As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2007

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

under the

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

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NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Republic of Marshall Islands (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

98-0384348 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

85 Akti Miaouli Street\Piraeus, Greece 185 38

(011) +30-210-4595000

(Address, Including Zip Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

2006 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT STOCK PLAN

(Full Titles of the Plans)

Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.

Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island

P.O. Box 1405

Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

In accordance with the instructional Note to Part I of Form S-8 as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the information specified by Part I of Form S-8 has been omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8 for offers of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference:

(a) Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed on March 27, 2007.

(b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), since December 31, 2006.

(c) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All other documents or reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, including all annual reports on Form 20-F and any Form 6-K which the Registrant files with the Commission wherein such Form 6-K is expressly incorporated by reference into this prospectus, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock registered under this Registration Statement has been passed upon for the Registrant by Reeder & Simpson P.C. and members of that firm, their families and trusts for their benefit do not own any shares of Common Stock of the Registrant and options and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Registrant.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3, No. 333-129382.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

 

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Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Item 9. Undertakings.

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering

 

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price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement.

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Piraeus, Greece, on this 6th day of November, 2007.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The registrant and each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Angeliki Frangou and Vasiliki Papaefthymiou and each of them singly, his, her or its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she, or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date first above indicated:

 

 

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NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS FILED WITH

FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

 

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[REEDER & SIMPSON LETTERHEAD]

November 6, 2007

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

85 Akti Miaouli Street

Piraeus, Greece 185 38

Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”), pursuant to which the Company is registering the issuance under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of  10,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”).  This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and By-Laws, both as currently in effect; such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of the Company’s officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and (ii) the Shares, when sold, will have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock, free of preemptive rights.

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Our opinion is limited to the applicable provisions of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws, and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.  No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction.

We understand that you wish to file this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent thereto.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Reeder & Simpson

Reeder & Simpson

NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.

2006 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT STOCK PLAN

1.	DEFINITIONS.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 2006 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan, have the following meanings:

Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.

Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.

Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:

	(i)	Ownership.    Any ‘‘Person’’ (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the ‘‘Beneficial Owner’’ (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (excluding for this purpose any such voting securities held by the Company or its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan of the Company) pursuant to a transaction or a series of related transactions which the Board of Directors does not approve; or

	(ii)	Merger/Sale of Assets.    (A) A merger or consolidation of the Company whether or not approved by the Board of Directors, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or the parent of such corporation) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or parent of such corporation, as the case may be, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (B) the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

	(iii)	Change in Board Composition.    A change in the composition of the Board of Directors, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. ‘‘Incumbent Directors’’ shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of November 13, 2006, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company).

Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

Common Stock means shares of the Company’s common stock, $.0001 par value per share.

Company means Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation.

Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

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Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.

Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:

	(1)	If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;

	(2)	If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and

	(3)	If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator , in good faith, shall determine.

ISO means an option meant to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.

Participant means an Employee, director or consultant of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, ‘‘Participant’’ shall include ‘‘Participant’s Survivors’’ where the context requires.

Plan means this Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 2006 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan.

Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.

Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.

Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.

Stock Right means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan — an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.

Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

2.	PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.

The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain consultants to the Company in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.

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3.	SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

	(a)	The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be 10,000,000, or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of the Plan.

	(b)	If an Option ceases to be ‘‘outstanding’’, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued u nder the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued.

4.	ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:

	a.	Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

	b.	Determine which Employees, directors and consultants shall be granted Stock Rights;

	c.	Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted, provided, however, that in no event shall Stock Rights with respect to more than 500,000 Shares be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year;

	d.	Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted; and

	e.	Adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company or to Plan Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which sub-plans may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right;

provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of preserving the tax status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time.

5.	ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan, provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may

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authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person not then an Employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate; provided, however, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify him or her from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights.

6.    TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:

	a.	Non-Qualified Options:    Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:

	i.	Option Price:    Each Option Agreement shall state the option price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which option price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock.

	ii.	Number of Shares:    Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.

	iii.	Option Periods:    Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events.

	iv.	Option Conditions:    Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator providing for certain protections for the Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:

	A.	The Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and

	B.	The Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting any applicable restrictions.

	b.	ISOs:    Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee and be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service:

	i.	Minimum standards:    The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above.

	ii.	Option Price:    Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section424(d) of the Code:

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	A.	10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Shares on the date of the grant of the Option; or

	B.	More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

	iii.	Term of Option:    For Participants who own:

	A.	10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or

	B.	More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

	iv.	Limitation on Yearly Exercise:    The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may become exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year does not exceed $100,000.

7.	TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.

Each offer of a Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the date prior to which the Stock Grant must be accepted by the Participant, and the principal terms of each Stock Grant shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:

	(a)	Each Agreement shall state the purchase price (per share), if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Marshall Islands Corporation Law, if any, on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant;

	(b)	Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; and

	(c)	Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time and events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any.

8.	TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company.

9.	EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee, together with provision for payment of the full purchase price in accordance

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with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option, shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the purchase price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the cash exercise price of the Option and held for at least six months, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the exercis e price of the Option, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above or (f) above at the discretion of the Administrator, payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422 of the Code.

The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes ‘‘reasonably promptly,’’ it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or ‘‘blue sky’’ laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.

The Administrator shall have the right to accelerate the date of exercise of any installment of any Option; provided that the Administrator shall not accelerate the exercise date of any installment of any Option granted to an Employee as an ISO (and not previously converted into a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to Paragraph 27) without the prior approval of the Employee if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).

The Administrator may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an outstanding Option provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan, (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the Participant to whom the Option was granted, or in the event of the death of the Participant, the Participant’s Survivors, if the amendment is adverse to the Participant, and (iii) any such amendment of any Option shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would constitute a ‘‘modification’’ of any Option which is an ISO (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holder of such Option including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

10.	ACCEPTANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

A Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award (or any part or installment thereof) shall be accepted by executing the applicable Agreement and delivering it to the Company or its designee, together with provision for payment of the full purchase price, if any, in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being accepted, and upon compliance with any other conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement. Payment of the purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being accepted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of acceptance of the Stock Grant or Stock Based-Award to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any comb ination of (a) and (b) abovem, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

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The Company shall then, if required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was accepted to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes ‘‘reasonably promptly,’’ it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or ‘‘blue sky’’ laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.

The Administrator may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an outstanding Stock Grant, Stock-Based Award or applicable Agreement provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan, and (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the Participant to whom the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made, if the amendment is adverse to the Participant.

11.	RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.

No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right, except after due exercise of the Option or acceptance of the Stock Grant or as set forth in any Agreement, and tender of the full purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased pursuant to such exercise or acceptance and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.

12.	ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.

By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above, a Stock Right shall only be exercisable or may only be accepted, during the Participant’s lifetime, by such Participant (or by his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or si milar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.

13.	EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN ‘‘FOR CAUSE’’ OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an employee, director or consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:

	a.	A Participant who ceases to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination ‘‘for cause’’, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.

	b.	Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment.

	c.	The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s

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		Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.

	d.	Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Board of Directors determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute ‘‘cause’’, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.

	e.	A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

	f.	Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

14.	EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ‘‘FOR CAUSE’’.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an employee, director or consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated ‘‘for cause’’ prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:

	a.	All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated ‘‘for cause’’ will immediately be forfeited.

	b.	For purposes of this Plan, ‘‘cause’’ shall include (and is not limited to) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company, and conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of ‘‘cause’’ will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

	c.	‘‘Cause’’ is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of ‘‘cause’’ occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute ‘‘cause’’, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.

	d.	Any provision in an agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of ‘‘cause’’ for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede the definition in this Plan with respect to that Participant.

15.	EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

	a.	A Participant who ceases to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant:

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	(i)	To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of Disability; and

	(ii)	In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of Disability.

	b.	A Disabled Participant may exercise such rights only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not become Disabled and had continued to be an employee, director or consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

	c.	The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

16.	EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

	a.	In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors:

	(i)	To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death; and

	(ii)	In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death.

	b.	If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an employee, director or consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

17.	EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON UNACCEPTED STOCK GRANTS.

In the event of a termination of service (whether as an employee, director or consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant, such offer shall terminate.

For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant has been offered and accepted under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as

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a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

18.	EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN ‘‘FOR CAUSE’’ OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an employee, director or consultant), other than termination ‘‘for cause,’’ Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21, respectively, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.

19.	EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ‘‘FOR CAUSE’’.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an employee, director or consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated ‘‘for cause’’:

	a.	All Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remain subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company shall have a repurchase right shall be immediately forfeited to the Company as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause.

	b.	For purposes of this Plan, ‘‘cause’’ shall include (and is not limited to) dishonesty with respect to the employer, insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company, and conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of ‘‘cause’’ will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

	c.	‘‘Cause’’ is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of ‘‘cause’’ occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute ‘‘cause,’’ then the Company’s right to repurchase all of such Participant’s Shares shall apply.

	d.	Any provision in an agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of ‘‘cause’’ for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede the definition in this Plan with respect to that Participant.

20.	EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.

The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

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21.	EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an employee, director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s death.

22.	PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.

Unless the offering and sale of the Shares to be issued upon the particular exercise or acceptance of a Stock Right shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as now in force or hereafter amended (the ‘‘1933 Act’’), the Company shall be under no obligation to issue the Shares covered by such exercise unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:

	a.	The person(s) who exercise(s) or accept(s) such Stock Right shall warrant to the Company, prior to the receipt of such Shares, that such person(s) are acquiring such Shares for their own respective accounts, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person(s) acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend which shall be endorsed upon the certificate(s) evidencing their Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such grant:

‘‘The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws.’’

	b.	At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon such particular exercise or acceptance in compliance with the 1933 Act without registration thereunder.

23.	DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.

24.	ADJUSTMENTS.

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:

a.    Stock Dividends and Stock Splits.    If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with

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respect to such shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of an Option or acceptance of a Stock Grant shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the purchase price per share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.

b.    Corporate Transactions.    If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a ‘‘Corporate Transaction’’), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the ‘‘Successor Board’’), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that all Options must be exercised (all Options shall for purpose of this clause (ii) be made fully vested and immediately exercisable prior to their termination), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period the Options shall terminate; or (iii) terminate all Options in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Options (all Options shall for purpose of this clause (iii) be made fully vested and immediately exercisable immediately prior to their termination) over the exercise price thereof.

With respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall either (i) make appropriate provisions for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) terminate all Stock Grants in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Stock Grants (without regard to forfeiture or repurchase rights of the Company) over the purchase price thereof, if any. In addition, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may waive any or all Company forfeiture or repurchase rights with respect to outstanding Stock Grants.

c.    Recapitalization or Reorganization.    In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the purchase price paid upon such exercise or acceptance of the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

d.    Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards.    Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs a, b or c above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect if any, of a Change of Control and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.

e.    Modification of ISOs.    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraph a, b or c above with respect to ISOs shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would constitute a ‘‘modification’’ of such ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of such ISOs. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to ISOs would constitute a modification of such ISOs, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an ISO specifically requests in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such ‘‘modif ication’’ on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the ISO. This paragraph shall not apply to the acceleration of the vesting of

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any ISO that would cause any portion of the ISO to violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6b(iv).

f.    Change of Control.    In the event of either

	(A)	a Corporate Transaction that also constitutes a Change of Control, where outstanding options are assumed or substituted in accordance with the first paragraph of Subparagraph B clause (i) above and, with respect to Stock Grants, in accordance with the second paragraph of Subparagraph B clause (i); or

	(B)	a Change of Control that does not also constitute a Corporate Transaction all of such Participant’s Options outstanding under the Plan shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of the Change of Control and any forfeiture or repurchase rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Stock Grants that have not lapsed or expired prior to such Change of Control shall terminate as of the date of the Change of Control.

25.	ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.

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 subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.

26.	FRACTIONAL SHARES.

No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.

27.	CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.

The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant’s ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. At the time of such conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to have such Participant’s ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Administrator takes appropriate action. T he Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such conversion.

28.	WITHHOLDING.

In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (‘‘F.I.C.A.’’) withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the exercise or acceptance of a Stock Right or in connection with a Disqualifying Disposition (as defined in Paragraph 29) or upon the lapsing of any forfeiture provision or right of repurchase or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note , is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll

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withholding shall be determined in the manner provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the fair market value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.

29.	NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

Each Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale or gift) of such shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Employee was granted the ISO, or (b) one year after the date the Employee acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Employee has died before such stock is sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.

30.	TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

The Plan will terminate on November 13, 2016, the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination.

31.	AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.

The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment (including deferral of taxation upon exercise) as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, and to the extent necessary to qualify the shares issuable upon exercise or acceptance of any outstanding Stock Rights granted, or Stock Rights to be granted, under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Plan sha ll not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.

32.	EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.

33.	GOVERNING LAW.

This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Marshall Islands.

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Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

November 6, 2007

Enclosed is our manually signed consent relating to the use in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 8, 2007 and March 22, 2006, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

Our manually signed consent serves to authorize the use of our name on our consent in the electronic filing of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the SEC.

Please provide us with an exact copy of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 as electronically filed with the SEC.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 8, 2007 and March 22, 2006, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. which appear in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.

PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.

Athens, Greece

November 6, 2007

 

 

 

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