AMENDED AND RESTATED 2003 CONSULTANT STOCK PLAN
Published on February 17, 2010
Exhibit 99.1
AETHLON
MEDICAL, INC.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED 2003 CONSULTANT STOCK PLAN
PURPOSE
OF PLAN
WHEREAS,
the purpose of this Amended and Restated 2003 Consultant Stock Plan is
to advance the interests of the Company by helping the Company obtain
and
retain the services of persons providing consulting services upon whose
judgment,
initiative, efforts and/or services the Company is substantially dependent,
by offering to or providing those persons with incentives or inducements
affording such persons an opportunity to become owners of capital stock of
the Company.
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF PLAN
1.
|
DEFINITIONS.
|
Set forth
below are definitions of capitalized terms that are generally
used throughout this Plan, or references to provisions containing such
definitions
(capitalized terms whose use is limited to specific provisions are not
referenced in this Section):
(a)
AFFILIATE - The term "Affiliate" is defined as any person controlling
the Company, controlled by the Company, or under common control with
the
Company.
(b) AWARD
- - The term "Award" is collectively and severally defined
as any Award Shares granted under this Plan.
(c) AWARD
SHARES - The term "Award Shares" is defined as shares of
Common Stock granted by the Plan Committee in accordance with SECTION
5 of this
Plan.
(d) BOARD
- - The term "Board" is defined as the Board of Directors
of the Company, as such body may be reconstituted from time to
time.
(e)
COMMON STOCK - The term "Common Stock" is defined as the Company's
common stock, no par value.
(f)
COMPANY - The term "Company" is defined as Aethlon Medical,
Inc., a Nevada corporation.
(g)
DISPOSED - The term "Disposed" (or the equivalent terms "Disposition"
or "Dispose") is defined as any transfer or alienation of an Award which
would directly or indirectly change the legal or beneficial ownership
thereof,
whether voluntary or by operation of law, or with or without the payment
or provision of consideration, including, by way of example and not limitation:
(i) the sale, assignment, bequest or gift of the Award; (ii) any transaction
that creates or grants a right to obtain an interest in the Award; (iii) any
transaction that creates a form of joint ownership in the Award between
the Recipient and one or more other Persons; (iv) any Disposition of the
Award to
a creditor of the Recipient, including the hypothecation, encumbrance
or pledge
of the Award or any interest therein, or the attachment or imposition
of a lien
by a creditor of the Recipient of the Award or any interest therein which is
not released within thirty (30) days after the imposition thereof; (v)
any
distribution by a Recipient which is an entity to its stockholders, partners,
co-venturers or members, as the case may be, or (vi) any distribution
by a
Recipient which is a fiduciary such as a trustee or custodian to its
settlors
or beneficiaries.
1
(h)
ELIGIBLE PERSON - The term "Eligible Person" means any Person
who, at a particular time, is a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate
who
provides bona fide consulting services to the Company or the Affiliate,
PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, no Award hereunder may be granted to any Person in connection
with the
provision of any services incident to the raising of capital or promotion
or maintenance of a market for the Company's securities.
(i) FAIR
MARKET VALUE - The term "Fair Market Value" means the fair
market value as of the applicable valuation date of the Award Shares, or
other
shares of Common Stock, as the case may be (the "SUBJECT SHARES"), to be
valued as
determined by the Plan Committee in its good faith judgment, but in no
event
shall the Fair Market Value be less than the par value of the Subject
Shares.
(j)
PERSON - The term "Person" is defined, in its broadest sense, as
any individual, entity or fiduciary such as, by way of example and not
limitation,
individual or natural persons, corporations, partnerships (limited or
general), joint-ventures, associations, limited liability companies/partnerships,
or fiduciary arrangements, such as trusts.
(k) PLAN
- - The term "Plan" is defined as this Amended and Restated
2003 Consultant Stock Plan, as amended from time to time.
(l) PLAN
COMMITTEE - The term "Plan Committee" is defined as that
Committee appointed by the Board to administer and interpret this Plan as
more
particularly described in SECTION 3 of the Plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the term
Plan Committee will refer to the Board during such times as no Plan Committee
is appointed by the Board.
(m)
RECIPIENT - The term "Recipient" is defined as any Eligible
Person who, at a particular time, receives the grant of an Award.
(n)
SECURITIES ACT - The term "Securities Act" is defined as the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (references herein to Sections of the
Securities
Act are intended to refer to Sections of the Securities Act as enacted
at the time of the adoption of this Plan by the Board and as subsequently
amended, or to any substantially similar successor provisions of the
Securities Act resulting from recodification, renumbering or
otherwise).
2.
|
TERM
OF PLAN.
|
This Plan
shall be effective as of such time and date as this Plan is
adopted by the Board, and this Plan shall terminate on the first business
day prior to the ten (10) year anniversary of the date this Plan became
effective.
All Awards granted pursuant to this Plan prior to the effective date
of this
Plan shall not be affected by the termination of this Plan and all other
provisions
of this Plan shall remain in effect until the terms of all outstanding
Awards have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with this Plan and
the terms of such Awards.
2
3.
|
PLAN
ADMINISTRATION.
|
(a) PLAN
COMMITTEE.
(i) The
Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a
committee consisting of two (2) or more members of the Board; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,
no member of the Board who may serve as a member of the Plan Committee
if such
person serves or served as a member of the plan committee with respect
to any
plan (other than this Plan) of the Company or its Affiliates which plan
was or is
established to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) to the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (i.e., pertaining to the
establishment
of so-called "Section 16b-3 Plans"), and, by reason of such person's
proposed service as a member of the Plan Committee, such person would
not be
considered a "disinterested" person within the meaning of said Rule with
respect
to such other plan.
(ii)
Members of the Plan Committee may resign at any time by
delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Plan Committee
shall be
filled by the Board. The Plan Committee shall act by a majority of its
members
in office. The Plan Committee may act either by vote at a meeting or by
a
memorandum or other written instrument signed by a majority of the Plan
Committee.
(iii) If
the Board, in its discretion, does not appoint a
Plan Committee, the Board itself will administer and interpret the Plan and
take such other actions as the Plan Committee is authorized to take hereunder;
provided that the Board may take such actions hereunder in the same manner as
the Board may take other actions under the Articles of Incorporation
and
bylaws of the Company generally.
(b)
ELIGIBILITY OF PLAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE AWARDS. While
serving on the Plan Committee, such members shall not be eligible for
selection
as Eligible Persons to whom an Award may be granted under the Plan.
(c) POWER
TO MAKE AWARDS. The Plan Committee shall have the full and
final authority in its sole discretion, at any time and from time-to-time,
subject only to the express terms, conditions and other provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation of the Company and this Plan, and the specific
limitations
on such discretion set forth herein, to:
(i)
Designate the Eligible Persons or classes of Eligible
Persons eligible to receive Awards from among the Eligible Persons;
(ii)
Grant Awards to such selected Eligible Persons or
classes of Eligible Persons in such form and amount (subject to the terms of
the Plan) as the Plan Committee shall determine;
(iii)
Interpret the Plan, adopt, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, and make all other determinations
and take all other action necessary or advisable for the implementation
and administration of the Plan; and
(iv)
Delegate all or a portion of its authority under
subsections (i) and (ii) of this SECTION 3(c) to one or more directors
of the Company who are executive officers of the Company, subject
to such restrictions and limitations (such as the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock that may be awarded) as the Plan Committee
may decide to impose on such delegate directors.
3
In
determining the recipient, form and amount of Awards, the Plan
Committee shall consider any factors deemed relevant, including the recipient's
functions, responsibilities, value of services to the Company and past and
potential contributions to the Company's profitability and sound growth.
(d)
INTERPRETATION OF PLAN. The Plan Committee shall, in its sole and
absolute discretion, interpret and determine the effect of all matters
and
questions relating to this Plan. The interpretations and determinations of
the Plan
Committee under the Plan (including without limitation determinations
pertaining
to the eligibility of Persons to receive Awards, the form, amount and
timing of
Awards, the methods of payment for Awards, and the other terms and provisions
of Awards and the certificates or agreements evidencing same) need not be
uniform and may be made by the Plan Committee selectively among Persons
who
receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan, whether or not
such
Persons are similarly situated. All actions taken and all interpretations
and
determinations made under this Plan in good faith by the Plan Committee
shall be
final and binding upon the Recipient, the Company, and all other interested
Persons. No member of the Plan Committee shall be personally liable for any
action taken or decision made in good faith relating to this Plan, and
all
members of the Plan Committee shall be fully protected and indemnified to
the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law by the Company in respect to
any such
action, determination, or interpretation.
(e)
COMPENSATION; ADVISORS. Members of the Plan Committee shall
receive such compensation for their services as members as may be determined
by the Board. All expenses and liabilities incurred by members of the
Plan
Committee in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne
by the
Company. The Plan Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ
attorneys,
consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, or other Persons, at the cost
of the Company. The Plan Committee, the Company and its officers and
directors
shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of
any such
Persons.
4.
|
STOCK
POOL.
|
(a)
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES AUTHORIZED UNDER PLAN. Shares of stock
which may be issued or granted under the Plan shall be authorized and
unissued
or treasury shares of Common Stock. The aggregate maximum number of shares of
Common Stock which may be issued as a grant of Award Shares shall not
exceed
7,500,000 shares of Common Stock (the "STOCK POOL"). The Stock Pool was
increased
by 1,000,000 shares on June 8, 2009, and by 1,500,000 on February 10, 2010 by
the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) DATE
OF AWARD. The date an Award is granted shall mean the date
selected by the Plan Committee as of which the Plan Committee allots a
specific
number of shares to a Recipient with respect to such Award pursuant to
the
Plan.
5.
|
AWARD
SHARES.
|
(a)
GRANT. The Plan Committee may from time to time, and subject
to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the
Plan
Committee may prescribe, grant to any Eligible Person one or more shares of
Common
Stock ("AWARD SHARES") allotted by the Plan Committee. The grant of Award
Shares or
grant of the right to receive Award Shares shall be evidenced by either a
written consulting agreement or a separate written agreement confirming
such
grant, executed by the Company and the Recipient, stating the number of
Award
Shares granted and stating all terms and conditions of such grant.
4
(b)
PURCHASE PRICE AND MANNER OF PAYMENT. The Plan Committee, in its
sole discretion, may grant Award Shares in any of the following instances:
(i) as a
"bonus" or "reward" for services previously rendered
and compensated, in which case the recipient of the Award Shares
shall not be required to pay any consideration for such Award Shares,
and the value of such Award Shares shall be the Fair Market Value of
such Award Shares on the date of grant; or
(ii) as
"compensation" for the previous performance or future
performance of services or attainment of goals, in which case the
recipient of the Award Shares shall not be required to pay any consideration
for such Award Shares (other than the performance of his services),
and the value of such Award Shares received (together with the value
of such services or attainment of goals attained by the Recipient),
may not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value of such Award Shares on the date of grant; or
6.
|
ADJUSTMENTS.
|
(a)
SUBDIVISION OR STOCK DIVIDEND. If (i) outstanding shares of Common
Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares by reason of
recapitalization
or reclassification, the number of shares of Common Stock, if any,
available for issuance in the Stock Pool shall, simultaneously with the
effectiveness
of such subdivision or immediately after the record date of such dividend,
be proportionately increased, and (ii) conversely, if the outstanding
shares of
Common Stock shall be combined into a smaller number of shares, the number of
shares of Common Stock, if any, available for issuance in the Stock Pool
shall, simultaneously with the effectiveness of such combination, be
proportionately
increased.
(b)
ADJUSTMENTS DETERMINED IN SOLE DISCRETION OF BOARD. To the extent
that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or securities of the Company,
such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that
respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(c) NO
OTHER RIGHTS TO RECIPIENT. Except as expressly provided in this
SECTION 6, (i) the Recipient shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision
or consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any stock
dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of
stock of
any class, and (ii) the dissolution, liquidation, merger, consolidation
or
divisive reorganization or sale of assets or stock to another corporation, or
any issue
by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible
into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares.
The grant of an Award pursuant to this Plan shall not affect in any way
the right
or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations
or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate,
dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its
business or assets.
5
7.
|
EMPLOYMENT
STATUS.
|
In no
event shall the granting of an Award be construed as granting
a continued right of employment to a Recipient if such Person is employed
by the Company, nor effect any right which the Company may have to terminate
the employment of such Person, at any time, with or without cause, except to
the extent that such Person and the Company have agreed otherwise in
writing.
8.
|
AMENDMENT
AND DISCONTINUATION OF PLAN; MODIFICATION OF
AWARDS.
|
(a)
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Board may amend
the Plan or suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time or from time-to-time;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER no such action may adversely alter or impair any Award
previously granted under this Plan without the consent of each Recipient
affected
thereby.
(b)
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Plan Committee may at any time or from
time-to-time, without receiving further consideration from any Person
who may
become entitled to receive or who has received the grant of an Award
hereunder,
modify or amend Awards granted under this Plan as required to: (i) comply
with changes in securities, tax or other laws or rules, regulations or
regulatory
interpretations thereof applicable to this Plan or Awards thereunder
or to
comply with stock exchange rules or requirements.
* * * *
*
6