Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
CODEXIS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
February 8, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES |
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1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE |
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1.2 OTHER OFFICES |
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ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS |
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2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS |
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2.2 ANNUAL MEETING |
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2.3 SPECIAL MEETING |
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2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE A MEETING |
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2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS |
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2.6 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS |
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2.7 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE |
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2.8 QUORUM |
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2.9 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE |
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2.10 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS |
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2.11 VOTING |
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2.12 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING |
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2.13 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS |
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2.14 PROXIES |
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2.15 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE |
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2.16 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION |
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ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS |
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3.1 POWERS |
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3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS |
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3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS |
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3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES |
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3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE |
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3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS |
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3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE |
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3.8 QUORUM |
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3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING |
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3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
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3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS |
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ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES |
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4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS |
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4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES |
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4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES |
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ARTICLE V - OFFICERS |
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5.1 OFFICERS |
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5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS |
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5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS |
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5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS |
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5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES |
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5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS |
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5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS |
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ARTICLE VI - RECORDS AND REPORTS |
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6.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS |
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6.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS |
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ARTICLE VII - GENERAL MATTERS |
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7.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS |
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7.2 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES |
22 | |||
7.3 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES |
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7.4 LOST CERTIFICATES |
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7.5 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS |
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7.6 DIVIDENDS |
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7.7 FISCAL YEAR |
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7.8 SEAL |
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7.9 TRANSFER OF STOCK |
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7.10 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS |
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7.11 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS |
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7.12 WAIVER OF NOTICE |
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7.13 SEVERABILITY |
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ARTICLE VIII - NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION |
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8.1 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION |
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8.2 DEFINITION OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION |
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ARTICLE IX - INDEMNIFICATION |
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9.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
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9.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS |
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9.3 PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES |
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9.4 DETERMINATION; CLAIM |
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9.5 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS |
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9.6 INSURANCE |
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9.7 OTHER INDEMNIFICATION |
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9.8 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION |
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9.9 AMENDMENT OR REPEAL |
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ARTICLE X - FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS |
28 | |||
10.1 FORUM |
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10.2 PERSONAL JURISDICTION |
29 | |||
10.3 ENFORCEABILITY |
29 | |||
10.4 NOTICE and CONSENT |
29 | |||
ARTICLE XI - EMERGENCY BYLAWS |
29 | |||
11.1 EMERGENCY BYLAWS |
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11.2 MEETING; NOTICE |
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11.3 QUORUM |
30 | |||
11.4 LIABILITY |
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11.5 AMENDMENTS |
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11.6 REPEAL OR CHANGE |
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11.7 DEFINITIONS |
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ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS OF CODEXIS, INC.
ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE.
The registered office of Codexis, Inc. (the Corporation) shall be fixed in the Corporations certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES.
The Corporations board of directors (the Board) 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. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders meetings shall be held at the Corporations principal executive office.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING.
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year. The Board shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and other proper business properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.4 of this Article II may be transacted. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING.
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board, chairperson of the Board, chief executive officer or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.
No business may be transacted at such special meeting other than the business specified in such notice to stockholders. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board may be held.
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2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE A MEETING.
(i) 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 (a) brought before the meeting by the Corporation and specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (b) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who (A) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with all of the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4 as to such business. Except for proposals made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including such rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Exchange Act), and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, the foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. Stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders, and the only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting pursuant to Article II, Section 2.3 of these bylaws. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board must comply with the notice procedures set forth in Article II, Section 2.5 of these bylaws, and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations except as expressly provided in Article II, Section 2.5 of these bylaws.
(ii) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (b) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.4. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, Timely Notice). 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 Timely Notice as described above.
(iii) (a) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholders notice to the Secretary pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be required to set forth:
As to each Proposing Person (as defined in Section 2.4(iv) of these bylaws) and each Stockholder Associated Person (as defined in Section 2.4(iv) of these bylaws), a complete and accurate description of, (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person and each Stockholder Associated Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporations
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books and records), (B) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (as defined in Section 2.4(iv) of these bylaws) by such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person, except that such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (C) any derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to give such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person economic risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap or other transactions are determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or which derivative, swap or other transactions provide, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the Corporation (Synthetic Equity Interests), which Synthetic Equity Interests shall be disclosed without regard to whether (x) the derivative, swap or other transactions convey any voting rights in such shares to such Proposing Person and any Stockholder Associated Person, (y) the derivative, swap or other transactions are required to be, or are capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares or (z) such Proposing Person and any Stockholder Associated Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap or other transactions, (D) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person has or shares a right to vote any shares of any class or series of the Corporation, (E) any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, written or oral, (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, hedging transactions, forwards, futures, swaps, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, repurchase agreements or arrangements, borrowed or loaned shares and so-called stock borrowing agreement or arrangement) that have been entered into by, or on behalf of the Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the price of any securities of the Corporation, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to securities of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a Derivative Instrument), (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (G) any performance related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or any Synthetic Equity Interests or Derivative Instruments, if any, (H) (x) if such Proposing Person is not a natural person, the identity of the natural person or persons associated with such Proposing Person responsible for the formulation of and decision to propose the business to be brought before the meeting (such person or persons, the Responsible Person), the manner in which such Responsible Person was selected, any fiduciary duties owed by such Responsible Person to the equity holders or other beneficiaries of such Proposing Person, the qualifications and background of such Responsible Person and any
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material interests or relationships of such Responsible Person that are not shared generally by any other record or beneficial holder of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such Proposing Person to propose such business to be brought before the meeting, and (y) if such Proposing Person is a natural person, the qualifications and background of such natural person and any material interests or relationships of such natural person that are not shared generally by any other record or beneficial holder of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such Proposing Person to propose such business to be brought before the meeting, (I) any significant equity interests, including any Synthetic Equity Interests or Derivative Instrument, direct or indirect (including any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship), with any principal competitor of the Corporation held by such Proposing Persons or any Stockholder Associated Person, (J) any direct or indirect interest of such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person in any commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (K) any pending or, to such partys knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or participant involving or relating to the Corporation or, to such partys knowledge, any current or former officer, director, affiliate or associate of the Corporation, (L) any material transaction occurring during the prior twelve (12) months between such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation, on the other hand, (M) a summary of any material discussions regarding the business proposed to be brought before the meeting (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or Stockholder Associated Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person or Stockholder Associated Person and any other record or beneficial holder of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation (including their names), (N) a representation that neither such Proposing Person nor any Stockholder Associated Person has breached any agreement, arrangement or understanding with the Corporation except as disclosed to the Corporation pursuant hereto and such Proposing Person and any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of federal, state and other legal requirements with respect to the matters set forth in this Article II, (O) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in which such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person (I) is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership or (II) is the manager, managing member or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of such limited liability company or similar entity, (P) a representation that such Proposing Person intends to appear in person or cause a Qualified Representative (as defined in Section 2.4(iv) of these bylaws) of such Proposing Person to appear in person at the meeting to bring such business before the meeting or nominate any Proposed Nominees (as defined in Section 2.5(iii)(b) of these bylaws), as applicable, and an acknowledgment that, if such Proposing Person (or a Qualified Representative of such Proposing Person) does not appear to present such business or Proposed Nominees, as applicable, at such meeting, the Corporation need not present such business or Proposed Nominees for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation, (Q) a representation from such Proposing Person as to whether such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person
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intends or is part of a group that intends to (A) solicit proxies in support of the election of any nominee for election as a director in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or (B) engage in a solicitation (within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-1(l)) with respect to a nomination or other business, as applicable, and if so, the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such solicitation, (R) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) under the Exchange Act or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) under the Exchange Act if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act by such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person, or such Proposing Persons or any Stockholder Associated Persons associates, with respect to the Corporation (regardless of whether such person or entity is actually required to file a Schedule 13D), including a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding that would be required to be disclosed by such Proposing Person, any Stockholder Associated Person or any of their respective associates pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Schedule 13D, (S) a certification that such Proposing Person and each Stockholder Associated Person has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with such Proposing Persons or Stockholder Associated Persons acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and such Proposing Persons or Stockholder Associated Persons acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation, if such Stockholder Associated Person is or has been a stockholder of the Corporation, and (T) any other information relating to such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person or Stockholder Associated Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (T) are referred to as Disclosable Information); provided, however, that Disclosable Information shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person or Stockholder Associated Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and
(b) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (A) a reasonably brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (C) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (D) all other information relating to such business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made by the Proposing Person in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of such proposed business by such Proposing Person pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (E) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or Stockholder Associated Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and Stockholder Associates Persons, on the one hand, and any other person or entity (including their names), on the other hand, in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder.
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(iv) For purposes of this Article II, (a) affiliate and associate each shall have the respective meanings set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act; (b) beneficial owner or beneficially owned shall have the meaning set forth for such terms in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act; (c) Proposing Person shall mean (A) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (B) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made and (C) any affiliate or associate of such stockholder or beneficial owner; (d) public disclosure shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; (e) Stockholder Associated Person shall mean, with respect to a Proposing Person, and if different from such Proposing Person, any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation on whose behalf such Proposing Person is providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed, (A) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Proposing Person or beneficial owner(s), (B) any member of the immediate family of such Proposing Person or beneficial owner(s) sharing the same household, (C) any person or entity who is a member of a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision at law)) with such Proposing Person, such beneficial owner(s) or any other Stockholder Associated Person with respect to the stock of the Corporation, (D) any affiliate or associate of such Proposing Person, such beneficial owner(s) or any other Stockholder Associated Person, (E) if such Proposing Person or any such beneficial owner is not a natural person, any Responsible Person, (F) any participant (as defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such Proposing Person, such beneficial owner(s) or any other Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any proposed business or nominations, as applicable, (G) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record by such Proposing Person or any other Stockholder Associated Person (other than a stockholder that is a depositary), (H) any Proposed Nominee and (I) any other person with whom such Proposing Person, such beneficial owner(s) or any other Stockholder Associated Person is Acting in Concert (as defined in Section 2.4(v) of these bylaws); and (f) Qualified Representative of a Proposing Person means (A) a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Proposing Person or (B) a person authorized by a writing executed by such Proposing Person (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered by such Proposing Person to the Corporation prior to the making of any nomination or proposal at a stockholder meeting stating that such person is authorized to act for such Proposing Person as a proxy at the meeting of stockholders, which writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, must be produced at the meeting of stockholders.
(v) A person shall be deemed to be Acting in Concert with another person for purposes of these bylaws if such person knowingly acts pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) in concert with, or towards a common goal relating to the management, governance or control of the Corporation in parallel with, such other person; provided, that a person shall not be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any other person solely as a result of the solicitation or receipt of revocable proxies or consents from such other person in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a proxy or consent solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A.
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(vi) A stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
(vii) Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with this Section 2.4 or the procedures set forth by the Board. The presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(viii) This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, regardless of whether or not such proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
(ix) If any information submitted pursuant to this Article II by any Proposing Person shall be inaccurate in any material respect (as determined by the Board or a committee thereof), such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article II. Any such Proposing Person shall notify the Secretary in writing at the principal executive offices of the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change in any information submitted pursuant to this Article II (including if any Proposing Person no longer intends to solicit proxies in accordance with the representation made pursuant to Section 2.4(iii)(a)(Q)) within two (2) business days after becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change, and any such notification shall clearly identify the inaccuracy or change, it being understood that no such notification may cure any deficiencies or inaccuracies with respect to any prior submission by such person. Upon written request of the Secretary on behalf of the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof), any such Proposing Person shall provide, within seven (7) business days after delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (a) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Board, any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by such Proposing Person pursuant to this Article II and (b) a written affirmation of any information submitted by such Proposing Person pursuant to this Article II as of an earlier date. If a Proposing Person fails to provide such written verification or affirmation within such period, the information as to which written verification or affirmation was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article II.
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2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS.
(i) Nominations of any person for election to the Board at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board, including by any committee or persons appointed by the Board, or (b) by a stockholder who (A) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination is proposed to be made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.5 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) has complied with this Section 2.5 as to such nomination. The foregoing clause (b) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting.
(ii) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting, the stockholder must (x) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4(ii) of these bylaws) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (y) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. Without qualification, if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting, then for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at a special meeting, the stockholder must (x) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation and (y) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. To be timely, a stockholders notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4(iv) of these bylaws) of the date of such special meeting was first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth:
(a) As to each Nominating Person (as defined in Section 2.5(iv) of these bylaws), any Disclosable Information (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(a) of these bylaws, except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term Nominating Person shall be substituted for the term Proposing Person in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(a) and the disclosure in clause (T) of Section 2.4(iii)(a) shall be made with respect to the election of directors at the meeting);
(b) As to each person whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director (each a Proposed Nominee), (A) all information with respect to such Proposed Nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholders notice pursuant to Section 2.4 and this Section 2.5 if such Proposed Nominee were a Nominating Person, (B) the principal occupation
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and employment of such Proposed Nominee, (C) all information relating to such Proposed Nominee that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such Proposed Nominees written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (D) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among any Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and each Proposed Nominee, his or her respective affiliates and associates and any other persons with whom such proposed nominee (or any of his or her respective affiliates and associates) is Acting in Concert (as defined in Section 2.4(v) of these bylaws), on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the Proposed Nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (E) a completed and signed questionnaire with respect to the background and qualifications of such Proposed Nominee, completed by such Proposed Nominee in the form required by the Corporation (which form such Nominating Person shall request in writing from the Secretary and which the Secretary shall provide to such Nominating Person within ten (10) days after receiving such request), (F) a completed and signed representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.5(viii) of these bylaws, (G) a description of any business or personal interests that could reasonably be expected to place such Proposed Nominee in a potential conflict of interest with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and (H) all other information relating to such Proposed Nominee or such Proposed Nominees associates that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made by such Proposing Person or any Stockholder Associated Person in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election or otherwise required pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(c) The Corporation may require any Proposed Nominee to furnish such other information (A) as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility or suitability of such Proposed Nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation, including in accordance with the Corporations Corporate Governance Guidelines, or (B) that could be material to a reasonable stockholders understanding of the independence or lack of independence of such Proposed Nominee. If requested by the Corporation, any supplemental information required under this paragraph shall be provided by a Nominating Person within ten (10) days after it has been requested by the Corporation. The Board may require any Proposed Nominee to submit to interviews with the Board or any committee thereof, and such Proposed Nominee shall make himself or herself available for any such interviews within ten (10) days following such request.
(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term Nominating Person shall mean (a) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made, (c) any affiliate or associate of such stockholder or beneficial owner and (d) any other person with whom such stockholder or such beneficial owner (or any of their respective affiliates or associates) is Acting in Concert.
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(v) A Nominating Person shall update such Nominating Persons notice provided under this Article II, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
(vi) If any information submitted pursuant to this Article II by any Proposed Nominee or Nominating Person shall be inaccurate in any material respect (as determined by the Board or a committee thereof), such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article II. Any such Nominating Person shall notify the Secretary in writing at the principal executive offices of the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change in any information submitted pursuant to this Article II (including if any Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person no longer intends to solicit proxies in accordance with the representation made pursuant to Section 2.4(iii)(a)(Q)) within two (2) business days after becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change, and any such notification shall clearly identify the inaccuracy or change, it being understood that no such notification may cure any deficiencies or inaccuracies with respect to any prior submission by such person. Upon written request of the Secretary on behalf of the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof), any such Nominating Person shall provide, within seven (7) business days after delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (a) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Board, any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by such Nominating Person or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Article II and (b) a written affirmation of any information submitted by such Nominating Person or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Article II as of an earlier date. If a Nominating Person fails to provide such written verification or affirmation within such period, the information as to which written verification or affirmation was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article II.
(vii) Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with this Section 2.5. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 2.5, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(viii) To be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, the Proposed Nominee must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Section 2.5) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written representation and agreement (which form the Nominating Person shall request in writing from the Secretary and which the Secretary shall provide to such Nominating Person within ten (10) days
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after receiving such request) that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not and will not become a party to (x) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given 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 or (y) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Proposed Nominees ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such Proposed Nominees 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 service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (c) in such Proposed Nominees individual capacity and on behalf of the stockholder (or the beneficial owner, if different) on whose behalf the nomination is made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation, (d) consents to being named as a nominee in the Corporations proxy statement and form of proxy for the meeting, (e) intends to serve a full term as a director of the Corporation, if elected, (f) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct and that do not and will not omit to state any fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading and (g) will tender his or her resignation as a director of the Corporation if the Board determines that such Proposed Nominee failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 2.5 in any material respect, provides such Proposed Nominee notice of any such determination and, if such non-compliance may be cured, such Proposed Nominee fails to cure such non-compliance within ten (10) business days after delivery of such notice to such Proposed Nominee.
(ix) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.
(x) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if (a) any Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act with respect to any Proposed Nominee and (b) (A) such Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person subsequently either (x) notifies the Corporation that such Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of the election or reelection of such Nominating Person in accordance with Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act or (y) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) or Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that such Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act in accordance with the following sentence) and (B) no other Nominating Person or Stockholder Associated Person that has provided notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act with respect to such Proposed Nominee (x) to the Corporations knowledge based on information provided pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or these bylaws, still intends to solicit proxies in support of the election or reelection of such Proposed Nominee in accordance with Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (y) has complied with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act and the requirements set forth in the following sentence, then the nomination of such Proposed Nominee
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shall be disregarded and no vote on the election of such Proposed Nominee shall occur (notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation). Upon request by the Corporation, if any Nominating Person or any Stockholder Associated Person provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such Nominating Person shall deliver to the Secretary, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting date, reasonable evidence that the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act have been satisfied.
(xi) The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting may not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting, and for the avoidance of doubt, no stockholder shall be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the applicable time periods set forth in Section 2.4(ii). Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairperson of a meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting has been made or proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in these bylaws, and, if the chairperson of the meeting determines that any proposed nomination or business was not properly brought before the meeting, the chairperson shall declare to the meeting that such nomination shall be disregarded or such business shall not be transacted, and no vote shall be taken with respect to such nomination or proposed business, in each case, notwithstanding that proxies with respect to such vote may have been received by the Corporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article II, unless otherwise required by law, if the Nominating Person (or a Qualified Representative of the Nominating Person) proposing a nominee for director or business to be conducted at a meeting does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present such nomination or propose such business, such proposed nomination shall be disregarded or such proposed business shall not be transacted, as applicable, and no vote shall be taken with respect to such nomination or proposed business, notwithstanding that proxies with respect to such vote may have been received by the Corporation.
2.6 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with either Section 2.7 or Section 8.1 of these bylaws 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. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
2.7 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE.
Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be deemed given:
(i) if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the Corporations records; or
(ii) if electronically transmitted as provided in Section 8.1 of these bylaws.
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An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by mail or by a form of electronic transmission, as applicable, shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
2.8 QUORUM.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power 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. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of 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 in the manner provided in Section 2.9 of these bylaws 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.
2.9 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE.
Any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be adjourned or recessed from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, by holders of a majority of the voting power of the Corporations capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, though less than a quorum, or by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as chairperson of such meeting. 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 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.
2.10 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business. The Board may adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of meetings of the stockholders as it shall deem appropriate, which will be binding on the stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and procedures as adopted by the Board, the presiding officer of any meeting of the stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding officer, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules and procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding officer of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for
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any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (iii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iv) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (v) removal of any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting rules, regulations or procedures; (vi) restrictions on the use of audio and video recording devices, cell phones and other electronic devices; and (vii) rules or procedures as the presiding officer may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the presiding officer of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
2.11 VOTING.
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.13 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 (1) vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect a director. All other elections and questions presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall, unless otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of the Corporation which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.
2.12 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 having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, 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.
2.13 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS.
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, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such action.
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If the Board does not so fix a record date:
(i) 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.
(ii) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
2.14 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 (3) 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. A proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders may use any proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use of the Board.
2.15 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE.
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing 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 ten (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 Corporations principal executive office. 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.
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2.16 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.
Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment and make a written report thereof. The number of inspectors shall be one (1) or more. 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 stockholders proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
Such inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law and shall take charge of the polls and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by applicable law.
The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.
The authorized number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board, provided the Board shall consist of at least one (1) member. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that directors 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 directors successor is elected and qualified or until such directors 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.
If so provided in the certificate of incorporation, the directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three (3) classes.
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3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES.
Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. When one (1) or more directors so resigns and the resignation is 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 as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.
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 may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and each director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. 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 any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the Corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of the shares 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 may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting pursuant to this bylaw shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
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3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE.
Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:
(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;
(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;
(iii) sent by facsimile; or
(iv) sent by electronic mail,
directed to each director at that directors address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporations records.
If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporations principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.
3.8 QUORUM.
At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all of the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 7.12 of these bylaws.
If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
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3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.
Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Board 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 at an election of directors (the Voting Stock) or (ii) without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of the Voting Stock.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such directors term of office.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.
The Board may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the 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 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 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 and meetings by telephone);
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(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);
(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);
(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum);
(v) Section 7.12 (waiver of notice); and
(vi) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting),
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:
(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board or by resolution of the committee;
(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board; and
(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a president and a secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a chairperson of the Board, a vice chairperson of the Board, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one (1) or more vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant treasurers, one (1) 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 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.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
The Board may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the 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 may from time to time determine.
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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 at any regular or special meeting of the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. 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 or as provided in Section 5.2.
5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS.
The chairperson of the Board, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board 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 or the stockholders and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.
ARTICLE VI - RECORDS AND REPORTS
6.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS.
The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books and other records.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the Corporations stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose
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reasonably related to such persons interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent so to act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the Corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal executive office.
6.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS.
Any director shall have the right to examine the Corporations stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director. The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the Corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The Court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
ARTICLE VII - GENERAL MATTERS
7.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS.
The Board, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any 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 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.
7.2 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES.
The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board, every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Board, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary 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 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 he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
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, 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.
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7.3 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES.
If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one (1) class of stock or more than one (1) 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, 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.
7.4 LOST CERTIFICATES.
Except as provided in this Section 7.4, 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 owners 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 loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
7.5 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term person includes both a corporation and a natural person.
7.6 DIVIDENDS.
The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporations capital stock.
The Board 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.
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7.7 FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.
7.8 SEAL.
The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board. 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.
7.9 TRANSFER OF STOCK.
Shares of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these bylaws. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons (or by delivery of duly executed instructions with respect to uncertificated shares), with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement or execution, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing the names of the persons from and to whom it was transferred.
7.10 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS.
The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one (1) or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one (1) or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
7.11 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.
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7.12 WAIVER OF NOTICE.
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or any regular or special meeting of the Board or a committee thereof need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
7.13 SEVERABILITY.
To the extent any provision of these bylaws would be, in the absence of this Section 7.13, invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, such provision shall be severable from the other provisions of these bylaws, and all provisions of these bylaws shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by these bylaws, including, to the maximum extent possible, the provision that would be otherwise invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
ARTICLE VIII - NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
8.1 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION.
Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:
(i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and
(ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.
However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:
(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
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(ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (a) such posting and (b) the giving of such separate notice; and
(iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.
An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
8.2 DEFINITION OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION.
An electronic transmission means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
ARTICLE IX - INDEMNIFICATION
9.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any director or officer of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a Proceeding) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys fees) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.4, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person only if the Proceeding was authorized in the specific case by the Board.
9.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS.
The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was an 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 or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.
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9.3 PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by any officer or director of the Corporation, and may pay the expenses incurred by any employee or agent of the Corporation, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article IX or otherwise.
9.4 DETERMINATION; CLAIM.
If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
9.5 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.
The rights conferred on any person by this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
9.6 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 enterprise or non-profit entity against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
9.7 OTHER INDEMNIFICATION.
The Corporations obligation, if any, to indemnify or advance expenses to any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.
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9.8 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION.
The rights to indemnification and to prepayment of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IX shall continue notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such person.
9.9 AMENDMENT OR REPEAL.
The provisions of this Article IX shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as a director or officer of the Corporation (whether before or after the adoption of these bylaws), in consideration of such persons performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article IX the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former director or officer of the Corporation. With respect to current and former directors and officers of the Corporation, the rights conferred under this Article IX are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of theses bylaws. With respect to any directors or officers of the Corporation who commence service following adoption of these bylaws, the rights conferred under this provision shall be present contractual rights and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such director or officer commencing service as a director or officer of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection (i) hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification or (ii) under any agreement providing for indemnification or advancement of expenses to an officer or director of the Corporation in effect prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE X - FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS
10.1 FORUM.
Unless a majority of the Board, acting on behalf of the Corporation, consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (which consent may be given at any time, including during the pendency of litigation), the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, another state court located within the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware), to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or Proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation under Delaware law, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporations stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any of its current or former directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, these bylaws or the certificate of incorporation (in each case, as may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any of its current or former directors, officers or other employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware or (v) any other action asserting an internal corporate claim, as defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, in all cases subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over all indispensable parties named as defendants. Unless a majority of the Board, acting on behalf of the
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Corporation, consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (which consent may be given at any time, including during the pendency of litigation), the federal district courts of the United States of America, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
10.2 PERSONAL JURISDICTION.
If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the first sentence of Section 10.1 above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware or if any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the second sentence of Section 10.1 above is filed in a court other than the federal district courts of the United States of America (either such case being, a Foreign Action) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the first sentence of Section 10.1 above and the personal jurisdiction of the federal district courts of the United States of America in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the second sentence of Section 10.1 above (an Enforcement Action) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholders counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
10.3 ENFORCEABILITY.
If any provision of this Article X shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person, entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article X, and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
10.4 NOTICE AND CONSENT.
For the avoidance of doubt, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X.
ARTICLE XI - EMERGENCY BYLAWS
11.1 EMERGENCY BYLAWS.
This Article XI shall be operative during any emergency, disaster or catastrophe, as referred to in Section 110 of the DGCL or other similar emergency condition (including a pandemic), as a result of which a quorum of the Board or a committee thereof cannot readily be convened for action (each, an Emergency), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provision in the preceding sections of these bylaws or in the certificate of incorporation. To the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article XI, the preceding sections of these bylaws and the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, shall remain in effect during such Emergency, and upon termination of such Emergency, the provisions of this Article XI shall cease to be operative unless and until another Emergency shall occur.
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11.2 MEETING; NOTICE.
During any Emergency, a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be called by any member of the Board or such committee or the chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of the place, date and time of the meeting shall be given by any available means of communication by the person calling the meeting to such of the directors or committee members and Designated Officers (as defined in Section 11.7 of these bylaws) as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, it may be feasible to reach. Such notice shall be given at such time in advance of the meeting as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, circumstances permit.
11.3 QUORUM.
At any meeting of the Board called in accordance with Section 11.2 above, the presence or participation of three (3) directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and at any meeting of any committee of the Board called in accordance with Section 11.2 above, the presence or participation of one (1) committee member shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the event that the requisite number of directors is not able to attend a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof, then the Designated Officers in attendance shall serve as directors, or committee members, as the case may be, for the meeting, without any additional quorum requirement and will have full powers to act as directors, or committee members, as the case may be, of the Corporation.
11.4 LIABILITY.
No officer, director or employee of the Corporation acting in accordance with the provisions of this Article XI shall be liable except for willful misconduct.
11.5 AMENDMENTS.
At any meeting called in accordance with Section 11.2 above, the Board, or any committee thereof, as the case may be, may modify, amend or add to the provisions of this Article XI as it deems it to be in the best interests of the Corporation and as is practical or necessary for the circumstances of the Emergency.
11.6 REPEAL OR CHANGE.
The provisions of this Article XI shall be subject to repeal or change by further action of the Board or by action of the stockholders pursuant to Article XI of these bylaws, but no such repeal or change shall modify the provisions of Section 11.4 above with regard to action taken prior to the time of such repeal or change.
11.7 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Article XI, the term Designated Officer means an officer identified on a numbered list of officers of the Corporation who shall be deemed to be, in the order in which they appear on the list up until a quorum is obtained, directors of the Corporation, or members of a committee of the Board, as the case may be, for purposes of obtaining a quorum during an Emergency, if a quorum of directors or committee members, as the case may be, cannot otherwise be obtained during such Emergency, which officers have been designated by the Board from time to time but in any event prior to such time or times as an Emergency may have occurred.
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ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. However, the Corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal these bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal these bylaws.
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