UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, For Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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x |
Definitive Proxy
Statement |
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¨ |
Definitive Additional
Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant
to §240.14a-12 |
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
____________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee computed
on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11. |
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(1) |
Title of each
class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to
which transaction applies: |
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(3) |
Per unit price or other
underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined): |
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value
of transaction: |
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(5) |
Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary
materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing. |
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(1) |
Amount
previously paid: |
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration
Statement No.: |
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(3) |
Filing Party: |
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(4) |
Date Filed: |
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18
Harcourt Road, Admiralty
Hong Kong
December 8, 2021
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2020, of Takung
Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation, to be held at our executive
office, located at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt
Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong, on December 29, 2021, at 9:00
a.m. local time (8:00 p.m. December 28, 2021,
E.S.T.).
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement
describe the formal business to be transacted at the annual
meeting. Our directors and officers will be present to respond to
appropriate questions from stockholders. We are providing our
stockholders access to our proxy materials and Annual Report on
Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 over
the Internet. This allows us to provide you with information
relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 2020 in a fast and efficient manner. On or about
on December 8, 2021, we will mail to our stockholders a
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing
instructions on how to access our proxy materials and Annual Report
on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
online and how to vote online. If you receive this notice by mail,
you will not receive a printed copy of the materials unless you
specifically request one. Included within this notice will be
instructions on how to request and receive printed copies of these
materials and a proxy card by mail.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon
as possible. If you request a printed copy of the proxy materials,
please complete, sign, date, and return the proxy card you will
receive in response to your request as soon as possible or you can
vote via the Internet or by telephone. This will ensure that your
shares will be represented and voted at the meeting, even if you do
not attend. If you attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy
and personally cast your vote. Attendance at the meeting does not
of itself revoke your proxy.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Kwok Leung Li |
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Kwok Leung
Li |
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Chief Executive
Officer |
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
ROOM 709 TOWER 2, ADMIRALTY CENTRE18
HARCOURT ROAD
ADMIRALTY, HONG KONG
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held December 29, 2021
NOTICE HEREBY IS GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for
the year ended December 31, 2019 of Takung Art Co., Ltd, a
Delaware corporation, will be held at our principal executive
office, Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road,
Admiralty, Hong Kong, on December 29, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. local
time (8:00 p.m. December 28, 2021, E.S.T.), to consider and
act upon the following:
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1. |
To
elect three directors, each to serve until the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2021; |
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2. |
To
ratify the appointment of WWC. P.C. as the Company’s independent
auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021; |
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3. |
To
conduct an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive
officers; |
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4. |
To
approve the amended 2015 incentive stock plan of the Company (the
“Amended Plan”); and |
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5. |
To
transact such other business as properly may come before the annual
meeting or any adjournments thereof. The Board of Directors is not
aware of any other business to be presented to a vote of the
stockholders at the annual meeting. |
Stockholders of record at the close of business on November 12,
2021 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at Annual
Meeting of Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019
and any adjournments thereof. We are furnishing proxy materials to
our stockholders on the Internet, rather than mailing printed
copies of those materials to each stockholder. If you received a
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail, you
will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you
request them. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials will instruct you as to how you may access and review the
proxy materials, and vote your proxy, on the Internet or by
telephone.
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/s/ Kwok Leung Li |
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Kwok Leung
Li |
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Chief Executive
Officer |
Hong Kong
December 8, 2021
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 29, 2021
(Hong Kong Time):
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND OUR ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, YOUR VOTE IS
IMPORTANT. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOTICE OF INTERNET
AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY VIA THE INTERNET
OR BY TELEPHONE OR REQUEST AND PROMPTLY COMPLETE, EXECUTE, AND
RETURN THE PROXY CARD BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY
CARD. IF YOU ATTEND OUR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN
PERSON IF YOU SO DESIRE.
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TAKUNG ART CO., LTD |
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Hong Kong |
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held December 29, 2021 (Hong Kong Time)
We are furnishing this proxy statement to the stockholders of
Takung Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation, in connection with the
solicitation, by the Board of Directors of Takung Art Co., Ltd (the
“Board”), of proxies to be voted at our Annual Meeting of
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual
Meeting”) to be held at our executive office, located at Room 709
Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong on
December 29, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. local time (8:00
p.m. E.S.T., December 28, 2021), and at any adjournments or
postponements of the meeting.
When used in this proxy statement, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the
“Company” and “Takung” refer to Takung Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware
corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. “China” and the
“PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China.
On or about December 8, 2021, we will mail to our stockholders a
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing
instructions on how to access our proxy materials and Annual Report
on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 online
and how to vote online. You will be eligible to vote your shares
electronically via the Internet, by telephone or by mail by
following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials. If you receive Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of
the materials unless you specifically request one. Included within
this notice will be instructions on how to request and receive
printed copies of these materials and a proxy card by mail.
This proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal
year ended December 31, 2020, and other proxy materials,
including the Proxy Card and the Notice of Annual Meeting, are
available free of charge online at www.proxyvote.com.
Directions to our Annual Meeting are available by calling
+1-800-690-6903 or by written request to Kwok Leung Li, our Chief
Executive Officer, at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18,
Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
General: Date, Time and Place
We are providing this proxy statement to you in connection with the
solicitation, on behalf of our Board, of proxies to be voted at our
Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment of that meeting.
The Annual Meeting will be held on December 29, 2021, at 9:00
a.m. local time (8:00 p.m. E.T., December 28, 2021) at
our executive office, located at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty
Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
Matters to be Considered and Voted Upon
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and
vote to elect the nominees named herein as directors to serve until
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 2021, to ratify the appointment of WWC, P.C. as
the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, to conduct an advisory vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers, and to approve the
Amended Plan. The Board does not know of any matters to be brought
before the meeting other than as set forth in the notice of
meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the
persons named in the form of proxy or their substitutes will vote
in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
Record Date; Stock Outstanding and Entitled to Vote
Our Board established November 12, 2021 as the record date. Only
holders of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001
per share, as of the record date, are entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock entitles
the holder thereof to one vote per share on each matter presented
to our stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting. At the
close of business on the record date, we had 13,957,353 shares
of our common stock outstanding.
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and Annual
Report
These proxy solicitation materials are available
at www.proxyvote.com on or about December 8, 2021,
to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A copy
of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year
ended December 31, 2020 will be made available
at www.proxyvote.com concurrently with these proxy
solicitation materials.
The Company is furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders
primarily via the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies of
these materials to each stockholder. We believe that this process
should expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the
costs incurred by us for the Annual Meeting and help to conserve
natural resources. On or about December 8, 2021, we will mail to
each stockholder of record and beneficial owners (other than those
who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, in the form of a mailing
titled “Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials”, that contains instructions on how to access and review
the proxy materials, including this proxy statement and Annual
Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,
on a website referred to in such notice and how to access a proxy
card to vote on the Internet or by telephone. The Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions
on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. If you
receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by
mail, you should not expect to receive a printed copy of the proxy
materials unless you request one. If you received a Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail and would like to
receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, currently or on an
ongoing basis, please follow the instructions included in the
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
Quorum; Required Vote
A quorum of stockholders is required for the transaction of
business at the Annual Meeting. The presence of at least a majority
of all of our shares of common stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented
by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by an
election inspector appointed for the meeting and will be taken into
account in determining whether or not a quorum is present.
Abstentions and broker non-votes, which occur when a broker has not
received customer instructions and indicates that it does not have
the discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter on the
proxy card, will be included in determining the presence of a
quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Assuming that a quorum is present, our stockholders may take action
at the annual meeting with the votes described below.
Election of Directors. Under Delaware law and the
Bylaws of the Company (“Bylaws”), the affirmative vote of a
plurality of the votes cast by the holders of our shares of common
stock is required to elect each director. Consequently, only shares
that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted
toward such nominee’s achievement of a plurality. Stockholders do
not have any rights to cumulate their votes in the election of
directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted
toward a nominee’s total.
Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent
Auditor. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at
the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment of WWC,
P.C. as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021.
Non-binding advisory vote regarding the compensation of our
named executive officers. The affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock
entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve the
compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will not be counted as votes approving the
compensation of our named executive officers.
Amended Plan. The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to
vote at the annual meeting is required to approve the Amended Plan.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes
approving the Amended Plan.
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Under applicable regulations, if a broker holds shares on your
behalf, and you do not instruct your broker how to vote those
shares on a matter considered “routine”, the broker may generally
vote your shares for you. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker
has not received voting instructions from you on a “non-routine”
matter, in which case the broker does not have authority to vote
your shares with respect to such matter. Rules that govern how
brokers vote your shares have recently changed. Unless you provide
voting instructions to a broker holding shares on your behalf, your
broker may no longer use discretionary authority to vote your
shares on any of the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting
other than the ratification of our independent registered public
accounting firm. Please vote your proxy so your vote can be
counted.
Voting Procedure; Voting of Proxies; Revocation of
Proxies
Stockholders of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our
transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, you are considered the
“stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. As the
stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting
or, most conveniently, vote by telephone, Internet or mail.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you
to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still
attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have
already voted by proxy.
By Internet – stockholders may vote on the internet by logging on
to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions
given.
By Telephone – stockholders may vote by calling 1-800-690-6903
(toll-free) with a touch tone telephone and following the recorded
instructions.
By Mail – stockholders must request a paper copy of the proxy
materials to receive a proxy card and follow the instructions given
for mailing. A paper copy of the proxy materials may be obtained by
logging to www.proxyvote.com and following the
instructions given. To vote using the proxy card, simply print the
proxy card, complete, sign and date it and return it promptly to
the address as instructed thereon. In the alternative, the proxy
card can be mailed directly to the Company: Kwok Leung Li, our
Chief Executive Officer, located at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty
Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong. Our Board has
selected Kwok Leung Li to serve as proxy.
If you vote by telephone or via the Internet, you do not need to
return your proxy card. Telephone and Internet voting are available
24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on
December 27, 2021.
In Person – stockholders may vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you
a ballot when you arrive.
Shares of our common stock represented by proxies properly voted
that are received by us and are not revoked will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. If instructions are not given, such proxies will be
voted FOR election of each nominee for director
named herein, FOR verification of WWC, P.C. as
independent auditor, FOR approval of the compensation
of our named executive officers described in this Proxy Statement,
and FOR approval of the Amended Plan. In addition, we
reserve the right to exercise discretionary authority to vote
proxies, in the manner determined by us, in our sole discretion, on
any matters brought before the Annual Meeting for which we did not
receive adequate notice under the proxy rules promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Street Name Stockholders
If you hold your shares in “street name” through a stockbroker,
bank or other nominee rather than directly in your own name, you
are considered the “beneficial owner” of such shares. Because a
beneficial owner is not a stockholder of record, you may not vote
these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a
“legal proxy” from the broker, bank, or nominee that holds your
shares, giving you the right to vote those shares at the meeting.
The Board recommends that you vote using one of the other voting
methods, since it is not practical for most stockholders to attend
the Annual Meeting.
If you hold your shares in “street name” through a stockbroker,
bank or other nominee rather than directly in your own name, you
can most conveniently vote by telephone, Internet or mail.
Please review the voting instructions on your voting instruction
form.
Your proxy is revocable at any time before it is voted at the
Annual Meeting in any of the following three ways:
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1. |
You
may submit another properly completed proxy bearing a later
date. |
|
2. |
You
may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Kwok
Leung Li, our Chief Executive Officer, located at Room 709 Tower 2,
Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong
Kong. |
|
3. |
You
may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. However, simply
attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your
proxy. |
Dissenters’ Right of Appraisal
Under Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders are not entitled to any
appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with respect to any of
the proposals to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition
to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also
solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of
communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any
additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also
reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of
forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Householding
SEC rules permit us to deliver a single Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials or, if applicable, a paper copy of
our annual report and proxy statement, to one address shared by two
or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as
“householding” and can result in significant cost savings. To take
advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or, if applicable, a paper
copy of the annual report and proxy statement, to multiple
stockholders who share an address, unless we received contrary
instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing
date. If you received a householded mailing this year and you would
like to have additional copies of our Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials or, if applicable, additional
copies of our annual report and proxy statement mailed to you or
you would like to opt out of this practice for future mailings,
contact Kwok Leung Li, our Chief Executive Officer, located at Room
709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong
Kong. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a
separate copy of this proxy statement and annual report to any
stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of those
documents were delivered.
Stockholder List
For at least ten days prior to the meeting, a list of stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, arranged in alphabetical
order, showing the address of and number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder, will be open for examination by any
stockholder, for any purpose related to the Annual Meeting, during
ordinary business hours at our principal executive office. The list
will also be available for examination at the Annual Meeting.
Other Business
The Board is not aware of any other matters to be presented at the
Annual Meeting other than those mentioned in this proxy statement
and our accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If,
however, any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting,
the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote in accordance
with their best judgment.
Proposals of Stockholders for Annual Meeting of Stockholders for
the year ended December 31, 2020
Stockholder proposals will be considered for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting for the year ended
December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Annual Meeting”) in accordance
with Rule 14a-8 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), if they are received by the Company,
on or before September 11, 2022.
Stockholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2021 Annual
Meeting without inclusion of such proposal in our proxy materials
for the 2021 Annual Meeting are required to provide notice of such
proposal not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred
twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the
preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if 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 and twentieth (120th)
day prior to such annual meeting, and not later than the ninetieth
(90th) day prior to such meeting or tenth (10th) day following the
day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting
was first made. Therefore, stockholder proposals must be received
by us no earlier than August 12, 2022, but no later than
September 11, 2022, and must otherwise comply with the notice
requirements set forth under all applicable Exchange Act and SEC
rules. The chairman of our 2021 Annual Meeting may refuse to allow
the transaction of any business or acknowledge the nomination of
any person not made in compliance with the requisite
procedures.
Stockholder notice shall set forth as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on
our books, of the stockholder proposing such business,
(iii) the class and number of shares of the Company, which are
beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any material
interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) any other
information that is required to be provided by the stockholder
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, in his capacity
as a proponent to a stockholder proposal.
A stockholder’s notice relating to nomination for directors shall
set forth as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes
to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (i) the
name, age, business address and residence address of such person,
(ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person,
(iii) the class and number of shares of the Company, which are
beneficially owned by such person, (iv) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each
nominee and any other person(s) (naming such person(s))
pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder
and (v) any other information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election
of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation
such person’s written consent to being named in our Proxy
Statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected).
Proposals and notices of intention to present proposals at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
2021 should be addressed to Kwok Leung Li, our Chief Executive
Officer, located at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt
Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
Voting Results of Annual Meeting
Voting results will be published in a Current Report on
Form 8-K issued by us within four (4) business days
following the Annual Meeting.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a
majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the
Board to fill a vacancy (including a vacancy created by an increase
in the Board) will serve for the remainder of the one year term in
which the vacancy occurred and until the director’s successor is
elected and qualified. This includes vacancies created by an
increase in the number of directors.
Our Board currently consists of three (3) members, namely
Xiaoyu Zhang, Tak Ching (Anthony) Poon, and Ronggang (Jonathan)
Zhang. Xiaoyu Zhang’s term will expire upon this Annual Meeting and
she will cease to serve as a director and chairperson of the Board
effective when the new directors take office. Doug Buerger, Tak
Ching (Anthony) Poon and Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang are recommended
by the Board for stockholders’ approval at the Annual Meeting to be
elected as directors of the Board.
If elected as a director at the Annual Meeting, each of the
nominees will serve a one-year term expiring at the annual meeting
of stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2021 and until
his/her successor has been duly elected and qualified. Biographical
information regarding each of the nominees is set forth below. No
family relationships exist among any of our director nominees or
executive officers.
Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director if
elected. If any nominee should be unavailable to serve for any
reason (which is not anticipated), the Board may designate a
substitute nominee or nominees (in which event the persons named on
the enclosed proxy card will vote the shares represented by all
valid proxy cards for the election of such substitute nominee or
nominees), allow the vacancies to remain open until a suitable
candidate or candidates are located, or by resolution provide for a
lesser number of directors.
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our
executive officers and directors as of December 8, 2021:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Served From |
Kwok Leung
Li |
|
35 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
|
July 20,
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhirong Li |
|
49 |
|
Chief Financial
Officer |
|
December 3, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doug Buerger |
|
65 |
|
Director and Chairman |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tak Ching (Anthony)
Poon |
|
39 |
|
Director |
|
November 24, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronggang (Jonathan)
Zhang |
|
58 |
|
Director |
|
December 3, 2021 |
Biographical Information of the Director Nominees
DOUG BUERGER, is a scientific consultant with experience
leading teams in all phases of pharmaceutical and medical device
lifecycle development including research, development,
manufacturing, business development, quality, clinical, and
regulatory. Currently, Mr. Buerger works as a pharmaceutical
consultant at Shinkei Therapeutics, coordinating contract
development and manufacturing and clinical research services
pursuing agency approval and commercialization of CNS therapeutics.
He served as a manager for product development at Hercon
Pharmaceuticals, LLC, where he was in charge of coordination
of development pipeline, foster innovation mentality and problem
solving skills development in scientific staff personnel, developed
and maintained annual departmental budgets. Mr. Buerger
received his bachelor’s Bachelor of Science (cum laude) from
University of Utah in 1981 and completed his Doctor
of Philosophy in materials science & engineering at
University of Utah in 1987.
TAK CHING (ANTHONY) POON has over 14 years of experience in
the field of banking, accounting and corporate finance.
He joined ALE Corporate Services Limited, a Hong Kong company
providing accounting and corporate consulting services to small and
medium-sized businesses and served as its Chief Executive Officer
since April 2018. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of ALE Group Holding Ltd., the parent company of ALE
Corporate Services Limited. Mr. Poon obtained his Bachelor’s degree
in Business Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong
in December 2004, majoring in Professional Accountancy and admitted
as a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
From July 2004 to July 2016, he worked in the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited under commercial banking
department managing corporate relationship team in diverse industry
sectors including Textile and Garment, Toys, Electronics and
Printing, Property Developer / Non-bank Financial Institution and
provide structured financing solution for their funding need. His
last position was Senior Vice President in Large Corporates
department. In July 2019, Mr. Poon has appointed as an Independent
Non-Executive Director of Precious Dragon Technology Holdings
Limited (HKEX 1861) being the Chairman for Audit Committee. We
believe that Mr. Poon with years of experience in team
building, customer relationship handling, business operations, and
enterprise management, is qualified to be our member of the
board.
RONGGANG (JONATHAN) ZHANG has extensive experience in
investment and finance in the industries of international
engineering, renewable energy, eco-agriculture, infrastructure. He
is also an outstanding consultant in the fields of international
laws, blockchain, metaverse, digital economy and crypto currency.
Mr. Zhang currently is also acting as a director of SOS Ltd., a
listed company on The Nasdaq Capital Market, which engages in the
business of providing a wide range of data mining and analysis
services to corporate and individuals. He is the Chief Executive
Officer of 5CGroup International Asset Management Co., Ltd. and
Strategic Development Consultant of SG & CO PRC Lawyers,
positions he has held since 2015. Mr. Zhang has served since 2015
as master’s supervisor of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and visiting
professor of Zhejiang NDRC Training Center. Mr. Zhang previously
served as the Department Chief of Commercial Bureau of HEDA between
2003 and 2015 and as Chief of Investment Bureau of Ningbo Free
Trade Zone between 2000 and 2003. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor’s
degree at Hubei University in 1987, and Visiting Scholar to
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK in 1996.
Biographical Information of Our Executive Officers
KWOK LEUNG LI has years of experience in the crypto project
investment analysis and blockchain advisory area. In January 2021,
Mr. Li co-founded Alpha Block Capital, focusing on crypto
investment in early stage and incubating potential blockchain
projects. In July 2015, he co-founded Minex, a company providing
crypto mining machine rental services, and he had been working
there since then until February 2021. From August 2018 to September
2019, Mr. Li served as a blockchain advisor at Silkchain, where he
provided consulting services on blockchain development. Mr. Li
received his Bachelor of Social Science from Hong Kong Shue Yan
University in 2008, his Master of Social Science from Hong Kong
Polytechnic University in 2014 and his Master of Arts in Christian
Studies from Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2017.
Zhirong Li has more than 20 years of experience in the
fields of accounting, corporate finance, and tax planning. Prior to
joining us, Ms. Li had been working as the financial vice president
at St. Johnson Group (International) Co., Ltd., which is a company
mainly engaged in providing professional services such as
architectural design consulting, catering, investment consulting
and real estate since July 2006. Ms. Li was in charge of the
financial reporting, financial forecasting and tax planning of the
company. Ms. Li received her bachelor’s degree and her master’s
degree from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 1997
and in 2008, respectively. We believe that with Ms. Li’s extensive
experience in the finance, accounting and auditing fields, she is a
suitable candidate for the position of the Chief Financial Officer.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The Audit Committee has selected WWC, P.C. (“WWC”) as the Company’s
independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021, and has further directed that management submit the selection
of WWC for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
The shareholders are being asked to ratify this appointment so that
the Audit Committee will know the opinion of the shareholders.
However, the Audit Committee has sole authority to appoint the
independent registered public accounting firm.
Representatives of WWC are not expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting, either in person or by teleconference.
We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of WWC as
our independent registered public accounting firm. Although
ratification is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, the Board
is submitting the selection of WWC to our stockholders for
ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. However, the
Audit Committee has sole authority to appoint the independent
registered public accounting firm.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees
On April 26, 2016, Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP was appointed
as our independent registered public accounting firm. On March 1,
2021, WWC was appointed as the new independent registered public
accounting firm. Simultaneously with the appointment of WWC, on
March 1, 2021, Marcum BP was terminated as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Company.
Audit Fees
We incurred approximately $231,000 for professional services
rendered by our current registered independent public accounting
firm, Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP for the audit and
review of the Company in the fiscal year 2019.
We incurred approximately $99,000 for professional services
rendered by our former registered independent public accounting
firm, Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP for the review of the
Company in the fiscal year 2020.
We incurred approximately $150,000 for professional services
rendered by our current registered independent public accounting
firm, WWC, for the audit of the Company in the fiscal year
2020.
Audit-Related Fees
We did not incur any audit-related fees in the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Tax Fees
We did not incur any tax fees in the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
All Other Fees
We did not incur any fees from our registered independent public
accounting firm for services other than the services covered in
“Audit Fees” in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
Audit Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for
professional services rendered for the audit of our annual
financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements
included in our Forms 10-Q and for any other services that were
normally provided by our independent auditor, respectively, in
connection with our statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements.
Audit Related Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed
for professional services rendered for assurance and related
services that were reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of our financial statements and were not otherwise
included in Audit Fees.
Tax Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for
professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and
tax planning. Included in such Tax Fees were fees for preparation
of our tax returns and consultancy and advice on other tax planning
matters.
All Other Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for
products and services provided by our independent auditors and not
otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or Tax
Fees.
Our Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the
non-audit services described above is compatible with maintaining
auditor independence and determined that such services are
appropriate. Before auditors are engaged to provide us audit or
non-audit services, such engagement is (without exception, required
to be) approved by the Audit Committee of the Board.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit
services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by
our Audit Committee to assure that such services do not impair the
auditors’ independence from us. In accordance with its policies and
procedures, the Audit Committee pre-approved the audit service
performed by WWC for our consolidated financial statements as of
and for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company’s principal accountant, WWC, did not engage any other
persons or firms other than the principal accountant’s full-time,
permanent employees.
Vote Required; Board of Directors Recommendation
Approval of and ratification of the selection of WWC as our
independent registered public accounting firm will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our
common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at
the annual meeting, assuming the presence of a quorum at the annual
meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF AND RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF WWC, P.C. AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2021.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(Say-On-Pay)
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the
“Dodd-Frank Act”) requires that we provide our stockholders a
non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named
executive officers. This vote is sometimes referred to as a
“say-on-pay vote.” Although this advisory vote is nonbinding, the
Compensation Committee of our Board will review and consider the
voting results when making future decisions regarding our named
executive officer compensation and related executive compensation
programs.
As described in more detail below and in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K, our executive compensation program is comprised
principally of salary, equity and performance-based cash
compensation, designed to: (i) attract, motivate and retain
key executives who are critical to our success, (ii) align the
interests of our executives with stockholder value and our
financial performance and (iii) achieve a balanced package
that would attract and retain highly qualified senior officers and
appropriately reflect each such officer’s individual performance
and contributions. In addition, the Company regularly reviews its
compensation program and the overall compensation package paid to
each of its senior executives to assess risk and to confirm that
the structure is still aligned with the Company’s long-term
strategic goals.
Before you vote on the resolution below, please read the entire
“Executive Compensation” section, including the tables, together
with the related narrative disclosure and footnotes of this Proxy
Statement, as well as the disclosures in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K. Note, as a “smaller reporting company,” we are
obligated to provide compensation disclosures pursuant to Item 402
(m) through (q) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the
Security Exchange Act of 1934 (“Regulation S-K”). Even though, as a
smaller reporting company, we are exempt from compensation
discussion and analysis by the executive compensation requirements
of Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, we continue to elect to
provide information regarding our objectives and practices
regarding executive compensation in order to give our stockholders
transparency into our compensation philosophy and practices.
For the reasons provided, the Board is asking stockholders to cast
a non-binding, advisory vote FOR the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that stockholders approve the compensation paid to our
named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement
pursuant to Item 402 (m) through (q) of Regulation S-K
(which includes the compensation tables and related narrative
discussion).”
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED PLAN
Our Board has approved the Amended Plan to increase The total
number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 incentive
stock plan of the Company (the “Plan”) by 1,166,745 shares from
1,537,000 shares to 2,703,745 shares of common stock and recommends
that the Amended Plan be approved and adopted by the Company’s
stockholders and directs that such proposal be submitted at the
Annual Meeting.
On October 29, 2021, to assist the Company in attracting,
retaining, and rewarding high-quality executives, employees,
directors and other persons who provide services to the Company,
our Board approved the Amended Plan to grant the eligible
participants awards. The total number of shares reserved and
available for delivery in connection with awards under the Plan was
335,945. If the Amended Plan is approved, the total number of
shares reserved and available for delivery in connection with
awards under the 2015 incentive stock plan will be 1,502,690.
As of December 31, 2020, the number of options outstanding and
exercisable were 100,890 and 90,712 respectively.
The Board has reviewed the Amended Plan and determined that the
Plan requires additional available shares for issuance to provide
flexibility with respect to stock-based compensation that the Board
believes is necessary to establish appropriate long-term incentives
to achieve our objectives. Our Board believes that it is advisable
to increase the 1,537,000 share limit to 2,703,745 shares in order
to attract and compensate employees, officers, directors and other
eligible participants upon whose judgment, initiative and effort we
depend. The issuance of award under the Plan to these eligible
participants is designed to align the interests of such
participants with those of our stockholders.
The proposed Amended Plan increases the number of shares of common
stock that may be issued as awards under the Plan by 1,166,745
shares, or approximately 8.36% of the 13,957,353 shares of common
stock outstanding as of November 12, 2021. As amended, the Amended
Plan will continue to provide that all of the shares authorized for
issuance (including the increased shares) may be granted as
incentive stock options as long as other awards pursuant to the
Amended Plan and the Amended Plan will also continue to provide for
appropriate adjustments in the number of shares in the event of a
stock dividend, recapitalization, merger or similar
transaction.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the Amended
Plan. The summary below is qualified in its entirety by the terms
of the Amended Plan, as proposed to be amended, a copy of which is
filed as Annex A hereto and is incorporated by reference
herein.
The purpose of the Amended Plan is to assist the Company in
attracting, retaining, and rewarding high-quality executives,
employees, directors and other persons who provide services to the
Company, enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary
interest in the Company and to strengthen the mutuality of
interests between such persons and to provide annual and long-term
incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of
shareholder value. The Amended Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee, such other committee as determined by the
Board of Directors, or a subcommittee consisting solely of
non-employee, outside directors. The Amended Plan does not limit
the availability of awards to any particular class or classes of
eligible employees. If an award were to lapse or rights to an award
otherwise were to terminate, the shares subject to the award would
be available for future awards to the extent permitted by
applicable federal securities laws. Awards granted under the
Amended Plan are not transferable, except in the event of the
participant's death. In the event of a change in control, a right
to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall
become fully exercisable and vested at the time of change in
control. The total number of shares reserved and available for
delivery in connection with awards under the Plan is 1,537,000,
prior to this proposed Amended Plan.
Awards to eligible persons under the Amended Plan is made in the
form of stock options, stock awards and awards to purchase, and
restricted stock purchase offers. The Compensation Committee, in
its sole discretion, designates whom is eligible to receive awards,
determines the form of each award, determines the number of shares
of stock subject to each award, establishes the exercise price of
each award and such other terms and conditions applicable to the
award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.
Stock Option Awards. Stock option awards can be either
incentive or non-incentive. In either case, the exercise price of
the option would not be less than the fair market value of the
underlying shares as of the date the award is granted. Options
would become exercisable at such times as may be established by the
Compensation Committee when granting the award. No stock option
could be exercised more than ten years after the date the option is
granted.
Stock Award. All or part of any Stock Award under the
Amended Plan may be subject to conditions established by the Board
or the Compensation Committee, and set forth in a Stock Award
Agreement, which may include, but are not limited to, continuous
service with the Company, achievement of specific business
objectives, increases in specified indices, attaining growth rates
and other comparable measurements of company performance. Such
awards may be based on fair market value or other specified
valuation.
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer. A Grant of a Restricted
Stock Purchase Offer under the Amended Plan shall be subject to
such (i) vesting contingencies related to the participant's
continued association with the Company for a specified time and
(ii) other specified conditions as the Board or Compensation
Committee shall determine, in their sole discretion, consistent
with the provisions of the Amended Plan. All Restricted Stock
Purchase Offers shall be made pursuant to a Restricted Stock
Purchase Offer in a form substantially attached to the Amended
Plan.
Shares of Stock which participants may receive as a Stock Award
under a Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer
under a Restricted Stock Purchase Offer may include such
restrictions as the Board or Compensation Committee, as applicable,
shall determine, including restrictions on transfer, repurchase
rights, right of first refusal, and forfeiture provisions. When
transfer of stock is so restricted or subject to forfeiture
provisions it is referred to as “Restricted Stock”. Dividends or
dividend equivalent rights may be extended to and made part of any
Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers denominated in
stock or units of stock, subject to such terms, conditions and
restrictions as the Board or Compensation Committee may
establish.
Vote Required; Board of Directors Recommendation
Approval of the Amended Plan will require the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present
in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting,
assuming the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED PLAN.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Board believes that Mr. Doug Buerger is best situated to serve
as Chairperson of the Board because of her financial background,
business administration ability and leadership skills. In addition,
having a single leader eliminates the potential for confusion and
provides clear leadership for the Company. We believe that this
leadership structure has served the Company well.
Our Board is responsible for oversight of the Company’s risk
management practices while management is responsible for the
day-to-day risk management processes. In the Board’s opinion, this
division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for
addressing the risks facing the Company. The Board receives
periodic reports from management regarding the most significant
risks facing the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee assists
the Board in its oversight of our risk assessment and risk
management policies. Our Audit Committee is empowered to appoint
and oversee our independent registered public accounting firm,
monitor the integrity of our financial reporting processes and
systems of internal controls and provide an avenue of communication
among our independent auditors, management, our internal auditing
department and our Board.
The Board has not named a lead independent director.
Diversity
The Board does not have a formal policy with respect to Board
nominee diversity. However, in recommending proposed nominees to
the full Board, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers
diversity in the context of the Board as a whole and considers
personal characteristics (gender, ethnicity and age), skills and
experiences, qualifications and the background of current and
prospective directors as important factors in identifying and
evaluating potential director nominees, so that the Board, as a
whole, will possess what the Board believes are the appropriate
skills, talent, expertise and backgrounds necessary to meet the
long-term interests of our stockholders and the goals and
objectives of the Company.
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that Mr. Doug Buerger, Mr. Tak Ching
(Anthony) Poon, and Mr. Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang satisfy the
criteria for independence under NYSE American and SEC
rules for independence of directors and of committee
members.
Board Meetings and Committee Meeting; Annual Meeting
Attendance
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Board held 3
meetings, not including actions taken by unanimous written consent.
In addition, the Audit Committee held 4 meetings; the Governance
and Nominating Committee held 3 meeting; and the Compensation
Committee held 2 meeting. During the year ended December 31,
2020, each of the directors attended, in person or by telephone, at
least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which
he or she served. We encourage our Board members to attend our
Annual Meetings, but we do not have a formal policy requiring
attendance.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Doug Buerger, and Mr.
Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang, with Mr. Tak Ching (Anthony) Poon
serving as Chairman. Each of Mr. Poon, Mr. Buerger, and Mr.
Zhang is independent under NYSE American listing standards. The
Board has determined that Mr. Xiao and Mr. Buerger qualify as
audit committee financial experts and have the accounting or
financial management expertise as required under
Section 803(B)(2)(a)(iii) of NYSE American rules. In
reaching this determination, the Board made a qualitative
assessment of Mr. Poon’s and Mr. Buerger’s level of knowledge
and experience based on a number of factors, including formal
education and business experience.
The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit
Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities with respect to: (i) the financial
reports and other financial information provided by us to the
public or any governmental body; (ii) our compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) our systems of
internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal
compliance that have been established by management and the Board;
and (iv) our auditing, accounting and financial reporting
processes generally. In addition, the Audit Committee is
responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation and
oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm
employed by the Company (including resolution of disagreements
between management and the accounting firm regarding financial
reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report
or related work or performing other audit, review or other
services. Any such registered public accounting firm must report
directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the
ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate and, where
appropriate, replace the registered public accounting firm. The
Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit
services by category, including audit-related services, tax
services, and other permitted non-audit services. In accordance
with the policy, the Audit Committee regularly reviews and receives
updates on specific services provided by our independent registered
public accounting firm. All services rendered by WWC, P.C. (“WWC”),
our current independent auditor, to the Company are permissible
under applicable laws and regulations. During fiscal year 2018, all
services requiring pre-approval and performed by Marcum were
approved in advance by the Audit Committee in accordance with the
pre-approval policy. The Audit Committee operates under a written
charter, a copy of which is available on our website at:
http://www.takungart.com/ir.takungart.com/governance-docs.html
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Tak Ching
(Anthony) Poon and Mr. Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang, with Mr. Doug
Buerger serving as Chairman. Each of Mr. Poon, Mr. Zhang, and
Mr. Buerger is independent under NYSE American listing standards.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for the administration of
all salary, bonus, and incentive compensation plans for our
officers and key employees. The Compensation Committee reviews and,
as it deems appropriate, recommends to the Board policies,
practices and procedures relating to the compensation of the
officers and other managerial employees and the establishment and
administration of employee benefit plans. It advises and consults
with the officers of the Company as may be requested regarding
managerial personnel policies. The Compensation Committee has the
authority to engage independent advisors to assist it in carrying
out its duties. During fiscal year 2020, the Compensation Committee
did not engage the services of any independent advisors, experts or
other third parties. We believe that the functioning of our
Compensation Committee complies with, any applicable requirements
of the NYSE American and SEC rules and regulations. The
Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which is
available on our website at:
http://www.takungart.com/ir.takungart.com/governance-docs.html
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in
Compensation Decisions
All members of the Compensation Committee are independent
directors. No member of our Compensation Committee is a current or
former officer or employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, and no director or executive officer of the Company
is a director or executive officer of any other corporation that
has a director or executive officer who is also a director of the
Company.
Governance and Nominating Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Nominating
Committee”) currently consists of Mr. Tak Ching (Anthony) Poon
and Mr. Doug Buerger, with Mr. Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang serving as
Chairman. Each of Mr. Poon, Mr. Buerger, and Mr. Zhang is
independent under NYSE American listing standards. The
responsibilities of the Nominating Committee include:
(i) identifying individuals qualified to serve as directors or
fill any acting vacancies; (ii) recommending to the Board the
selection of director nominees for each meeting of the stockholders
at which directors are elected; (iii) advising the Board with
respect to the composition, procedures and committees of the Board;
and (iv) considering any other corporate governance issues
that may arise from time to time, and developing appropriate
recommendations for the Board. In recommending nominees to the
Board, the Nominating Committee considers various criteria,
including the ability of the individual to meet the NYSE American
“independence” requirements, general business experience, general
financial experience, knowledge of the Company’s industry
(including past industry experience), education, and demonstrated
character and judgment. The Nominating Committee uses its, as well
as the entire Board’s, network of contacts when compiling a list of
potential director candidates and has the authority to engage
outside consultants. The Nominating Committee will consider
director nominees recommended by a stockholder if the stockholder
mails timely notice to the Secretary of the Company at its
principal offices, which notice includes (i) the name, age and
business address of such nominee, (ii) the principal
occupation of such nominee, (iii) a brief statement as to such
nominee’s qualifications, (iv) a statement that such nominee
consents to his or her nomination and will serve as a director if
elected, (v) whether such nominee meets the definition of an
“independent” director under the NYSE listing standards and
(vi) the name, address, class and number of shares of capital
stock of the Company held by the nominating stockholder. Any person
nominated by a stockholder for election to the Board will be
evaluated based on the same criteria as all other nominees. The
Nominating Committee operates under a written charter, which is
available on our website at
http://www.takungart.com/ir.takungart.com/governance-docs.html
Director Nomination Procedures
The Nominating Committee is generally responsible for soliciting
recommendations for candidates for the Board, developing and
reviewing background information for such candidates, and making
recommendations to the Board with respect to candidates for
directors proposed by stockholders. The nomination process involves
a careful examination of the performance and qualifications of each
incumbent director and potential nominees before deciding whether
such person should be recommended for nomination by the Nominating
Committee and nominated by the Board. The Board believes that the
business experience of its directors has been, and continues to be,
critical to the Company’s success. Directors should possess
integrity, independence, energy, forthrightness, analytical skills
and commitment to devote the necessary time and attention to the
Company’s affairs. Directors must possess a willingness to
challenge and stimulate management and the ability to work as part
of a team in an environment of trust.
In selecting candidates for appointment or re-election to the
Board, the Nominating Committee considers the following criteria:
(i) personal and professional ethics and integrity, including
a reputation for integrity and honesty in the business community;
(ii) experience as an executive officer of companies or as a
senior leader of complex organizations, including scientific,
government, financial or technological organizations;
(iii) financial knowledge, including an understanding of
finance, accounting, the financial reporting process, and company
measures for operating and strategic performance; (iv) ability
to critically and independently evaluate business issues,
contributing a diverse perspectives or viewpoints, and making
practical and mature judgments; (v) a genuine interest in the
Company, and the ability to spend the time required to make
substantial contributions as a director; and (vi) no conflict
of interest or legal impediment that would interfere with the duty
of loyalty to the Company and its stockholders. In addition, the
Nominating Committee reviews the qualifications of the directors to
be appointed to serve as members of the Audit Committee to ensure
that they meet the financial literacy and sophistication
requirements under the NYSE American rules and that at least
one of them qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”
under the rules of the SEC.
The Board will generally consider all relevant factors, including,
among others, each nominee’s applicable expertise and demonstrated
excellence in his or her field, the usefulness of such expertise to
the Company, the availability of the nominee to devote sufficient
time and attention to the affairs of the Company, the nominee’s
reputation for personal integrity and ethics, and the nominee’s
ability to exercise sound business judgment. Director nominees are
reviewed in the context of the existing membership of the Board
(including the qualities and skills of the existing directors), the
operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests
of its stockholders.
There were no arrangements or understandings between any of our
directors and any other person pursuant to which any director was
to be selected as a director or selected as a nominee.
Family Relationships
No family relationships exist among any of our current director
nominees or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, our directors and executive officers were not
involved in any legal proceedings as described in Item
401(f) of Regulation S-K in the past ten (10) years.
Stockholder Communications
The Board welcomes communications from our stockholders, and
maintains a process for stockholders to communicate with the Board.
Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board may send a
letter to the Chairman of the Board of Takung Art Co., Ltd.,
at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road, Admiralty,
Hong Kong. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation
indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board
Communication”. All such letters should identify the author as a
security holder. All such letters will be reviewed by the Chairman
of the Board and submitted to the entire Board no later than the
next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies
to our principal executive officers and principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons
performing similar functions and also to other employees. The Code
is current available on our website at
http://www.takungart.com/ir.takungart.com/governance-docs.html
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information known to us, as of
December 8, 2021, relating to the beneficial ownership of shares of
common stock by each person who is known by us to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of
common stock; each director; each executive officer; and all
executive officers and directors as a group. We believe that all
persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of common stock shown as being owned by
them and unless otherwise indicated, that person’s address is c/o
Takung Art Co., Ltd, at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18,
Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Percentage
Ownership of
Shares of |
|
Name and Address |
|
Title of Class |
|
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
|
|
Common
Share |
|
Owner of more than 5% of
Class |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hiu Ngai
Ma |
|
Common Stock |
|
|
2,216,907 |
|
|
|
19.67 |
% |
2A, Block H3, Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Pok
Fu Lam, Hong Kong |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xiao
Jian
No. 503, Unit 1, Block 22, Dan Yang Li,
Zong Shu Ying District, Xi Shan Qu, Kun Ming City,
Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
26.62 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and
Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kwok Leung Li
(2) |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
Zhirong
Li(3) |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
Xiaoyu
Zhang(4) |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
Tak Ching (Anthony) Poon
(5) |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ronggang (Jonathan)
Zhang(6) |
|
Common
Stock |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Officers and Directors
(Five persons) |
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
* |
|
* Less than 1%
(1) |
In determining beneficial ownership
of our shares of common stock as of a given date, the number of
shares shown includes shares of common stock which may be acquired
on exercise of warrants or options or conversion of convertible
securities within 60 days of that date. In determining the percent
of Common Share owned by a person or entity on December 8, 2021,
(a) the numerator is the number of shares of the class
beneficially owned by such person or entity, including shares which
may be acquired within 60 days on exercise of warrants or options
and conversion of convertible securities, and (b) the
denominator is the sum of (i) the total shares of common stock
outstanding on December 8, 2021 (13,957,353), and (ii) the
total number of shares that the beneficial owner may acquire upon
conversion of the preferred share and on exercise of the warrants
and options, subject to limitations on conversion and exercise.
Unless otherwise stated, each beneficial owner has sole power to
vote and dispose of its shares. |
(2) |
Mr. Kwok Leung Li was appointed our Chief
Executive Officer on July 20, 2021. He has not received any awards
and does not own any shares of common stock. |
(3) |
Ms. Li was appointed our Chief
Financial Officer on December 3, 2021. She has not received any
awards and does not own any shares of common stock. |
(4) |
Ms. Xiaoyu Zhang was appointed director of
the Company on November 19, 2018. She has not received any
awards or owns any shares of common stock. |
(5) |
Mr. Poon was appointed directors of the Company
on November 24, 2021. He has not received any awards nor owns any
shares of common stock. |
(6) |
Mr. Zhang was appointed directors of
the Company on December 3, 2021. He has not received any awards nor
owns any shares of common stock. |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth the compensation received by our
directors in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 in their capacity as
directors.
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Fee
earned
or
paid in
Cash ($)
|
|
|
Base
Compensation
and bonus
($)
|
|
|
Share
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Change in
Pension
Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Xiaoyu
Zhang(1) |
|
2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
Director |
|
2019 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,986 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,986 |
(Chairperson) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jiangping (Gary)
Xiao(2) |
|
2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
Former Director |
|
2019 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Li Lv(3) |
|
2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
Former Director |
|
2019 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tak Chi (Anthony)
Poon(4) |
|
2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronggang (Jonathan)
Zhang(4) |
|
2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Levinson(5) |
|
2019 |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1,760 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
16,760 |
Former Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Kwok Keung
Tsui(5) |
|
2019 |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1,760 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
16,760 |
Former Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Levy
(6) |
|
2019 |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,178 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
20,178 |
Former Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ming
Cheng(5) |
|
2019 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Former Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Ms. Xiaoyu Zhang was appointed
director and Chairperson of the board of directors on
November 19, 2018 and her term will expire upon this Annual
Meeting on December 28, 2021. She received no share awards for the
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Xiao joined the board of directors on
July 8, 2019 and resigned on November 24, 2021. He received no
share awards for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019. |
|
(3) |
Ms. Li joined the board of directors on
July 8, 2019 and resigned on December 3, 2021. She received no
share awards for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Poon and Mr. Zhang joined the board of
directors on November 24, 2021 and December 3, 2021, respectfully.
Each of Mr. Poon and Mr. Zhang received no share awards for the
years ended December 31, 2020. |
|
(5) |
Messrs. Joseph Levinson and William Kwok
Keung Tsui joined the Company as its directors on December 1,
2015. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, each of them
received 8,333 restricted share-based awards. Both Messrs Levinson
and Tsui resigned as directors on July 8, 2019. |
|
(6) |
Mr. John Levy joined the Company as a
director on March 1, 2016. In the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2019, he received 12,438 shares restricted
share-based awards. He resigned as director on July 8,
2019. |
|
(7) |
Mr. Cheng was appointed director on
November 19, 2018. He received no share awards for the years
ended December 31, 2019. Mr. Cheng resigned as director
on January 17, 2020. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information with respect to the
compensation of each of the named executive officers for services
provided in all capacities to Takung Art Co., Ltd and its
subsidiaries, Hong Kong Takung Art Co., Ltd, Hong Kong Takung Art
Holdings Co., Ltd, Takung (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Takung Cultural
Development (Tianjin) Co., Ltd, Art Era Internet Technology
(Tianjin) Co., Ltd, Hong Kong MQ Group Limited and Tianjin MQ
Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd in the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019 in their capacity as such officers.
Mr. Ming Cheng receives no additional consideration for his
services as director of the Company. No other executive officer or
former executive officer received more than $100,000 in
compensation in the fiscal years reported.
Summary Compensation Table
Name & Principal
Position |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Base
Compensation
(annual, unless
otherwise
noted)
|
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Share
Options *
|
|
|
Total Annual |
|
Kwok Leung
Li(1) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhirong
Li(2) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wing Yan
Leung(3) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Former Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhihua
Yang(3) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
23,402 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
23,402 |
|
Former Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jing
Wang(4) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
32,056 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
32,056 |
|
Former Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fang Mu(5) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
45,127 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
45,127 |
|
Former Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
38,687 |
|
|
$ |
5,984 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
44,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jehn Ming
Lim(6) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
41,904 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
41,904 |
|
Former Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
90,367 |
|
|
$ |
7,605 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
97,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chun Hin Leslie
Chow(7) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Former Chief Executive
Officer,
Former Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
121,561 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
121,561 |
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Kwok Leung Li was appointed as our Chief
Executive Officer on July 20, 2021. He received no compensation in
fiscal years 2020 and 2019. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Ms.
Zhirong Li was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on December
3, 2021. She received no compensation in fiscal years 2020 and
2019. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Ms.
Leung was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on July 20, 2021
and resigned on December 3, 2021. She received no compensation in
fiscal years 2020 and 2019. |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
Ms. Yang was appointed as our Chief
Executive Officer on September 22, 2020 and resigned on July
20, 2021. |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Ms. Wang was appointed as our Chief
Financial Officer on May 26, 2020 and resigned on September
30, 2021. |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Ms. Mu was appointed as the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer on August 6, 2019 and resigned on
September 5, 2020. |
|
On August 14,
2019, Ms. Mu entered into a consulting agreement with our
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Takung Cultural Development
(Tianjin) Co., Ltd to provide management services, consulting
services to clients, administration and human resources management
and financial and accounting management services. In consideration
for her services, Ms. Mu will be paid RMB 30,000
(approximately $4,345) per month on an after-tax basis and be
reimbursed for all incidental expenses. The term of her engagement
will be for an initial period of one year beginning August 14,
2019 through August 13, 2020 and will automatically renew for
successive one (1) year periods unless terminated by either
party. The consulting agreement was approved by our Audit Committee
on August 12, 2019. |
|
The amount from both of
above agreements was treated as the executive compensation to
Ms. Mu. |
(6) |
On February 18, 2019, our Nominating and
Compensation Committees nominated and appointed Mr. Jehn Ming
Lim as our and our Hong Kong subsidiary, Hong Kong Takung’s new
Chief Financial Officer. On May 9, 2020, Mr. Lim
resigned. |
(7) |
Mr. Chow was appointed our Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our Hong Kong subsidiary,
Hong Kong Takung on February 22, 2016. On February 22,
2016, Mr. Chow was granted share options to purchase 50,000
shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $2.91
per share pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Incentive Stock Plan. The
options are exercisable during the term of his employment in three
equal installments of 16,666 shares of common stock, the first
installment being exercisable on the date of issue and thereafter
on each successive anniversary thereof. On November 16, 2018,
Mr. Chow took over as acting Chief Executive Officer,
replacing Mr. Xiao who resigned that day. There was no change
in Mr. Chow’s employment terms. For the year ended
December 31, 2019, Mr. Chow received an apportioned
salary of $208,325, a bonus of $104,417, and share options worth
$7,059. For the year ended 2019, Mr. Chow received an
apportioned salary of $121,561 and Mr. Chow he resigned as our
Chief Executive Officer on August 6, 2019. |
|
*The value reported for
each executive is the cost recognized in our financial statements
during fiscal year 2019, calculated in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification Topic 718 "Share-based Compensation”. |
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
In fiscal year 2020, the primary components of our executive
compensation programs were base salary. We use base salary to
fairly and competitively compensate our executives, including the
named executive officers, for the jobs we ask them to perform.
It is not uncommon for Hong Kong private companies to have base
salaries as the sole form of compensation. We view base salary as
the most stable component of our executive compensation program, as
this amount is not at risk. We believe that the base salaries of
our executives should be targeted at or above the median of base
salaries for executives in similar positions with similar
responsibilities at comparable companies, consistent with our
compensation philosophy. We have formed a compensation committee to
oversee the compensation of our named executive officers. All the
members of the compensation committee are independent directors.
The committee has the discretion to review and approve each
employee’s bonus.
The table below sets forth the positions and compensations for the
officers of Hong Kong and Tianjian Takung for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Name |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Annual Salary ($) |
|
|
Bonus ($) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
Leslie Chow 1 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Former
Chief Executive Officer, former Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
121,561 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
121,561 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jehn Ming Lim 2 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
41,904 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
41,904 |
|
Former Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
90,367 |
|
|
|
7,605 |
|
|
|
97,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fang Mu 3 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
45,127 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
45,127 |
|
Former Chief
Executive Office |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
38,687 |
|
|
|
5,984 |
|
|
|
44,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Song Wang 4 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Former Director |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
28,175 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
28,175 |
|
(1) |
Mr. Chow’s monthly compensation was adjusted
to $17,543 (HK$136,064) since February 2017 and remained the
same for 2019. His compensation was apportioned between Takung Art
Co., Ltd and its subsidiary, Hong Kong Takung to reflected the time
he spent on the affairs of both entities as a Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Chow resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on
August 6, 2019. |
|
|
(2) |
Mr. Lim’s compensation as Chief Financial
Officer of both the Company and its Hong Kong subsidiary is set
forth in an employment agreement between Mr. Lim and Hong Kong
Takung dated February 18, 2019. Pursuant to the agreement,
Mr. Lim received a monthly salary of HK$65,000 (approximately
$8,296) for his services as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Lim
resigned his position of Chief Financial Officer on May 9,
2020. |
|
|
(3) |
Ms. Mu’s compensations as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and its Hong Kong subsidiary was set forth
in a consultancy agreement between Ms. Mu and Hong Kong Takung
dated August 6, 2019. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Mu
received a monthly salary of HK$30,000 (approximately $ 3,868). In
addition, a new consultancy agreement was entered with our indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary, Takung Cultural Development (Tianjin) Co.,
Ltd (“Tianjin Takung”) and the effective day of August 14,
2019 with the payment of RMB 30,000 (approximately $4,345) per
month. Ms. Mu resigned her position as an officer of Hong Kong
Takung and Tianjin Takung on September 5, 2020 and her consultancy
agreement with Tianjin Takung was also terminated simultaneously.
On September 16, 2020, Ms. Mu signed a consultancy service
agreement with Hong Kong Takung for a monthly service fee of
HK$40,000 (approximately $5,157) with an expiration date on
September 15, 2021. |
|
|
(4) |
Mr. Wang received a monthly compensation of
$3,868 (HKD$30,000) from Hong Kong Takung for his services as
director since October 1, 2018. Mr. Wang resigned as the
director of Hong Kong Takung on June 30, 2019. |
2015 Incentive Stock Option Plan
On August 26, 2015, the 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (“2015
Plan”) was approved by the Board of Directors for rewarding the
Company’s directors, executives and selected employees and
consultants for making major contributions to the success of the
Company. 1,037,000 shares were registered on August 27,
2015.
Option Grants Table
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company
did not grant new share options under the 2015 Plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
During year ended December 31, 2019, 5,000 of restricted
share-based awards were granted. Each of the awards is subject to
service-based vesting restrictions. The total unvested restricted
share was Nil shares as of December 31, 2019.
During year ended December 31, 2020, 10,000 restricted
share-based awards were granted. Each of the awards is subject to
service-based vesting restrictions. The total unvested restricted
shares Nil shares as of December 31, 2020.
Aggregated Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Option Value
Table
80,534 share options have been vested and 153,348 share options
were forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, the number of options outstanding and
exercisable were 100,890 and 80,534, respectively.
90,712 share options have been vested and no share options were
forfeited during year ended December 31, 2020. As of
December 31, 2020, the number of options outstanding and
exercisable were 100,890 and 90,712 respectively.
Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Awards Table
There were no awards made in the last completed fiscal year under
any LTIP.
Pension and Retirement Plans
Currently, except for contributions to the PRC government-mandated
social security retirement endowment fund for those employees who
have not waived their coverage, we do not offer any annuity,
pension or retirement benefits to be paid to any of our officers,
directors or employees. There are also no compensatory plans or
arrangements with respect to any individual named above which
results or will result from the resignation, retirement or any
other termination of employment with our company, or from a change
in our control.
Operating Subsidiary Employment Agreements
Ms. Mu, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, entered
into a consulting agreement with our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hong
Kong Takung to provide management services and the effective day of
August 6, 2019. Ms. Mu resigned her positions of Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and officer of our subsidiary in
Hong Kong on September 5, 2020.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Under Chinese law, we may only terminate employment agreements
without cause and without penalty by providing notice of
non-renewal one month prior to the date on which the employment
agreement is scheduled to expire. If we fail to provide this notice
or if we wish to terminate an employment agreement in the absence
of cause, as defined in the agreement, then we are obligated to pay
the employee one month’s salary for each year we have employed the
employee. We are, however, permitted to terminate an employee for
cause without penalty pursuant to the employment agreement. If the
named executive officer is not terminated for cause, the Company
will pay the remaining portion of the executive officer’s
salary.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Except for the ownership of our securities, and except as set forth
below, none of the directors, executive officers, holders of more
than five percent of our outstanding common stock, or any member of
the immediate family of any such person have, to our knowledge, had
a material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or
proposed transaction which may materially affect our company.
Secured Loan Agreements
On September 16, 2019, Hong Kong Takung entered into an
interest-free loan agreement (the "HK Dollar Working Capital Loan")
with Mr. Shuhai Li (“Li”), former legal representative of
Tianjin Takung, for an amount of $6,448,784 (HK$50,000,000). The
purpose of the loan is to provide Hong Kong Takung with sufficient
Hong Kong Dollar-denominated currency to meet its working capital
requirements with the maturity date of the loan as May 15,
2020. On May 15, 2020, Hong Kong Takung entered into an
extension agreement with Li to extend the HK Dollar Working Capital
Loan with a due date on May 15, 2021. On May 29, 2020, Li
transferred this loan to Jing Wang (“Wang”), our Chief Financial
Officer with the same extended maturity date.
In the meantime, Tianjin Takung entered into an interest-free loan
agreement (the "RMB Working Capital Loan") with Li for the loan of
$6,225,134 (RMB40,619,000) with the maturity date of the loan as
May 15, 2020. On May 15, 2020, Tianjin Takung entered
into an extension agreement with Li to extend the RMB Working
Capital Loan with a maturity date on May 15, 2021. On
May 29, 2020, the loan was transferred to Wang.
Through an understanding between Wang and the Company, the HK
Dollar Working Capital Loan is "secured" by the RMB Working Capital
Loan. It is the understanding between the parties that the HK
Dollar Working Capital Loan and the RMB Working Capital Loan will
be repaid simultaneously.
Lease Agreements
We signed a new Hong Kong office lease on December 15, 2020
for approximately 885 square feet of office space at Room 709 on
the 7th floor of Tower II of Admiralty Centre, 18
Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong. The lease expires on
December 14, 2022 and provides for a monthly rent of $5,135
(HK$39,825) and a monthly building management fee of $575
(HK$4,460).
On August 12, 2020, Tianjin Takung leased an office space
at 14-1-302, Intercity Meijing Garden, Beichen Economic
Development Zone, Beichen District, Tianjin, China. The lease
provides a monthly rent payment is $227(RMB1,568) and expires on
August 11, 2021.
Consulting Agreements
On August 1, 2019, the Company has engaged Chun Hin Leslie
Chow as an external consultant after his resignation as the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer and accrued a monthly service fee
of $11,398 (HK$88,400). The service agreement is renewable
annually. The agreement was renewed on August 1, 2020 with a
monthly service fee of $7,736 (HK$60,000).
On September 16, 2020, the Company engaged Fang Mu as an external
consultant after her resignation as the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer and accrued a monthly service fee of $5,157 (HK$40,000)
with an expiration date on September 15, 2021.
Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Our Board of Directors is charged with reviewing and approving all
potential related party transactions. All such related party
transactions must then be reported under applicable SEC rules. We
have not adopted other procedures for review, or standards for
approval, of such transactions, but instead review them on a
case-by-case basis.
Director Independence
NYSE listing standards require that a majority of our board of
directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined
generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the
company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a
relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of
directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Doug
Buerger, Mr. Tak Ching (Anthony) Poon and Mr. Ronggang
(Jonathan) Zhang are “independent directors” as defined in the NYSE
listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent
directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only
independent directors are present.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive
officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC
initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in
ownership and annual reports concerning their ownership of our
common stock and other equity securities, on Form 3, 4 and 5
respectively. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10%
shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish our
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they
file.
Based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received
by us and on written representations by our officers and directors
regarding their compliance with the applicable reporting
requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, we
believe that, with respect to the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, our officers and directors, and all of the
persons known to us to own more than 10% of our common stock, filed
all required reports on a timely basis, save that one officer who
filed an erroneous report, which has since been rectified.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee has furnished the following report on its
activities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The
report is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with
the SEC or subject to the SEC’s proxy rules or to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and the report
shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior
or subsequent filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it
by reference into any such filing. The Audit Committee charter sets
forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. A copy of the
Audit Committee charter is available on our website at
http://www.takungart.com/investors/corporate-governance/governance-docs.
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board
in its oversight and monitoring of our financial reporting and
auditing process. Management has primary responsibility for our
financial statements and the overall reporting process, including
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and
assessing the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. The
independent registered public accounting firm audits the annual
financial statements prepared by management, expresses an opinion
as to whether those financial statements fairly present our
financial position, results of operations and cash flows in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and
discusses with the Audit Committee any issues they believe should
be raised with the Audit Committee. These discussions include a
discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments,
and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The
Audit Committee monitors our processes, relying, without
independent verification, on the information provided to it and on
the representations made by management and the independent
registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited
financial statements with our management and representatives of
WWC, our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit
Committee has discussed WWC’s judgments as to the quality, not just
the acceptability, of our accounting principles and such other
matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (which superseded
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61), other standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
rules of the SEC, and other applicable regulations. The Audit
Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from
WWC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board regarding the firm’s independence from
our management and has discussed with WWC its independence. The
Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the authority to approve
the engagement of our independent registered public accounting
firm.
Based upon its reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements be
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2020 for filing with the SEC and the Board
approved that recommendation.
|
/s/ Jiangping
(Gary) Xiao (Chairman) |
|
/s/ Xiaoyu Zhang |
September 30,
2021 |
/s/ Li Lv |
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you wish to have a proposal included in our proxy statement and
form of proxy for next year’s annual meeting in accordance with
Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, your proposal must be
received by us at our principal executive office on or before
September 11, 2022. A proposal which is received after that
date or which otherwise fails to meet the requirements for
shareholder proposals established by the SEC will not be included.
The submission of a shareholder proposal does not guarantee that it
will be included in the proxy statement.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at
the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the Public Reference Room
by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website
that contains the reports, proxy statements and other information
we file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC website
is www.sec.gov.
You may request, and we will provide at no cost, a copy of these
filings, including any exhibits to such filings, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address: Kwok Leung Li, our Chief
Executive Officer, located at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18,
Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong. You may also access these
filings at our web site under the investor relations link at
http://www.takungart.com/ir.takungart.com/all-sec-filings.html
ANNUAL REPORT
Additional copies of this proxy statement and/or the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
may be obtained without charge upon written request to Takung Art
Co., Ltd, at Room 709 Tower 2, Admiralty Centre18, Harcourt Road,
Admiralty, Hong Kong, or on the SEC’s internet website
at www.sec.gov.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However,
to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting, please
submit your proxy or voting instructions. Please see the
instructions on the proxy and voting instruction card. Submitting a
proxy or voting instructions will not prevent you from attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person, if you so desire, but will
help the Company secure a quorum and reduce the expense of
additional proxy solicitation.
December 8,
2021 |
/s/ Kwok Leung Li |
|
Kwok Leung Li |
|
Chief Executive
Office |
Annex A
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2015 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
This TAKUNG ART CO.,
LTD AMENDED AND RESTATED 2015 Incentive Stock Plan
(the "Plan") is designed to retain directors, executives and
selected employees and consultants and reward them for making major
contributions to the success of the Company. These objectives are
accomplished by making long-term incentive awards under the Plan
thereby providing Participants with a proprietary interest in the
growth and performance of the Company.
|
(a) |
"Board" - The Board of Directors of the
Company. |
|
(b) |
"Code" - The Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended from time to time. |
|
(c) |
"Committee" - The Compensation Committee
of the Company's Board, or such other committee of the Board that
is designated by the Board to administer the Plan, composed of not
less than two members of the Board all of whom are disinterested
persons, as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3")
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"). |
|
(d) |
"Company" – Takung Art Co., Ltd . and its
subsidiaries, including subsidiaries of subsidiaries. |
|
(e)
(f)
|
"Delaware Securities Rules" – Title VI, Chapter 73 of the
Delaware Code.
"Exchange Act" - The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
|
|
(g) |
"Fair Market Value" - The fair market
value of the Company's issued and outstanding Stock as determined
in good faith by the Board or Committee. |
|
(h) |
"Grant" - The grant of any form of stock
option, stock award, or stock purchase offer, whether granted
singly, in combination or in tandem, to a Participant pursuant to
such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may
establish in order to fulfill the objectives of the
Plan. |
|
(i) |
"Grant Agreement" - An agreement between
the Company and a Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions
and limitations applicable to a Grant. |
|
(j) |
"Option" - Either an Incentive Stock
Option, in accordance with Section 422 of the Code, or a
Nonstatutory Option, to purchase the Company's Stock that may be
awarded to a Participant under the Plan. A Participant who receives
an award of an Option shall be referred to as an
"Optionee." |
|
(k) |
"Participant" - A director, officer,
employee or consultant of the Company to whom an Award has been
made under the Plan. |
|
(l) |
"Restricted Stock Purchase Offer" - A
Grant of the right to purchase a specified number of shares of
Stock pursuant to a written agreement issued under the
Plan. |
|
(m) |
"Securities Act" - The Securities Act of
1933, as amended from time to time. |
|
(n) |
"Stock" - Authorized and issued or
unissued shares of common stock of the Company.
|
|
(o) |
"Stock
Award" - A Grant made under the Plan in stock or denominated in
units of stock for which the Participant is not obligated to pay
additional consideration. |
The Plan shall be administered by the Board, provided however, that
the Board may delegate such administration to the Committee.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board and/or the
Committee shall have authority to (a) grant, in its discretion,
Incentive Stock Options in accordance with Section 422 of the Code,
or Nonstatutory Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers; (b) determine in good faith the fair market value of the
Stock covered by any Grant; (c) determine which eligible persons
shall receive Grants and the number of shares, restrictions, terms
and conditions to be included in such Grants; (d) construe and
interpret the Plan; (e) promulgate, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to its administration, and correct defects,
omissions and inconsistencies in the Plan or any Grant; (f)
consistent with the Plan and with the consent of the Participant,
as appropriate, amend any outstanding Grant or amend the exercise
date or dates thereof; (g) determine the duration and purpose of
leaves of absence which may be granted to Participants without
constituting termination of their employment for the purpose of the
Plan or any Grant; and (h) make all other determinations necessary
or advisable for the Plan's administration. The interpretation and
construction by the Board of any provisions of the Plan or
selection of Participants shall be conclusive and final. No member
of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
Grant made thereunder.
|
(a) |
General: The persons who shall be eligible
to receive Grants shall be directors, officers, employees or
consultants to the Company. The term consultant shall mean any
person, other than an employee, who is engaged by the Company to
render services and is compensated for such services. An Optionee
may hold more than one Option. Any issuance of a Grant to an
officer or director of the Company subsequent to the first
registration of any of the securities of the Company under the
Exchange Act shall comply with the requirements of Rule
16b-3. |
|
(b) |
Incentive Stock Options: Incentive Stock
Options may only be issued to employees of the Company. Incentive
Stock Options may be granted to officers or directors, provided
they are also employees of the Company. Payment of a director's fee
shall not be sufficient to constitute employment by the
Company. |
The Company shall not grant an Incentive Stock Option under the
Plan to any employee if such Grant would result in such employee
holding the right to exercise for the first time in any one
calendar year, under all Incentive Stock Options granted under the
Plan or any other plan maintained by the Company, with respect to
shares of Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined
as of the date of the Option is granted, in excess of $100,000.
Should it be determined that an Incentive Stock Option granted
under the Plan exceeds such maximum for any reason other than a
failure in good faith to value the Stock subject to such option,
the excess portion of such option shall be considered a
Nonstatutory Option. To the extent the employee holds two (2) or
more such Options which become exercisable for the first time in
the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the
exercisability of such Option as Incentive Stock Options under the
Federal tax laws shall be applied on the basis of the order in
which such Options are granted. If, for any reason, an entire
Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option by reason of
exceeding such maximum, such Option shall be considered a
Nonstatutory Option.
|
(c) |
Nonstatutory Option: The provisions of the
foregoing Section 3(b) shall not apply to any Option designated as
a "Nonstatutory Option" or which sets forth the intention of
the parties that the Option be a Nonstatutory Option. |
|
(d) |
Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers: The provisions of this Section 3 shall not apply to any
Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under the
Plan. |
|
(a) |
Authorized Stock: Stock subject to Grants
may be either unissued or reacquired Stock. |
|
(b) |
Number of Shares: Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 5(i) of the Plan, the total number of shares of
Stock which may be purchased or granted directly by Options, Stock
Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers, or purchased indirectly
through exercise of Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed
1,502,690. If any Grant shall for any reason terminate or expire,
any shares allocated thereto but remaining unpurchased upon such
expiration or termination shall again be available for Grants with
respect thereto under the Plan as though no Grant had previously
occurred with respect to such shares. Any shares of Stock issued
pursuant to a Grant and repurchased pursuant to the terms thereof
shall be available for future Grants as though not previously
covered by a Grant. |
|
(c) |
Reservation of Shares: The Company shall
reserve and keep available at all times during the term of the Plan
such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. If, after reasonable efforts, which
efforts shall not include the registration of the Plan or Grants
under the Securities Act, the Company is unable to obtain authority
from any applicable regulatory body, which authorization is deemed
necessary by legal counsel for the Company for the lawful issuance
of shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability
with respect to its failure to issue and sell the shares for which
such requisite authority was so deemed necessary unless and until
such authority is obtained. |
|
(d) |
Application of Funds: The proceeds
received by the Company from the sale of Stock pursuant to the
exercise of Options or rights under Stock Purchase Agreements will
be used for general corporate purposes. |
|
(e) |
No Obligation to Exercise: The issuance of
a Grant shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise
any rights under such Grant. |
5. |
Terms and
Conditions of Options. |
Options granted hereunder shall be evidenced by agreements between
the Company and the respective Optionees, in such form and
substance as the Board or Committee shall from time to time
approve. The form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit A and the three forms of a Nonstatutory
Stock Option Agreement for employees, for directors and for
consultants, attached hereto as Exhibit B-1,Exhibit B-2 and
Exhibit B-3, respectively, shall be deemed to be approved by
the Board. Option agreements need not be identical, and in each
case may include such provisions as the Board or Committee may
determine, but all such agreements shall be subject to and limited
by the following terms and conditions:
|
(a) |
Number of Shares: Each Option shall state
the number of shares to which it pertains. |
|
(b) |
Exercise Price: Each Option shall state
the exercise price, which shall be determined as
follows: |
|
(i) |
Any Incentive Stock Option granted to a
person who at the time the Option is granted owns (or is deemed to
own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power or value
of all classes of stock of the Company ("Ten Percent
Holder") shall have an exercise price of no less than 110% of
Fair Market Value as of the date of grant; and |
|
(ii) |
Incentive Stock Options granted to a person who
at the time the Option is granted is not a Ten Percent Holder shall
have an exercise price of no less than 100% of Fair Market Value as
of the date of grant. |
For the purposes of this Section 5(b), the Fair Market Value shall
be as determined by the Board in good faith, which determination
shall be conclusive and binding; provided however, that if there is
a public market for such Stock, the Fair Market Value per share
shall be the average of the bid and asked prices (or the closing
price if such stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System
or Small Cap Issue Market) on the date of grant of the Option, or
if listed on a stock exchange, the closing price on such exchange
on such date of grant.
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(c) |
Medium and Time of Payment: The exercise
price shall become immediately due upon exercise of the Option and
shall be paid in cash or check made payable to the Company. Should
the Company's outstanding Stock be registered under Section 12(g)
of the Exchange Act at the time the Option is exercised, then the
exercise price may also be paid as follows: |
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(i) |
in shares of Stock held by the Optionee for
the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company's
earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market
Value on the exercise date, or |
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(ii) |
through a special sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide
irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Company designated
brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares
and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the
settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld
by the Company by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to
deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
brokerage firm in order to complete the sale
transaction. |
At the discretion of the Board, exercisable either at the time of
Option grant or of Option exercise, the exercise price may also be
paid (i) by Optionee's delivery of a promissory note in form and
substance satisfactory to the Company and permissible under the
Securities Rules of the State of Delaware and bearing interest at a
rate determined by the Board in its sole discretion, but in no
event less than the minimum rate of interest required to avoid the
imputation of compensation income to the Optionee under the Federal
tax laws, or (ii) in such other form of consideration permitted by
the Delaware corporations law as may be acceptable to the
Board.
|
(d) |
Term and Exercise of Options: |
Any Option granted to an employee, consultant or director of the
Company shall become exercisable over a period of no longer than
ten (10) years. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the
Committee in the resolution authorizing such Option, the date of
grant of an Option shall be deemed to be the date upon which the
Board or the Committee authorizes the granting of such Option. Each
Option shall be exercisable to the nearest whole share, in
installments or otherwise, as the respective Option agreements may
provide. During the lifetime of an Optionee, the Option shall be
exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or
transferable by the Optionee, and no other person shall acquire any
rights therein. To the extent not exercised, installments (if more
than one) shall accumulate, but shall be exercisable, in whole or
in part, only during the period for exercise as stated in the
Option agreement, whether or not other installments are then
exercisable.
|
(e) |
Termination of Status as Employee, Consultant
or Director: If Optionee's status as an employee shall
terminate for any reason other than Optionee's disability or death,
then Optionee (or if the Optionee shall die after such termination,
but prior to exercise, Optionee's personal representative or the
person entitled to succeed to the Option) shall have the right to
exercise the portions of any of Optionee's Incentive Stock Options
which were exercisable as of the date of such termination, in whole
or in part, not less than 30 days nor more than three (3) months
after such termination (or, in the event of "termination for
good cause" as that term is defined in Delaware case law
related thereto, or by the terms of the Plan or the Option
Agreement or an employment agreement, the Option shall
automatically terminate as of the termination of employment as to
all shares covered by the Option). |
With respect to Nonstatutory Options granted to employees,
directors or consultants, the Board may specify such period for
exercise, not less than 30 days after such termination (except that
in the case of "termination for cause" or removal of a
director, the Option shall automatically terminate as of the
termination of employment or services as to shares covered by the
Option, following termination of employment or services as the
Board deems reasonable and appropriate). The Option may be
exercised only with respect to installments that the Optionee could
have exercised at the date of termination of employment or
services. Nothing contained herein or in any Option granted
pursuant hereto shall be construed to affect or restrict in any way
the right of the Company to terminate the employment or services of
an Optionee with or without cause.
|
(f) |
Disability of Optionee: If an Optionee is
disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) at
the time of termination, the three (3) month period set forth in
Section 5(e) shall be a period, as determined by the Board and set
forth in the Option, of not less than six months nor more than one
year after such termination. |
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|
(g) |
Death
of Optionee: If an Optionee dies while employed by, engaged as
a consultant to, or serving as a Director of the Company, the
portion of such Optionee's Option which was exercisable at the date
of death may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the estate of
the decedent or by a person succeeding to the right to exercise
such Option at any time within (i) a period, as determined by the
Board and set forth in the Option, of not less than six (6) months
nor more than one (1) year after Optionee's death, which period
shall not be more, in the case of a Nonstatutory Option, than the
period for exercise following termination of employment or
services, or (ii) during the remaining term of the Option,
whichever is the lesser. The Option may be so exercised only with
respect to installments exercisable at the time of Optionee's death
and not previously exercised by the Optionee. |
|
(h) |
Nontransferability of Option: No Option
shall be transferable by the Optionee, except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. |
|
(i) |
Recapitalization: Subject to any required
action of shareholders, the number of shares of Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the exercise price per share thereof
set forth in each such Option, shall be proportionately adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Stock of the Company resulting from a stock split, stock dividend,
combination, subdivision or reclassification of shares, or the
payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease in
the number of such shares affected without receipt of consideration
by the Company; provided, however, the conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have
been "effected without receipt of consideration" by the
Company. |
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a
"Reorganization"), unless otherwise provided by the Board,
this Option shall terminate immediately prior to such date as is
determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the
consummation of such Reorganization. In such event, if the entity
which shall be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an
offer, for which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for
any unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such
surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an
equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the
same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board
may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and
without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30)
days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined
by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or
during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser,
to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the
installment provisions of Paragraph 6(d) of the Plan; provided,
that any such right granted shall be granted to all Optionees not
receiving an offer to receive substitute options on a consistent
basis, and provided further, that any such exercise shall be
subject to the consummation of such Reorganization.
Subject to any required action of shareholders, if the Company
shall be the surviving entity in any merger or consolidation, each
outstanding Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to the
securities to which a holder of shares of Stock equal to the shares
subject to the Option would have been entitled by reason of such
merger or consolidation.
In the event of a change in the Stock of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized
shares without par value into the same number of shares with a par
value, the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to
be the Stock within the meaning of the Plan.
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the
Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(i),
the Optionee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or
consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any
stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of
shares of stock of any class, and the number or price of shares of
Stock subject to any Option shall not be affected by, and no
adjustment shall be made by reason of, any dissolution,
liquidation, merger, consolidation or sale of assets or capital
stock, or any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class
or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The Grant of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any
way the right or power of the Company to make any adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations or changes in its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate
or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or
assets.
|
(j) |
Rights as a Shareholder: An Optionee shall
have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered
by an Option until the effective date of the issuance of the shares
following exercise of such Option by Optionee. No adjustment shall
be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash,
securities or other property) or distributions or other rights for
which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate
is issued, except as expressly provided in Section 5(i)
hereof. |
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(k) |
Modification, Acceleration, Extension, and
Renewal of Options: Subject to the terms and conditions and
within the limitations of the Plan, the Board may modify an Option,
or, once an Option is exercisable, accelerate the rate at which it
may be exercised, and may extend or renew outstanding Options
granted under the Plan or accept the surrender of outstanding
Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the
granting of new Options in substitution for such Options, provided
such action is permissible under Section 422 of the Code and the
Delaware Securities Rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5(k), however, no modification of an Option shall, without
the consent of the Optionee, alter to the Optionee's detriment or
impair any rights or obligations under any Option theretofore
granted under the Plan. |
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(l) |
Exercise Before Exercise Date: At the
discretion of the Board, the Option may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Optionee may elect to exercise all or any
portion of the Option prior to the stated exercise date of the
Option or any installment thereof. Any shares so purchased prior to
the stated exercise date shall be subject to repurchase by the
Company upon termination of Optionee's employment as contemplated
by Section 5(n) hereof prior to the exercise date stated in the
Option and such other restrictions and conditions as the Board or
Committee may deem advisable. |
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(m) |
Other Provisions: The Option agreements
authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions,
including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of
the Options, as the Board or the Committee shall deem advisable.
Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option,
if the exercise of such Option or the issuance of shares thereunder
would violate, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company, the
provisions of any applicable law or the rules or regulations of any
applicable governmental or administrative agency or body, such as
the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Delaware
Securities Rules, Delaware corporation law, and the rules
promulgated under the foregoing or the rules and regulations of any
exchange upon which the shares of the Company are listed. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the exercise of each
Option shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the
Company shall determine that (i) the satisfaction of withholding
tax or other similar liabilities, or (ii) the listing, registration
or qualification of any shares covered by such exercise upon any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (iii) the
consent or approval of any regulatory body, or (iv) the perfection
of any exemption from any such withholding, listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval is necessary or desirable in
connection with such exercise or the issuance of shares thereunder,
then in any such event, such exercise shall not be effective unless
such withholding, listing registration, qualification, consent,
approval or exemption shall have been effected, obtained or
perfected free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Company. |
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(n) |
Repurchase Agreement: The Board may, in
its discretion, require as a condition to the Grant of an Option
hereunder, that an Optionee execute an agreement with the Company,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its discretion
("Repurchase Agreement"), (i) restricting the Optionee's
right to transfer shares purchased under such Option without first
offering such shares to the Company or another shareholder of the
Company upon the same terms and conditions as provided therein; and
(ii) providing that upon termination of Optionee's employment with
the Company, for any reason, the Company (or another shareholder of
the Company, as provided in the Repurchase Agreement) shall have
the right at its discretion (or the discretion of such other
shareholders) to purchase and/or redeem all such shares owned by
the Optionee on the date of termination of his or her employment at
a price equal to: (A) the fair value of such shares as of such date
of termination; or (B) if such repurchase right lapses at 20% of
the number of shares per year, the original purchase price of such
shares, and upon terms of payment permissible under the Delaware
Securities Rules; provided that in the case of Options or Stock
Awards granted to officers, directors, consultants or affiliates of
the Company, such repurchase provisions may be subject to
additional or greater restrictions as determined by the Board or
Committee. |
6. |
Stock
Awards and Restricted Stock Purchase Offers. |
|
(i) |
Stock Award. All or part of any Stock
Award under the Plan may be subject to conditions established by
the Board or the Committee, and set forth in the Stock Award
Agreement, which may include, but are not limited to, continuous
service with the Company, achievement of specific business
objectives, increases in specified indices, attaining growth rates
and other comparable measurements of Company performance. Such
Awards may be based on Fair Market Value or other specified
valuation. All Stock Awards will be made pursuant to the execution
of a Stock Award Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C. |
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(ii) |
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer. A
Grant of a Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under the Plan shall be
subject to such (i) vesting contingencies related to the
Participant's continued association with the Company for a
specified time and (ii) other specified conditions as the Board or
Committee shall determine, in their sole discretion, consistent
with the provisions of the Plan. All Restricted Stock Purchase
Offers shall be made pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase Offer
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. |
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(b) |
Conditions and Restrictions. Shares of
Stock which Participants may receive as a Stock Award under a Stock
Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under a
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer may include such restrictions as
the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall determine, including
restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights, right of first
refusal, and forfeiture provisions. When transfer of Stock is so
restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions it is referred to as
"Restricted Stock". Further, with Board or Committee
approval, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers may be
deferred, either in the form of installments or a future lump sum
distribution. The Board or Committee may permit selected
Participants to elect to defer distributions of Stock Awards or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers in accordance with procedures
established by the Board or Committee to assure that such deferrals
comply with applicable requirements of the Code including, at the
choice of Participants, the capability to make further deferrals
for distribution after retirement. Any deferred distribution,
whether elected by the Participant or specified by the Stock Award
Agreement, Restricted Stock Purchase Offers or by the Board or
Committee, may require the payment be forfeited in accordance with
the provisions of Section 6(c). Dividends or dividend equivalent
rights may be extended to and made part of any Stock Award or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers denominated in Stock or units of
Stock, subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the
Board or Committee may establish. |
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(c) |
Cancellation and Rescission of Grants.
Unless the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer
specifies otherwise, the Board or Committee, as applicable, may
cancel any unexpired, unpaid, or deferred Grants at any time if the
Participant is not in compliance with all other applicable
provisions of the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock
Purchase Offer, the Plan and with the following
conditions: |
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(i) |
A Participant shall not render services for any
organization or engage directly or indirectly in any business
which, in the judgment of the chief executive officer of the
Company or other senior officer designated by the Board or
Committee, is or becomes competitive with the Company, or which
organization or business, or the rendering of services to such
organization or business, is or becomes otherwise prejudicial to or
in conflict with the interests of the Company. For Participants
whose employment has terminated, the judgment of the chief
executive officer shall be based on the Participant's position and
responsibilities while employed by the Company, the Participant's
post-employment responsibilities and position with the other
organization or business, the extent of past, current and potential
competition or conflict between the Company and the other
organization or business, the effect on the Company's customers,
suppliers and competitors and such other considerations as are
deemed relevant given the applicable facts and circumstances. A
Participant who has retired shall be free, however, to purchase as
an investment or otherwise, stock or other securities of such
organization or business so long as they are listed upon a
recognized securities exchange or traded over-the-counter, and such
investment does not represent a substantial investment to the
Participant or a greater than ten percent (10%) equity interest in
the organization or business. |
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(ii) |
A Participant shall not, without prior
written authorization from the Company, disclose to anyone outside
the Company, or use in other than the Company's business, any
confidential information or material, as defined in the Company's
Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement or similar
agreement regarding confidential information and intellectual
property, relating to the business of the Company, acquired by the
Participant either during or after employment with the
Company. |
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(iii) |
A Participant, pursuant to the Company's
Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, shall disclose
promptly and assign to the Company all right, title and interest in
any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the
Participant during employment by the Company, relating in any
manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or
development work of the Company and shall do anything reasonably
necessary to enable the Company to secure a patent where
appropriate in the United States and in foreign
countries. |
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(iv) |
Upon exercise, payment or delivery pursuant
to a Grant, the Participant shall certify on a form acceptable to
the Committee that he or she is in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Plan. Failure to comply with all of the
provisions of this Section 6(c) prior to, or during the six months
after, any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant shall
cause such exercise, payment or delivery to be rescinded. The
Company shall notify the Participant in writing of any such
rescission within two years after such exercise, payment or
delivery. Within ten days after receiving such a notice from the
Company, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any
gain realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded
exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant. Such payment
shall be made either in cash or by returning to the Company the
number of shares of Stock that the Participant received in
connection with the rescinded exercise, payment or
delivery. |
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(i) |
Except pursuant to Section 6(e)(iii) and except
as set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), no Grant or any other benefit
under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, or payable to
or exercisable by, anyone other than the Participant to whom it was
granted. |
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(ii) |
Where a Participant terminates employment and
retains a Grant pursuant to Section 6(e)(ii) in order to assume a
position with a governmental, charitable or educational
institution, the Board or Committee, in its discretion and to the
extent permitted by law, may authorize a third party (including but
not limited to the trustee of a "blind" trust), acceptable to the
applicable governmental or institutional authorities, the
Participant and the Board or Committee, to act on behalf of the
Participant with regard to such Awards. |
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(e) |
Termination of Employment. If the
employment or service to the Company of a Participant terminates,
other than pursuant to any of the following provisions under this
Section 6(e), all unexercised, deferred and unpaid Stock Awards or
Restricted Stock Purchase Offers shall be cancelled immediately,
unless the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer
provides otherwise: |
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(i) |
Retirement Under a Company Retirement
Plan. When a Participant's employment terminates as a result of
retirement in accordance with the terms of a Company retirement
plan, the Board or Committee may permit Stock Awards or Restricted
Stock Purchase Offers to continue in effect beyond the date of
retirement in accordance with the applicable Grant Agreement and
the exercisability and vesting of any such Grants may be
accelerated. |
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(ii) |
Rights in the Best Interests of the
Company. When a Participant resigns from the Company and, in
the judgment of the Board or Committee, the acceleration and/or
continuation of outstanding Stock Awards or Restricted Stock
Purchase Offers would be in the best interests of the Company, the
Board or Committee may (i) authorize, where appropriate, the
acceleration and/or continuation of all or any part of Grants
issued prior to such termination and (ii) permit the exercise,
vesting and payment of such Grants for such period as may be set
forth in the applicable Grant Agreement, subject to earlier
cancellation pursuant to Section 9 or at such time as the Board or
Committee shall deem the continuation of all or any part of the
Participant's Grants are not in the Company's best
interest. |
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(iii) |
Death or Disability of a
Participant. |
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(1) |
In the event of a Participant's death, the
Participant's estate or beneficiaries shall have a period up to the
expiration date specified in the Grant Agreement within which to
receive or exercise any outstanding Grant held by the Participant
under such terms as may be specified in the applicable Grant
Agreement. Rights to any such outstanding Grants shall pass by will
or the laws of descent and distribution in the following order: (a)
to beneficiaries so designated by the Participant; if none, then
(b) to a legal representative of the Participant; if none, then (c)
to the persons entitled thereto as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction. Grants so passing shall be made at such
times and in such manner as if the Participant were
living. |
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(2) |
In the event a Participant is deemed by the
Board or Committee to be unable to perform his or her usual duties
by reason of mental disorder or medical condition which does not
result from facts which would be grounds for termination for cause,
Grants and rights to any such Grants may be paid to or exercised by
the Participant, if legally competent, or a committee or other
legally designated guardian or representative if the Participant is
legally incompetent by virtue of such disability. |
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(3) |
After the death or disability of a
Participant, the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion at
any time (1) terminate restrictions in Grant Agreements; (2)
accelerate any or all installments and rights; and (3) instruct the
Company to pay the total of any accelerated payments in a lump sum
to the Participant, the Participant's estate, beneficiaries or
representative; notwithstanding that, in the absence of such
termination of restrictions or acceleration of payments, any or all
of the payments due under the Grant might ultimately have become
payable to other beneficiaries. |
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(4) |
In the event of uncertainty as to
interpretation of or controversies concerning this Section 6, the
determinations of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be
binding and conclusive. |
All Grants under the Plan are intended to be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2)
thereunder. Unless and until the granting of Options or sale and
issuance of Stock subject to the Plan are registered under the
Securities Act or shall be exempt pursuant to the rules promulgated
thereunder, each Grant under the Plan shall provide that the
purchases or other acquisitions of Stock thereunder shall be for
investment purposes and not with a view to, or for resale in
connection with, any distribution thereof. Further, unless the
issuance and sale of the Stock have been registered under the
Securities Act, each Grant shall provide that no shares shall be
purchased upon the exercise of the rights under such Grant unless
and until (i) all then applicable requirements of state and federal
laws and regulatory agencies shall have been fully complied with to
the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel, and (ii) if
requested to do so by the Company, the person exercising the rights
under the Grant shall (i) give written assurances as to knowledge
and experience of such person (or a representative employed by such
person) in financial and business matters and the ability of such
person (or representative) to evaluate the merits and risks of
exercising the Option, and (ii) execute and deliver to the Company
a letter of investment intent and/or such other form related to
applicable exemptions from registration, all in such form and
substance as the Company may require. If shares are issued upon
exercise of any rights under a Grant without registration under the
Securities Act, subsequent registration of such shares shall
relieve the purchaser thereof of any investment restrictions or
representations made upon the exercise of such rights.
8. |
Amendment, Modification, Suspension or
Discontinuance of the Plan. |
The Board may, insofar as permitted by law, from time to time, with
respect to any shares at the time not subject to outstanding
Grants, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend it in any
respect whatsoever, except that without the approval of the
shareholders of the Company, no such revision or amendment shall
(i) increase the number of shares subject to the Plan, (ii)
decrease the price at which Grants may be granted, (iii) materially
increase the benefits to Participants, or (iv) change the class of
persons eligible to receive Grants under the Plan; provided,
however, no such action shall alter or impair the rights and
obligations under any Option, or Stock Award, or Restricted Stock
Purchase Offer outstanding as of the date thereof without the
written consent of the Participant thereunder. No Grant may be
issued while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated, but
the rights and obligations under any Grant issued while the Plan is
in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the
Plan.
In the event of any change in the outstanding Stock by reason of a
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
shares, recapitalization, merger, or similar event, the Board or
the Committee may adjust proportionally (a) the number of shares of
Stock (i) reserved under the Plan, (ii) available for Incentive
Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options and (iii) covered by
outstanding Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b)
the Stock prices related to outstanding Grants; and (c) the
appropriate Fair Market Value and other price determinations for
such Grants. In the event of any other change affecting the Stock
or any distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to holders
of Stock, such adjustments as may be deemed equitable by the Board
or the Committee, including adjustments to avoid fractional shares,
shall be made to give proper effect to such event. In the event of
a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or
stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Board or the
Committee shall be authorized to issue or assume stock options,
whether or not in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code
applies, and other Grants by means of substitution of new Grant
Agreements for previously issued Grants or an assumption of
previously issued Grants.
The Company shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from
any Grant payment and withhold, at the time of delivery or exercise
of Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers or
vesting of shares under such Grants, an appropriate number of
shares for payment of taxes required by law or to take such other
action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy
all obligations for withholding of such taxes. If Stock is used to
satisfy tax withholding, such stock shall be valued based on the
Fair Market Value when the tax withholding is required to be
made.
10. |
Availability of Information. |
During the term of the Plan and any additional period during which
a Grant granted pursuant to the Plan shall be exercisable, the
Company shall make available, not later than one hundred and twenty
(120) days following the close of each of its fiscal years, such
financial and other information regarding the Company as is
required by the bylaws of the Company and applicable law to be
furnished in an annual report to the shareholders of the
Company.
Any written notice to the Company required by any of the provisions
of the Plan shall be addressed to the chief personnel officer or to
the chief executive officer of the Company, and shall become
effective when it is received by the office of the chief personnel
officer or the chief executive officer.
12. |
Indemnification of Board. |
In addition to such other rights or indemnifications as they may
have as directors or otherwise, and to the extent allowed by
applicable law, the members of the Board and the Committee shall be
indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses,
including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in
connection with the defense of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding, or in connection with any appeal thereof, to which they
or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken, or
failure to act, under or in connection with the Plan or any Grant
granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by
independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them
in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, action, suit or
proceeding, except in any case in relation to matters as to which
it shall be adjudged in such claim, action, suit or proceeding that
such Board or Committee member is liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; provided that
within sixty (60) days after institution of any such action, suit
or Board proceeding the member involved shall offer the Company, in
writing, the opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend
the same.
The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant
hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the
securities laws of the United States, shall be governed by the law
of the State of Delaware and construed accordingly.
14. |
Effective
and Termination Dates. |
The Plan shall become effective on the date it is approved by the
holders of a majority of the shares of Stock then outstanding. The
Plan shall terminate ten (10) years later, subject to earlier
termination by the Board pursuant to Section 8.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
The foregoing Amended And Restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan was
duly adopted and approved by the Shareholders of the Company on
December [*], 2021.
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TAKUNG ART CO., LTD |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By: |
/s/ Kwok Leung Li |
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Name:
Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Incentive Stock
Option Agreement ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the date set forth below, by and between Takung
Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
the employee of the Company named in Section 1(b).
("Optionee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Option Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
(a) Optionee is an employee of the Company.
(b) The Board of Directors (the "Board" which term shall
include an authorized committee of the Board of Directors) and
shareholders of the Company have heretofore adopted an amended and
restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to
which this Option is being granted.
(c) The Board has authorized the granting to Optionee of an
incentive stock option ("Option") as defined in Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the
"Code") to purchase shares of common stock of the Company
("Stock") upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated
and pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") provided by
Section 4(2) thereunder.
3. Shares; Price. The Company hereby grants to Optionee the
right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions
herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section
1(c) above (the "Shares") for cash (or other consideration
as is authorized under the Plan and acceptable to the Board, in
their sole and absolute discretion) at the price per Share set
forth in Section 1(d) above (the "Exercise Price"), such
price being not less than the fair market value per share of the
Shares covered by this Option as of the date hereof (unless
Optionee is the owner of Stock possessing ten percent or more of
the total voting power or value of all outstanding Stock of the
Company, in which case the Exercise Price shall be no less than
110% of the fair market value of such Stock).
4. Term of Option; Continuation of Employment. This Option
shall expire, and all rights hereunder to purchase the Shares shall
terminate ____ (___) years from the date hereof. This Option shall
earlier terminate subject to Sections 7 and 8 hereof upon, and as
of the date of, the termination of Optionee's employment if such
termination occurs prior to the end of such ____ (___) year period.
Nothing contained herein shall confer upon Optionee the right to
the continuation of his or her employment by the Company or to
interfere with the right of the Company to terminate such
employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of Optionee
from the rate in existence at the date hereof.
5. Vesting of Option. Subject to the provisions of Sections
7 and 8 hereof, this Option shall become exercisable during the
term of Optionee's employment in ______ equal annual installments
of _______ percent of the Shares covered by this Option, the first
installment to be exercisable on _______ anniversary of the date of
this Option (the "Initial Vesting Date"), with an additional _____
percent of such Shares becoming exercisable on each of the
successive periods following the Initial Vesting Date. The
installments shall be cumulative (i.e., this option may be
exercised, as to any or all Shares covered by an installment, at
any time or times after an installment becomes exercisable and
until expiration or termination of this option).
6. Exercise. This Option shall be exercised as follows:
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(i) |
by delivery to the Company of (a) written
notice of exercise stating the number of Shares being purchased (in
whole shares only) and such other information set forth on the form
of Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Appendix A, (b) a check or
cash in the amount of the Exercise Price of the Shares covered by
the notice (or such other consideration as has been approved by the
Board of Directors consistent with the Plan) and (c) a written
investment representation as provided for in Section 13 hereof,
or |
|
(ii) |
through a special sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide
irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Company designated
brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares
and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the
settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld
by the Company by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to
deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
brokerage firm in order to complete the sale
transaction. |
This Option shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be
exercisable only by Optionee during his or her lifetime, except as
provided in Section 8 hereof.
7. Termination of Employment. If Optionee shall cease to be
employed by the Company for any reason, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, other than by his or her death, Optionee (or if the
Optionee shall die after such termination, but prior to such
exercise date, Optionee's personal representative or the person
entitled to succeed to the Option) shall have the right at any time
within three (3) months following such termination of employment or
the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser, to
exercise in whole or in part this Option to the extent, but only to
the extent, that this Option was exercisable as of the date of
termination of employment and had not previously been exercised;
provided, however: (i) if Optionee is permanently disabled (within
the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) at the time of
termination, the foregoing three (3) month period shall be extended
to six (6) months; or (ii) if Optionee is terminated "for
cause", as that term is defined, or by the terms of the Plan or
this Option Agreement or by any employment agreement between the
Optionee and the Company, this Option shall automatically terminate
as to all Shares covered by this Option not exercised prior to
termination. Unless earlier terminated, all rights under this
Option shall terminate in any event on the expiration date of this
Option as defined in Section 4 hereof.
8. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die while in the
employ of the Company, Optionee's personal representative or the
person entitled to Optionee's rights hereunder may at any time
within six (6) months after the date of Optionee's death, or during
the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser,
exercise this Option and purchase Shares to the extent, but only to
the extent, that Optionee could have exercised this Option as of
the date of Optionee's death; provided, in any case, that this
Option may be so exercised only to the extent that this Option has
not previously been exercised by Optionee.
9. No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no rights
as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any
installment of this Option until the effective date of issuance of
Shares following exercise of this Option, and no adjustment will be
made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is
prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates are issued
except as provided in Section 10 hereof.
10. Recapitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by this
Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease
in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided however that the conversion
of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
having been "effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company".
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a
"Reorganization"), unless otherwise provided by the Board,
this Option shall terminate immediately prior to such date as is
determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the
consummation of such Reorganization. In such event, if the entity
which shall be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an
offer, for which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for
any unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such
surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an
equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the
same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board
may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and
without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30)
days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined
by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or
during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser,
to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the
installment provisions of Section 5; provided, however, that such
exercise shall be subject to the consummation of such
Reorganization.
Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company,
if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any merger or
consolidation, this Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to
the securities to which a holder of Shares equal to the Shares
subject to this Option would have been entitled by reason of such
merger or consolidation, and the installment provisions of Section
5 shall continue to apply.
In the event of a change in the shares of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized
Stock without par value into the same number of shares of Stock
with a par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall
be deemed to be the Shares within the meaning of this Option.
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to shares or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the
Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, Optionee
shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of Stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares
of stock of any class, and the number and price of Shares subject
to this Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustments shall
be made by reason of, any dissolution, liquidation, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The grant of this Option shall not affect in any way the right or
power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate or to sell or transfer
all or any part of its business or assets.
11. Additional Consideration. Should the Internal Revenue
Service determine that the Exercise Price established by the Board
as the fair market value per Share is less than the fair market
value per Share as of the date of Option grant, Optionee hereby
agrees to tender such additional consideration, or agrees to tender
upon exercise of all or a portion of this Option, such fair market
value per Share as is determined by the Internal Revenue
Service.
12. Modifications, Extension and Renewal of Options. The
Board or Committee, as described in the Plan, may modify, extend or
renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof (to the extent
not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of a new
option in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore
exercised), subject at all times to the Plan, and Section 422 of
the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
12, no modification shall, without the consent of the Optionee,
alter to the Optionee's detriment or impair any rights of Optionee
hereunder.
13. Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Optionee represents and agrees that if Optionee exercises this
Option in whole or in part, Optionee will in each case acquire the
Shares upon such exercise for the purpose of investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution
thereof; and that upon such exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, Optionee (or any person or persons entitled to exercise this
Option under the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof) shall
furnish to the Company a written statement to such effect,
satisfactory to the Company in form and substance. If the Shares
represented by this Option are registered under the Securities Act,
either before or after the exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, the Optionee shall be relieved of the foregoing investment
representation and agreement and shall not be required to furnish
the Company with the foregoing written statement.
(b) Optionee further represents that Optionee has had access to the
financial statements or books and records of the Company, has had
the opportunity to ask questions of the Company concerning its
business, operations and financial condition, and to obtain
additional information reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy
of such information.
(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by this Option are
registered under the Securities Act, all certificates representing
the Shares and any certificates subsequently issued in substitution
therefor and any certificate for any securities issued pursuant to
any stock split, share reclassification, stock dividend or other
similar capital event shall bear legends in substantially the
following form:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER
THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE
SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED
PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED
____________ BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE
TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE
COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
such other legend or legends as the Company and its counsel deem
necessary or appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer instructions
with respect to the Shares have been placed with the Company's
transfer agent.
14. Effects of Early Disposition. Optionee understands that
if an Optionee disposes of shares acquired hereunder within two (2)
years after the date of this Option or within one (1) year after
the date of issuance of such shares to Optionee, such Optionee will
be treated for income tax purposes as having received ordinary
income at the time of such disposition of an amount generally
measured by the difference between the purchase price and the fair
market value of such stock on the date of exercise, subject to
adjustment for any tax previously paid, in addition to any tax on
the difference between the sales price and Optionee's adjusted cost
basis in such shares. The foregoing amount may be measured
differently if Optionee is an officer, director or ten percent
holder of the Company. Optionee agrees to notify the Company within
ten (10) working days of any such disposition.
15. Stand-off Agreement. Optionee agrees that in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Optionee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering.
16. Restriction upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Optionee except as hereinafter
provided.
(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than for Cause.
For the purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase Event" shall
mean an occurrence of one of (i) termination of Optionee's
employment by the Company, voluntary or involuntary and with or
without cause; (ii) retirement or death of Optionee; (iii)
bankruptcy of Optionee, which shall be deemed to have occurred as
of the date on which a voluntary or involuntary petition in
bankruptcy is filed with a court of competent jurisdiction; (iv)
dissolution of the marriage of Optionee, to the extent that any of
the Shares are allocated as the sole and separate property of
Optionee's spouse pursuant thereto (in which case this Section
shall only apply to the Shares so affected); or (v) any attempted
transfer by the Optionee of Shares, or any interest therein, in
violation of this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of a Repurchase
Event, the Company shall have the right (but not an obligation) to
repurchase all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee at a price
equal to the fair value of the Shares as of the date of the
Repurchase Event.
(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for Cause. In the event
Optionee's employment is terminated by the Company "for
cause", then the Company shall have the right (but not an
obligation) to repurchase Shares of Optionee at a price equal to
the Exercise Price. Such right of the Company to repurchase Shares
shall apply to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year from the date of
this Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse at the rate of twenty
percent (20%) of the Shares on each anniversary of the date of this
Agreement. In addition, the Company shall have the right, in the
sole discretion of the Board and without obligation, to repurchase
upon termination for cause all or any portion of the Shares of
Optionee, at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares as of
the date of termination, which right is not subject to the
foregoing lapsing of rights. In the event the Company elects to
repurchase the Shares, the stock certificates representing the same
shall forthwith be returned to the Company for cancellation.
(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any Repurchase Right under
Paragraphs 16(a) or 16(b) shall be exercised by giving notice of
exercise as provided herein to Optionee or the estate of Optionee,
as applicable. Such right shall be exercised, and the repurchase
price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company within a ninety (90)
day period beginning on the date of notice to the Company of the
occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in the case of
termination of employment or retirement, where such option period
shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase Event). Such
repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of cash
(including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in Delaware and/or
Delaware corporation law, the Company shall have the right to
purchase as many Shares as it is permitted to purchase under such
sections. Any Shares not purchased by the Company hereunder shall
no longer be subject to the provisions of this Section 16.
(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event Optionee desires to
transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime, Optionee shall
first offer to sell such Shares to the Company. Optionee shall
deliver to the Company written notice of the intended sale, such
notice to specify the number of Shares to be sold, the proposed
purchase price and terms of payment, and grant the Company an
option for a period of thirty days following receipt of such notice
to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms and conditions.
To exercise such option, the Company shall give notice of that fact
to Optionee within the thirty (30) day notice period and agree to
pay the purchase price in the manner provided in the notice. If the
Company does not purchase all of the Shares so offered during
foregoing option period, Optionee shall be under no obligation to
sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but may dispose of
such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of one hundred and
eighty (180) days following the end of such notice period, except
that Optionee shall not sell any such Shares to any other person at
a lower price or upon more favorable terms than those offered to
the Company.
(e) Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares
shall constitute the Optionee's agreement to such restrictions and
the legending of his certificates with respect thereto.
Notwithstanding such restrictions, however, so long as the Optionee
is the holder of the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be
entitled to receive all dividends declared on and to vote the
Shares and to all other rights of a shareholder with respect
thereto.
(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding any provisions in
this Section 16 to the contrary, the Optionee may transfer Shares
subject to this Agreement to his or her parents, spouse, children,
or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee or any
such transferee(s); provided, that such permitted transferee(s)
shall hold the Shares subject to all the provisions of this
Agreement (all references to the Optionee herein shall in such
cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted transferee, except in
the case of clause (iv) of Section 16(a) wherein the permitted
transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded); and provided further,
that notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, a
permitted transferee may not, in turn, make permitted transfers
without the written consent of the Optionee and the Company.
(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All rights and
restrictions under this Section 16 shall terminate ten (10) years
following the date of this Agreement, or when the Company's
securities are publicly traded, whichever occurs earlier.
17. Notices. Any notice required to be given pursuant to
this Option or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices by the
Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided to the
Company by Optionee for his or her employee records.
18. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Option
is made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Optionee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Option inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void and
replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Option has
been granted, executed and delivered in the State of Delaware , and
the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed by the laws
thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
therein.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
In Witness
Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Option as
of the date first above written.
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TAKUNG ART
CO.,LTD,
a Delaware corporation
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COMPANY: |
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
OPTIONEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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(one of the following, as appropriate, shall be signed)
I certify that as of the date hereof I am
unmarried |
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By his or her signature, the spouse of Optionee
hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of the foregoing
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT |
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Optionee |
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Spouse of
Optionee |
Appendix A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
Re: Incentive Stock Option
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 6 of my Incentive Stock
Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of shares set
forth below at the exercise price set forth in my option
agreement:
Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated: ____________
Number of shares being purchased: ____________
Exercise Price: $____________
A check in the amount of the aggregate price of the shares being
purchased is attached.
I hereby confirm that such shares are being acquired by me for my
own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. I will not
sell or dispose of my Shares in violation of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any applicable federal or state securities
laws. Further, I understand that the exemption from taxable income
at the time of exercise is dependent upon my holding such stock for
a period of at least one year from the date of exercise and two
years from the date of grant of the Option.
I agree to provide to the Company such additional documents or
information as may be required pursuant to the Company's amended
and restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan.
EXHIBIT B-1
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
EMPLOYEE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Employee
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement ("Agreement")
is made and entered into as of the date set forth below, by and
between Takung Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and the following employee of the Company
("Optionee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Option Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
(a) Optionee is an employee of the Company.
(b) The Board of Directors (the "Board" which term shall
include an authorized committee of the Board of Directors) and
shareholders of the Company have heretofore adopted an amended and
restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to
which this Option is being granted; and
(c) The Board has authorized the granting to Optionee of a
nonstatutory stock option ("Option") to purchase shares of
common stock of the Company ("Stock") upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated and pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2) thereunder.
3. Shares; Price. Company hereby grants to Optionee the
right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions
herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section
1(c) above (the "Shares") for cash (or other consideration
as is authorized under the Plan and acceptable to the Board of
Directors of the Company, in their sole and absolute discretion) at
the price per Share set forth in Section 1(d) above (the
"Exercise Price"), such price being not less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value per share of the
Shares covered by this Option as of the date hereof.
4. Term of Option; Continuation of Service. This Option
shall expire, and all rights hereunder to purchase the Shares shall
terminate, ___ (__) years from the date hereof. This Option shall
earlier terminate subject to Sections 7 and 8 hereof upon, and as
of the date of, the termination of Optionee's employment if such
termination occurs prior to the end of such ___ (__) year period.
Nothing contained herein shall confer upon Optionee the right to
the continuation of his or her employment by the Company or to
interfere with the right of the Company to terminate such
employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of Optionee
from the rate in existence at the date hereof
5. Vesting of Option.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof, this Option
shall become vested and exercisable during the term of Optionee's
employment in Six (6) equal annual installments of [___] percent
([__]%) of the Shares covered by this Option, the first installment
to be exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of this
Option.
6. Exercise. This Option shall be exercised as follows:
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(i) |
by delivery to the Company of (a) written
notice of exercise stating the number of Shares being purchased (in
whole shares only) and such other information set forth on the form
of Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Appendix A, (b) a
check or cash in the amount of the Exercise Price of the Shares
covered by the notice (or such other consideration as has been
approved by the Board of Directors consistent with the Plan) and
(c) a written investemnt representation as provided for in Section
13 hereof, or |
|
(ii) |
through a special sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide
irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Company designated
brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares
and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the
settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld
by the Company by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to
deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
brokerage firm in order to complete the sale
transaction. |
This Option shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be
exercisable only by Optionee during his or her lifetime, except as
provided in Section 8 hereof.
7. Termination of Employment. If Optionee shall cease to be
employed by the Company for any reason, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, other than by his or her death, Optionee (or if the
Optionee shall die after such termination, but prior to such
exercise date, Optionee's personal representative or the person
entitled to succeed to the Option) shall have the right at any time
within three (3) months following such termination of employment or
the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser, to
exercise in whole or in part this Option to the extent, but only to
the extent, that this Option was exercisable as of the date of
termination of employment and had not previously been exercised;
provided, however: (i) if Optionee is permanently disabled (within
the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) at the time of
termination, the foregoing three (3) month period shall be extended
to six (6) months; or (ii) if Optionee is terminated "for cause" as
that term is defined under the Delaware Securities Rules and case
law related thereto, or by the terms of the Plan or this Option
Agreement or by any employment agreement between the Optionee and
the Company, this Option shall automatically terminate as to all
Shares covered by this Option not exercised prior to
termination.
Unless earlier terminated, all rights under this Option shall
terminate in any event on the expiration date of this Option as
defined in Section 4 hereof.
8. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die while in the
employ of the Company, Optionee's personal representative or the
person entitled to Optionee's rights hereunder may at any time
within six (6) months after the date of Optionee's death, or during
the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser,
exercise this Option and purchase Shares to the extent, but only to
the extent, that Optionee could have exercised this Option as of
the date of Optionee's death; provided, in any case, that this
Option may be so exercised only to the extent that this Option has
not previously been exercised by Optionee.
9. No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no rights
as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any
installment of this Option until the effective date of issuance of
the Shares following exercise of this Option, and no adjustment
will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates
are issued except as provided in Section 10 hereof.
10. Recapitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by this
Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease
in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided however that the conversion
of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
having been "effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company".
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a
"Reorganization"), unless otherwise provided by the Board,
this Option shall terminate immediately prior to such date as is
determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the
consummation of such Reorganization. In such event, if the entity
which shall be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an
offer, for which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for
any unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such
surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an
equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the
same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board
may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and
without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30)
days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined
by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or
during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser,
to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the
installment provisions of Section 5; provided, however, that such
exercise shall be subject to the consummation of such
Reorganization.
Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company,
if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any merger or
consolidation, this Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to
the securities to which a holder of Shares equal to the Shares
subject to this Option would have been entitled by reason of such
merger or consolidation, and the installment provisions of Section
5 shall continue to apply.
In the event of a change in the shares of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized
Stock without par value into the same number of shares of Stock
with a par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall
be deemed to be the Shares within the meaning of this Option.
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to shares or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the
Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, Optionee
shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of Stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares
of stock of any class, and the number and price of Shares subject
to this Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustments shall
be made by reason of, any dissolution, liquidation, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The grant of this Option shall not affect in any way the right or
power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate or to sell or transfer
all or any part of its business or assets.
11. Taxation upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands
that, upon exercise of this Option, Optionee will recognize income,
for Federal and state income tax purposes, in an amount equal to
the amount by which the fair market value of the Shares, determined
as of the date of exercise, exceeds the Exercise Price. The
acceptance of the Shares by Optionee shall constitute an agreement
by Optionee to report such income in accordance with then
applicable law and to cooperate with Company in establishing the
amount of such income and corresponding deduction to the Company
for its income tax purposes. Withholding for federal or state
income and employment tax purposes will be made, if and as required
by law, from Optionee's then current compensation, or, if such
current compensation is insufficient to satisfy withholding tax
liability, the Company may require Optionee to make a cash payment
to cover such liability as a condition of the exercise of this
Option.
12. Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options. The
Board or Committee, as described in the Plan, may modify, extend or
renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof (to the extent
not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of a new
option in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore
exercised), subject at all times to the Plan, the Code and the
Delaware Securities Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 12, no modification shall, without the consent of
the Optionee, alter to the Optionee's detriment or impair any
rights of Optionee hereunder.
13. Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Optionee represents and agrees that if Optionee exercises this
Option in whole or in part, Optionee will in each case acquire the
Shares upon such exercise for the purpose of investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution
thereof; and that upon such exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, Optionee (or any person or persons entitled to exercise this
Option under the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof) shall
furnish to the Company a written statement to such effect,
satisfactory to the Company in form and substance. If the Shares
represented by this Option are registered under the Securities Act,
either before or after the exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, the Optionee shall be relieved of the foregoing investment
representation and agreement and shall not be required to furnish
the Company with the foregoing written statement.
(b) Optionee further represents that Optionee has had access to the
financial statements or books and records of the Company, has had
the opportunity to ask questions of the Company concerning its
business, operations and financial condition, and to obtain
additional information reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy
of such information
(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by this Option are
registered under the Securities Act, all certificates representing
the Shares and any certificates subsequently issued in substitution
therefor and any certificate for any securities issued pursuant to
any stock split, share reclassification, stock dividend or other
similar capital event shall bear legends in substantially the
following form:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER
THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE
SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED
PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED
____________ BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE
TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE
COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
and/or such other legend or legends as the Company and its counsel
deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer
instructions with respect to the Shares have been placed with the
Company's transfer agent.
14. Stand-off Agreement. Optionee agrees that, in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Optionee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering.
15. Restriction Upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Optionee except as hereinafter
provided.
(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than for Cause. For the
purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase Event" shall mean an
occurrence of one of (i) termination of Optionee's employment by
the Company, voluntary or involuntary and with or without cause;
(ii) retirement or death of Optionee; (iii) bankruptcy of Optionee,
which shall be deemed to have occurred as of the date on which a
voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed with a
court of competent jurisdiction; (iv) dissolution of the marriage
of Optionee, to the extent that any of the Shares are allocated as
the sole and separate property of Optionee's spouse pursuant
thereto (in which case, this Section shall only apply to the Shares
so affected); or (v) any attempted transfer by the Optionee of
Shares, or any interest therein, in violation of this Agreement.
Upon the occurrence of a Repurchase Event, the Company shall have
the right (but not an obligation) to repurchase all or any portion
of the Shares of Optionee at a price equal to the fair value of the
Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Event.
(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for Cause. In the event
Optionee's employment is terminated by the Company "for cause",
then the Company shall have the right (but not an obligation) to
repurchase Shares of Optionee at a price equal to the Exercise
Price. Such right of the Company to repurchase Shares shall apply
to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year from the date of this
Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse at the rate of twenty percent
(20%) of the Shares on each anniversary of the date of this
Agreement. In addition, the Company shall have the right, in the
sole discretion of the Board and without obligation, to repurchase
upon termination for cause all or any portion of the Shares of
Optionee, at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares as of
the date of termination, which right is not subject to the
foregoing lapsing of rights. In the event the Company elects to
repurchase the Shares, the stock certificates representing the same
shall forthwith be returned to the Company for cancellation.
(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any Repurchase Right under
Paragraphs 15(a) or 15(b) shall be exercised by giving notice of
exercise as provided herein to Optionee or the estate of Optionee,
as applicable. Such right shall be exercised, and the repurchase
price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company within a ninety (90)
day period beginning on the date of notice to the Company of the
occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in the case of
termination of employment or retirement, where such option period
shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase Event). Such
repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of cash
(including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in Delaware and/or
Delaware corporation law, the Company shall have the right to
purchase as many Shares as it is permitted to purchase under such
sections. Any Shares not purchased by the Company hereunder shall
no longer be subject to the provisions of this Section 15.
(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event Optionee desires to
transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime, Optionee shall
first offer to sell such Shares to the Company. Optionee shall
deliver to the Company written notice of the intended sale, such
notice to specify the number of Shares to be sold, the proposed
purchase price and terms of payment, and grant the Company an
option for a period of thirty days following receipt of such notice
to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms and conditions.
To exercise such option, the Company shall give notice of that fact
to Optionee within the thirty (30) day notice period and agree to
pay the purchase price in the manner provided in the notice. If the
Company does not purchase all of the Shares so offered during
foregoing option period, Optionee shall be under no obligation to
sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but may dispose of
such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of one hundred and
eighty (180) days following the end of such notice period, except
that Optionee shall not sell any such Shares to any other person at
a lower price or upon more favorable terms than those offered to
the Company.
(e) Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares shall
constitute the Optionee's agreement to such restrictions and the
legending of his certificates with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
such restrictions, however, so long as the Optionee is the holder
of the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be entitled to
receive all dividends declared on and to vote the Shares and to all
other rights of a shareholder with respect thereto.
(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding any provisions in this
Section 15 to the contrary, the Optionee may transfer Shares
subject to this Agreement to his or her parents, spouse, children,
or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee or any
such transferee(s); provided, that such permitted transferee(s)
shall hold the Shares subject to all the provisions of this
Agreement (all references to the Optionee herein shall in such
cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted transferee, except in
the case of clause (iv) of Section 15(a) wherein the permitted
transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded); and provided further,
that notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, a
permitted transferee may not, in turn, make permitted transfers
without the written consent of the Optionee and the Company.
(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All other restrictions under
this Section 15 shall terminate ____ (___) years following the date
of this Agreement, or when the Company's securities are publicly
traded, whichever occurs earlier.
16. Notices. Any notice required to be given pursuant to
this Option or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices by the
Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided by
Optionee for his or her employee records.
17. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Option
is made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Optionee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Option inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void and
replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Option has
been granted, executed and delivered in the State of Delaware, and
the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed by the laws
thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
therein.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
In Witness
Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Option as
of the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
TAKUNG ART CO.,
LTD |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
OPTIONEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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(one of the following, as appropriate, shall be signed)
I certify that as of the date hereof I am
unmarried |
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By his or her signature, the spouse of Optionee
hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of the foregoing
EMPLOYEE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT |
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Optionee |
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Spouse of
Optionee |
Appendix A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
Re: Nonstatutory Stock Option
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 6 of my Nonstatutory
Stock Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of
shares set forth below at the exercise price set forth in my option
agreement:
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated: ____________
Number of shares being purchased: ____________
Exercise Price: $____________
A check in the amount of the aggregate price of the shares being
purchased is attached.
I hereby confirm that such shares are being acquired by me for my
own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. I will not
sell or dispose of my Shares in violation of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any applicable federal or state securities
laws.
I agree to provide to the Company such additional documents or
information as may be required pursuant to the Company's amended
and restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan.
EXHIBIT B-2
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Nonstatutory Stock
Option Agreement ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the date set forth below, by and between Takung
Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
the following Director of the Company ("Optionee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Option Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
(a) Optionee is a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(b) The Board of Directors (the "Board" which term shall
include an authorized committee of the Board of Directors) and
shareholders of the Company have heretofore adopted an amended and
restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to
which this Option is being granted; and
(c) The Board has authorized the granting to Optionee of a
nonstatutory stock option ("Option") to purchase shares of
common stock of the Company ("Stock") upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated and pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2) thereunder.
3. Shares; Price. Company hereby grants to Optionee the
right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions
herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section
1(c) above (the "Shares") for cash (or other consideration
as is authorized under the Plan and acceptable to the Board of
Directors of the Company, in their sole and absolute discretion) at
the price per Share set forth in Section 1(d) above (the
"Exercise Price"), such price being not less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value per share of the
Shares covered by this Option as of the date hereof.
4. Term of Option; Continuation of Service. This Option
shall expire, and all rights hereunder to purchase the Shares shall
terminate, _____ (__) years from the date hereof. This Option shall
earlier terminate subject to Sections 7 and 8 hereof upon, and as
of the date of, the termination of Optionee's employment if such
termination occurs prior to the end of such _____ (__) year period.
Nothing contained herein shall confer upon Optionee the right to
the continuation of his or her employment by the Company or to
interfere with the right of the Company to terminate such
employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of Optionee
from the rate in existence at the date hereof.
5. Vesting of Option.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof, this Option
shall become vested and exercisable during the term of Optionee's
employment in Six (6) equal annual installments of [ ] percent([
]%) of the Shares covered by this Option, the first installment to
be exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of this
Option.
6. Exercise. This Option shall be exercised as follows:
|
(i) |
by delivery to the Company of (a) written notice
of exercise stating the number of Shares being purchased (in whole
shares only) and such other information set forth on the form of
Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Appendix A, (b) a
check or cash in the amount of the Exercise Price of the Shares
covered by the notice (or such other consideration as has been
approved by the Board of Directors consistent with the Plan) and
(c) a written investment representation as provided for in Section
13 hereof, or |
|
(ii) |
through a special sale and remittance procedure
pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide
irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Company designated
brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares
and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the
settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld
by the Company by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to
deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
brokerage firm in order to complete the sale
transaction. |
This Option shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be
exercisable only by Optionee during his or her lifetime, except as
provided in Section 8 hereof.
7. Termination of Service. If Optionee shall cease to serve
as a Director of the Company for any reason, no further
installments shall vest pursuant to Section 5, and the maximum
number of Shares that Optionee may purchase pursuant hereto shall
be limited to the number of Shares that were vested as of the date
Optionee ceases to be a Director (to the nearest whole Share).
Thereupon, Optionee shall have the right to exercise this Option,
at any time during the remaining term hereof, to the extent, but
only to the extent, that this Option was exercisable as of the date
Optionee ceases to be a Director; provided, however, if Optionee is
removed as a Director pursuant to the Delaware corporation law, the
foregoing right to exercise shall automatically terminate on the
date Optionee ceases to be a Director as to all Shares covered by
this Option not exercised prior to termination. Unless earlier
terminated, all rights under this Option shall terminate in any
event on the expiration date of this Option as defined in Section 4
hereof.
8. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die while in the
employ of the Company, Optionee's personal representative or the
person entitled to Optionee's rights hereunder may at any time
within six (6) months after the date of Optionee's death, or during
the remaining term of this Option, whichever is the lesser,
exercise this Option and purchase Shares to the extent, but only to
the extent, that Optionee could have exercised this Option as of
the date of Optionee's death; provided, in any case, that this
Option may be so exercised only to the extent that this Option has
not previously been exercised by Optionee.
9. No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no rights
as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any
installment of this Option until the effective date of issuance of
the Shares following exercise of this Option, and no adjustment
will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates
are issued except as provided in Section 10 hereof.
10. Recapitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by this
Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease
in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided however that the conversion
of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
having been "effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company".
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a
"Reorganization"), unless otherwise provided by the Board,
this Option shall terminate immediately prior to such date as is
determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the
consummation of such Reorganization. In such event, if the entity
which shall be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an
offer, for which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for
any unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such
surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an
equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the
same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board
may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and
without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30)
days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined
by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or
during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser,
to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the
installment provisions of Section 5; provided, however, that such
exercise shall be subject to the consummation of such
Reorganization.
Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company,
if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any merger or
consolidation, this Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to
the securities to which a holder of Shares equal to the Shares
subject to this Option would have been entitled by reason of such
merger or consolidation, and the installment provisions of Section
5 shall continue to apply.
In the event of a change in the shares of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized
Stock without par value into the same number of shares of Stock
with a par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall
be deemed to be the Shares within the meaning of this Option.
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to shares or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the
Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, Optionee
shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of Stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares
of stock of any class, and the number and price of Shares subject
to this Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustments shall
be made by reason of, any dissolution, liquidation, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The grant of this Option shall not affect in any way the right or
power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate or to sell or transfer
all or any part of its business or assets.
11. Taxation upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands
that, upon exercise of this Option, Optionee will recognize income,
for Federal and state income tax purposes, in an amount equal to
the amount by which the fair market value of the Shares, determined
as of the date of exercise, exceeds the Exercise Price. The
acceptance of the Shares by Optionee shall constitute an agreement
by Optionee to report such income in accordance with then
applicable law and to cooperate with Company in establishing the
amount of such income and corresponding deduction to the Company
for its income tax purposes. Withholding for federal or state
income and employment tax purposes will be made, if and as required
by law, from Optionee's then current compensation, or, if such
current compensation is insufficient to satisfy withholding tax
liability, the Company may require Optionee to make a cash payment
to cover such liability as a condition of the exercise of this
Option.
12. Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options. The
Board or Committee, as described in the Plan, may modify, extend or
renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof (to the extent
not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of a new
option in substitution therefore (to the extent not theretofore
exercised), subject at all times to the Plan, the Code and the
Delaware Securities Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 12, no modification shall, without the consent of
the Optionee, alter to the Optionee's detriment or impair any
rights of Optionee hereunder.
13. Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Optionee represents and agrees that if Optionee exercises this
Option in whole or in part, Optionee will in each case acquire the
Shares upon such exercise for the purpose of investment and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution
thereof; and that upon such exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, Optionee (or any person or persons entitled to exercise this
Option under the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof) shall
furnish to the Company a written statement to such effect,
satisfactory to the Company in form and substance. If the Shares
represented by this Option are registered under the Securities Act,
either before or after the exercise of this Option in whole or in
part, the Optionee shall be relieved of the foregoing investment
representation and agreement and shall not be required to furnish
the Company with the foregoing written statement.
(b) Optionee further represents that Optionee has had access to the
financial statements or books and records of the Company, has had
the opportunity to ask questions of the Company concerning its
business, operations and financial condition, and to obtain
additional information reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy
of such information
(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by this Option are
registered under the Securities Act, all certificates representing
the Shares and any certificates subsequently issued in substitution
therefor and any certificate for any securities issued pursuant to
any stock split, share reclassification, stock dividend or other
similar capital event shall bear legends in substantially the
following form:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER
THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE
SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED
PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED
____________ BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE
TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE
COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
and/or such other legend or legends as the Company and its counsel
deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer
instructions with respect to the Shares have been placed with the
Company's transfer agent.
14. Stand-off Agreement. Optionee agrees that, in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Optionee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering.
15. Restriction Upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Optionee except as hereinafter
provided.
(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than by Removal.
For the purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase Event" shall
mean an occurrence of one of (i) termination of Optionee's service
as a director; (ii) death of Optionee; (iii) bankruptcy of
Optionee, which shall be deemed to have occurred as of the date on
which a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed
with a court of competent jurisdiction; (iv) dissolution of the
marriage of Optionee, to the extent that any of the Shares are
allocated as the sole and separate property of Optionee's spouse
pursuant thereto (in which case, this Section shall only apply to
the Shares so affected); or (v) any attempted transfer by the
Optionee of Shares, or any interest therein, in violation of this
Agreement. Upon the occurrence of a Repurchase Event, and upon
mutual agreement of the Company and Optionee, the Company may
repurchase all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee at a price
equal to the fair value of the Shares as of the date of the
Repurchase Event.
(b) Repurchase Right on Removal. In the event Optionee is
removed as a director pursuant to the Delaware Securities Rules, or
Optionee voluntarily resigns as a director prior to the date upon
which the last installment of Shares becomes exercisable pursuant
to Section 5, then the Company shall have the right (but not an
obligation) to repurchase Shares of Optionee at a price equal to
the Exercise Price. Such right of the Company to repurchase Shares
shall apply to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year from the date of
this Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse ratably in equal annual
increments on each anniversary of the date of this Agreement over
the term of this Option specified in Section 4. In addition, the
Company shall have the right, in the sole discretion of the Board
and without obligation, to repurchase upon removal or resignation
all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee, at a price equal to
the fair value of the Shares as of the date of such removal or
resignation, which right is not subject to the foregoing lapsing of
rights. In the event the Company elects to repurchase the Shares,
the stock certificates representing the same shall forthwith be
returned to the Company for cancellation.
(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any Repurchase Right under
Paragraphs 15(a) or 15(b) shall be exercised by giving notice of
exercise as provided herein to Optionee or the estate of Optionee,
as applicable. Such right shall be exercised, and the repurchase
price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company within a ninety (90)
day period beginning on the date of notice to the Company of the
occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in the case of
termination or cessation of services as director, where such option
period shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase Event).
Such repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of cash
(including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in the Delaware
corporation law, the Company shall have the right to purchase as
many Shares as it is permitted to purchase under such sections. Any
Shares not purchased by the Company hereunder shall no longer be
subject to the provisions of this Section 15.
(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event Optionee desires to
transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime, Optionee shall
first offer to sell such Shares to the Company. Optionee shall
deliver to the Company written notice of the intended sale, such
notice to specify the number of Shares to be sold, the proposed
purchase price and terms of payment, and grant the Company an
option for a period of thirty days following receipt of such notice
to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms and conditions.
To exercise such option, the Company shall give notice of that fact
to Optionee within the thirty (30) day notice period and agree to
pay the purchase price in the manner provided in the notice. If the
Company does not purchase all of the Shares so offered during
foregoing option period, Optionee shall be under no obligation to
sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but may dispose of
such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of one hundred and
eighty (180) days following the end of such notice period, except
that Optionee shall not sell any such Shares to any other person at
a lower price or upon more favorable terms than those offered to
the Company.
(e) Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares shall
constitute the Optionee's agreement to such restrictions and the
legending of his certificates with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
such restrictions, however, so long as the Optionee is the holder
of the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be entitled to
receive all dividends declared on and to vote the Shares and to all
other rights of a shareholder with respect thereto.
(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding any provisions in this
Section 15 to the contrary, the Optionee may transfer Shares
subject to this Agreement to his or her parents, spouse, children,
or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee or any
such transferee(s); provided, that such permitted transferee(s)
shall hold the Shares subject to all the provisions of this
Agreement (all references to the Optionee herein shall in such
cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted transferee, except in
the case of clause (iv) of Section 15(a) wherein the permitted
transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded); and provided further,
that notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, a
permitted transferee may not, in turn, make permitted transfers
without the written consent of the Optionee and the Company.
(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All other restrictions under
this Section 15 shall terminate ____ (__) years following the date
of this Agreement, or when the Company's securities are publicly
traded, whichever occurs earlier.
16. Notices. Any notice required to be given pursuant to
this Option or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices by the
Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided by
Optionee for use in Company records related to Optionee.
17. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Option
is made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Optionee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Option inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void and
replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Option has
been granted, executed and delivered in the State of Delaware, and
the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed by the laws
thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
therein.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Option as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD,
a Delaware corporation
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
OPTIONEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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(one of the following, as appropriate, shall be signed)
I certify that as of the date hereof I am
unmarried |
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By his or her signature, the spouse of Optionee
hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of the foregoing
NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT |
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Optionee |
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Spouse of
Optionee |
Appendix A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
Re: Nonstatutory Stock Option
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 6 of my Nonstatutory
Stock Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of
shares set forth below at the exercise price set forth in my option
agreement:
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated: ____________
Number of shares being purchased: ____________
Exercise Price: $____________
A check in the amount of the aggregate price of the shares being
purchased is attached.
I hereby confirm that such shares are being acquired by me for my
own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. I will not
sell or dispose of my Shares in violation of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any applicable federal or state securities
laws.
I agree to provide to the Company such additional documents or
information as may be required pursuant to the Company's amended
and restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan.
EXHIBIT B-3
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
CONSULTANT NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Consultant
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement ("Agreement")
is made and entered into as of the date set forth below, by and
between Takung Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and the following consultant to the Company
(herein, the "Optionee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Option Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
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(a) Optionee is an independent consultant to the
Company, not an employee; |
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(b) The Board of Directors (the "Board"
which term shall include an authorized committee of the Board of
Directors) and shareholders of the Company have heretofore adopted
an amended and restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the
"Plan"), pursuant to which this Option is being granted;
and |
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(c) The Board has authorized the granting to
Optionee of a nonstatutory stock option ("Option") to
purchase shares of common stock of the Company ("Stock")
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated and pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2)
thereunder. |
3. Shares; Price. The Company hereby grants to Optionee the
right to purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions
herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section
1(c) above (the "Shares") for cash (or other consideration
as is authorized under the Plan and acceptable to the Board, in
their sole and absolute discretion) at the price per Share set
forth in Section 1(d) above (the "Exercise Price"), such
price being not less than eighty-five 85% of the fair market value
per share of the Shares covered by this Option as of the date
hereof.
4. Term of Option. This Option shall expire, and all rights
hereunder to purchase the Shares, shall terminate ____ (___) years
from the date hereof. Nothing contained herein shall be construed
to interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate
Optionee as a consultant to the Company, or to increase or decrease
the compensation paid to Optionee from the rate in effect as of the
date hereof.
5. Vesting of Option. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8
hereof, this Option shall become exercisable during the term of
Optionee's employment in ______ equal annual installments of
_______ percent of the Shares covered by this Option, the first
installment to be exercisable on _______ anniversary of the date of
this Option (the "Initial Vesting Date"), with an additional _____
percent of such Shares becoming exercisable on each of the
successive periods following the Initial Vesting Date. The
installments shall be cumulative (i.e., this option may be
exercised, as to any or all Shares covered by an installment, at
any time or times after an installment becomes exercisable and
until expiration or termination of this option).
6. Exercise. This Option shall be exercised by delivery to
the Company of (a) written notice of exercise stating the number of
Shares being purchased (in whole shares only) and such other
information set forth on the form of Notice of Exercise attached
hereto as Appendix A, (b) a check or cash in the amount of
the Exercise Price of the Shares covered by the notice (or such
other consideration as has been approved by the Board of Directors
consistent with the Plan) and (c) a written investment
representation as provided for in Section 13 hereof. This Option
shall not be assignable or transferable, except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable only by
Optionee during his or her lifetime.
7. Termination of Service. If Optionee's service as a
consultant to the Company terminates for any reason, no further
installments shall vest pursuant to Section 5, and Optionee shall
have the right at any time within thirty (30) days following such
termination of services or the remaining term of this Option,
whichever is the lesser, to exercise in whole or in part this
Option to the extent, but only to the extent, that this Option was
exercisable as of the date Optionee ceased to be a consultant to
the Company; provided, however, if Optionee is terminated for
reasons that would justify a termination of employment "for
cause," as that term is defined by the terms of the Plan or
this Option Agreement or by any employment agreement between the
Optionee and the Company, the foregoing right to exercise shall
automatically terminate on the date Optionee ceases to be a
consultant to the Company as to all Shares covered by this Option
not exercised prior to termination. Unless earlier terminated, all
rights under this Option shall terminate in any event on the
expiration date of this Option as defined in Section 4 hereof.
8. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee shall die while
serving as a consultant to the Company, Optionee's personal
representative or the person entitled to Optionee's rights
hereunder may at any time within ninety (90) days after the date of
Optionee's death, or during the remaining term of this Option,
whichever is the lesser, exercise this Option and purchase Shares
to the extent, but only to the extent, that Optionee could have
exercised this Option as of the date of Optionee's death; provided,
in any case, that this Option may be so exercised only to the
extent that this Option has not previously been exercised by
Optionee.
9. No Rights as Shareholder. Optionee shall have no rights
as a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by any
installment of this Option until the effective date of the issuance
of shares following exercise of this to Option, and no adjustment
will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate or certificates
are issued except as provided in Section 10 hereof.
10. Recapitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by this
Option, and the Exercise Price thereof, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or
the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease
in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided however that the conversion
of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
having been "effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company."
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a
"Reorganization"), this Option shall terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Board; provided, however, if Optionee shall be a
consultant at the time such Reorganization is approved by the
stockholders, Optionee shall have the right to exercise this Option
as to all or any part of the Shares, without regard to the
installment provisions of Section 5, for a period beginning 30 days
prior to the consummation of such Reorganization and ending as of
the Reorganization or the expiration of this Option, whichever is
earlier, subject to the consummation of the Reorganization. In any
event, the Company shall notify Optionee, at least 30 days prior to
the consummation of such Reorganization, of his exercise rights, if
any, and that the Option shall terminate upon the consummation of
the Reorganization.
Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company,
if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any merger or
consolidation, this Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to
the securities to which a holder of Shares equal to the Shares
subject to this Option would have been entitled by reason of such
merger or consolidation, and the installment provisions of Section
5 shall continue to apply.
In the event of a change in the shares of the Company as presently
constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized
Stock without par value into the same number of shares of Stock
with a par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall
be deemed to be the Shares within the meaning of this Option.
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to shares or
securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the
Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, Optionee
shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of Stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares
of stock of any class, and the number and price of Shares subject
to this Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustments shall
be made by reason of, any dissolution, liquidation, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class.
The grant of this Option shall not affect in any way the right or
power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate or to sell or transfer
all or any part of its business or assets.
11. Taxation upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands
that, upon exercise of this Option, Optionee will recognize income,
for Federal and state income tax purposes, in an amount equal to
the amount by which the fair market value of the Shares, determined
as of the date of exercise, exceeds the Exercise Price. The
acceptance of the Shares by Optionee shall constitute an agreement
by Optionee to report such income in accordance with then
applicable law and to cooperate with Company in establishing the
amount of such income and corresponding deduction to the Company
for its income tax purposes. Withholding for federal or state
income and employment tax purposes will be made, if and as required
by law, from Optionee's then current compensation, or, if such
current compensation is insufficient to satisfy withholding tax
liability, the Company may require Optionee to make a cash payment
to cover such liability as a condition of the exercise of this
Option.
12. Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options. The
Board or Committee, as described in the Plan, may modify, extend or
renew this Option or accept the surrender thereof (to the extent
not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of a new
option in substitution therefore (to the extent not theretofore
exercised), subject at all times to the Plan, the Code.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, no
modification shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter to
the Optionee's detriment or impair any rights of Optionee
hereunder.
13. Investment Intent; Restrictions on Transfer.
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(a) Optionee represents and agrees that if
Optionee exercises this Option in whole or in part, Optionee will
in each case acquire the Shares upon such exercise for the purpose
of investment and not with a view to, or for resale in connection
with, any distribution thereof; and that upon such exercise of this
Option in whole or in part, Optionee (or any person or persons
entitled to exercise this Option under the provisions of Sections 7
and 8 hereof) shall furnish to the Company a written statement to
such effect, satisfactory to the Company in form and substance. If
the Shares represented by this Option are registered under the
Securities Act, either before or after the exercise of this Option
in whole or in part, the Optionee shall be relieved of the
foregoing investment representation and agreement and shall not be
required to furnish the Company with the foregoing written
statement. |
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(b) Optionee further represents that Optionee has
had access to the financial statements or books and records of the
Company, has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company
concerning its business, operations and financial condition, and to
obtain additional information reasonably necessary to verify the
accuracy of such information. |
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(c) Unless and until the Shares represented by
this Option are registered under the Securities Act, all
certificates representing the Shares and any certificates
subsequently issued in substitution therefor and any certificate
for any securities issued pursuant to any stock split, share
reclassification, stock dividend or other similar capital event
shall bear legends in substantially the following form: |
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER
THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THESE
SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED
PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED
____________ BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE
TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE
COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
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and/or such other legend or legends as the Company and its counsel
deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate stop transfer
instructions with respect to the Shares have been placed with the
Company's transfer agent.
14. Stand-off Agreement. Optionee agrees that, in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Optionee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of up to one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering.
15. Restriction Upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Optionee except as hereinafter
provided.
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(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than
for Cause. For the purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase
Event" shall mean an occurrence of one of (i) termination of
Optionee's service as a consultant, voluntary or involuntary and
with or without cause; (ii) retirement or death of Optionee; (iii)
bankruptcy of Optionee, which shall be deemed to have occurred as
of the date on which a voluntary or involuntary petition in
bankruptcy is filed with a court of competent jurisdiction; (iv)
dissolution of the marriage of Optionee, to the extent that any of
the Shares are allocated as the sole and separate property of
Optionee's spouse pursuant thereto (in which case, this Section
shall only apply to the Shares so affected); or (v) any attempted
transfer by the Optionee of Shares, or any interest therein, in
violation of this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of a Repurchase
Event, the Company shall have the right (but not an obligation) to
repurchase all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee at a price
equal to the fair value of the Shares as of the date of the
Repurchase Event. |
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(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for
Cause. In the event Optionee's service as a consultant is
terminated by the Company "for cause" (as contemplated by Section
7), then the Company shall have the right (but not an obligation)
to repurchase Shares of Optionee at a price equal to the Exercise
Price. Such right of the Company to repurchase Shares shall apply
to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year from the date of this
Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse ratably in equal annual
increments on each anniversary of the date of this Agreement over
the term of this Option specified in Section 4. In addition, the
Company shall have the right, in the sole discretion of the Board
and without obligation, to repurchase upon any such termination of
service for cause all or any portion of the Shares of Optionee, at
a price equal to the fair value of the Shares as of the date of
termination, which right is not subject to the foregoing lapsing of
rights. In the event the Company elects to repurchase the Shares,
the stock certificates representing the same shall forthwith be
returned to the Company for cancellation. |
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(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any
repurchase right under Paragraphs 15(a) or 15(b) shall be exercised
by giving notice of exercise as provided herein to Optionee or the
estate of Optionee, as applicable. Such right shall be exercised,
and the repurchase price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company
within a ninety (90) day period beginning on the date of notice to
the Company of the occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in
the case of termination of employment or retirement, where such
option period shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase
Event). Such repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of
cash (including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Optionee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in Delaware and/or
Delaware corporation law, the Company shall have the right to
purchase as many Shares as it is permitted to purchase under such
sections. Any Shares not purchased by the Company hereunder shall
no longer be subject to the provisions of this Section
15. |
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(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event
Optionee desires to transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime,
Optionee shall first offer to sell such Shares to the Company.
Optionee shall deliver to the Company written notice of the
intended sale, such notice to specify the number of Shares to be
sold, the proposed purchase price and terms of payment, and grant
the Company an option for a period of thirty days following receipt
of such notice to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms
and conditions. To exercise such option, the Company shall give
notice of that fact to Optionee within the thirty (30) day notice
period and agree to pay the purchase price in the manner provided
in the notice. If the Company does not purchase all of the Shares
so offered during foregoing option period, Optionee shall be under
no obligation to sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but
may dispose of such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of
one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of such notice
period, except that Optionee shall not sell any such Shares to any
other person at a lower price or upon more favorable terms than
those offered to the Company. |
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(e) Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance
of the Shares shall constitute the Optionee's agreement to such
restrictions and the legending of his certificates with respect
thereto. Notwithstanding such restrictions, however, so long as the
Optionee is the holder of the Shares, or any portion thereof, he
shall be entitled to receive all dividends declared on and to vote
the Shares and to all other rights of a shareholder with respect
thereto. |
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(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding
any provisions in this Section 15 to the contrary, the Optionee may
transfer Shares subject to this Agreement to his or her parents,
spouse, children, or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of
the Optionee or any such transferee(s); provided, that such
permitted transferee(s) shall hold the Shares subject to all the
provisions of this Agreement (all references to the Optionee herein
shall in such cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted
transferee, except in the case of clause (iv) of Section 15(a)
wherein the permitted transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded);
and provided further, that notwithstanding any other provisions in
this Agreement, a permitted transferee may not, in turn, make
permitted transfers without the written consent of the Optionee and
the Company. |
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(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All
rights and restrictions under this Section 15 shall terminate
___(_) years following the date of this Agreement, or when the
Company's securities are publicly traded, whichever occurs
earlier. |
16. Notices. Any notice required to be given pursuant to
this Option or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
be delivered upon receipt or, in the case of notices by the
Company, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to Optionee at the address last provided by
Optionee for use in Company records related to Optionee.
17. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Option
is made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Optionee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Option inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void and
replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Option has
been granted, executed and delivered in the State of Delaware, and
the interpretation and enforcement shall be governed by the laws
thereof and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
therein.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
In Witness
Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Option as
of the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
TAKUNG ART CO.,
LTD, |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
OPTIONEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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(one of the following, as appropriate, shall be signed)
I certify that as of the date hereof I am
unmarried |
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By his or her signature, the spouse of Optionee
hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of the foregoing
CONSULTANT NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT |
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Optionee |
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Spouse of
Optionee |
Appendix A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
Re: Nonstatutory Stock Option
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 6 of my Nonstatutory
Stock Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of
shares set forth below at the exercise price set forth in my option
agreement:
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated: ____________
Number of shares being purchased: ____________
Exercise Price: $____________
A check in the amount of the aggregate price of the shares being
purchased is attached.
I hereby confirm that such shares are being acquired by me for my
own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. I will not
sell or dispose of my Shares in violation of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any applicable federal or state securities
laws.
I agree to provide to the Company such additional documents or
information as may be required pursuant to the Company's amended
and restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan.
EXHIBIT C
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
This Stock Award
Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into
as of the date set forth below, by and between Takung Art Co., Ltd
, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the employee,
director or consultant of the Company named in Section 1(b).
("Grantee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Stock Award Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
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(a) |
Grantee is an employee/director/consultant
of the Company. |
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(b) |
The Company has adopted an amended and restated
2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan") under which the
Company's common stock ("Stock") may be offered to
directors, officers, employees and consultants pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2)
thereunder. |
3. Shares; Value. The Company hereby grants to Grantee, upon
and subject to the terms and conditions herein stated, the number
of shares of Stock set forth in Section 1(c) (the "Shares"),
which Shares have a fair value per share ("Original Value")
equal to the amount set forth in Section 1(d). For the purpose of
this Agreement, the terms "Share" or "Shares" shall
include the original Shares plus any shares derived therefrom,
regardless of the fact that the number, attributes or par value of
such Shares may have been altered by reason of any
recapitalization, subdivision, consolidation, stock dividend or
amendment of the corporate charter of the Company. The number of
Shares covered by this Agreement and the Original Value thereof
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in
the number of issued shares resulting from a recapitalization,
subdivision or consolidation of shares or the payment of a stock
dividend, or any other increase or decrease in the number of such
shares effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company.
4. Investment Intent. Grantee represents and agrees that
Grantee is accepting the Shares for the purpose of investment and
not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any
distribution thereof; and that, if requested, Grantee shall furnish
to the Company a written statement to such effect, satisfactory to
the Company in form and substance. If the Shares are registered
under the Securities Act, Grantee shall be relieved of the
foregoing investment representation and agreement and shall not be
required to furnish the Company with the foregoing written
statement.
5. Restriction upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Grantee except as hereinafter
provided.
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(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than
for Cause. For the purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase
Event" shall mean an occurrence of one of (i) termination of
Grantee's employment or service as a director/consultant by
the Company, voluntary or involuntary and with or without cause;
(ii) retirement or death of Grantee; (iii) bankruptcy of Grantee,
which shall be deemed to have occurred as of the date on which a
voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed with a
court of competent jurisdiction; (iv) dissolution of the marriage
of Grantee, to the extent that any of the Shares are allocated as
the sole and separate property of Grantee's spouse pursuant thereto
(in which case, this Section shall only apply to the Shares so
affected); or (v) any attempted transfer by the Grantee of Shares,
or any interest therein, in violation of this Agreement. Upon the
occurrence of a Repurchase Event, the Company shall have the right
(but not an obligation) to purchase all or any portion of the
Shares of Grantee, at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares
as of the date of the Repurchase Event. |
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(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for
Cause. In the event Grantee's employment or service as a
director/consultant is terminated by the Company "for
cause" (as defined below), then the Company shall have the
right (but not an obligation) to purchase Shares of Grantee at a
price equal to the Original Value. Such right of the Company to
purchase Shares shall apply to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year
from the date of this Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse at the
rate of twenty percent (20%) of the Shares on each anniversary of
the date of this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall have the
right, in the sole discretion of the Board and without obligation,
to repurchase upon termination for cause all or any portion of the
Shares of Grantee, at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares
as of the date of termination, which right is not subject to the
foregoing lapsing of rights. Termination of employment or
service as a director/consultant "for cause" means (i)
as to employees or consultants, termination for cause as defined in
the Plan, this Agreement or in any employment or consulting
agreement between the Company and Grantee, or (ii) as to directors,
removal pursuant to the Delaware corporation law. In the event the
Company elects to purchase the Shares, the stock certificates
representing the same shall forthwith be returned to the Company
for cancellation. |
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(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any
Repurchase Right under Paragraphs 4(a) or 4(b) shall be exercised
by giving notice of exercise as provided herein to Grantee or the
estate of Grantee, as applicable. Such right shall be exercised,
and the repurchase price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company
within a ninety (90) day period beginning on the date of notice to
the Company of the occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in
the case of termination or cessation of services as director, where
such option period shall begin upon the occurrence of the
Repurchase Event). Such repurchase price shall be payable only in
the form of cash (including a check drafted on immediately
available funds) or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of
the Grantee for the Shares. If the Company can not purchase all
such Shares because it is unable to meet the financial tests set
forth in the Delaware corporation law, the Company shall have the
right to purchase as many Shares as it is permitted to purchase
under such sections. Any Shares not purchased by the Company
hereunder shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this
Section 5. |
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(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event
Grantee desires to transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime,
Grantee shall first offer to sell such Shares to the Company.
Grantee shall deliver to the Company written notice of the intended
sale, such notice to specify the number of Shares to be sold, the
proposed purchase price and terms of payment, and grant the Company
an option for a period of thirty days following receipt of such
notice to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms and
conditions. To exercise such option, the Company shall give notice
of that fact to Grantee within the thirty (30) day notice period
and agree to pay the purchase price in the manner provided in the
notice. If the Company does not purchase all of the Shares so
offered during foregoing option period, Grantee shall be under no
obligation to sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but
may dispose of such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of
one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of such notice
period, except that Grantee shall not sell any such Shares to any
other person at a lower price or upon more favorable terms than
those offered to the Company.
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(e)
Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares shall
constitute the Grantee's agreement to such restrictions and the
legending of his certificates with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
such restrictions, however, so long as the Grantee is the holder of
the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be entitled to receive
all dividends declared on and to vote the Shares and to all other
rights of a shareholder with respect thereto. |
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(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding
any provisions in this Section 5 to the contrary, the Grantee may
transfer Shares subject to this Agreement to his or her parents,
spouse, children, or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of
the Grantee or any such transferee(s); provided, that such
permitted transferee(s) shall hold the Shares subject to all the
provisions of this Agreement (all references to the Grantee herein
shall in such cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted
transferee, except in the case of clause (iv) of Section 5(a)
wherein the permitted transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded);
and provided further, that notwithstanding any other provisions in
this Agreement, a permitted transferee may not, in turn, make
permitted transfers without the written consent of the Grantee and
the Company. |
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(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All
rights and restrictions under this Section 5 shall terminate [__]
(___) years following the date of this Agreement, or when the
Company's securities are publicly traded, whichever occurs
earlier. |
6. Representations and Warranties of the Grantee. This
Agreement and the issuance and grant of the Shares hereunder is
made by the Company in reliance upon the express representations
and warranties of the Grantee, which by acceptance hereof the
Grantee confirms that:
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(a) The Shares granted to him pursuant to this
Agreement are being acquired by him for his own account, for
investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, any distribution of the Shares. |
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(b) The Shares must be held by him indefinitely
unless they are subsequently registered under the Act and any
applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such
registration is available. The Company is under no obligation to
register the Shares or to make available any such exemption;
and |
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(c) Grantee further represents that Grantee has
had access to the financial statements or books and records of the
Company, has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company
concerning its business, operations and financial condition and to
obtain additional information reasonably necessary to verify the
accuracy of such information, |
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(d) Unless and until the Shares represented by
this Grant are registered under the Securities Act, all
certificates representing the Shares and any certificates
subsequently issued in substitution therefor and any certificate
for any securities issued pursuant to any stock split, share
reclassification, stock dividend or other similar capital event
shall bear legends in substantially the following form: |
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR
OTHERWISE QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE. NEITHER THESE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE
SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE
OF REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS
THEREFROM. |
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THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE
BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT DATED
____________ BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE
TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE
COMPANY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. |
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and/or such other legend or legends as the
Company and its counsel deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate
stop transfer instructions with respect to the Shares have been
placed with the Company's transfer agent. |
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(e) Grantee understands that he or she will
recognize income, for Federal and state income tax purposes, in an
amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the
Shares, as of the date of grant, exceeds the price paid by Grantee,
if any. The acceptance of the Shares by Grantee shall constitute an
agreement by Grantee to report such income in accordance with then
applicable law. Withholding for federal or state income and
employment tax purposes will be made, if and as required by law,
from Grantee's then current compensation, or, if such current
compensation is insufficient to satisfy withholding tax liability,
the Company may require Grantee to make a cash payment to cover
such liability. |
7. Stand-off Agreement. Grantee agrees that, in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Grantee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering. This Section 7 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
8. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate
on the occurrence of any one of the following events: (a) written
agreement of all parties to that effect; (b) a proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, a merger or consolidation in which
the Company is not the surviving entity, or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (c) the closing of
any public offering of common stock of the Company pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or (d)
dissolution, bankruptcy, or insolvency of the Company.
9. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Grant is
made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Grantee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Agreement inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void
and replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Grant
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and subject
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts therein.
10. Miscellaneous.
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(a) Notices. Any notice required to be
given pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered upon receipt or, in
the case of notices by the Company, five (5) days after deposit in
the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Grantee at the last
address provided by Grantee for use in the Company's
records. |
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(b) Entire Agreement. This instrument
constitutes the sole agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to the Shares. Any prior agreements, promises or representations
concerning the Shares not included or reference herein shall be of
no force or effect. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto and their respective
transferees, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and
assigns. |
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(c) Enforcement. This Agreement shall be
construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the
State of Delaware and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts located in the State of Delaware. If Grantee attempts to
transfer any of the Shares subject to this Agreement, or any
interest in them in violation of the terms of this Agreement, the
Company may apply to any court for an injunctive order prohibiting
such proposed transaction, and the Company may institute and
maintain proceedings against Grantee to compel specific performance
of this Agreement without the necessity of proving the existence or
extent of any damages to the Company. Any such attempted
transaction shares in violation of this Agreement shall be null and
void. |
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(d) Validity of Agreement. The provisions
of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended, or repealed, in
whole or in part, only on the written consent of all parties
hereto. It is intended that each Section of this Agreement shall be
viewed as separate and divisible, and in the event that any Section
shall be held to be invalid, the remaining Sections shall continue
to be in full force and effect. |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
In Witness
Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
TAKUNG ART CO.,
LTD,
a Delaware corporation
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
GRANTEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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(one of the following, as appropriate, shall be signed)
I certify that as of the date hereof I am
unmarried |
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By his or her signature, the spouse of Grantee
hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of the foregoing STOCK
AWARD AGREEMENT |
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Grantee |
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Spouse of
Grantee |
EXHIBIT D
TAKUNG ART CO., LTD
RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the date set forth below, by and between Takung
Art Co., Ltd, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
the employee, director or consultant of the Company named in
Section 1(b). ("Grantee"):
In consideration of the covenants herein set forth, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Stock Purchase Information.
2. Acknowledgements.
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(a) Grantee is an
employee/director/consultant of the Company. |
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(b) The Company has adopted an amended and
restated 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan") under which
the Company's common stock ("Stock") may be offered to
officers, employees, directors and consultants pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") provided by Section 4(2)
thereunder. |
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(c) The Grantee desires to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock on the terms and conditions set forth
herein. |
3. Purchase of Shares. The Company hereby agrees to sell and
Grantee hereby agrees to purchase, upon and subject to the terms
and conditions herein stated, the number of shares of Stock set
forth in Section 1(c) (the "Shares"), at the price per Share
set forth in Section 1(d) (the "Price"). For the purpose of
this Agreement, the terms "Share" or "Shares" shall
include the original Shares plus any shares derived therefrom,
regardless of the fact that the number, attributes or par value of
such Shares may have been altered by reason of any
recapitalization, subdivision, consolidation, stock dividend or
amendment of the corporate charter of the Company. The number of
Shares covered by this Agreement shall be proportionately adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares
resulting from a recapitalization, subdivision or consolidation of
shares or the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company.
4. Investment Intent. Grantee represents and agrees that
Grantee is accepting the Shares for the purpose of investment and
not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any
distribution thereof; and that, if requested, Grantee shall furnish
to the Company a written statement to such effect, satisfactory to
the Company in form and substance. If the Shares are registered
under the Securities Act, Grantee shall be relieved of the
foregoing investment representation and agreement and shall not be
required to furnish the Company with the foregoing written
statement.
5. Restriction upon Transfer. The Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or
otherwise hypothecated by the Grantee except as hereinafter
provided.
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(a) Repurchase Right on Termination Other Than
for Cause. For the purposes of this Section, a "Repurchase
Event" shall mean an occurrence of one of (i) termination of
Grantee's employment or service as a director/consultant by
the Company, voluntary or involuntary and with or without cause;
(ii) retirement or death of Grantee; (iii) bankruptcy of Grantee,
which shall be deemed to have occurred as of the date on which a
voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed with a
court of competent jurisdiction; (iv) dissolution of the marriage
of Grantee, to the extent that any of the Shares are allocated as
the sole and separate property of Grantee's spouse pursuant thereto
(in which case, this Section shall only apply to the Shares so
affected); or (v) any attempted transfer by the Grantee of Shares,
or any interest therein, in violation of this Agreement. Upon the
occurrence of a Repurchase Event, the Company shall have the right
(but not an obligation) to repurchase all or any portion of the
Shares of Grantee at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares
as of the date of the Repurchase Event. |
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(b) Repurchase Right on Termination for Cause. In
the event Grantee's employment or service as a
director/consultant is terminated by the Company "for
cause" (as defined below), then the Company shall have the
right (but not an obligation) to repurchase Shares of Grantee at a
price equal to the Price. Such right of the Company to repurchase
Shares shall apply to 100% of the Shares for one (1) year from the
date of this Agreement; and shall thereafter lapse at the rate of
twenty percent (20%) of the Shares on each anniversary of the date
of this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall have the right,
in the sole discretion of the Board and without obligation, to
repurchase upon termination for cause all or any portion of the
Shares of Grantee, at a price equal to the fair value of the Shares
as of the date of termination, which right is not subject to the
foregoing lapsing of rights. Termination of employment or
service as a director/consultant "for cause" means (i)
as to employees and consultants, termination for cause as defined
in the Plan, this Agreement or in any employment or
consulting agreement between the Company and Grantee, or (ii)
as to directors, removal pursuant to the Delaware corporation law.
In the event the Company elects to repurchase the Shares, the stock
certificates representing the same shall forthwith be returned to
the Company for cancellation. |
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(c) Exercise of Repurchase Right. Any
Repurchase Right under Paragraphs 4(a) or 4(b) shall be exercised
by giving notice of exercise as provided herein to Grantee or the
estate of Grantee, as applicable. Such right shall be exercised,
and the repurchase price thereunder shall be paid, by the Company
within a ninety (90) day period beginning on the date of notice to
the Company of the occurrence of such Repurchase Event (except in
the case of termination of employment or retirement, where such
option period shall begin upon the occurrence of the Repurchase
Event). Such repurchase price shall be payable only in the form of
cash (including a check drafted on immediately available funds) or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness of the Grantee for the
Shares. If the Company can not purchase all such Shares because it
is unable to meet the financial tests set forth in the Delaware
corporation law, the Company shall have the right to purchase as
many Shares as it is permitted to purchase under such sections. Any
Shares not purchased by the Company hereunder shall no longer be
subject to the provisions of this Section 5. |
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(d) Right of First Refusal. In the event
Grantee desires to transfer any Shares during his or her lifetime,
Grantee shall first offer to sell such Shares to the Company.
Grantee shall deliver to the Company written notice of the intended
sale, such notice to specify the number of Shares to be sold, the
proposed purchase price and terms of payment, and grant the Company
an option for a period of thirty days following receipt of such
notice to purchase the offered Shares upon the same terms and
conditions. To exercise such option, the Company shall give notice
of that fact to Grantee within the thirty (30) day notice period
and agree to pay the purchase price in the manner provided in the
notice. If the Company does not purchase all of the Shares so
offered during foregoing option period, Grantee shall be under no
obligation to sell any of the offered Shares to the Company, but
may dispose of such Shares in any lawful manner during a period of
one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of such notice
period, except that Grantee shall not sell any such Shares to any
other person at a lower price or upon more favorable terms than
those offered to the Company.
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(e)
Acceptance of Restrictions. Acceptance of the Shares shall
constitute the Grantee's agreement to such restrictions and the
legending of his certificates with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
such restrictions, however, so long as the Grantee is the holder of
the Shares, or any portion thereof, he shall be entitled to receive
all dividends declared on and to vote the Shares and to all other
rights of a shareholder with respect thereto. |
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(f) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding
any provisions in this Section 5 to the contrary, the Grantee may
transfer Shares subject to this Agreement to his or her parents,
spouse, children, or grandchildren, or a trust for the benefit of
the Grantee or any such transferee(s); provided, that such
permitted transferee(s) shall hold the Shares subject to all the
provisions of this Agreement (all references to the Grantee herein
shall in such cases refer mutatis mutandis to the permitted
transferee, except in the case of clause (iv) of Section 5(a)
wherein the permitted transfer shall be deemed to be rescinded);
and provided further, that notwithstanding any other provisions in
this Agreement, a permitted transferee may not, in turn, make
permitted transfers without the written consent of the Grantee and
the Company. |
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(g) Release of Restrictions on Shares. All
rights and restrictions under this Section 5 shall terminate ___
(_) years following the date upon which the Company receives the
full Price as set forth in Section 3, or when the Company's
securities are publicly traded, whichever occurs
earlier. |
5. Representations and Warranties of the Grantee. This
Agreement and the issuance and grant of the Shares hereunder is
made by the Company in reliance upon the express representations
and warranties of the Grantee, which by acceptance hereof the
Grantee confirms that:
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(a) The Shares granted to him pursuant to this
Agreement are being acquired by him for his own account, for
investment purposes, and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, any distribution of the Shares. It is understood
that the Shares have not been registered under the Act by reason of
a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Act
which depends, among other things, upon the bona fide nature of his
representations as expressed herein; |
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(b) The Shares must be held by him indefinitely
unless they are subsequently registered under the Act and any
applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such
registration is available. The Company is under no obligation to
register the Shares or to make available any such exemption;
and |
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(c) Grantee further represents that Grantee has
had access to the financial statements or books and records of the
Company, has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company
concerning its business, operations and financial condition and to
obtain additional information reasonably necessary to verify the
accuracy of such information; |
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(d) Unless and until the Shares represented by
this Grant are registered under the Securities Act, all
certificates representing the Shares and any certificates
subsequently issued in substitution therefor and any certificate
for any securities issued pursuant to any stock split, share
reclassification, stock dividend or other similar capital event
shall bear legends in substantially the following form: |
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED OR
OTHERWISE QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
'SECURITIES ACT') OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE OR SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE. NEITHER THESE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE
SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE
OF REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, UNLESS PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS
THEREFROM. |
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THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO
THAT CERTAIN RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED ____________
BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUEE WHICH RESTRICTS THE TRANSFER OF
THESE SHARES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY UNDER
CERTAIN CONDITIONS. |
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and/or such other legend or legends as the
Company and its counsel deem necessary or appropriate. Appropriate
stop transfer instructions with respect to the Shares have been
placed with the Company's transfer agent. |
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(e) Grantee understands that he or she will
recognize income, for Federal and state income tax purposes, in an
amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the
Shares, as of the date of Grant, exceeds the price paid by Grantee.
The acceptance of the Shares by Grantee shall constitute an
agreement by Grantee to report such income in accordance with then
applicable law. Withholding for federal or state income and
employment tax purposes will be made, if and as required by law,
from Grantee's then current compensation, or, if such current
compensation is insufficient to satisfy withholding tax liability,
the Company may require Grantee to make a cash payment to cover
such liability. |
7. Stand-off Agreement. Grantee agrees that, in connection
with any registration of the Company's securities under the
Securities Act, and upon the request of the Company or any
underwriter managing an underwritten offering of the Company's
securities, Grantee shall not sell, short any sale of, loan, grant
an option for, or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (other
than Shares included in the offering) without the prior written
consent of the Company or such managing underwriter, as applicable,
for a period of at least one year following the effective date of
registration of such offering. This Section 8 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
8. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate
on the occurrence of any one of the following events: (a) written
agreement of all parties to that effect; (b) a proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, a merger or consolidation in which
the Company is not the surviving entity, or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (c) the closing of
any public offering of common stock of the Company pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Act; or (d) dissolution,
bankruptcy, or insolvency of the Company.
9. Agreement Subject to Plan; Applicable Law. This Grant is
made pursuant to the Plan and shall be interpreted to comply
therewith. A copy of such Plan is available to Grantee, at no
charge, at the principal office of the Company. Any provision of
this Agreement inconsistent with the Plan shall be considered void
and replaced with the applicable provision of the Plan. This Grant
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and subject
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts therein.
10. Miscellaneous.
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(a) Notices. Any notice required to be
given pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered upon receipt or, in
the case of notices by the Company, five (5) days after deposit in
the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Grantee at the last
address provided by Grantee for use in the Company's
records. |
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(b) Entire Agreement. This instrument
constitutes the sole agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to the Shares. Any prior agreements, promises or representations
concerning the Shares not included or reference herein shall be of
no force or effect. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto and their respective
transferees, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and
assigns. |
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(c) Enforcement. This Agreement shall be
construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the
State of Delaware and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts located in the State of Delaware. If Grantee attempts to
transfer any of the Shares subject to this Agreement, or any
interest in them in violation of the terms of this Agreement, the
Company may apply to any court for an injunctive order prohibiting
such proposed transaction, and the Company may institute and
maintain proceedings against Grantee to compel specific performance
of this Agreement without the necessity of proving the existence or
extent of any damages to the Company. Any such attempted
transaction shares in violation of this Agreement shall be null and
void. |
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(d) Validity of Agreement. The provisions
of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended, or repealed, in
whole or in part, only on the written consent of all parties
hereto. It is intended that each Section of this Agreement shall be
viewed as separate and divisible, and in the event that any Section
shall be held to be invalid, the remaining Sections shall continue
to be in full force and effect. |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
In Witness
Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
COMPANY: |
TAKUNG ART CO.,
LTD, |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By: |
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Name: Kwok Leung Li |
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
GRANTEE: |
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By: |
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(signature) |
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Name: |
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Takung Art (AMEX:TKAT)
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