2006 Stock Incentive Plan – Time Warner
TIME WARNER INC.2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan The purpose of the Plan is
to aid the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining employees,
directors and advisors and to motivate such employees, directors and advisors to
exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and its Affiliates by
providing incentives through the granting of Awards. The Company expects that it
will benefit from the added interest which such employees, directors and
advisors will have in the welfare of the Company as a result of their
proprietary interest in the Company’s success. 2. Definitions
The following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective
meanings set forth in this Section:
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(a) |
“Act”
means The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor |
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(b) |
“Affiliate”
means any entity that is consolidated with the Company for financial |
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(c) |
“Award”
means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock or Other |
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(d) |
“Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company. |
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(e) |
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) any “Person” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2)
of the Act (other than the Company or any company owned, directly or indirectly,
by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of stock of the Company) becomes the “Beneficial Owner” within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act of 30% or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding,
however, any circumstance in which such beneficial ownership resulted
from any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or by any
2 corporation controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the
Company; (ii) a change in the composition of the Board since the
Effective Date, such that the individuals who, as of such date, constituted the
Board (the “Incumbent Board“) cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of such Board; provided that any
individual who becomes a director of the Company subsequent to the Effective
Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders,
was approved by the vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board; and
provided further, that any individual who was initially elected as a
director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest,
as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Act, or any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or
on behalf of any person or Entity other than the Board shall not be deemed a
member of the Incumbent Board; (iii) a reorganization,
recapitalization, merger or consolidation (a “Corporate
Transaction“) involving the Company, unless securities representing
60% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the
Company or the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (or the
parent of such corporation) are held subsequent to such transaction by the
person or persons who were the beneficial holders of the outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the
Company immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Corporate
Transaction; or (iv) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company.
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(f) |
“Code”
means The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor |
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(g) |
“Committee”
means the Compensation and Human Development Committee of the Board or its |
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(h) |
“Company”
means Time Warner Inc., a Delaware corporation. |
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(i) |
“Effective Date”
means the date the Board approved the Plan (March 23, 2006). |
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(j) |
“Employment”
means (i) a Participant’s employment if the Participant is an employee of the |
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(k) |
“Fair Market Value” means, on a given date, (i) if there should be a public market for the Shares |
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(l) |
“ISO”
means an Option that is also an incentive stock option granted pursuant to |
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(m) |
“Option”
means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6. |
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(n) |
“Option Price” means the price for which a Share can |
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(o) |
“Other Stock-Based Awards” means awards granted pursuant to Section 9. |
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(p) |
“Participant”
means an employee, prospective employee, director or advisor of the Company |
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(q) |
“Performance-Based Awards” means certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to Section 9(b). |
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(r) |
“Plan”
means the Time Warner Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to |
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(s) |
“Restricted Stock” means any Share granted under Section 8. |
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(t) |
“Shares”
means shares of common stock of the Company, $.01 par value per share. |
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(u) |
“Stock Appreciation Right” means a stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section 7. |
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(v) |
“Subsidiary”
means a subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (or |
3. Shares Subject to the Plan The total number of
Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 72,213,882, of which no more than
30% may be issued in the form of Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards
payable in Shares. The maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which
Awards may be granted during a calendar year, net of any Shares which are
subject to Awards (or portions thereof) which, during such year, terminate or
lapse without payment of consideration, shall be equal to 1.5% of the number of
Shares outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. The maximum
number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted during a calendar
year to any Participant shall be 962,850; provided that the maximum
number of Shares that may be awarded in the form of Restricted Stock or Other
Stock-Based Awards payable in Shares during any calendar year to any Participant
shall be 288,855. The number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan
shall be reduced by the full number of Shares covered by Awards granted under
the Plan (including, without limitation, the full number of Shares covered by
any Stock Appreciation Right, regardless of whether any such Stock Appreciation
Right or other Award covering Shares under the Plan is ultimately settled in
cash or by delivery of Shares); provided, however, that the number of
Shares covered by Awards (or portions thereof) that are forfeited or that
otherwise terminate or lapse without the payment of consideration in respect
thereof shall again become available for issuance under the Plan; and
provided further that any Shares that are forfeited after the actual
issuance of such Shares to a Participant under the Plan shall not become
available for re-issuance under the Plan. 4. Administration
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(a) |
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its |
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“independent directors” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange |
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(b) |
The Committee shall have the full power and authority to make, and establish |
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(c) |
The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and |
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(d) |
The Committee shall require payment of any amount it may determine to be |
5. Limitations
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(a) |
No Award may be granted under the Plan after the fifth anniversary of the |
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but Awards granted prior to such fifth anniversary may extend beyond that |
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(b) |
No Option or Stock Appreciation Right, once granted hereunder, may be |
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(c) |
With respect to any Awards granted to a Participant who is a non-employee |
6. Terms and Conditions of Options Options granted
under the Plan shall be, as determined by the Committee, nonqualified or
incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes, as evidenced by the
related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the foregoing and the
following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions, not
inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine, and as evidenced by
the related Award agreement:
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(a) |
Option Price
. The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the Committee, but shall |
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(b) |
Exercisability
. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time and upon |
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(c) |
Exercise of Options
. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award agreement, an |
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or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by |
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(d) |
ISOs
. The Committee may grant Options under the Plan that are intended to be |
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(e) |
Attestation
. Wherever in this Plan or any agreement evidencing an Award a Participant is |
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delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such |
7. Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights
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(a) |
Grants
. The Committee may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right independent of an |
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(b) |
Terms
. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be an |
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whole Share. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other |
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(c) |
Limitations
. The Committee may impose, in its discretion, such conditions upon the |
8. Restricted Stock
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(a) |
Grant
. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the |
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(b) |
Transfer Restrictions
. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged |
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(c) |
Dividends
. Dividends paid on any Shares of Restricted Stock may be paid directly to |
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(d) |
Performance-Based Grants
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Shares of |
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performance period established by the Committee (i) while the outcome for |
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9. Other Stock-Based Awards
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(a) |
Generally
. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or sell Awards of Shares |
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(b) |
Performance-Based Awards
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Other Stock-Based |
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following criteria: (i) operating income before depreciation and |
10. Adjustments Upon Certain Events
Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the
following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Plan:
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(a) |
Generally
. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares (including, without |
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year to any Participant, (iii) the Option Price or exercise price of any |
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(b) |
Change in Control
. In the event of a Change in Control after the Effective Date, the Committee |
11. No Right to Employment or Awards The granting
of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company or any
Affiliate to continue the Employment of a Participant and shall not lessen or
affect the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate the Employment of such
Participant. No Participant or other person shall have any claim to be granted
any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of
Participants, or holders of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the
Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be
the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are
similarly situated). 12. Successors and Assigns The
Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and a
Participant, including without limitation, the estate of such Participant and
the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate, or any receiver or
trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the Participant’s creditors. 13.
Nontransferability of Awards Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee (and subject to the limitation that in no
circumstances may an Award may be transferred by the Participant for
consideration or value), an Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the
Participant otherwise than by will
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or by the laws of descent and distribution. An Award exercisable after the
death of a Participant may be exercised by the legatees, personal
representatives or distributees of the Participant. 14. Amendments or
Termination The Board or the Committee may amend, alter or
discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be
made, (a) without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, if such
action would (except as is provided in Section 10 of the Plan), increase the
total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan or increase the
maximum number of Shares of Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards that
may be awarded hereunder, or the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may
be granted to any Participant, (b) without the consent of a Participant, if such
action would diminish any of the rights of the Participant under any Award
theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan or (c) to Section 5(b),
relating to repricing of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, to permit such
repricing; provided, however, that the Committee may amend the
Plan in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of Awards
meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent applicable,
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Plan and Awards issued
hereunder shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and
Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued
thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance
that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of
the Plan to the contrary, in the event that the Committee determines that any
amounts payable hereunder will be taxable to a Participant under Section 409A of
the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, prior to payment to such
Participant of such amount, the Company may (a) adopt such amendments to the
Plan and Awards and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments
and policies with retroactive effect, that the Committee determines necessary or
appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by
the Plan and Awards hereunder and/or (b) take such other actions as the
Committee determines necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of an
additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. 15. International
Participants With respect to Participants who reside or work
outside the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected
to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan or Awards
with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the
requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for
a Participant, the Company or an Affiliate. 16. Other Benefit
Plans All Awards shall constitute a special incentive payment
to the Participant and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount
of salary or compensation of the Participant for the purpose of determining any
benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-
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sharing, bonus, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or under
any agreement between the Company and the Participant, unless such plan or
agreement specifically provides otherwise. 17. Choice of Law
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws, and except as
otherwise provided in the pertinent Award agreement, any and all disputes
between a Participant and the Company or any Affiliate relating to an Award
shall be brought only in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction
sitting in Manhattan, New York. 18. Effectiveness of the Plan
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, subject to the
approval of the shareholders of the Company. 19. Section 409A
Notwithstanding other provisions of the Plan or any Award agreements
thereunder, no Award shall be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out
or modified under this Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of
an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. In the
event that it is reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of
Section 409A of the Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may
not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant
Award agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding
such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company
will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant
incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code; which, if the
Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A,
shall be the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of
Participant’s termination of Employment. The Company shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to implement the provisions of this Section 19 in good faith;
provided that neither the Company, the Committee nor any of the Company’s
employees, directors or representatives shall have any liability to Participants
with respect to this Section 19.
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