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EXHIBIT 99.3
TRANSMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
1998 STOCK PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
1. GRANT OF OPTION. TransMedia Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants to <> ("Optionee") an
option (the "Option") to purchase a total number of shares of Common Stock (the
"Shares") set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, at the exercise price
per share set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the "Exercise Price")
subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the TransMedia
Communications, Inc. 1998 Stock Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which
is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms
defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option.
If designated an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2. EXERCISE OF OPTION. This Option shall be exercisable during its Term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Stock Option
Grant and with the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:
(a) RIGHT TO EXERCISE.
(i) This Option may be exercised in whole or in part at
any time after the Date of Grant, as to Shares which have not yet vested under
the vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant; provided,
however, that Optionee shall execute as a condition to such exercise of this
Option, the Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Early Exercise Agreement"). If Optionee
chooses to exercise this Option solely as to Shares which have vested under the
vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant, Optionee shall
complete and execute the form of Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Exercise Agreement").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion prescribe or
accept a different form of notice of exercise and/or stock purchase agreement if
such forms are otherwise consistent with this Agreement, the Plan and
then-applicable law.
(ii) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of
a share.
(iii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or
other termination of employment or consulting relationship, the exercisability
of the Option is governed by Sections 5, 6 and 7 below, subject to the
limitation contained in Section 2(a)(iv) below.
(iv) In no event may this Option be exercised after the
Expiration Date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.
(b) METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable by
execution and delivery of the Early Exercise Agreement or the Exercise
Agreement, whichever is applicable, or
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of any other written notice approved for such purpose by the Company which shall
state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of
which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and
agreements as to the holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of
Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the
Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in
person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice
shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be
deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice
accompanied by the Exercise Price.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of
applicable law, including the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the
Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the
Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the
Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
3. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof;
(a) at the election of Optionee:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the
Company which (i) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a
Company option, have been owned by Optionee for more than 6 months on the date
of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal
to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
or
(b) at the election of Optionee, and subject to the approval of
the Administrator:
(i) if there is a public market for the Shares and they
are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the
amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price; or
(ii) subject to Section 153 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, a promissory note.
4. RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the
Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the
Company may
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require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may
be required by any applicable law or regulation.
5. TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP. In the event of termination of
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, Optionee may, to the
extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination
Date"), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set forth in the
Notice of Stock Option Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to
exercise this Option at such Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise
this Option within the Termination Period, the Option shall terminate.
6. DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the
event of termination of Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve months
from the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set
forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), exercise this
Option to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at such Termination
Date. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option on the
Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified in this Section 6(a), the Option shall
terminate.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the
event of termination of Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status
as an Employee as a result of a disability not constituting a total and
permanent disability (as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee
may, but only within six months from the Termination Date (but in no event later
than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in
Section 9 below), exercise the Option to the extent Optionee was entitled to
exercise it as of such Termination Date; provided, however, that if this is an
Incentive Stock Option and Optionee fails to exercise this Incentive Stock
Option within three months from the Termination Date, this Option will cease to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) and
Optionee will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received
ordinary income at the time of such exercise in an amount generally measured by
the difference between the Exercise Price for the Shares and the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise. To the extent that Optionee was not
entitled to exercise the Option at the Termination Date, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in this
Section 6(b), the Option shall terminate.
7. DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of Optionee (a) during
the Term of this Option and while an Employee or Consultant of the Company and
having been in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of
grant of the Option, or (b) within 30 days after Optionee's Termination Date,
the Option may be exercised at any time within six months following the date of
death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of
Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), by Optionee's estate or by a person
who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but
only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the Termination
Date.
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8. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by him or her. The terms
of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of Optionee.
9. TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the Term set
forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, subject to the limitations set forth
in Section 7 of the Plan.
10. TAX CONSEQUENCES. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of certain of the federal and California tax consequences of
exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares under the laws in effect
as of the Date of Grant. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX
LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX
ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) EXERCISE OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. If this Option qualifies
as an Incentive Stock Option, there will be no regular federal or California
income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if
any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the
Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax
for federal tax purposes and may subject Optionee to the alternative minimum tax
in the year of exercise.
(b) EXERCISE OF NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. If this Option does
not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, there may be a regular federal income
tax liability and a California income tax liability upon the exercise of the
Option. Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable
at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee
is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's
compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing
authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the
time of exercise.
(c) DISPOSITION OF SHARES. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
and California income tax purposes. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if
Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after
exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any
gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term
capital gain for federal and California income tax purposes. In either case, the
long-term capital gain will be taxed for federal income tax and alternative
minimum tax purposes at a maximum rate of 28% if the Shares are held more than
one year but less than 18 months after exercise and at 20% if the Shares are
held more than 18 months after exercise. If Shares purchased under an Incentive
Stock Option are disposed of within one year after exercise or within two years
after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated
as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the
difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (i) the fair market
value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (ii) the sale price of the
Shares.
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(d) NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION SHARES. If the Option granted to Optionee herein is an Incentive Stock
Option, and if Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares
acquired pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option on or before the later of (i)
the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one year after the
date of exercise, Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of
such disposition. Optionee acknowledges and agrees that he or she may be subject
to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized
by Optionee from the early disposition by payment in cash or out of the current
earnings paid to Optionee.
11. WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. Optionee understands that, upon
exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, he or she will recognize income for tax
purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the
Shares over the Exercise Price. However, the timing of this income recognition
may be deferred for up to six months if Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from Optionee's compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this
compensation income. Additionally, Optionee may at some point be required to
satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying
disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax
withholding obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option by one or some
combination of the following methods: (a) by cash payment, (b) out of Optionee's
current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion,
by surrendering to the Company Shares which (i) in the case of Shares previously
acquired from the Company, have been owned by Optionee for more than six months
on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to or greater than Optionee's marginal tax rate times the
ordinary income recognized, or (d) by electing to have the Company withhold from
the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of Shares having
a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. For this
purpose, the Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined
on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax
Date").
If Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (an "Insider"),
any surrender of previously owned Shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations
arising upon exercise of this Option must comply with the applicable provisions
of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3").
All elections by Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax
Date;
(b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the
particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; and
(c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval
of the Administrator.
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12. MARKET STANDOFF AGREEMENT. In connection with the initial public
offering of the Company's securities and upon request of the Company or the
underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company's securities,
Optionee hereby agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any
option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any Shares (other than those
included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company
or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed
180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by
the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting
the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the
Company's initial public offering.
[Signature Page Follows]
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This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one
document.
TRANSMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:
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Name:
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(print)
Title:
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OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE
WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS
OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that
he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts
this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to
obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully
understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the
Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option.
Dated: ____________________ ______________________________
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