EX-99.1 2 a06-4189_1ex99d1.htm EXHIBIT 99

Exhibit 99.1

BYLAWS

OF

LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

(As amended and restated as of January 31, 2006)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I CORPORATE OFFICES

 

1

 

 

 

1.1

 

REGISTERED OFFICE

 

1

1.2

 

OTHER OFFICES

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

1

 

 

 

2.1

 

PLACE OF MEETINGS

 

1

2.2

 

ANNUAL MEETING

 

1

2.3

 

SPECIAL MEETING

 

2

2.4

 

NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

2

2.5

 

MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE

 

2

2.6

 

NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

 

3

2.7

 

QUORUM

 

3

2.8

 

ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

 

4

2.9

 

ORGANIZATION

 

4

2.10

 

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

 

5

2.11

 

VOTING

 

5

2.12

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

6

2.13

 

STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

6

2.14

 

RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS

 

6

2.15

 

PROXIES

 

7

2.16

 

LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

 

7

2.17

 

NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III DIRECTORS

 

9

 

 

 

3.1

 

POWERS

 

9

3.2

 

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

 

9

3.3

 

ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

 

10

3.4

 

RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

 

10

3.5

 

PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

 

11

3.6

 

REGULAR MEETINGS

 

11

3.7

 

SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

 

11

3.8

 

QUORUM

 

12

3.9

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

12

3.10

 

BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

12

3.11

 

FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

 

12

3.12

 

APPROVAL OF LOANS TO EMPLOYEES

 

13

3.13

 

REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

13

3.14

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

 

13

 



 

ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES

 

13

 

 

 

4.1

 

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

13

4.2

 

MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V OFFICERS

 

14

 

 

 

5.1

 

OFFICERS

 

14

5.2

 

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

 

14

5.3

 

SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

 

14

5.4

 

REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

 

14

5.5

 

VACANCIES IN OFFICES

 

15

5.6

 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

 

15

5.7

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

15

5.8

 

PRESIDENT

 

15

5.9

 

VICE PRESIDENT

 

16

5.10

 

SECRETARY

 

16

5.11

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

16

5.12

 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

 

17

5.13

 

ASSISTANT TREASURER

 

17

5.14

 

AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI INDEMNITY

 

17

 

 

 

6.1

 

RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION

 

17

6.2

 

RIGHT TO ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

18

6.3

 

RIGHT OF INDEMNITEE TO BRING SUIT

 

18

6.4

 

NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

 

19

6.5

 

INSURANCE

 

20

6.6

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION

 

20

6.7

 

DEFINITIONS

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

22

 

 

 

7.1

 

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS

 

22

7.2

 

INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS

 

22

7.3

 

REPRESENTATIONS OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL MATTERS

 

23

 

 

 

8.1

 

CHECKS

 

23

8.2

 

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

 

23

8.3

 

STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

 

23

8.4

 

SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

 

24

8.5

 

LOST CERTIFICATES

 

24

8.6

 

CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

 

24

8.7

 

DIVIDENDS

 

24

 

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8.8

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

25

8.9

 

SEAL

 

25

8.10

 

TRANSFER OF STOCK

 

25

8.11

 

STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

 

25

8.12

 

REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

 

26

 

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BYLAWS

OF

LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

ARTICLE I

CORPORATE OFFICES

1.1           REGISTERED OFFICE

The registered office of the corporation shall be fixed in the certificate of incorporation of the corporation.

1.2           OTHER OFFICES

The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

2.1           PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors.  The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

2.2           ANNUAL MEETING

An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year on such date and at such time as designated by the board of directors for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

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2.3           SPECIAL MEETING

(a)           Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by a majority of the total number of authorized directors of the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the chief executive officer.

(b)           If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the board of directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or the secretary of the corporation.  No business may be transacted at a special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice.  The board of directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the receipt of the request.  Upon determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 of these bylaws.  If the notice is not given within sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may set the time and place of the meeting and give the notice.  Nothing contained in this paragraph (b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.

2.4           NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

All notices of meetings of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.  The notice shall specify the place, if any, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the board of directors, upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

2.5           MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE

Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given either personally, by mail or, subject to Section 2.6 of these bylaws, by electronic transmission.  Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid and shall be addressed to the stockholder at the address of that stockholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the stockholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice.  If no address is known, such notice may be sent to the principal executive office of the corporation.  Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or, if electronically transmitted, as provided in Section 2.6 of these bylaws.  An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or

 

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of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

2.6           NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given.  Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.  Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (a) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent, and (b) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, that the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

Notice given pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed given (a) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (b) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (c) if by a posting on an electronic network together with a separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (i) such posting, and (ii) the giving of such separate notice, and (d) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.  An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary, the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

For purposes of these bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

2.7           QUORUM

The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation.  If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting or (ii) the stockholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting unless otherwise required by these bylaws, until a quorum is present or represented.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum was initially present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough

 

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stockholders to leave less than a quorum if any action is taken by a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question.

If a quorum is initially present, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken is approved by a majority of the stockholders initially constituting the quorum (or such other vote as is required by express provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or the certificate of incorporation).

2.8           ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares casting votes, excluding abstentions.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.  At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

2.9           ORGANIZATION

Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by: (i) the chairman of the board of directors, if any; (ii) in the absence of the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, if any; or (iii) in the absence of the foregoing persons, a chairman of the meeting, which chairman must be an officer or director of the corporation, designated by the board of directors.  The secretary or in his or her absence an assistant secretary or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries a person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.

The board of directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient.  Subject to such rules and regulations of the board of directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of the chairman of the meeting, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without

 

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limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies, and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot.  Unless and to the extent determined by the board of directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

2.10         INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

Before any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors may appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment.  If no inspector of election is so appointed, then the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting.  The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3), and may include individuals who serve the corporation in other capacities, including without limitation as officers, employees or agents.  If inspectors are appointed at a meeting pursuant to the request of one (1) or more stockholders or proxies, then the holders of a majority of the voting power of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed.  The board of directors may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.  If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, and if no alternative inspector has been designated by the board or if so designated fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.  The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed pursuant to Section 231 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The inspectors shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical.  If there are three (3) inspectors, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all.  Any report or certificate made by the inspectors is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

2.11         VOTING

The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 of these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).

Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

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2.12         WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice at such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

2.13         STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these bylaws, and no action shall be taken by stockholders by written consent.

2.14         RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors.  The record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of a meeting of stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action.

If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:

(i)    The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

(ii)   The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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2.15         PROXIES

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder by a written proxy, signed by the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic, facsimile, electronic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent.  The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

A proxy is not revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted, written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the corporation.

2.16         LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  The corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal executive office of the corporation.  The method by which the corporation makes the list available shall be determined by the corporation in its sole discretion.  In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.  Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

2.17         NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS

(a)           At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before

 

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the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before a stockholders’ meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely for purposes of advance notice requirements, a stockholder’s proposal must be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the first anniversary of the date the corporation’s proxy statement was first mailed to stockholders for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the prior year’s meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of such meeting and ten (10) calendar days following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the corporation.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of a stockholders’ meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. A stockholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting; (B) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business; (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially by such stockholder; (D) any material interest of the stockholder in such business; and (E) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor thereto) (the “Exchange Act”) in such stockholder’s capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (a). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (a).  If the chairman of the meeting should so determine, the chairman shall so declare at the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

(b)           Only persons who are nominated in accordance with procedures set forth in this paragraph (b) shall be eligible for election as directors at a stockholders’ meeting.  Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the board of directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this paragraph (b).  Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the board of directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the secretary of the corporation in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section 2.17.  Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information relating

 

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to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 2.17.  At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director shall furnish to the secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.  No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (b).  The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the bylaws.  If the chairman of the meeting should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(c)           For purposes of this Section 2.17, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

3.1           POWERS

Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.

3.2           NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

The board of directors shall consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of directors.  The number of authorized directors also may be modified from time to time by amendment of this Section 3.2 in accordance with the provisions of Article IX hereof.  Except as provided in Section 3.3 of these bylaws, the directors shall be elected by the stockholders at their annual meeting in each year and shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.  If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these bylaws.

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

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A majority of the corporation’s directors shall be independent, as that term is defined in the corporation’s then current Corporate Governance Policies and in the then current rules and regulations of the national securities exchange upon which the corporation’s stock is then listed or the national securities association on whose automated quotation system the corporation’s stock is then listed; provided that if at the time of determining the independence of one or more directors the corporation does not have Corporate Governance Policies in effect and the corporation’s stock is not listed on any national securities exchange or the automated quotation system of a national securities association, then the term independent shall be as defined by applicable rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission or such other method as determined by the board of directors.

3.3           ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

(a)           The directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible.  At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected to serve three-year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified, so that the term of one class of directors will expire each year.  When the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships, or any decrease in directorships, shall be so apportioned among the classes so as to make all classes as nearly equal as possible.

(b)           Subject to Section 3.4 below, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

(c)           Elections of directors shall be by written ballot, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation; if authorized by the board of directors, such requirement of a written ballot shall be satisfied by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must be either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder.

3.4           RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation.  When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.

Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.  A director elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship following the date these bylaws were amended and restated shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created

 

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or the vacancy occurred and until a successor shall be elected and qualified.  A director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship following the date these bylaws were amended and restated must stand for election at the first annual meeting following the director’s initial election by the board of directors, and shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

3.5           PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.6           REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.

3.7           SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

Special meetings of the board of directors may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer or by one-third or more of the authorized number of directors.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each director or sent by mail or electronic transmission, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director’s address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or other location as is shown on the records of the corporation or given by the director to the corporation for the purpose of notice.  If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting.  If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or electronic transmission, it shall be given personally or by telephone or other electronic transmission at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting.  All notices given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when directed to the electronic mail address, facsimile number or other location as is shown on the records of the corporation or given by the director to the corporation for the purpose of notice.  Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director directly or by voice recording or to a person whom the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director.   If the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation, the notice need not specify the place of the meeting.  Moreover, a notice of special meeting need not state the purpose of such meeting, and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

 

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3.8           QUORUM

At all meetings of the board of directors, no less than one-third of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation.  If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.  A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

3.9           WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors, or members of a committee of directors, need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

3.10         BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be.

3.11         FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors or a committee thereof shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance of each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members of special or standing committees of the board of directors may be allowed, and the board of directors shall have the authority to fix, like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

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3.12         APPROVAL OF LOANS TO EMPLOYEES

Subject to the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any employee who is not an officer of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, including any employee who is a director of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation.  The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation.

3.13         REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed only for cause by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

3.14         EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

At every meeting of the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors (if a chairman is then in office and is independent, as defined in Section 3.2 above) or the lead independent director (if there is no chairman then in office or the chairman is not independent) will preside over executive sessions at which non-independent directors are not present.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

4.1           COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

The board of directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation.  The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the General Corporation Law of Delaware to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation.

 

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4.2           MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the following provisions of these bylaws: Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.6 (regular meetings), Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum), Section 3.9 (waiver of notice), and Section 3.10 (action without a meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, if any, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee.  The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

5.1           OFFICERS

The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a chief financial officer.  The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board of directors, a president, one or more assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

5.2           APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

The board of directors shall appoint the officers of the corporation, except (i) such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws and (ii) if the board of directors determines in its discretion to have a chairman of the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors shall be appointed by majority vote of the independent directors.

5.3           SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

5.4           REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the board

 

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of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.

Any officer may resign at any time by delivering notice of his or her resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation.  Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of the notice of resignation or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.  Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5           VACANCIES IN OFFICES

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled as provided under Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 of these bylaws.

5.6           CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The chairman of the board of directors, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws.  If there is no chief executive officer, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.7 of these bylaws.

5.7           CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board of directors to the chairman of the board of directors, if there be such an officer, the chief executive officer shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation.  In the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors.  The chief executive officer shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.

5.8           PRESIDENT

In the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, the president, if any, shall perform all the duties of the chief executive officer.  When acting as the chief executive officer, the president shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the chief executive officer.  The president shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for him or her by the board of directors, these bylaws, the chief executive officer or the chairman of the board of directors.

 

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5.9           VICE PRESIDENT

In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president.  The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of directors, these bylaws, the chief executive officer, the president or the chairman of the board of directors.

5.10         SECRETARY

The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors, and stockholders.  The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof.

The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a stock ledger, or a duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or by these bylaws.  The secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.

5.11         CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The chief financial officer shall be the treasurer of the corporation, and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares.  The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.

The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors.  The chief financial officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the chief executive officer and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as chief financial officer and

 

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of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.

5.12         ASSISTANT SECRETARY

The assistant secretary, or, if there is more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

5.13         ASSISTANT TREASURER

The assistant treasurer, or, if there is more than one, the assistant treasurers, in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the chief financial officer or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chief financial officer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

5.14         AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNITY

6.1           RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director of the corporation (or any predecessor), or is or was serving at the request of the corporation (or any predecessor) as a director of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (or any predecessor of such entities), including service with respect to an employee benefit plan maintained or sponsored by the corporation (or any predecessor) (collectively, an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or in any other capacity while serving as a director, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights

 

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than such law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.3 below with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify any such Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

6.2           RIGHT TO ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 6.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending against any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “Advancement of Expenses”), such Advancement to be paid by the corporation within twenty (20) calendar days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement(s) from the Indemnitee requesting such Advancement of Expenses from time to time; provided, however, that if the General Corporation Law of Delaware requires, the payment of an Advancement of Expenses incurred by a director in his or her capacity as a director in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (an “Undertaking”), by or on behalf of such director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should ultimately be determined that such director is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under this Article VI or otherwise.  The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 shall be contract rights.

6.3           RIGHT OF INDEMNITEE TO BRING SUIT

To obtain indemnification under this Article VI, an Indemnitee shall submit to the corporation a written request, including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.  Upon such written request, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows:  (a) if requested by the Indemnitee, by Independent Counsel (as defined below); or (b) if no request is made by the Indemnitee for a determination by Independent Counsel, (i) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors  (as defined below), or (ii) if a quorum of the board of directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee; or (c) if a quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by the stockholders of the corporation.  In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel at the request of the Indemnitee, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the board of directors, unless there shall have occurred within two (2) years prior to the date of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or Advancement of Expenses is claimed a Change of Control (as defined below),

 

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in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee unless the Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the board of directors.  If it is so determined that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to the Indemnitee shall be made within forty-five (45) calendar days after such determination.

If a claim under Section 6.1 or 6.2 is not paid in full by the corporation within forty-five (45) calendar days after a written claim has been received by the corporation as set forth above, except in the case of a claim for an Advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) calendar days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an Advancement of Expenses where the required Undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the corporation to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the corporation shall be entitled to recover such Expenses upon a determination that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the General Corporation Law of Delaware.   Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporate Law of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit.  In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an Advancement of Expenses hereunder, or brought by the corporation to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such Advancement of Expenses, shall be on the corporation.

6.4           NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

If a determination shall have been made pursuant to this Article VI that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or Advancement of Expenses, the corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.3 above.  The corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.3 above that the procedures and presumptions of these bylaws are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article VI.

The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.  No repeal or modification of this Article

 

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VI shall in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.

If any provision(s) of this Article VI of these bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reasons whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

6.5           INSURANCE

The corporation may maintain insurance to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

6.6           INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION

The corporation may, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware and as authorized from time to time by the board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses to any officer, employee or agent of the corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the indemnification and Advancement of Expenses of directors of the corporation.

6.7           DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Article VI:

(a)           “Change of Control” means:

(i)            The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act)(a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation (the “Outstanding Corporation Common Stock”), or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:  (I) any acquisition directly from the corporation or any acquisition from other stockholders where (aa) such acquisition was approved in advance by the board of directors, and (bb) such acquisition would not constitute a change of control under subsection (iii) of this definition; (II) any acquisition by the corporation; (III) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the corporation or any corporation controlled by the corporation; or

 

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(IV) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (A), (B) or (C) of subsection (iii) of this definition; or

(ii)           Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the board of directors (the “Incumbent Board of Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board of Directors shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board of Directors, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of a Person other than the board of directors; or

(iii)          Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including without limitation a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the corporation or all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the corporation or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent board of directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the board of directors, providing for such Business Combination; or

                                (iv)          Approval by the stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the corporation.

(b)           “Disinterested Director” means a director of the corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification or Advancement of Expenses is sought by the Indemnitee.

 

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(c)           “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm or an independent practitioner that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the corporation or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights under this Article VI.

Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the corporation under this Article VI shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the secretary of the corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the secretary of the corporation.

ARTICLE VII

RECORDS AND REPORTS

7.1           MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS

The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books, and other records.

Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder.  In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder.  The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal executive office.

7.2           INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS

Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director.

7.3           REPRESENTATIONS OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or any assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors, the chief executive officer or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation.  The

 

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authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL MATTERS

8.1           CHECKS

From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.

8.2           EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.  Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

8.3           STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation.  Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman of the board of directors, or the chief executive officer or a vice president, and by the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.  Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor.  Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of

 

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the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.  Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partially paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

8.4           SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests a statement of the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

8.5           LOST CERTIFICATES

Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time.  The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

8.6           CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the General Corporation Law of Delaware shall govern the construction of these bylaws.  Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

8.7           DIVIDENDS

The directors of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock pursuant to the

 

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General Corporation Law of Delaware.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock.

The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.  Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, and meeting contingencies.

8.8           FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

8.9           SEAL

The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporation Seal, Delaware.”  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

8.10         TRANSFER OF STOCK

Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.

8.11         STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

8.12         REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

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ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the board of directors.  The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by the General Corporation Law of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation, the amendment or repeal of all or any portion of Section 2.3 (Special Meeting), Section 3.2 (Number of Directors), Section 3.3(a) (Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors), Article VI (Indemnification) or this Article IX (Amendments) by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the shares of voting stock then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF BYLAWS

OF

LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE BY SECRETARY OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary of Lattice Semiconductor Corporation and that the foregoing amended and restated bylaws were adopted as the bylaws of the corporation on January 31, 2006 by the board of directors of the corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and affixed the corporate seal this 31st day of January, 2006.

 

 

 

/s/ Martin R. Baker

 

Martin R. Baker, Secretary

 

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