{"component": "clause", "props": {"groups": [{"samples": [{"hash": "kklI6tmnE8a", "uri": "/contracts/kklI6tmnE8a#option-acceleration", "label": "Change of Control Severance Agreement (Pinnacle Systems Inc)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "iTrb7Ynk8ai", "uri": "/contracts/iTrb7Ynk8ai#option-acceleration", "label": "Change of Control Severance Agreement (Pinnacle Systems Inc)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "d0JRB1ZqHCb", "uri": "/contracts/d0JRB1ZqHCb#option-acceleration", "label": "Change of Control Severance Agreement (Pinnacle Systems Inc)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "the-shares", "type": "clause", "offset": [30, 40]}, {"key": "by-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [88, 102]}, {"key": "prior-to-the", "type": "clause", "offset": [103, 115]}, {"key": "change-of-control", "type": "definition", "offset": [116, 133]}, {"key": "vested-and-exercisable", "type": "clause", "offset": [159, 181]}, {"key": "involuntary-termination", "type": "definition", "offset": [200, 223]}, {"key": "the-options", "type": "clause", "offset": [254, 265]}, {"key": "conditions-of-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [312, 337]}, {"key": "plans-and", "type": "definition", "offset": [353, 362]}, {"key": "option-agreements", "type": "definition", "offset": [378, 395]}, {"key": "employee-and-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [408, 432]}], "snippet": "One hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to all Options granted to the Employee by the Company prior to the Change of Control shall immediately become vested and exercisable in full upon such Involuntary Termination. 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The parties hereto acknowledge that the terms of this Agreement are intended to modify the terms of Employee's existing Option agreements and to be a supplement to future Option agreements.\n(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:", "size": 13, "hash": "d29d238d997949b443a662114bc9a0c4", "id": 4}, {"samples": [{"hash": "enG6W4617dv", "uri": "/contracts/enG6W4617dv#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cholestech Corporation)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "agHQAifZzOH", "uri": "/contracts/agHQAifZzOH#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cholestech Corporation)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "9ugHzy4Sr7p", "uri": "/contracts/9ugHzy4Sr7p#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cholestech Corporation)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "no-reason", "type": "clause", "offset": [65, 74]}, {"key": "to-the-executive", "type": "clause", "offset": [132, 148]}, {"key": "the-company-shall", "type": "clause", "offset": [152, 169]}, {"key": "number-of-shares", "type": "clause", "offset": [192, 208]}, {"key": "vested-and-exercisable", "type": "clause", "offset": [233, 255]}, {"key": "date-of", "type": "clause", "offset": [352, 359]}, {"key": "accelerated-shares", "type": "definition", "offset": [383, 401]}, {"key": "conditions-of-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [448, 473]}, {"key": "plans-and", "type": "definition", "offset": [489, 498]}, {"key": "agreements-between-the-executive-and-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [521, 569]}, {"key": "shares-of-the-company", "type": "definition", "offset": [637, 658]}], "snippet": "If the Company terminates the Executive's employment, for any or no reason, then any unvested and outstanding stock options granted to the Executive by the Company shall accelerate as to that number of shares which would have become vested and exercisable had the Executive remained employed with the Company until the date that is 12 months after the date of such termination. Such accelerated shares shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plans and the applicable option agreements between the Executive and the Company. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the remaining unvested shares of the Company subject to his stock options, excluding the accelerated shares referenced above, shall terminate immediately as of the date of such termination.", "size": 11, "hash": "5895caad4a4e0e18167b8655b0b69cba", "id": 5}, {"samples": [{"hash": "hZYBqv0WOKp", "uri": "/contracts/hZYBqv0WOKp#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (MDL Information Systems Inc)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "hMoxNLOa6PN", "uri": "/contracts/hMoxNLOa6PN#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (MDL Information Systems Inc)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "afPJOaNNIZw", "uri": "/contracts/afPJOaNNIZw#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (MDL Information Systems Inc)", "score": 16.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "outstanding-options", "type": "definition", "offset": [13, 32]}, {"key": "to-the-extent", "type": "clause", "offset": [39, 52]}, {"key": "vested-shares", "type": "definition", "offset": [88, 101]}, {"key": "total-number-of-shares-of-common-stock", "type": "clause", "offset": [197, 235]}, {"key": "at-the-time", "type": "clause", "offset": [236, 247]}, {"key": "subject-to", "type": "definition", "offset": [248, 258]}, {"key": "involuntary-termination", "type": "definition", "offset": [287, 310]}, {"key": "vested-options", "type": "definition", "offset": [342, 356]}, {"key": "in-accordance-with", "type": "definition", "offset": [403, 421]}, {"key": "the-option-agreement", "type": "clause", "offset": [449, 469]}, {"key": "in-no-event", "type": "clause", "offset": [502, 513]}, {"key": "date-of", "type": "clause", "offset": [585, 592]}, {"key": "option-term", "type": "clause", "offset": [597, 608]}], "snippet": "Each of your outstanding Options will (to the extent not then otherwise exercisable for vested shares) automatically accelerate so that each such Option will become immediately exercisable for the total number of shares of Common Stock at the time subject to that Option. Following your Involuntary Termination, each Option and all your then-vested options may be exercised for any or all vested shares in accordance with the exercise provisions of the option agreement evidencing the Option. However, in no event may any outstanding option be exercised after the specified expiration date of the option term.", "size": 10, "hash": "93a2d96b44f752cfe8790e08258da834", "id": 7}, {"samples": [{"hash": "k0Wj2Fki5NA", "uri": "/contracts/k0Wj2Fki5NA#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cv Therapeutics Inc)", "score": 18.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "fZql8UoaWR4", "uri": "/contracts/fZql8UoaWR4#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cv Therapeutics Inc)", "score": 18.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "ccZBVSPuGtl", "uri": "/contracts/ccZBVSPuGtl#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Cv Therapeutics Inc)", "score": 18.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "employment-with-the-company", "type": "definition", "offset": [15, 42]}, {"key": "covered-termination", "type": "clause", "offset": [63, 82]}, {"key": "common-stock", "type": "clause", "offset": [140, 152]}, {"key": "the-stock", "type": "clause", "offset": [157, 166]}, {"key": "successor-to-the-company", "type": "clause", "offset": [172, 196]}, {"key": "substitution-of-options", "type": "clause", "offset": [224, 247]}, {"key": "vested-and-exercisable", "type": "clause", "offset": [280, 302]}, {"key": "date-of", "type": "clause", "offset": [313, 320]}, {"key": "termination-of-employment", "type": "definition", "offset": [333, 358]}], "snippet": "If Executive's employment with the Company terminates due to a Covered Termination, then all options of Executive to purchase the Company's common stock (or the stock of a successor to the Company by reason of assumption or substitution of options) shall become immediately fully vested and exercisable as of the date of Executive's termination of employment.", "size": 10, "hash": "d7cb08b3e9d1e7924598781f705ea23e", "id": 6}, {"samples": [{"hash": "684yJBukC8v", "uri": "/contracts/684yJBukC8v#option-acceleration", "label": "Change of Control Option Acceleration Agreement", "score": 29.340862423, "published": 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without Cause or Constructively Terminated by the Company without Cause, then the vesting and exercisability of each option granted to the Employee by the Company (the \u201cOptions\u201d) shall be automatically accelerated in full.", "size": 8, "hash": "0b6f63cd4ceb70f83acd4b9a23ab51f7", "id": 10}, {"samples": [{"hash": "hVsrFgfK0gW", "uri": "/contracts/hVsrFgfK0gW#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Legato Systems Inc)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "8xx3tik20J7", "uri": "/contracts/8xx3tik20J7#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Legato Systems Inc)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "lwf3CfEAHdq", "uri": "/contracts/lwf3CfEAHdq#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Legato Systems Inc)", "score": 18.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "at-the-time", "type": "clause", "offset": [24, 35]}, {"key": "involuntary-termination", "type": "definition", "offset": [44, 67]}, {"key": "to-the-extent", "type": "clause", "offset": [69, 82]}, {"key": "vested-and-exercisable", "type": "clause", "offset": [97, 119]}, {"key": "the-shares", "type": "clause", "offset": [128, 138]}, {"key": "subject-to", "type": "definition", "offset": [139, 149]}, {"key": "option-shares", "type": "definition", "offset": [222, 235]}, {"key": "vested-shares", "type": "definition", "offset": [297, 310]}], "snippet": "Each Option outstanding at the time of such Involuntary Termination, to the extent not otherwise vested and exercisable for all the shares subject to that Option, will immediately vest and become exercisable for all those option shares and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares.", "size": 9, "hash": "48438cf4f98e7ffe13078bab0f24bd53", "id": 8}, {"samples": [{"hash": "lCm1ookezQA", "uri": "/contracts/lCm1ookezQA#option-acceleration", "label": "Severance Agreement (Viking Office Products Inc)", "score": 18.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "l6vA5m3ZuuZ", "uri": 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"clause", "offset": [345, 357]}], "snippet": "The provisions of your outstanding Options and the ------------------- applicable Plans shall govern the acceleration of the exercise thereof in the event of a Change in Control, including but not limited to the effect on such acceleration of your death or disability or termination of employment. This Agreement is not intended to amend any of your Options.", "size": 8, "hash": "4775eaea6d530d82df578e5d8b006377", "id": 9}, {"samples": [{"hash": "lmaJ2xeQAvR", "uri": "/contracts/lmaJ2xeQAvR#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Symantec Corp)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "iiXfyc1Ea1V", "uri": "/contracts/iiXfyc1Ea1V#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Symantec Corp)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}, {"hash": "iVBIMH8LzrP", "uri": "/contracts/iVBIMH8LzrP#option-acceleration", "label": "Employment Agreement (Symantec Corp)", "score": 21.0, "published": true}], "snippet_links": [{"key": "at-the-time", "type": "clause", "offset": [24, 35]}, {"key": "vested-and-exercisable", "type": "clause", "offset": [82, 104]}, {"key": "the-shares", "type": "clause", "offset": [116, 126]}, {"key": "subject-to", "type": "definition", "offset": [127, 137]}, {"key": "additional-amount", "type": "definition", "offset": [254, 271]}, {"key": "equal-to", "type": "definition", "offset": [272, 280]}, {"key": "unvested-shares", "type": "definition", "offset": [320, 335]}, {"key": "issued-and-outstanding", "type": "clause", "offset": [419, 441]}, {"key": "to-executive", "type": "clause", "offset": [491, 503]}, {"key": "in-accordance-with", "type": "definition", "offset": [504, 522]}, {"key": "terms-of-the-options", "type": "clause", "offset": [527, 547]}], "snippet": "Each Option outstanding at the time of Executive\u2019s termination, but not otherwise vested and exercisable for all of the shares subject to that Option, will immediately vest on an accelerated basis so that each such Option shall become exercisable for an additional amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then unvested shares under such Option, and any shares subject to those Options which are not otherwise issued and outstanding at the time of such acceleration shall be issued to Executive in accordance with the terms of the Options.", "size": 15, "hash": "cbf6a6a2b9a203d022d621d50ab249da", "id": 3}], "next_curs": "ClwSVmoVc35sYXdpbnNpZGVyY29udHJhY3RzcjgLEhZDbGF1c2VTbmlwcGV0R3JvdXBfdjU2IhxvcHRpb24tYWNjZWxlcmF0aW9uIzAwMDAwMDBhDKIBAmVuGAAgAA==", "clause": {"parents": [["severance-benefits", "Severance Benefits"], ["change-of-control-and-severance-benefits", "Change of Control and Severance Benefits"], ["termination-following-a-change-of-control", "Termination Following a Change of Control"], ["severance-benefits-in-the-event-of-a-change-in-control", "Severance Benefits in the Event of a Change in Control"], ["involuntary-termination", "Involuntary Termination"]], "children": [["change-of-control-option-acceleration", "Change of Control Option Acceleration"], ["outstanding-stock-awards", "Outstanding Stock Awards"], ["constructive-termination-option-acceleration", "Constructive Termination Option Acceleration"], ["covered-termination-option-acceleration", "Covered Termination Option Acceleration"], ["parachute-payment-gross-up", "Parachute Payment Gross-Up"]], "size": 303, "title": "Option Acceleration", "id": "option-acceleration", "related": [["vesting-acceleration", "Vesting Acceleration", "Vesting Acceleration"], ["special-acceleration-of-option", "Special Acceleration of Option", "Special Acceleration of Option"], ["optional-acceleration", "Optional Acceleration", "Optional Acceleration"], ["optional-acceleration-of-maturity", "Optional Acceleration of Maturity", "Optional Acceleration of Maturity"], ["discretionary-acceleration", "Discretionary Acceleration", "Discretionary Acceleration"]], "related_snippets": [], "updated": "2025-07-07T12:37:50+00:00", "also_ask": ["What triggers should be included or avoided in an option acceleration clause?", "How can the clause be structured to maximize leverage in negotiations?", "What are the most common enforceability challenges in court for option acceleration?", "How does this clause compare to acceleration provisions in similar agreements?", "What are the key risks if the acceleration mechanism is too broad or too narrow?"], "drafting_tip": "Specify triggering events, clarify affected options, and define timing to ensure enforceability, prevent disputes, and provide certainty for all parties.", "explanation": "The Option Acceleration clause allows for the immediate vesting or exercisability of stock options or similar equity awards under certain specified conditions, such as a change in company control or termination of employment. In practice, this means that employees or option holders may gain the right to exercise all or a portion of their unvested options earlier than originally scheduled if triggering events occur. The core function of this clause is to protect and reward option holders in scenarios where their continued participation or employment may be disrupted, ensuring they are not disadvantaged by unforeseen corporate events."}, "json": true, "cursor": ""}}