EXHIBIT 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

VMWARE, INC.

VMWARE, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.

The name of the Corporation is VMware, Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 10, 1998 under its current name, an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 8, 2017 under its current name and that certain Certificate of Amendment was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 13, 2021.

 

2.

This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Incorporation”) was duly adopted in accordance with Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Pursuant to Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the amendments and restatement herein set forth have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

3.

Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Certificate of Incorporation amends and integrates and restates the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation.

The text of this Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the Corporation is VMware, Inc.

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, 19801, County of New Castle. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), subject to the limitations and other restrictions contained herein.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

A. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 2,600,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which (i) 2,500,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) 100,000,000 shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

B. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Corporation is hereby authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide for series of Preferred Stock to be issued and, by filing a certificate pursuant to the DGCL (a “Certificate of Designations”), to fix the number of shares constituting such series, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding), and with respect to each such series, to fix the voting powers, if any, designations, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of any such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series of Preferred Stock shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

(i) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;

(ii) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding);

(iii) whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

(iv) dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable;

(v) the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

(vi) the terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

(vii) the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of, shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation;

(viii) whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series of such other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made;

(ix) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series;

 

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(x) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series; and

(xi) such other powers, privileges, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

C. The voting powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, of the Common Stock are as follows:

(i) Subject to the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation and the provisions of any Certificate of Designations, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions, in cash, stock of any entity or property of the Corporation, when and as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in all such dividends and other distributions.

(ii) (a) Except as may be otherwise required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation and subject to any voting rights that may be granted to holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of a Certificate of Designations, all rights to vote and all voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation, whether for the election of directors or any other matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation, shall be vested exclusively in the holders of Common Stock.

(b) Except as may be otherwise required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, at every meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, in connection with the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation, every holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Common Stock standing in such holder’s name on the transfer books of the Corporation.

(iii) In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of a Certificate of Designations, the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of Common Stock. For purposes of this clause (iii) of this Section C, the voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, license, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with one or more other entities (whether or not the Corporation is the entity surviving such consolidation or merger) shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary.

(iv) The holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to convert any share of Common Stock into any other security of the Corporation or any other property.

(v) The holders of shares of Common Stock are not entitled to any preemptive right to subscribe for, purchase or receive any part of any new or additional issue of stock of any class or series of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized, or of bonds, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation.

(vi) No stockholder shall be entitled to exercise any right of cumulative voting.

 

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ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than six directors. Subject to the limitation in the preceding sentence, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies at the time such resolution is adopted (the “Entire Board of Directors”).

B. Elections of the members of the Board of Directors shall be held annually at the annual meeting of stockholders and each member of the Board of Directors shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Elections of the members of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) shall so provide.

C. Subject to any rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to elect the members of the Board of Directors. In the event that the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors would preclude the holders of Common Stock from electing at least one director, the Board of Directors shall increase the number of directors prior to the issuance of such Preferred Stock to the extent necessary to allow such holders of Common Stock to elect at least one director in accordance with the provisions of this Article V.

D. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the Entire Board of Directors. The class designation and term of office of each director in office at the time of filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Effective Time”) shall remain unchanged following the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, successors to the members of the class of directors having a term expiring at such annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class to be as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. If an additional director could be added to more than one class, such director shall be added to the class with the shortest remaining term.

E. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided that a quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors of such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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F. Any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast to elect any such director.

G. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

H. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any mandatory requirement of law) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or by the Bylaws.

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, and in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of at least 67% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal, or to adopt any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation in a manner inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this Article V.

ARTICLE VI

STOCKHOLDER ACTION

A. Except with respect to actions required or permitted to be taken solely by holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, no action that is required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.

B. Except as otherwise required by law or provided by a Certificate of Designations, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by (1) the Chairman of the Board of Directors or (2) the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of directors then in office. No business other than that stated in the notice of a special meeting of stockholders shall be transacted at such special meeting.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS AND CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered to, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Entire Board of Directors, adopt, amend and repeal the Bylaws at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or by written consent, subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws as set forth in this Article VII. The stockholders shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of Common Stock; provided, however, that Section 2.8, Section 3.2 and Section 3.11 of the Bylaws shall not be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders other than by the affirmative vote of 67% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, and in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 67% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision part of Article V, this Article VII and Article VIII of this Certificate of Incorporation in a manner inconsistent with the purpose and intent of such Articles.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

A. A director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists at the Effective Time or may hereafter be amended. Any repeal or modification of this Section A shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

B. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or has or had agreed to become a director of the Corporation, or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, amounts to be paid in settlement and excise payments or penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”)) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in this Article VIII, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may, by the action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

C. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise. The rights contained in this Section C shall inure to the benefit of a Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

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D. If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within thirty days after a written claim therefor by the Covered Person has been received by the Corporation, the Covered Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

E. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

F. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, 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 individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

G. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person is entitled to collect and is collectible as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

H. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any Covered Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

I. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons, to a greater extent or in an manner otherwise different than provided for in this Article VIII when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

J. If this Article VIII or any portion hereof will be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation will nevertheless indemnify each Covered Person entitled to indemnification under Section B of this Article VIII as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person and for which indemnification is available to such Covered Person pursuant to this Article VIII to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation reserves the right to amend and repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights of stockholders shall be subject to this reservation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on this 1st day of November, 2021.

 

 

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