UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

 

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
3000 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, California 94304

 

SUPPLEMENT TO PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on March 20, 2013

 

This proxy statement supplement, dated March 1, 2013, supplements the definitive proxy statement filed by Hewlett-Packard Company (“HP”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 31, 2013 and made available to HP stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the HP Board of Directors for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

This supplement is being filed with the SEC and is being made available to stockholders on March 1, 2013. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 22, 2013 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.

 

Except as described in this supplement, the information provided in the proxy statement continues to apply.  To the extent that information in this supplement differs from or updates information contained in the proxy statement, the information in this supplement is more current.  The proxy statement contains important additional information.  This supplement should be read in conjunction with the proxy statement.

 

Supplemental Disclosure Concerning Proposal 5

 

The purpose of this supplement is to provide updated information about the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Hewlett-Packard Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, which stockholders have been asked to approve as Proposal 5 described in the proxy statement.

 

On February 28, 2013, the HR and Compensation Committee of the HP Board of Directors amended the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Hewlett-Packard Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The amendment, which was effective immediately, clarifies that the share limits set forth in Section 3(c) of the Plan apply to all awards made under the Plan, not just awards intended to satisfy the “performance based compensation” exception to the deductibility limitation set forth in Section 162(m) of United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Accordingly, as amended, the Plan provides that the aggregate number of shares granted under the Plan during any calendar year to any one recipient shall not exceed 4,000,000 shares, except that a recipient may be granted up to an additional 4,000,000 shares in connection with his or her initial service.  These share limits are consistent with the share limits described in the proxy statement.  The complete text of the Plan, as amended, has been filed with the SEC as Annex A to this proxy statement supplement.

 

The Plan, as so amended, will be presented for stockholder approval at the annual meeting.  All votes cast with respect to Proposal 5 will constitute a vote on the Plan, as so amended.

 

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Annex A

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(as amended effective February 28, 2013)

 

1.                                      Purposes of the Plan.

 

The purpose of this Plan is to encourage ownership in the Company by key personnel whose long-term employment is considered essential to the Company’s continued progress and, thereby, encourage recipients to act in the shareholders’ interest and share in the Company’s success and to provide an opportunity for cash awards to incentivize or reward employees.

 

2.                                      Definitions.

 

As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a)                                 “Administrator” means the Board, any Committees or such delegates as shall be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

 

(b)                                 “Affiliate” means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest as determined by the Administrator provided that the entity is one with respect to which Common Stock will qualify as “service recipient stock” under Code Section 409A.

 

(c)                                  “Annual Equity Retainer” shall mean the amount which a Non-Employee Director will be entitled to receive in the form of equity for serving as a director in a relevant Director Plan Year, but shall not include reimbursement for expenses, fees associated with service on any committee of the Board, any cash compensation (whether or not payable in Shares at the election of the Non-Employee Director), or fees with respect to any other services to be provided to HP or the Board, including but not limited to Board leadership services.

 

(d)                                  “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U.S. federal and state laws, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Company has listed or submitted for quotation the Common Stock to the extent provided under the terms of the Company’s agreement with such exchange or quotation system and, with respect to Awards subject to the laws of any foreign jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan, the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

(e)                                  “Award” means a Cash Award, Stock Award, Stock Appreciation Right, or Option granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

 

(f)                                   “Awardee” means an individual who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

 

(g)                                  “Award Agreement” means a Cash Award Agreement, Stock Award Agreement, SAR Agreement and/or Option Agreement, which may be in written or electronic format, in such form and with such terms as may be specified by the Administrator, evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. An Award Agreement may be in the form of either (i) an agreement to be either executed

 

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by both the Awardee and the Company or offered and accepted electronically as the Administrator shall determine or (ii) certificates, notices or similar instruments as approved by the Administrator.

 

(h)                                 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(i)                                     “Cash Award” means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 12 pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on the satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Cash Award Agreement”).

 

(j)                                    “Change in Control” means any of the following, unless the Administrator provides otherwise:

 

i.                                          any merger or consolidation (other than a merger or consolidation in which 50% of the voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction) in which the Company shall not be the surviving entity (or survives only as a subsidiary of another entity whose shareholders did not own all or substantially all of the Common Stock in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction),

 

ii.                                       the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any other person or entity (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary),

 

iii.                                    the acquisition of beneficial ownership of a controlling interest (including, without limitation, power to vote) the outstanding shares of Common Stock by any person or entity (including a “group” as defined by or under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),

 

iv.                                   the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or

 

v.                                      a contested election of Directors, as a result of which or in connection with which the persons who were Directors before such election or their nominees cease to constitute a majority of the Board.

 

(k)                                 “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(l)                                     “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.  The HR and Compensation Committee of the Board shall be deemed a “Committee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(m)                             “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

(n)                                 “Company” means Hewlett-Packard Company, a Delaware corporation, or its successor.

 

(o)                                 “Conversion Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(xi) of the Plan.

 

(p)                                 “Director” means a member of the Board who is not a Non-Employee Director.

 

(q)                                  “Director Option” shall mean any option granted under Section 13 of the Plan.

 

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(r)                                     “Director Plan Year” shall mean the year beginning the day after HP’s annual meeting and ending on the day of HP’s next annual meeting, as the case may be, for any relevant year.

 

(s)                                    “Employee” means a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate, including an Officer and/or Director. The Administrator shall determine whether or not the chairman of the Board qualifies as an “Employee.” Within the limitations of Applicable Law, the Administrator shall have the discretion to determine the effect upon an Award and upon an individual’s status as an Employee in the case of (i) any individual who is classified by the Company or its Affiliate as leased from or otherwise employed by a third party or as intermittent or temporary, even if any such classification is changed retroactively as a result of an audit, litigation or otherwise, (ii) any leave of absence approved by the Company or an Affiliate, (iii) any transfer between locations of employment with the Company or an Affiliate or between the Company and any Affiliate or between any Affiliates, (iv) any change in the Awardee’s status from an employee to a consultant or Director, and (v) at the request of the Company or an Affiliate an employee becomes employed by any partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of an Affiliate in which the Company or an Affiliate is a party.

 

(t)                                    “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(u)                                 “Fair Market Value” means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, as of any date, the closing sales price for such Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) as of such date (or if no sales were reported on such date, the closing sales price on the last preceding day on which a sale was made), as reported in such source as the Administrator shall determine.

 

(v)                                 “Full-Value Award” means any Award under the Plan other than a Cash Award, an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right.  For avoidance of doubt, Stock Awards settled in cash are not Full-Value Awards.

 

(w)                                “Grant Date” means the date upon which an Award is granted to an Awardee pursuant to this Plan or such later date as specified in advance by the Administrator.

 

(x)                                 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(y)                                 “Non-Employee Director” shall mean each member of the Board who is not an employee of HP or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates and who is eligible only for Awards granted pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan.

 

(z)                                   “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(aa)                          “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(bb)                          “Option” means a right granted under Section 8 to purchase a number of Shares or Stock Units at such exercise price, at such times, and on such other terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Option Agreement”). Both Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted under the Plan.

 

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(cc)                            Participant” means an individual who has been granted an Award or any person (including any estate) to whom an Award has been assigned or transferred as permitted hereunder.

 

(dd)                          “Plan” means this Amended and Restated Hewlett-Packard Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

(ee)                            “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) of the Plan.

 

(ff)                           “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.

 

(gg)                            “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted under Section 8 which entitles the recipient to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over the exercise price thereof on such terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “SAR Agreement”).  The Administrator shall determine whether a Stock Appreciation Right shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with another Award or freestanding and unrelated to another Award.

 

(hh)                          “Stock Award” means an award or issuance of Shares or Stock Units made under Section 11 of the Plan, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as are expressed in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Stock Award Agreement”).

 

(ii)                                  “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the value of one Share, payable in cash, property or Shares. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the Administrator.

 

(jj)                                “Subsidiary” means any company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company, provided each company in the unbroken chain (other than the Company) owns, at the time of determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain.

 

(kk)                          “Termination of Employment” shall mean ceasing to be an Employee. However, for Incentive Stock Option purposes, Termination of Employment will occur when the Awardee ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries. The Administrator shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or business unit, or a joint venture, shall be deemed to result in a Termination of Employment.

 

(ll)                                   “Total and Permanent Disability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

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3.                                      Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)                                 Aggregate Limits.  Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under the Plan is 417,500,000(1) Shares, of which 172,500,000 Shares were added in 2013. The Shares subject to the Plan may be either Shares reacquired by the Company, including Shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but unissued Shares. Shares issued in respect of any Full-Value Award granted under the Plan after March 20, 2013 shall be counted against the share limit set forth in the foregoing sentence as 2.32 for every one Share actually issued in connection with such Award.  (For example, if 100 Shares are issued with respect to a Stock Unit, 232 shares will be counted against the share limit in connection with that Award.)  Shares issued in respect of any other Award (not a Full-Value Award) shall be counted against the share limit as one Share.

 

(b)                                 Issuance of Shares.  For purposes of Section 3(a), the aggregate number of Shares issued under the Plan at any time shall equal only the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise or settlement of an Award.  If any Shares subject to an Award granted under the Plan are forfeited or such Award is settled in cash or otherwise terminates without the delivery of such Shares, the Shares subject to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture, settlement or termination, shall again be available for grant under the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are: (i) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an Option, (ii) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the withholding taxes related to an Award, or (iii) Shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of an Award paid to the Company by or on behalf of the Participant.  For the avoidance of doubt, when SARs are exercised and settled in Shares the full number of Shares exercised will no longer be available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)                                   Share Limits.  Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Awardee shall not exceed 4,000,000, except that in connection with his or her initial service, an Awardee may be granted Awards covering up to an additional 4,000,000 Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to all Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan is 417,500,000 Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the limitations set forth in this Section 3(c) shall be subject to adjustment under Section 15(a) of the Plan only to the extent that such adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) or the ability to grant or the qualification of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

 

4.                                      Administration Of The Plan.

 

(a)                                 Procedure.

 

i.                                          Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, one or more Committees and/or their delegates.

 

ii.                                       Section 162. To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation”

 


(1)  180,000,000 shares originally approved at the annual meeting March 17, 2004; 65,000,000 additional shares approved at the annual meeting March 17,  2010; 172,500,000 additional shares to be approved at the annual meeting in 2013.

 

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within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, Awards to “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or Employees that the Committee determines may be “covered employees” in the future shall be made by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

iii.                                    Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), Awards to Officers and Directors shall be made by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

 

iv.                                   Other Administration. Subject to applicable law, the Board or a Committee may delegate to an authorized officer or officers of the Company the power to approve Awards to persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan who are not (A) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (B) at the time of such approval, “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

v.                                      Delegation of Authority for the Day-to-Day Administration of the Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

 

(b)                                 Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and, in the case of a Committee or delegates acting as the Administrator, subject to the specific duties delegated to such Committee or delegates, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

 

i.                                          to select the Awardees to whom Awards are to be granted hereunder;

 

ii.                                       to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

iii.                                    to determine the type of Award to be granted to the selected Awardees;

 

iv.                                   to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;

 

v.                                      to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise and/or purchase price, the time or times when an Award may be exercised or settled (which may or may not be based on performance criteria), the vesting schedule, any vesting and/or exercisability acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the acceptable forms of consideration, the term, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine and may be established at the time an Award is granted or thereafter;

 

vi.                                   to suspend the right to exercise Awards during any blackout period that is necessary or desirable to comply with the requirements of Applicable Laws and/or to extend the Award exercise period for an equal period of time in a manner consistent with Applicable Law;

 

vii.                                to correct defects and supply omissions in the Plan and any Award Agreement and to correct administrative errors;

 

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viii.                             to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan (including sub-plans and Plan addenda) and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

ix.                                   to adopt rules and procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized (A) to adopt the rules and procedures regarding the conversion of local currency, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements and (B) to adopt sub-plans and Plan addenda as the Administrator deems desirable, to accommodate foreign laws, regulations and practice;

 

x.                                      to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans and Plan addenda;

 

xi.                                   to modify or amend each Award, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability, provided, however, that any such amendment is subject to Section 15 of the Plan and may not materially impair any outstanding Award unless agreed to in writing by the Participant;

 

xii.                                to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax amounts by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or SAR, or vesting or settlement of a Stock Award that number of Shares having a value not in excess of the amount required to be withheld. The value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined in such manner and on such date that the Administrator shall determine or, in the absence of provision otherwise, on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may provide;

 

xiii.                             to authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock awards held by service providers of an entity acquired by the Company (the “Conversion Awards”). Any conversion or substitution shall be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition. The Conversion Awards may be Nonstatutory Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator, with respect to options granted by the acquired entity; provided, however, that with respect to the conversion of stock appreciation rights in the acquired entity, the Conversion Awards shall be Nonstatutory Stock Options, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator at the time of conversion or substitution, all Conversion Awards shall have the same terms and conditions as Awards generally granted by the Company under the Plan;

 

xiv.                            to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

xv.                               to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy and (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers;

 

xvi.                            to provide, either at the time an Award is granted or by subsequent action, that an Award shall contain as a term thereof, a right, either in tandem with the other rights

 

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under the Award or as an alternative thereto, of the Participant to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of Shares, cash or a combination thereof, the amount of which is determined by reference to the value of the Award; and

 

xvii.                         to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan and any Award granted hereunder.

 

(c)                                  Effect of Administrator’s Decision.  All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants or other persons claiming rights under the Plan or any Award. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.

 

5.                                      Eligibility.

 

Awards may be granted to Directors and/or Employees; provided that Non-Employee Directors are eligible only for awards granted under Section 13 of the Plan.

 

6.                                      Term of Plan.

 

The Plan shall become effective upon its approval by shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the later of the date the Plan or any amendment to add shares to the Plan is approved by shareholders of the Company unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.

 

7.                                      Term of Award.

 

The term of each Award shall be determined by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement. In the case of an Option or SAR, the term shall be ten (10) years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement; provided that the term may be ten and one-half (10 1/2) years in the case of Options granted to Awardees in certain jurisdictions outside the United States as determined by the Administrator.

 

8.                                      Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

The Administrator may grant an Option or SAR, or provide for the grant of an Option or SAR, either from time to time in the discretion of the Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, the achievement of performance goals, the satisfaction of an event or condition whether or not within the control of the Awardee.

 

(a)                                 Option or SAR Agreement.  Each Option or SAR Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Option or SAR, (ii) the type of Option, (iii) the exercise price of the Shares and the means of payment for the Shares, (iv) the term of the Option or SAR, (v) such terms and conditions on the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (vi) restrictions on the transfer of the Option or SAR and forfeiture provisions and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

 

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(b)                                 Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option or SAR shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:

 

i.                                          The per Share exercise price of an Option or SAR shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

 

ii.                                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Administrator’s discretion, Conversion Awards may be granted in substitution and/or conversion of options or stock appreciation rights of an acquired entity, with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of such substitution and/or conversion if such exercise price is based on a formula set forth in the terms of such options/stock appreciation rights or in the terms of the agreement providing for such acquisition.

 

(c)                                  No Option or SAR Repricings.  Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 15(a) of the Plan), the exercise price of an Option or SAR may not be reduced without shareholder approval (including canceling previously awarded Options or SARs in exchange for cash, other Awards, Options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Option or SAR).

 

(d)                                 Vesting Period and Exercise Dates.  Options or SARs granted under this Plan shall vest and/or be exercisable at such time and in such installments during the period prior to the expiration of the Option’s or SAR’s term as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the ability to exercise any Option or SAR granted under this Plan subject to continued employment, the passage of time and/or such performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. At any time after the grant of an Option or SAR, the Administrator may reduce or eliminate any restrictions surrounding any Participant’s right to exercise all or part of the Option or SAR.

 

(e)                                  Form of Consideration for Exercising an Option.  The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, either through the terms of the Option Agreement or at the time of exercise of an Option. Acceptable forms of consideration may include:

 

i.                                          cash;

 

ii.                                       check or wire transfer (denominated in U.S. Dollars);

 

iii.                                    subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

 

iv.                                   subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, withholding of Shares deliverable upon exercise, which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

 

v.                                      consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted sale and remittance program acceptable to the Administrator;

 

vi.                                   such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

 

vii.                                any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

 

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9.                                      Incentive Stock Option Limitations/Terms.

 

(a)                                 Eligibility.  Only employees (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be granted Incentive Stock Options.

 

(b)                                 $100,000 Limitation.  Notwithstanding the designation “Incentive Stock Option” in an Option Agreement, if and to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Awardee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries) exceeds U.S. $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 9(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the Grant Date.

 

(c)                                  Effect of Termination of Employment on Incentive Stock Options.  Generally. Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, upon an Awardee’s Termination of Employment, any outstanding Incentive Stock Option granted to such Awardee, whether vested or unvested, to the extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate immediately upon the Awardee’s Termination of Employment.

 

(d)                                 Leave of Absence.  For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave of absence may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary is not so guaranteed, an Awardee’s employment with the Company shall be deemed terminated on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave for Incentive Stock Option purposes and any Incentive Stock Option granted to the Awardee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall terminate upon the expiration of the three month period following the date the employment relationship is deemed terminated.

 

(e)                                  Transferability.  The Option Agreement must provide that an Incentive Stock Option cannot be transferable by the Awardee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of such Awardee, must not be exercisable by any other person. If the terms of an Incentive Stock Option are amended to permit transferability, the Option will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

(f)                                   Other Terms.  Option Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to qualify, to the extent determined desirable by the Administrator, with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

10.                               Exercise of Option or SAR.

 

(a)                                 Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder.

 

i.                                          Any Option or SAR granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the respective Award Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise: (A) no Option or SAR may be exercised during any leave of absence other than an approved personal or medical leave with an employment guarantee upon return, (B) an Option or SAR shall continue to vest during any authorized leave of absence and such Option or SAR may be exercised to the extent vested and exercisable upon the Awardee’s return to active employment status.

 

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ii.                                       An Option or SAR shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives (A) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option or SAR; (B) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the related Option is exercised; and (C) with respect to Nonstatutory Stock Options or SARs, satisfaction of all applicable withholding taxes.

 

iii.                                    Shares issued upon exercise of an Option or SAR shall be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Unless provided otherwise by the Administrator or pursuant to this Plan, until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option or SAR, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option or SAR.

 

iv.                                   The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares as soon as administratively practicable after the Option or SAR is exercised. An Option or SAR may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

(b)                                 Effect of Termination of Employment on Nonstatutory Stock Options or SARs.  Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator prior to the Awardee’s Termination of Employment, upon an Awardee’s Termination of Employment, any outstanding Nonstatutory Stock Option or SAR granted to such Awardee, whether vested or unvested, to the extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate immediately upon the Awardee’s Termination of Employment.

 

11.                               Stock Awards.

 

(a)                                 Stock Award Agreement.  Each Stock Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares subject to such Stock Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if any, and the means of payment for the Shares, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the Stock Award and (vi) such further terms and conditions in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

 

(b)                                 Restrictions and Performance Criteria.  The grant, issuance, retention and/or vesting of each Stock Award may be subject to such performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria as the Administrator shall determine, which criteria may be based on financial performance, personal performance evaluations and/or completion of service by the Awardee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Stock Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be established by the Administrator based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified in writing not later than the earlier of ninety (90) days after the commencement, or within the first 25%, of the period of service to which the performance goals relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at that time.

 

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(c)                                  Forfeiture.  Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator prior to the Awardee’s Termination of Employment, upon the Awardee’s Termination of Employment, the Stock Award and the Shares subject thereto shall be forfeited, provided that to the extent that the Awardee purchased any Shares, the Company shall have a right to repurchase the unvested Shares at the original price paid by the Awardee.

 

(d)                                 Rights as a Shareholder.  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, the Participant shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder and shall be a shareholder only after Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) to the Participant. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Participant holding Stock Units shall be entitled to receive dividend or dividend equivalent rights payable in cash or Shares subject to the same vesting conditions as the underlying Stock Units.

 

12.                               Cash Awards.

 

Each Cash Award will confer upon the Awardee the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period of not less than one (1) year.

 

(a)                                 Cash Award.  Each Cash Award shall contain provisions regarding (i) the target and maximum amount payable to the Awardee as a Cash Award, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria which shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the period as to which performance shall be measured for establishing the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Cash Award prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions, and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The maximum amount payable as a Cash Award that is settled for cash may be a multiple of the target amount payable, but the maximum amount payable in any fiscal year pursuant to that portion of a Cash Award granted under this Plan to any Awardee that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall not exceed U.S. $15,000,000.

 

(b)                                 Performance Criteria.  The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria which shall determine the target and the minimum and maximum amount payable under a Cash Award, which criteria may be based on financial performance and /or personal performance evaluations. The Administrator may specify the percentage of the target Cash Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any portion of an Cash Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure established by the Administrator based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified in writing not later than the earlier of, 90 days after the commencement, or within the first 25%, of the period of service to which the performance goals relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at that time.

 

(c)                                  Timing and Form of Payment.  The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any Cash Award. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit an Awardee to elect (in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code) for the payment of any Cash Award to be deferred to a specified date or event. The Administrator may specify the form of payment of Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for an Awardee to have the option for his or her Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Administrator may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.

 

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(d)                                 Termination of Employment.  Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator prior to the Awardee’s Termination of Employment, upon the Awardee’s Termination of Employment, any Cash Awards issued hereunder shall be forfeited,

 

13.                               Non-Employee Director Awards.

 

(a)                                Eligibility.  Each member of the Board who is a Non-Employee Director and who is providing service to HP as a member of the Board at the beginning of the Director Plan Year shall be eligible to receive an Annual Equity Retainer (as defined in Section 2 above) under the Plan. The value of the Annual Equity Retainer granted to a Non-Employee Director for any Director Plan Year (which shall be converted into a number of shares subject to a Director RSU Award (as provided in Section 13(b)(ii)) or Director Option Award (as provided in Section 13(b)(iii)) shall not exceed $550,000.

 

Any member of the Board who enters service after the beginning of the Director Plan Year (as defined in Section 2 above) may be eligible to receive a prorated Annual Equity Retainer under the Plan as the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion.

 

(b)                                  Terms and Conditions.

 

(i)                                     Compensation Alternatives. Within (i) 25 days after the beginning of the Director Plan Year, or (ii) if the Non-Employee Director elects to participate in the Hewlett-Packard Company 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “EDCP”) then in the calendar year preceding the first day of the Director Plan Year, each Non-Employee Director may elect to receive his Annual Equity Retainer in the form of restricted stock units (a “Director RSU Award”) and or in the form of an option to purchase shares of Common Stock (a “Director Option Award”).  If any Non-Employee Director fails to make such an election, then he shall be deemed to have elected a Director RSU Award for the value of his Annual Equity Retainer. Any such election, or any modification or termination of such an election, shall be filed with HP on a form prescribed by HP for this purpose.  If a Non-Employee Director does not elect to participate in the EDCP and does not select his or her means of payment within the prescribed time, then such Non-Employee Director shall not be permitted to participate in the EDCP for the applicable Director Plan Year.

 

(ii)                                Director RSU Award.

 

A.                                  Date of Grant. The Director RSU Award shall be granted automatically one month after the beginning of each Director Plan Year (or, if such date is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day) (the “Director Grant Date”).

 

B.                                  Number of Shares Subject to a Director RSU Award. The total number of shares of Common Stock included in each Director RSU Award shall be determined by dividing the amount of the Annual Equity Retainer that is to be paid in RSUs by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Director Grant Date. It shall be rounded up to the largest number of whole shares.

 

C.                                 Vesting Period for Director RSU Award. If the Committee does not expressly exercise its discretion to change the vesting of the Director RSU Award for a Director Plan Year, then the vesting of such Director RSU Award shall be the same as the last

 

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Director Plan Year in which the Committee exercised its discretion to set the vesting terms.  Unless deferred under the EDCP, Shares subject to Director RSU Awards shall be delivered promptly upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions, but no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the vesting conditions are satisfied.

 

(iii)                            Director Option Award. Subject to Section 13(b)(i) above, each Non-Employee Director may specify the amount of his Annual Equity Retainer to be received in the form of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Each Director Option Award granted under this Plan shall comply with and be subject to the terms of the Plan and the following terms and conditions including such additional terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board or Committee:

 

A.                                  Date of Grant. The Director Option Award shall be granted automatically on the Director Grant Date.

 

B.                                  Number of Shares Subject to Director Option Award. The number of shares to be subject to any Director Option Award shall be an amount necessary to make such option equal in value, using a modified Black-Scholes option valuation model, to that portion of the Annual Equity Retainer that the Non-Employee Director elected to receive in the form of an option. The value of the option will be calculated by assuming that the value of an option to purchase one share of Common Stock equals the product of (i) a fraction determined by dividing 1 by the Multiplier, as defined below, and (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Director Grant Date.

 

The number of shares represented by a Director Option Award shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares determined above by a multiplier determined using a modified Black-Scholes option valuation method (the “Multiplier”). The Board or the Committee shall determine the Multiplier prior to the beginning of the Director Plan Year by considering the following factors: (i) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Multiplier is determined; (ii) the average length of time that Company stock options are held by optionees prior to exercise; (iii) the risk-free rate of return based on the term determined in (ii) above and U.S. government securities rates; (iv) the annual dividend yield for the Common Stock; and (v) the volatility of the Common Stock over the previous ten-year period. The number of shares to be subject to the option shall be rounded up to the largest number of whole shares determined as follows:

 

Amount of Annual Equity Retainer to be paid as options

--------------------------------------------------------------------  x Multiplier  =  Number of Shares

Fair Market Value on the Director Grant Date

 

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C.                                      Price of Options. The exercise price of the Director Option Award will be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Director Grant Date.

 

D.                                      Period of Director Option Award. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the exercisability of Shares subject to the Director Option Award.  If the Committee does not expressly exercise its discretion to change the exercisability (including the vesting schedule and/or the term of an option) of the Director Option Award for a Director Plan Year, then the exercisability of such options shall be the same as the last Director Plan Year in which the Committee expressly exercised its discretion to determine the exercisability of Shares subject to the Director Option Award.

 

(iv)                              TerminationAny Non-Employee Director who terminates service prior to the end of the Director Plan Year may have his Annual Retainer prorated, including a forfeiture of options, restricted stock units or cash payment, if any, as the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion.

 

14.                                 Other Provisions Applicable to Awards.

 

(a)                                 Non-Transferability of Awards.  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by beneficiary designation, will or by the laws of descent or distribution. The Administrator may make an Award transferable to an Awardee’s “family member” (as such term is defined in Section 1(a)(5) of the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), to trusts solely for the benefit of such family members and to partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, either at the time of grant or thereafter, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate, and any transferee shall be deemed to be bound by such terms upon acceptance of such transfer.

 

(b)                                 Qualifying Performance Criteria.  For purposes of this Plan, the term “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit, Affiliate or business segment, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award: (i) cash flow (including operating cash flow or free cash flow) or cash conversion cycle; (ii) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, and net earnings); (iii) earnings per share; (iv) growth in: earnings or earnings per share, cash flow, revenue, gross margin, operating expense or operating expense as a percentage of revenue; (v) stock price; (vi) return on equity or average shareholder equity; (vii) total shareholder return; (viii) return on capital; (ix) return on assets or net assets; (x) return on investment; (xi) revenue (on an absolute basis or adjusted for currency effects); (xii) net profit or net profit before annual bonus; (xiii) income or net income; (xiv) operating income or net operating income; (xv) operating profit,  net operating profit or controllable operating profit; (xvi) operating margin or operating expense or operating expense as a percentage of revenue; (xvii) return on operating revenue; (xviii) market share or customer indicators; (xix) contract awards or backlog; (xx) overhead or other expense reduction; (xxi) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index or another index; (xxii) credit rating; (xxiii) strategic plan development and implementation, attainment of research and development milestones or new product invention or innovation; (xxiv) succession plan development and implementation; (xxv) improvement in productivity or workforce diversity, (xxvi) attainment of objective operating goals and employee metrics; and (xxvii) economic value added.

 

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To the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (A) asset write-downs; (B) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (C) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; (D) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs; and (E) any extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year.

 

(c)                                  Certification.  Prior to the payment of any compensation under an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where such relate solely to the increase in the value of the Common Stock).

 

(d)                                 Discretionary Adjustments Pursuant to Section 162(m).  Notwithstanding satisfaction or completion of any Qualifying Performance Criteria, to the extent specified at the time of grant of an Award to “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the number of Shares, Options, SARs or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Qualifying Performance Criteria may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine.

 

15.                               Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale.

 

(a)                                 Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, (i) the number and kind of Shares available for issuance under the Plan and/or covered by each outstanding Award, (ii) the price per Share subject to each such outstanding Award and (iii) the Share limitations set forth in Section 3 of the Plan, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number or kind of issued shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property (other than regular, cash dividends)), combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award.

 

(b)                                 Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide at any time for an Option to be fully vested and exercisable until ten (10) days prior to such transaction. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any restrictions on any Award shall lapse prior to the transaction, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction.

 

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(c)                                  Change in Control.  In the event there is a Change in Control of the Company, as determined by the Board or a Committee, the Board or Committee may, in its discretion, (i) provide for the assumption or substitution of, or adjustment to, each outstanding Award; (ii) accelerate the vesting of Awards and terminate any restrictions on Awards; and (iii) provide for the cancellation of Awards for a cash payment to the Participant.

 

16.                               Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

(a)                                 Amendment and Termination.  The Administrator may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award Agreement, but any such amendment shall be subject to approval of the shareholders of the Company in the manner and to the extent required by Applicable Law. In addition, without limiting the foregoing, unless approved by the shareholders of the Company, no such amendment shall be made that would:

 

i.                                          increase the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted under the Plan, other than an increase pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan;

 

ii.                                       reduce the minimum exercise price for Options or SARs granted under the Plan;

 

iii.                                    reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or SARs; or

 

iv.                                   materially expand the class of persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Award, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

(c)                                  Effect of the Plan on Other Arrangements.  Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board or a Committee nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or any Committee to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it or they may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of awards otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

17.                               Designation of Beneficiary.

 

(a)                                 An Awardee may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive the Awardee’s rights pursuant to Awardee’s Award or the Awardee may include his or her Awards in an omnibus beneficiary designation for all benefits under the Plan pursuant to terms and conditions permitted by the Administrator. To the extent that Awardee has completed a designation of beneficiary while employed with Hewlett-Packard Company, such beneficiary designation shall remain in effect with respect to any Award hereunder until changed by the Awardee to the extent enforceable under Applicable Law.

 

(b)                                 Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Awardee at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of an Awardee and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Awardee’s death, the Company shall

 

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allow the executor or administrator of the estate of the Awardee to exercise the Award, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may allow the spouse or one or more dependents or relatives of the Awardee to exercise the Award to the extent permissible under Applicable Law.

 

18.                               No Right to Awards or to Employment.

 

No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award and the grant of any Award shall not be construed as giving an Awardee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates. Further, the Company and its Affiliates expressly reserve the right, at any time, to dismiss any Employee or Awardee at any time without liability or any claim under the Plan, except as provided herein or in any Award Agreement entered into hereunder.

 

19.                               Legal Compliance.

 

Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Award unless the exercise of such Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

20.                               Inability to Obtain Authority.

 

To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

21.                               Reservation of Shares.

 

The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

22.                               Notice.

 

Any written notice to the Company required by any provisions of this Plan shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and shall be effective when received.

 

23.                               Governing Law; Interpretation of Plan and Awards.

 

(a)                                 This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the state of Delaware.

 

(b)                                 In the event that any provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of the terms of the Plan and/or Award shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

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(c)                                  The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of the Plan, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

 

(d)                                 The terms of the Plan and any Award shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

(e)                                  All questions arising under the Plan or under any Award shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion. In the event the Participant believes that a decision by the Administrator with respect to such person was arbitrary or capricious, the Participant may request arbitration with respect to such decision. The review by the arbitrator shall be limited to determining whether the Administrator’s decision was arbitrary or capricious. This arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive review permitted of the Administrator’s decision, and the Awardee shall as a condition to the receipt of an Award be deemed to explicitly waive any right to judicial review.

 

(f)                                   Notice of demand for arbitration shall be made in writing to the Administrator within thirty (30) days after the applicable decision by the Administrator. The arbitrator shall be selected by the Administrator. The arbitrator shall be an individual who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Delaware. Such arbitrator shall be neutral within the meaning of the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association; provided, however, that the arbitration shall not be administered by the American Arbitration Association. Any challenge to the neutrality of the arbitrator shall be resolved by the arbitrator whose decision shall be final and conclusive. The arbitration shall be administered and conducted by the arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association. The decision of the arbitrator on the issue(s) presented for arbitration shall be final and conclusive and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

24.                               Limitation on Liability.

 

The Company and any Affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant, an Employee, an Awardee or any other persons as to:

 

(a)                                 The Non-Issuance of Shares.  The non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and

 

(b)                                 Tax Consequences.  Any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant, Employee, Awardee or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or other Award granted hereunder.

 

25.                               Unfunded Plan.

 

Insofar as it provides for Awards, the Plan shall be unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Awardees who are granted Stock Awards under this Plan, any such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets which may at any time be represented by Awards, nor shall this Plan be construed as providing for such segregation, nor shall the Company or the Administrator be deemed to be a trustee of stock or cash to be awarded under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations which may be created by the Plan; no such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation which may be created by this Plan.

 

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