seal, if any, and certificates of shares of stock
owned
by the corporation, shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chairman
of the
Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer or the President or any
Vice
President, and by the Secretary or Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary or
Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring the corporate
signature, but not requiring the corporate seal, may be executed as aforesaid
or
in such other manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
(c) Unless
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 the
corporation’s credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any
amount.
(d) All
checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit
of
the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed
by
such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Section
34. Voting
of Securities Owned by the Corporation.
All
stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the
corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted,
and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized
so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such
authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, or any Vice President.
ARTICLE
VII
SHARES
OF STOCK
Section
35. Form
and Execution of Certificates.
The
shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall
be
uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock of the corporation shall
be
in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and
applicable law. Every holder of stock in the corporation represented by
certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the
name of
the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the Chief
Executive Officer or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant
Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number
of
shares owned by the holder in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures
on
the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon
a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar
before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect
as if
he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Each
certificate shall state upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary,
all of the powers, designations, preferences, and rights, and the limitations
or
restrictions of the shares authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise
required by law, set forth on the face or back 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 by the DGCL or 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.
11
Section
36. Lost
Certificates.
A new
certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person
claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed and on
such
terms and conditions as the corporation may require. The corporation may
require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or
certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the
corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation
a
surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against
any
claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Section
37. Transfers.
(a) Transfers
of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon the
corporation’s books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly
authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or
certificates for a like number of shares and proper evidence of compliance
with
other conditions of applicable law, by contract or otherwise to rightful
transfer.
(b) Upon
receipt of proper transfer instructions and proper evidence of compliance
of
other conditions of applicable law, by contract or otherwise to rightful
transfer from the registered owner of the uncertificated or certificated
shares,
such uncertificated or certificated shares, as applicable, shall be cancelled
and issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares
shall be made to the person entitled thereto and the transaction shall be
recorded upon the books of the corporation.
(c) 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.
Section
38. Fixing
Record Dates.
(a) In
order
that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of
or to
vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board
of
Directors may fix, in advance, 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, subject to applicable
law,
not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such
meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record
date
for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding
the day
on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business
on
the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination
of
stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided,
however,
that the
Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned
meeting.
12
(b) 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, in advance, a record date, which record date
shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date
is
adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (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.
Section
39. Registered
Stockholders.
The
corporation 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, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
claim
to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether
or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise
provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE
VIII
OTHER
SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section
40. Execution
of Other Securities.
All
bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other
than
stock certificates (covered in Section 35), may be signed by the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or
any
Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of
Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such
seal
imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer; provided,
however,
that
where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be
authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature,
of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or
other
corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing
and
attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security
may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest
coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security,
authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer
or an
Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized
by the Board of Directors or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature
of
such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond,
debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall
appear
thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer
before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested
shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security
nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as
though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall
have
been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the
corporation.
ARTICLE
IX
CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS
Section
41. Transactions
with Interested Parties.
No
contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors
or officers, or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership,
association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or
officers, are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall
be void
or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer
is
present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee
thereof which authorized the contract or transaction or solely because any
such
director’s or officer’s votes are counted for such purposes, if:
(a) the
material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of
Directors or committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith
authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority
of
the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less
than a quorum; or
13
(b) the
material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
(c) the
contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee
thereof, or the stockholders.
Section
42. Quorum.
Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum
at a
meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee thereof, which authorizes
the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE
X
DIVIDENDS
Section
43. Declaration
of Dividends.
Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions
of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared
by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting.
Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock,
subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable
law.
Section
44. Dividend
Reserve.
Before
payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the
corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors
from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve
or
reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing
or
maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as
the
Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation,
and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the
manner
in which it was created.
ARTICLE
XI
FISCAL
YEAR
Section
45. Fiscal
Year.
The
fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board
of
Directors.
ARTICLE
XII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section
46. Indemnification
of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other
Agents.
(a) Directors
and Executive Officers.
The
corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the
purposes of this Article XII, “executive officers” shall have the meaning
defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent
not
prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided,
however,
that the
corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual
contracts with its directors and executive officers.
(b) Other
Officers, Employees and Other Agents.
The
corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and
other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board
of
Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether
indemnification shall be given to any such person (other than as specified
in
clause (a) above) to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors
shall determine.
14
(c) Expenses.
The
corporation shall advance to 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, by
reason
of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer, of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director or executive officer
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request
therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in
connection with such proceeding; provided,
however,
that if
the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or an
executive officer in his or her capacity as a director or an executive officer
(and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit
plan)
shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking
(hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all
amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial
decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final
adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such
expenses under this Section 46 or otherwise.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of
this Section 46, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive
officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive
officer is or was a director of the corporation, in which event this paragraph
shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly
made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the
proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors
designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a
quorum,
or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the
decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate
clearly
and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
such
person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.
(d) Enforcement.
Without
the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to
indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this
Section 46 shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the
same
extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the
director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted
by this Section 46 to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable
by or
on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent
jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in
whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within
ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action,
if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the
expense
of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification,
the
corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that
the
claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under
the
DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant
for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer
of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such
executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances,
the
corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear
and
convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
such
person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such
person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
lawful. Neither
the failure of the corporation (including its directors who are not parties
to
such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or
its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL
or
any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation
(including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee
of such
directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant
has
not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action
or
create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct. In any suit brought by a director or executive officer to enforce
a
right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder or brought
by the corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms
of any undertaking, the burden of proving that the director or executive
officer
is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses under
this
Section 46 or otherwise shall be on the corporation.
15
(e) Non-Exclusivity
of Rights.
The
rights conferred on any person by this Section 46 shall not be exclusive
of any
other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable
statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement,
vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in
his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
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 advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the
DGCL,
or by any other applicable law.
(f) Survival
of Rights.
The
rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person
who
has ceased to be a director or executive officer and shall inure to the benefit
of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(g) Insurance.
To the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the
corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance
on
behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to
this
Section 46.
(h) Amendments.
Any
amendment, alteration or repeal of this Section 46 that adversely affects
any
right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall
not
limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving
any
occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took
place prior to such amendment or repeal.
(i) Saving
Clause.
If this
Section 46 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any
court
of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify
each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by
any
applicable portion of this Section 46 that shall not have been invalidated,
or
by any other applicable law. If this Section 46 shall be invalid due to the
application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then
the
corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full
extent under any other applicable law.
(j) Certain
Definitions.
For the
purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The
term
“proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation,
the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration
and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or
investigative.
(2) The
term
“expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation,
court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or
judgment, interest assessments and any other costs and expenses of any nature
or
kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The
term
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, and 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, 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 Section 46
with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect
to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had
continued.
(4) References
to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the
corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person
is
serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director,
executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
16
(5) References
to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to
“fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an
employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the
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 he 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 Section 46.
ARTICLE
XIII
NOTICES
Section
47. Notices.
(a) Notice
to Stockholders. Notice
to
stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section
7
herein. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given
effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such
stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, notice to stockholders
for
purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by US mail or nationally
recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by
electronic mail or other electronic transmission in the manner provided in
Section 232 of the DGCL.
(b) Notice
to Directors.
Any
notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated
in
subsection (a), or by overnight delivery service, facsimile, telex or
telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally
shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing
with
the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post
office
address of such director.
(c) Affidavit
of Mailing.
An
affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee
of
the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class
of
stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names
and
addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to
whom
any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of
giving
the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts
therein contained.
(d) Time
Notices Deemed Given.
All
notices given by mail or by overnight delivery service, as above provided,
shall
be deemed to have been given as at the time of mailing, and all notices given
by
facsimile, telex or telegram or by electronic mail or other electronic means
shall be deemed to have been given as of the sending time recorded at time
of
transmission.
(e) Failure
to Receive Notice.
The
period or limitation of time within which any stockholder may exercise any
option or right, or enjoy any privilege or benefit, or be required to act,
or
within which any director may exercise any power or right, or enjoy any
privilege, pursuant to any notice sent in the manner above provided, shall
not
be affected or extended in any manner by the failure of such stockholder
or such
director to receive such notice.
(f) Methods
of Notice.
It shall
not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect
of
all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect
of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed
in respect of any other or others.
(g) Notice
to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful.
Whenever
notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom
communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall
not be
required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority
or
agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action
or
meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with
whom
communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such
notice
had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation
is
such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of 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.
17
(h) Notice
to Stockholders Sharing an Address.
Except
as otherwise prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions
of
DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the 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. Such consent
shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object
in
writing to the corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice
by
the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall
be
revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.
ARTICLE
XIV
AMENDMENTS
Section
48. Amendments.
Subject
to the limitation set forth in Section 46(h) of these Bylaws or the provisions
of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly
empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. The
stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of
the
corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders
of
any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation, such action by the stockholders shall require
the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66-⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital
stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class.
18