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8-K - FORM 8-K - InterDigital, Inc. | w83075e8vk.htm |
EX-3.1 - EX-3.1 - InterDigital, Inc. | w83075exv3w1.htm |
EXHIBIT 3.2
INTERDIGITAL, INC.
(A PENNSYLVANIA CORPORATION)
(A PENNSYLVANIA CORPORATION)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
Section 1.1 Registered Office.
The Registered Office of the Corporation shall be at 781 Third Avenue, King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania until otherwise changed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.1 Place of Shareholders Meetings.
Meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the Registered Office of the Corporation or at such
other place within or without Pennsylvania as the Board of Directors may fix.
Section 2.2 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
An Annual Meeting of shareholders shall be held in every calendar year at such time as the Board of
Directors may fix. At the Annual Meeting of shareholders, shareholders shall vote on the election
of directors and there shall be transacted such other business as may properly be brought before
the Meeting.
A financial report of the Corporations business as of the close of the preceding fiscal year shall
be presented at the Annual Meeting, and shall be sent to shareholders.
Section 2.3 Special Meetings of Shareholders.
Special Meetings of shareholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the
President, the Board of Directors, or by the shareholders if permitted by, and in accord with, the
applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended
(Pennsylvania BCL). At any time, upon written request of any person entitled to call a Special
Meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the date of such Special Meeting to be held
not less than five or more than sixty days after the receipt of the request and to give due notice
thereof. If the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to fix the date of the meeting and give notice
thereof, the person or persons making the request may do so.
Section 2.4 Notice of Shareholders Meetings.
Written notice of every meeting of the shareholders, stating the place, the date and hour thereof
and, in the case of a special meeting of the shareholders, the general nature of the business to be
transacted at such meeting, shall be given to the shareholders either personally or by sending a
copy thereof by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, telegram (with messenger service
specified), telex, TWX (with answer back received), courier service (with charges prepaid),
electronic mail, facsimile transmission or by any other means permitted by the Pennsylvania BCL, to
such shareholder address (or to his or her telex, TWX, electronic mail address, facsimile number or
other place as specified in the Pennsylvania BCL), at the direction of the Secretary or, in the
absence of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, at least ten (10) days prior to the day named
for a meeting called to consider a fundamental change under Chapter 19 of the Pennsylvania BCL, as
it may from time to time be amended, or five (5) days prior to the day named for the meeting in any
other case, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting on the date fixed as a
record date in accordance with these Bylaws, or if no record date be fixed, then of record at the
close of business on the tenth (10th) day next preceding the day on which such notice is given or,
if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day of the
meeting, at such address (or telex, TWX, facsimile or telephone number or electronic mail address)
as appears on the transfer books of the Corporation. Any notice of any meeting of shareholders may
also state, provided such is consistent with Section 2.6 of these Bylaws, the quorum requirements
for an adjourned meeting.
Section 2.5 Waiver of Notice of Shareholders Meetings.
Whenever written notice is required to be given by law, by the Corporations Articles of
Incorporation (Articles) or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof signed by the person or
persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of such notice. Except in the case of a Special Meeting of shareholders,
neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of the meeting need be specified in the
Waiver of Notice of such Meeting.
Attendance of a person, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or
convened.
Section 2.6 Quorum for Shareholders Meetings.
a. | The presence, in person or by proxy, of the shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast on a matter to be voted upon at a meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of such quorum, at a duly organized meeting of shareholders, shall constitute the acts of all the shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. | ||
b. | If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum is not in attendance, the shareholders present in person or by proxy may, except as otherwise provided by the Pennsylvania BCL, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine, but in the case of any meeting at which directors are to be elected, only from day to day and only as directed by the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to be voted at an election of directors and present at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted, other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. |
Section 2.7 Conduct of Shareholders Meetings.
Meetings of the shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or if he is not
present, by the President or, if he is not present, by a Vice President or, if none of the Chairman
of the Board or the President or Vice President is present, by a Chairman to be chosen at the
meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary or one
temporarily designated as such shall act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.8 Shareholders Participation by Electronic Means.
The right of any shareholder to participate in any shareholder meeting by means of telephone
conference, the Internet or other electronic means by which all persons participating in the
meeting may hear each other and, in which event, all shareholders so participating shall be deemed
present at such meeting, shall be granted solely in the discretion of the Board.
Section 2.9 Voting by Shareholders.
Except as otherwise provided by law or in the Articles, every shareholder of record shall have the
right, at every shareholder meeting, to one vote for every share standing in his name on the books
of the Corporation. Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the shareholders or to
express consent or dissent to a corporate action in any other fashion may authorize another person
to act for him or her by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing (or transmitted by electronic
means which results in a writing) executed by such shareholder or by the shareholders attorney
thereunto duly authorized and delivered to the Secretary. The presence of, or vote or other action
at a meeting of shareholders, or the expression of consent or dissent to corporate action by a
written proxy of a shareholder, shall constitute the presence of, or vote or action by, or written
consent or dissent of the shareholder. Each proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder
or by the shareholders duly authorized attorney-in-fact,
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and filed with the Secretary. A proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at
will, notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary, but the
revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until written notice of revocation has been given to
the Secretary. An unrevoked proxy shall not be valid after three (3) years from the date of its
execution, unless a longer time is expressly provided therein. A proxy shall not be revoked by the
death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised,
written notice of such death or incapacity is given to the Secretary.
Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock entitled to elect Directors separately, at
all meetings of shareholders for the election of Directors at which a quorum is present, each
Director shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast by the shareholders
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote in the election of the Director; provided,
that if the election is a contested election, the Directors, not exceeding the authorized number of
Directors as fixed by the Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws, shall be elected by a
plurality vote of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to
vote in the election of the Directors. For purposes of the election of directors, a majority of
the votes cast means that the number of votes cast for a Director must exceed the number of
votes cast against that Director, and a contested election means that as of a date that is five
(5) business days in advance of the date the Corporation files its definitive proxy statement
(regardless of whether thereafter revised or supplemented) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission the number of nominees exceeds the number of Directors to be elected.
Any other matter brought before a duly organized meeting for a vote of the shareholders, including,
without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaw, shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast at
such meeting by the shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, unless
the matter is one for which a different vote is required by an express provision of the
Pennsylvania BCL, the Articles or a Bylaw adopted by the shareholders, in any of which cases such
express provision shall govern and control the decision on such matter.
All voting and elections shall be taken viva voce unless a vote by ballot shall, in the discretion
of the Chairman of the meeting, be stated to be the manner of voting, or unless a vote by ballot
shall be demanded by a shareholder before the voting or election begins, or unless otherwise
required by law or by the Articles.
Section 2.10 Judges of Election.
In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint Judges of Election,
who need not be shareholders, to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Judges of
Election be not so appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any
shareholder or his proxy shall, make such appointment at the meeting. The number of Judges shall
be one or three, and no candidate shall act as a Judge. On request of the Chairman of the meeting
or of any shareholder or his proxy, the Judges shall make a report in writing of any challenge or
question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them.
Section 2.11 Record Date.
The Board may fix a time, prior to the date of any meeting of the shareholders, as a record date
for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the meeting, which
time, except in the case of an adjourned meeting, shall not be more than ninety (90) days prior to
the date of the meeting. Only the shareholders of record at the close of business on the record
date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of, or to vote at, such meeting, notwithstanding any
transfer of securities on the books of the corporation after any record date so fixed. The Board
may similarly fix a record date for the determination of shareholders for any other purpose. When
a determination of shareholders of record has been made as herein provided for purposes of a
meeting, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless the Board fixes a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.12 Notice of Shareholder Business and Nominations.
a. | Annual Meetings of Shareholders. |
(i) | Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made (A) |
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pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (C) by any shareholder of the Corporation who was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.12, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. |
(ii) | For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.12, the shareholder 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 shareholder action. To be timely, a shareholders notice must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the 60th day nor earlier than the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be so received not earlier than the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the later of the 60th day prior to the annual meeting or the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above. A shareholders notice shall: (A) set forth, as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner; (2) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner; (3) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a Derivative Instrument) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation, (4) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation or has granted any such right to any person or persons, (5) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these Bylaws a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (6) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such shareholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (7) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such shareholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, (8) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such shareholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such shareholders immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date) and (9) a representation that such shareholder and beneficial owner intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting; (B) set forth, as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (C) with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.13 of these Bylaws; and (D) if the notice relates |
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to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business and (2) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder. | |||
(iii) | Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at the annual meeting is increased pursuant to an act of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors on or before the date which is 15 days before the latest date by which a shareholder may timely notify the Corporation of nominations or other business to be brought by a shareholder in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.12, a shareholders notice required by this Section 2.12 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the 15th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation. |
b. | Special Meetings of Shareholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any shareholder of the Corporation who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this paragraph (b), who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such shareholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the shareholders notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.12 shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the 15th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above. |
c. | General. |
(i) | Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 2.12, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded. | ||
(ii) | For purposes of this Section 2.12, 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. |
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(iii) | If the Corporation is required under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act to include a shareholders proposal in its proxy statement, such shareholder shall be deemed to have given timely notice for purposes of this Section 2.12 with respect to such proposal. | ||
Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. |
Section 2.13 Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement
To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a
person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under
Section 2.12 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification
of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is
being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a
written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request)
that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to
how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or
question (a Voting Commitment) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (2) any Voting
Commitment that could limit or interfere with such persons ability to comply, if elected as a
director of the Corporation, with such persons fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not
and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or
entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation,
reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not
been disclosed therein, and (C) in such persons individual capacity and on behalf of any person or
entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a
director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate
governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and
guidelines of the Corporation.
Section 3.1 Board of Directors, Number, Qualification, Elections, Term of Office and
Compensation.
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of not less than five (5)
nor more than fifteen (15) Directors, as may be fixed from time to time by the vote of a majority
of the whole Board. Directors shall be of full age, but need not be residents of Pennsylvania or
shareholders of the Corporation.
A nominee for any vacancy on the Board of Directors who has not been proposed by the Board of
Directors or by the Nomination and Search Committee of the Board may only be proposed for such
vacancy if (a) such nomination follows the procedures set forth in Section 2.12 and (b) such
nominee meets each of the following criteria: (i) if elected, such nominee would owe a duty of
undivided loyalty to the Board of Directors and the Corporation without having any divided
loyalties to any other person or entity whose interests are antithetical or adverse to the
Corporation; (ii) such nominee has not been indicted or convicted for any crime nor has been the
subject of any criminal investigation; (iii) such nominee has not been sanctioned or disciplined by
any federal, state or local governmental authority or body or court; (iv) such nominee does not
have a personal history which might prove to be an embarrassment to the Corporation in the
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors; (v) such nominee is not subject to the control,
direct or indirect, of any competitor of the Corporation; (vi) such nominee meets the objective
criteria for independence established by any national securities exchange or association on which
the securities of the Corporation are listed; (vii) such nominee does not have any direct or
indirect agreement with the Corporation regarding his or her nomination, nor does a third party
nominator of such nominee have any such direct or indirect agreement with the Corporation; and
(viii) if such nominee was nominated by a third person or entity, then such nominee may not have
any of the following relationships with the nominator: (A) if the nominator is a natural person,
then the nominee may not be a member of the nominators immediate family; (B) if the nominator is
an entity, then neither the nominee nor his or her immediate family members may have been an
employee of the nominator entity during the current calendar year nor the immediately preceding
calendar year; (C) neither the nominee nor any of his or her immediate family members may have
accepted, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the
nominator (excluding retirement benefits); (D) such nominee may not be an officer or director of
the nominator or of any member of a controlled group of which the nominator is a member; (E) such
nominee does not control the nominator nor any member of a controlled group of which the
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nominator is a member; and (F) such nominee may not have been nominated directly or indirectly, by
any person or entity which itself would fail the criteria in (i) through (vii) above.
Commencing with the annual meeting of shareholders in 2011, Directors, other than any who may be
elected by the holders of shares of any class or series of stock entitled to elect Directors
separately pursuant to the terms of Article Fifth of the Articles or any resolution or resolutions
providing for the issuance of such stock adopted by the Board of Directors, shall be elected
annually for terms expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting; provided, however, that any
Director elected by the shareholders prior to the 2011 annual meeting shall complete the three-year
term to which such Director has been elected. Directors elected at the 2008 annual meeting of
shareholders shall hold office until the 2011 annual meeting, Directors elected at the 2009 annual
meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the 2012 annual meeting, and Directors elected at
the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the 2013 annual meeting, in each
case holding office until successors are elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of Directors for their
services and to authorize payment for expenses of attendance at meetings. A Director may also be a
salaried officer or employee of the Corporation.
The Board of Directors may elect a Chairman who shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and at all meetings of shareholders. The Chairman may appoint another member of
the Board to preside in his absence.
Section 3.2 Quorum for Directors Meetings.
A majority of the Directors in office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, and the acts of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors. A Director who is present at a meeting shall
be counted in determining the presence of a quorum even though a contract or transaction between
the Corporation and such Director or another business in which such Director has a financial
interest is authorized at the meeting.
Section 3.3 Directors Consent in Lieu of Meeting.
Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any Committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, shall be signed by all of the Directors or the members of the Committee, as the case may be,
and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. One or more Directors may participate in
a meeting of the Board of Directors or a Committee thereof by means of a conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in such meeting can
hear each other.
Section 3.4 Vacancies in Board of Directors.
Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Articles, newly created directorships
resulting from an increase in the number of Directors, and any vacancies on the Board of Directors
resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled
exclusively by the vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board, even though less than
a quorum, and shall not be filled by a vote of the shareholders unless there are no members of the
Board remaining in office. Any person elected as a Director in accordance with the preceding
sentence to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the number of Directors
shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until such Directors successor shall have been
elected and qualified, and any person elected as a Director in accordance with the preceding
sentence to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors shall hold office for the remainder of the
full term of office of the Director whom he replaced and until his successor shall have been
elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors
shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
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Section 3.5 Place of Meeting of Board of Directors.
The meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such place within Pennsylvania, or elsewhere,
as a majority of the Directors may from time to time appoint or as may be designated in the notice
calling the meeting.
Section 3.6 Organization Meeting of the Board of Directors.
After the election of Directors by the shareholders, the newly elected Board may meet for the
purpose of organization or otherwise:
a. | Immediately following their election, or at such time and place as shall be fixed by vote of the shareholders at the Annual Meeting (and in either such case no notice of such meeting to the newly elected Directors shall be necessary in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a majority of the whole Board shall be present); or | ||
b. | At such time and place as may be fixed by consent in writing of all the Directors. |
Section 3.7 Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors.
Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be
determined by a majority of the Board.
Section 3.8 Special Meetings of the Board of Directors.
Special Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or
Secretary on at least two days notice to each Director, either personally or by mail or by
facsimile transmission, of the time and place of such Special Meeting. At the written request of
two Directors, Special Meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or President or
Secretary in like manner and on like notice.
Section 3.9 Adjournments of Meetings of the Board of Directors.
If a meeting of the Board of Directors is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice
of the adjourned meeting, or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other than
by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.
Section 3.10 Powers of Board of Directors.
a. | Organizational Meeting: At the first meeting of the Board of Directors in each year (at which a quorum shall be present) held next after the Annual Meeting of shareholders, it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to elect or appoint the officers of the Corporation. | ||
b. | General Powers: The Board of Directors shall have all the power and authority granted by law to Directors except as may be specifically excepted by the Articles or by these Bylaws. | ||
c. | Committees: The Board of Directors, by Resolution adopted by a majority thereof, may designate an Executive Committee and one or more other committees, each of which shall consist of at least two Directors and such other Directors as shall be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as alternate members of any such Committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any Committee Meeting. In the event that any member of any such Committee shall be absent from or disqualified at such Meeting, the member or members thereof present at any such Meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another Director to act at the Meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such Committee shall have and exercise the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the extent provided in the Resolution creating such Committee. |
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Section 3.11 Removal of Directors by Shareholders or Board of Directors.
Subject to the right of any class or series of stock entitled to elect Directors separately, any
Director may be removed from office, with or without assigning any cause, by the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least 80% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to remove any Director from office for cause, as
determined by a majority of the members of the Board in office (excluding the member of the Board
who is the subject of removal). For purposes of this Section 3.11, cause shall be deemed to
exist where a Director: (a) has been declared of unsound mind by the order of a court, (b) has been
convicted of a felony, (c) has been determined by the Board to have committed a dishonest act
involving the Corporation, to have committed a gross abuse of authority or duty in his or her
capacity as a Director, or to have intentionally inflicted harm on the Corporation, or (d) commits
any other act or omission that is determined by the Board of Directors to constitute cause,
consistent with the Pennsylvania BCL.
Section 3.12 The Chairman of the Board Powers and Duties.
The Chairman of the Board shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors
and at all meetings of shareholders. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the
Chairman of the Board shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend
and act and vote at any meeting of the shareholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may
hold stock, and at any such meeting he shall possess and may exercise any and all of the rights and
powers incident to the ownership of such stock which the Corporation, as the owner thereof, might
have possessed and exercised if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to
time confer like powers upon any other person or persons. He shall also do and perform such other
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.13 Officers.
The Officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may also elect one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or
more Assistant Secretaries. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
The Board of Directors may at any time also elect or appoint such other officers, assistant
officers and agents as it shall deem necessary and as the needs of the Corporation may require.
Such other officers, assistant officers and agents shall have such authority and shall perform such
duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
The Officers shall be elected each year at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors, but
if not so elected, they, and any assistant officers or agents the Board of Directors shall desire
to appoint, may be elected from time to time during the year. It shall not be necessary for any
officer of the Corporation to be a Director.
Section 4.1 The Chief Executive Officer Powers and Duties.
The Chief Executive Officer shall have responsibility for general supervision and direction of the
business of the Corporation, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors. Unless
otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have full power and
authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and act and vote at any meeting of the
shareholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and at any such meeting he
shall possess and may exercise any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of
such stock which the Corporation, as owner thereof, might have possessed and exercised if present.
Further, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is
authorized to execute in the name of the Corporation contracts and other documents requiring the
signature of the Corporation. He shall also do and perform such other duties as from time to time
may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
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Section 4.2
The President Powers and Duties.
The President shall have responsibility for day-to-day supervision and direction of the regular
business and operations of the Corporation, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of
Directors and the Chief Executive Officer. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors,
the President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the shareholders of the Corporation
to attend and act and vote at any meeting of the shareholders of any corporation in which the
Corporation may hold stock, and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all of
the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock which the Corporation, as the owner
thereof, might have possessed and exercised if present. Further, unless otherwise directed by the
Board of Directors, the President is authorized to execute in the name of the Corporation contracts
and other documents requiring the signature of the Corporation. He shall also do and perform such
other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.3 General Patent Counsel Powers and Duties.
The General Patent Counsel shall have the responsibility for the intellectual property portfolio
and the management and enforcement of the intellectual property of the Corporation, subject to the
policies and directions of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. General Patent
Counsel shall manage the day-to-day operation of the Patent Department of the Corporation, shall
act as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer in
administering the patent and intellectual property matters of the Corporation, and shall have such
powers and shall perform such duties as may be from time-to-time assigned to him by the Board of
Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.4 General Counsel Powers and Duties.
The General Counsel shall have the responsibility for supervision of the legal activities of the
Corporation, subject to the policies and directions of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of
Directors. General Counsel shall manage the day-to-day operation of the Legal Department of the
Corporation, shall act as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer and other officers of the Corporation in formulating and administering the legal policies
of the Corporation, and shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as may be from
time-to-time assigned to him by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.5 The Vice President Powers and Duties.
A Vice President or Vice Presidents shall be elected by the Board of Directors, if the Board of
Directors determines that such offices shall be created. The Vice President (or, if there are more
than one, then each Vice President) shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as may
from time to time be assigned to him or them by the Board of Directors or by the Chairman of the
Board or by the President.
Section 4.6 Treasurer Powers and Duties.
The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation which may
come into his hands. When necessary or proper (unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors)
he shall (a) endorse for collection on behalf of the Corporation, checks, notes and other
obligations, (b) deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or depositaries as
the Board of Directors may designate and (c) sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made by
the Corporation. He shall, at all reasonable times, exhibit his books and accounts to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation upon the request of any Director, and he shall also, if so directed by
the Board of Directors, annually prepare and submit to the Annual Meeting of the shareholders a
full statement of the assets and liabilities of the Corporation and of its transactions during the
preceding year, and he shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be
assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors. He shall give such bond for the
faithful performance of his duties as may be required by the Board of Directors.
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Section 4.7 Assistant Treasurer Powers and Duties.
Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him
by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.8 Secretary Powers and Duties.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the Secretary shall keep the minutes of all
meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors in proper minute books to be kept for
such purpose, and shall attend to the giving of all notices by the Corporation, including notices
of meetings, the administration of certificate books, transfer books, the capital stock ledger and
such other books and papers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may direct. The Secretary
shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and shall have such
other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. Absent a
separate appointment by the Board of Directors, the General Counsel of the Corporation shall serve
as the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event the Board of Directors appoints as Secretary
someone other than the General Counsel, such person shall report to and work under the supervision
of the General Counsel with respect to the duties of the Secretary.
Section 4.9 Assistant Secretary Powers and Duties.
Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him
or them by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.10 Removal and Vacancies.
The Board of Directors shall have power to remove any officer from office at any time and shall
also have the power to fill any vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason. Such power
shall be exercised by a majority vote of the Directors in office at the time of such removal or
vacancy, although less than a quorum.
Section 5.1 Certificates; Uncertificated Shares.
Shares of stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, and shall be entered in
the books of the Corporation and registered as they are issued. Notwithstanding the issuance of
uncertificated shares, every shareholder of record of a class and series permitting certificated
shares shall, upon request, be entitled to a share certificate representing the shares owned by
him. Every share certificate shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, President, or a Vice
President, and by the Secretary or Treasurer except where such share certificate is signed by a
transfer agent or a registrar, in which case the signature of any officer of the Corporation upon
such share certificate may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. In case any officer who has
signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, any share certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued, it
may be issued with the same effect as if the officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its
issue. Within a reasonable period of time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares,
the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice that shall contain the
information required to be set forth or stated on certificates by the Articles, these Bylaws or by
the Pennsylvania BCL. Except as otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the rights and
obligations of the holders of shares represented by certificates and the rights and obligations of
the holders of uncertificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 5.2 Transfer of Shares.
Upon surrender to the Corporation, or the transfer agent of the Corporation, of a certificate for
shares duly endorsed by the registered owner thereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing
to make such transfer or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to
transfer, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate or evidence of the issuance of
uncertificated shares to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the
transaction upon its books.
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Upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares
or his attorney duly authorized in writing to make such transfer or from a person presenting proper
evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, the Corporation shall cancel such
uncertificated shares, issue a new certificate or evidence of the issuance of uncertificated shares
to the person entitled thereto, and record the transaction upon its books.
The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share certificate or
certificates and the shares represented thereby, or any uncertificated shares, as the holder in
fact thereof, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share certificate or certificates and shares, or uncertificated shares, on the
part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, these Bylaws or by the Articles.
Section 5.3 Lost Share Certificates.
The holder of any certificate representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall immediately
notify the transfer agent of the Corporation of any loss or destruction thereof. The Board of
Directors or any officer of the Corporation to whom the Board of Directors has delegated authority
may authorize any transfer agent of the Corporation to issue, and any registrar of the Corporation
to register, at any time and from time to time unless otherwise directed, a new certificate or
certificates of stock, or uncertificated shares, in the place of a certificate or certificates
theretofore issued by the Corporation, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon receipt by the
transfer agent of (a) evidence of such loss or destruction, which may be the affidavit of the
applicant; (b) a bond of indemnity with an acceptable surety indemnifying the Corporation and any
transfer agent and registrar of the class of stock involved against claims that may be made against
it or them on account of the lost or destroyed certificate or the issuance of a new certificate (or
uncertificated shares); and (c) any other documents or instruments that the Board of Directors or
any authorized officer may require from time to time to protect adequately the interest of the
Corporation. The Board may, in its discretion, refuse to issue such new certificates or
uncertificated shares save upon the order of some court having jurisdiction in such matters. A new
certificate, or uncertificated shares, may be issued without requiring an affidavit or bond when,
in the judgment of the Board or any officer of the Corporation to whom the Board of Directors has
delegated authority, it is proper to do so.
Section 6.1 Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be established by the Board of Directors.
Section 7.1 Indemnification.
a. | The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted under the Pennsylvania BCL (including, without limitation, the provisions of the former Directors Liability Act adopted in 1986, which were incorporated into the Pennsylvania BCL in 1990) and other applicable law, and, except as provided in Section 7.1(f) hereof, as such laws may be amended from time to time (Pennsylvania Law), any person who was or is a party or was or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including, without limitation, an action by or in the right of the Corporation (collectively, for purposes of this Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 hereof, Proceeding), by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or if a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in any such capacity, and may indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted under Pennsylvania Law any person who was or is a party or was or is threatened to be made a party to such a Proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become an employee or agent of the Corporation, or, if any employee or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and disbursements, punitive and other damages, judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and costs and |
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expenses of any nature) incurred by him in connection with such Proceeding and any appeal therefrom; provided, that such indemnification shall not be made in any case where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court in a final, binding adjudication to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. |
b. | The Corporation may indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted under Pennsylvania Law any person who was or is a party or was or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding, by reason of any of his actions in a non official capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, against expenses, liability and loss including, without limitation, attorneys fees and disbursements, punitive and other damages, judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and costs and expenses of any nature incurred by him in connection with such Proceeding and any appeal therefrom; provided, that such indemnification shall not be made in any case where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court in a final, binding adjudication to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. | ||
c. | The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the persons conduct constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. | ||
d. | Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, provided that, if Pennsylvania Law requires, the payment of such expenses shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as mandated in this Section 7.1 or otherwise. Expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid to the extent provided by the Board of Directors, upon receipt of the foregoing undertaking by or on behalf of the employee or agent. | ||
e. | The indemnification provided by this Section 7.1 shall be in addition to and not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under Pennsylvania Law, or under any Bylaw, agreement executed by the Corporation, insurance policy, fund of any nature established by the Corporation, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The indemnification so provided by this Section 7.1 or otherwise, may be granted whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person under any provision of Pennsylvania Law other than Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania BCL. | ||
f. | The indemnification provisions of this Section 7.1 shall constitute a contract between the Corporation and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents who are or may be entitled to indemnification hereunder and who serve in any such capacity at any time while such provisions are in effect. Any repeal or modification of the indemnification provisions of this Section 7.1 shall not limit any such persons rights to indemnification (including the advancement of expenses) then existing or arising out of events, acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification, including, without limitation, the right to indemnification with respect to Proceedings commenced after such repeal or modification based in whole or in part upon any such event, act or omission. | ||
g. | The Corporation may create a fund of any nature, which may, but need not be, under the control of a trustee, or otherwise may secure or insure in any manner its indemnification obligations, whether arising under or pursuant to this Section 7.1 or otherwise. | ||
h. | The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to insure its indemnification obligations on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him and incurred by him or on his behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability |
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under the provisions of this Section 7.1 or under any provision of Pennsylvania Law other than Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania BCL. | |||
i. | The indemnification provided by this Section 7.1 shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. | ||
j. | If Section 7.1 or any portion thereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director or officer, and may indemnify each employee or agent of the Corporation, as to expenses, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and disbursements, punitive and other damages, judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and costs and expenses of any nature) incurred by him in connection with any Proceeding, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 7.1 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. |
Section 7.2 Limitation on Directors Personal Liability.
a. | To the fullest extent permitted under Section 1713 of the Pennsylvania BCL, and, except as provided in subsection 7.2(e), as such law may be amended from time to time, a director of this Corporation shall not be personally liable for monetary damages as a result of any action or failure to act unless both: (1) the director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his office under Subchapter B of Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania BCL; and (2) the breach or failure to perform constitutes self dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. | ||
b. | The provisions of this Section 7.2 shall not apply to: (1) the responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any criminal statute: or (2) the liability of a director for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law. | ||
c. | The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the director breached or failed to perform the duties of his office under Subchapter B of Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania BCL and that the breach or failure to perform constituted self dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. | ||
d. | Notwithstanding the date of adoption of this Section 7.2, the provisions of Section 7.2 shall apply to any action filed or breaches of performance of duty or any failure of performance of duty by any director on or after January 27, 1987. | ||
e. | No amendment to or repeal of this Section 7.2 or Section 1713 of the Pennsylvania BCL shall reduce the limitation on directors personal liability for or with respect to any events, acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal, including, without limitation, the limitation on personal liability with respect to any Proceedings commenced after such repeal or modification based in whole or in part upon any such event, act or omission. |
Section 8.1 Amendments to Bylaws.
The holders of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote may, by a majority vote, make,
alter, amend or repeal any provision of these Bylaws at any Annual or Special Meeting duly convened
after notice to the shareholder of the meeting to be held for such purpose, provided, however, that
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the combined voting power of all the
then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.11 or
this Section 8.1, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.
The Board of Directors, by a majority vote of the members thereof, may make, alter, amend or repeal
any provisions of these Bylaws at any Regular or Special Meeting, duly convened after notice to the
Directors of such purpose.
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The shareholders shall have the right to change such action by a majority vote of the shareholders
entitled to vote thereon at any Annual Meeting which may be duly convened for the purpose of
changing such action, after notice to the shareholders entitled to notice thereof, provided,
however, that the vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the combined voting power of all of
the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class, shall be required to change such action with respect to Sections
3.1, 3.4, 3.11 or this Section 8.1.
Section 9.1 Control Share Acquisitions.
Subchapter G Control Share Acquisitions of Chapter 25 of Title 15 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, as existing on July 18, 1990 or as may thereafter be amended, shall not be
applicable to the Corporation.
Section 10.1 Disgorgement by Certain Controlling Shareholders.
Subchapter H Disgorgement by Certain Controlling Shareholders Following Attempts to Acquire
Control of Chapter 25 of Title 15 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, as existing on July
18, 1990 or as may thereafter be amended, shall not be applicable to the Corporation.
DATED: June 3, 2011
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