PROPOSAL 4
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
A “say on pay” advisory vote is required for all U.S. public companies under recently adopted Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with this law, we are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in this proxy statement.
For the reasons discussed below, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation because it believes that the policies and practices described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis are effective in achieving the Company’s goals of rewarding sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, aligning the executives’ long-term interests with those of the shareholders and motivating the executives to remain with the Company for long and productive careers. Named executive officer compensation of the past three years reflects amounts of cash and long-term equity awards consistent with periods of economic stress and lower earnings, and equity incentives aligning with our actions to stabilize the Company and to position it for a continued recovery.
We urge shareholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 28 of this proxy statement, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables, notes and narrative, appearing on pages 31 through 37, which provide detailed information on the Company’s compensation policies and practices and the compensation of our named executive officers.
Vote Required
Approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. While this advisory vote on executive compensation is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.
Board Recommendation
THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS ‘FOR’ THE ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES
BOARD MEETINGS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
Nomination of Directors:
The board is responsible for nominating members to the board and for filling vacancies on the board that may occur between annual meetings of shareowners, in each case based upon the recommendation of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The committee seeks input from other board members and senior management to identify and evaluate nominees for director. The committee may hire a search firm or other consultants. The committee will consider nominees recommended by shareowners for election to the board provided the names of such nominees, accompanied by relevant biographical information, and relevant information about the shareowner submitting the nominee, are provided in writing to our secretary in accordance with the requirements of our bylaws. Messrs. Najeeb Ghauri, Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri are brothers.
Director Independence:
The Common Stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The corporate governance rules of the NASDAQ
Capital Market requires that a majority of the Board consist of directors who are "independent" of the Company. The Board has
determined each of the following directors and nominees for director qualify as "independent" in accordance with Rule 5605(a)(2)(A) and (B) of the NASDAQ listing standards for determining independence; Messrs. Mark Caton, Shahid J. Burki, Eugen Beckert and Jeffery Bilbrey.
Board of Directors Meetings:
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company met or acted by written consent two times and held five special meetings in addition to the annual meeting with 100 % attendance by all directors. The Company requests that all board members attend annual meetings of the board.
Board Committees:
The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The charters for the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are posted on the Company’s web site at www.netsoltech.com (select “About Us” then “Corporate Governance” and finally, the desired committee charter). All committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee met four times, the Compensation Committee met three times, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one time during fiscal year 2012.
Committees’ Members:
The Audit committee is made up of Mr. Burki as Chairman, Mr. Caton and Mr. Beckert as members. The Compensation committee consists of Mr. Caton as its Chairman and Mr. Beckert and Mr. Burki as its members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Mr. Beckert as chairman and Mr. Burki and Mr. Caton.
The table below provides the membership for each of the committees during Fiscal Year 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Corporate
|
|
|
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Governance
|
Director
|
|
Committee
|
|
Committee
|
|
Committee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb Ghauri
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem Ghauri
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salim Ghauri*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shahid J. Burki (I)
|
|
|
X
|
(C)
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
Eugen Beckert (I)
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
X
|
(C)
|
Mark Caton (I)
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
X
|
(C)
|
|
|
X
|
|
Jeffery Bilbrey (I)*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(I)
|
|
Denotes an independent director.
|
(C)
|
|
Denotes the Chairperson of the committee.
|
*
|
|
The Company currently has seven board of directors’ members. The board continues to consist of a majority of independent members. Mr. Bilbrey was elected on March 1, 2013 to fill a vacancy.
|
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Burki (Chairman), Beckert Caton and Bilbrey, all of whom are independent within the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“34 Act”). The Audit Committee met three times during fiscal 2012. The Audit Committee was established by the Board for the purpose of overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements and reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental body or the public and the Company’s systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethics. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process, audits of the Company’s financial statements, and the Company’s internal control system and (ii) appoint from time to time, evaluate, and, when appropriate, replace the registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for the Company, determine the compensation of such “outside auditors” and the other terms of their engagement, and oversee the work of the outside auditors. The Company’s outside auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is also charged with establishing procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and Kabani & Company, the Company’s independent auditors. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of NetSol’s financial statements; accounting and financial reporting principles; establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)); evaluating the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and evaluating any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting. Kabani & Company is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as expressing an opinion on (i) management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and (ii) the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees” and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2, “An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction with an Audit of Financial Statements.” In addition, Kabani & Company has provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” and the Audit Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company their firm’s independence.
Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Company has identified its audit chairperson, Mr. Shahid Javed Burki as its audit committee financial expert. Mr. Burki is an independent board member as the term is defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Mr. Burki’s experience as Finance Minister of Pakistan, Chief Executive Officer of EMP Financial Advisors, his various roles at the World Bank, and his tenure as both a audit committee member and chair for the Company, provides him with an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting. Additionally, this experience provides an ability to assess the general application of accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; experience analyzing financial statements that were comparable in the breadth and complexity of issues that can be reasonably expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements; an understanding of internal control over financial reporting; and an understanding of audit committee functions.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Caton (Chairman), Beckert and Burki all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. The Compensation Committee met four times during the 2012 fiscal year. The primary function of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to officer and director compensation. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) oversee the development and implementation of the compensation policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the Company’s executive officers and outside directors; (ii) review and determine the compensation of the executive officers of the Company; and (iii) oversee the selection and performance of the Company’s executive officers and succession planning for key members of the Company’s management. The Compensation Committee’s report is included below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Beckert (Chairman), Burki and Caton all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. Mr. Beckert is the Chairperson for the Committee. This Committee met once during the 2012 fiscal year. The primary function of the Nominating Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to Board and committee membership and shareholder proposals. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) establish criteria for Board and committee membership and recommend to the Board proposed nominees for election to the Board; and (ii) make recommendations regarding proposals and nominees for director submitted by shareholder of the Company.
The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees recommended by shareholder. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person or persons for consideration as a Company nominee for election to the Board of Directors must send a written notice by mail to: Corporate Secretary, NetSol Technologies, Inc., 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 410, Calabasas, CA, 91302 by fax to: 818-222-9197, that sets forth (i) the name of each person whom the shareholder recommends be considered as a nominee; (ii) a business address and telephone number for each nominee (an e-mail address may also be included) and (iii) biographical information regarding such person, including the person’s employment and other relevant experience. Shareholder considerations will only be considered if delivered or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholder; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within sixty (60) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, which ever first occurs.
The Company’s nominating committee recommends that a nominee for a position on the Company’s Board of Directors meet the following minimum qualifications:
● He or she must be over 21 years of age;
● He or she must be able to read and understand basic financial statements;
● He or she must have experience in a position with a high degree of responsibility in a business or other organization;
● He or she must possess integrity and have high moral character;
● He or she must be willing to apply sound, independent business judgment; and,
● He or she must have sufficient time to devote to the Company.
The Company’s nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee by considering whether the potential nominee meets the minimum qualifications described above, as well as by considering the following factors:
● whether the potential nominee has leadership, strategic, or policy setting experience in a complex organization, including any scientific, governmental, educational, or other non-profit organization;
● whether the potential nominee has experience and expertise that is relevant to the Company’s business, including any specialized business experience, technical expertise, or other specialized skills, and whether the potential nominee has knowledge regarding issues affecting the Company;
● whether the potential nominee is highly accomplished in his or her respective field;
● in light of the relationship of the Company’s business to the field of technology, whether the potential nominee has received any awards or honors in the fields of technology or engineering and whether he or she is recognized as a leader in that field;
● whether the addition of the potential nominee to the Board of Directors would assist the Board of Directors in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience, including diversity with respect to age, gender, national origin, race, and competencies;
● whether the potential nominee has high ethical character and a reputation for honesty, integrity, and sound business judgment;
● whether the potential nominee can work collegially with others;
● whether the potential nominee is independent, as defined by NASDAQ listing standards, whether he or she is free of any conflict of interest or the appearance of any conflict of interest with the best interests of the Company and its shareholder, and whether he or she is willing and able to represent the interests of all shareholder of the Company; and
● Any factor which would prohibit the potential nominee to devote sufficient time to its business.
In addition, with respect to an incumbent director whom the nominating committee is considering as a potential nominee for re-election, the Company’s nominating committee reviews and considers the incumbent director’s service to the Company during his or her term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, and overall contribution to the Company. The manner in which the nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee will not differ based on whether the potential nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the Company.
The Company did not pay any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director at the fiscal year 2012 Annual Meeting of shareholders. The Company did not receive, by December 4, 2012 (the 120th calendar day before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s 2011 proxy statement), any recommended nominee from a shareholder who beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s stock or from a group of shareholders who beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Company’s stock.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
SEC regulations require all transactions to be disclosed in proxy statements, which are commonly referred to as “related person transactions.” A “related person” is defined under the applicable SEC regulation and includes our directors, executive officers, 5% or more beneficial owners of our common stock, and each of their immediate family members. The Board of directors would only approve a transaction only if it determines that the transaction is not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. During fiscal year 2012, there were no material transactions between NetSol, any director or executive officer of the Company, or any security holder known to hold more than five percent (5%) of our common stock (a “5% Holder”).
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Director Compensation
Director Compensation Table
The non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts to members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.
BOARD ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Board Member Fee
|
|
$
|
48,000
|
|
Committee Membership
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
Chairperson for Audit Committee
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Chairperson for Compensation Committee
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Chairperson for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Members of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option or stock award grants both upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in line with recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are non-qualified stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from time to time, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to receive stock grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the shareholders of the Company.
Director Compensation Policy
Messrs. Ghauri are not paid any fees or other compensation for services as members of our Board of Directors.
The non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts to members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.
BOARD ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Board Member Fee
|
|
$
|
48,000
|
|
Committee Membership
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
Chairperson for Audit Committee
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Chairperson for Compensation Committee
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Chairperson for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Members of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option or stock award grants both upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in line with recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are non-qualified stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from time to time, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to receive stock grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the shareholders of the Company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman), Mr. Beckert and Mr. Burki. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was Mr. Caton. There were no other members of the committee during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. All current members of the Compensation Committee are "independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. None of these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, or at any other time, an officer or employee of the Company.
No executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, other than Najeeb Ghauri, Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri who are executives and directors.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR PAID
IN CASH
($)
|
|
|
SHARES
AWARDS
($) (1)
|
|
|
TOTAL ($)
|
|
Eugen Beckert
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
Shahid Javed Burki
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
41,000
|
|
Mark Caton
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
38,000
|
|
Alexander Shakow
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
(1)
|
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, 40,000 shares were issued out of which 20,000 shares were accrued to be issued last year
|
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board or any of the Directors. Shareholders may send written communications to the Board or any one or more of the individual Directors by mail to: NetSol Technologies, Inc., Attention Corporate Secretary, 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 410, Calabasas, CA 91302, or via fax to: 818-222-9197. Such communications will be reviewed by our Secretary, who shall remove communications relating to solicitations, junk mail, customer service concerns and the like. All other shareholder communications shall be promptly forwarded to the applicable member(s) of our board of directors or to the entire board of directors, as requested in the shareholder communication.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company adopted on July 2, 2004, as amended and restated on July 22, 2007, a Code of Ethics applicable to every officer, director and employee of the Company, including, but not limited to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics has been posted on our website and may be viewed at www.netsoltech.com/IR/corporate-governance.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock, its only class of outstanding voting securities as of May 10, 2013, by (i) each person who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common Stock with the address of each such person, (ii) each of the Company's present directors and officers, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
406,955
|
|
|
|
4.90
|
%
|
Naeem Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
364,997
|
|
|
|
4.09
|
%
|
Salim Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
316,144
|
|
|
|
3.54
|
%
|
Eugen Beckert (3)
|
|
|
48,490
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Shahid Javed Burki (3)
|
|
|
51,250
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mark Caton (3)
|
|
|
23,800
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Patti L. W. McGlasson (3)
|
|
|
35,550
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Boo-Ali Siddiqui (3)
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jeffrey Bilbrey (3)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Newland Capital Management LLC (5)
|
|
|
665,905
|
|
|
|
7.46
|
%
|
Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (6)
|
|
|
689,574
|
|
|
|
7.72
|
|
All officers and directors as a group (nine persons)
|
|
|
1,259,186
|
|
|
|
14.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Less than one percent
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2013, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, as follows: Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, 95,000; Mr. Naeem Ghauri, 188,644; Mr. Salim Ghauri, 77,500; Mr. Eugen Beckert, 15,000; Mr. Shahid Burki, 15,000; and Ms. Patti McGlasson, 11,000.
Share numbers have been adjusted to reflect the 1 for 10 reverse stock split effective August 13, 2012.
(3) Address c/o NetSol Technologies, Inc. at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 410, Calabasas, CA 91302.
(4) Shares issued and outstanding as of May 10, 2013 were 8,929,523.
(5) Pursuant to a form 13G/A filed on February 1, 2013 and relying upon the authenticity of the information contained therein, the following persons have shared voting power over 665,905 shares of common stock of the Company: Newland Capital Management, LLC (as to 665,905 shares), Newland Master Fund, Ltd. (as to 665,905), Ken Brodkowitz (as to 665,905 shares) and Michael Vermut (as to 669,295 shares). Newland Capital Management, LLC, Ken Brodkowitz and Michael Vermut with addresses c/o Newland Capital Management LLC, 350 Madison Avenue, 11 th Floor, New York, New York, 10017; Newland Master Fund, Ltd., address is c/o Goldman Sachs (CAYMAN) Trust, Limited, P.O. Box 896, Gardenia Court, Suite 3307, 45 Market St., Camana Bay, Cayman Islands KY1-1103.
(6) Pursuant to a form 13G/A filed on February 14, 2013 and relying upon the authenticity of the information contained therein, the fund has voting power over 689,574 shares of common stock of the Company.
INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTOR NOMINEES
The board is currently comprised of six members. All of the six members are standing for re-election.
Each nominee receiving a majority of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote for them, a quorum being present, shall be elected as directors. Only votes cast for a nominee will be counted, except that the accompanying proxy will be voted for all nominees in the absence of instruction to the contrary. Abstentions, broker non-votes and instructions on the accompanying proxy to withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees will result in the respective nominees receiving fewer votes. However, the number of votes otherwise received by the nominee will not be reduced by such action.
All nominees have consented to serve if elected, but if any becomes unable to serve, the persons named as proxies may exercise their discretion to vote for a substitute nominee. The shareholders have previously elected all director candidates. The name, age, business experience and offices held by each director nominee are as follows:
Name and Age
|
|
Director Since
|
|
Current Position with the
Company
|
Najeeb U. Ghauri (59)
|
|
1997
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Director
|
Naeem Ghauri (55)
|
|
1999
|
|
President of Asia Pacific Region, Director
|
Salim Ghauri (58)◊
|
|
1999
|
|
President of Middle East Operations, Director
|
Eugen Beckert (66)
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Shahid Burki (74)
|
|
2003
|
|
Director
|
Mark Caton (63)
|
|
2007
|
|
Director
|
Jeffrey Bilbrey (41)
|
|
2013
|
|
Director
|
◊ Mr. Salim Ghauri took a leave of absence from the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year, however, he is delighted to be reconsidered for the position of Director once again during this proxy.
Director Qualifications
Under rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is required to describe the experience and qualification of those persons serving as directors or nominated for election as directors. The Nominating Committee, which is charged with the responsibility of evaluating nominees for director, has historically sought individuals with prior experience in business, professional practice or government, a commitment to community involvement and, perhaps most importantly, prior service as a member of the board of directors. Experience gained through these pursuits is viewed by the Nominating Committee as a strong indication that individuals nominated for election as directors will possess the attributes for successful service as a member of the Board.
Najeeb U. Ghauri, Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, NetSol Technologies, Inc.
Age 59
Director since 1997
|
|
NAJEEB U. GHAURI is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NetSol. He has been a Director of the Company since 1997, Chairman since 2003 and Chief Executive Officer since October 2006. Mr. Ghauri is the founder of NetSol Technologies, Inc. He was responsible for NetSol listing on NASDAQ in 1999, the NetSol subsidiary listing on KSE (Karachi Stock Exchange) in 2005, and the NetSol listing on the NASDAQ Dubai exchange in 2008. Mr. Ghauri served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2001 and as the Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2005. As CEO, Mr. Ghauri is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Company, as well as the Company's overall growth and expansion plan. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was part of the marketing team of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) (now acquired by BP), a Fortune 500 company, from 1987-1997. Prior to ARCO, he spent nearly five years with Unilever as brand and sales managers. Mr. Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Economics from Eastern Illinois University in 1979, and his M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Claremont Graduate School in California in 1981. Mr. Ghauri was elected Vice Chairman of US Pakistan Business Council in 2006, a Washington D.C. based council of US Chamber of Commerce. He is also very active in several philanthropic activities in emerging markets and is a founding director of Pakistan Human Development Fund, a non-profit organization, a partnership with UNDP to promote literacy, health services and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. Mr. Ghauri has participated in NASDAQ opening and/or closing bell ceremonies in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
|
No Arrangements of Understandings
There are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee for director and any other person(s) pursuant to which such nominee was or is to be selected as a director or nominee.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis will describe the Compensation Committee's compensation objectives and policies for our Named Executive Officers, including executive pay decisions and processes and all elements of NetSol Technologies’ executive compensation program.
NetSol Technologies’ Named Executive Officers, a group comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary/General Counsel for fiscal year 2012, are the following three individuals:
Najeeb Ghauri
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
Boo-Ali Siddiqui
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Patti L. W. McGlasson
|
|
Secretary and General Counsel
|
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals by the Company, and which aligns executives’ interests with those of the shareholders by rewarding performance at or above established goals, with the ultimate objective of increasing stockholder value. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee is to evaluate both performance and compensation to ensure that we maintain our ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of our peer companies. To that end, the Compensation Committee believes executive compensation packages should include both cash and equity-based compensation that reward performance as measured against established goals.
Setting Executive Compensation
Management develops our compensation plans by utilizing publicly available compensation data in the media services and technology industries. We believe that the practices of these groups of companies provide us with appropriate compensation benchmarks, because these groups of companies are in similar businesses and tend to compete with us for executives and other employees. For benchmarking executive compensation, we typically review the compensation data we have collected from these groups of companies, as well as a subset of the data from those companies that have a similar number of employees as the Company. For purposes of determining executive compensation, we have not engaged consultants to help us analyze this data or to compare our compensation programs with the practices of the companies represented in the compensation data we review.
Based on management's analyses and recommendations, the Compensation Committee has approved a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, which is intended to establish base salaries and total executive compensation (taking into consideration the executive's experience and abilities) that are competitive with those companies with a similar number of employees represented in the compensation data we review.
We work within the framework of this pay-for-performance compensation philosophy to determine each component of an executive's initial compensation package based on numerous factors, including:
• The individual's particular background, track record and circumstances, including training and prior relevant work experience;
• The individual's role with us and the compensation paid to similar persons in the companies represented in the compensation data that we review;
• The demand for individuals with the individual's specific expertise and experience;
• Performance goals and other expectations for the position; and,
• Uniqueness of industry skills.
The terms of each executive officer's compensation are derived from employment agreements negotiated between the Company and the executive. Each executive's employment agreement is generally negotiated to cover a one to three-year period, and prescribes the base salary and other annual payments, if any, to the executive. Employment agreements for all executive officers are approved by the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee. Employment agreements for other executives are approved by the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
2012 Executive Compensation Components
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the principal components of compensation that our named executive officers were eligible to receive were:
• Base salary;
• Long Term Equity Incentive Compensation;
• Performance-based incentive compensation (discretionary bonus); and,
• Perquisites and other personal benefits.
Base Salary
An executive's base salary is evaluated together with components of the executive's other compensation to ensure that the executive's total compensation is consistent with our overall compensation philosophy.
The base salaries were established in arms-length negotiations between the executive and the Company, taking into account their extensive experience, knowledge of the industry, track record, and achievements on behalf of the Company.
Base salaries are adjusted annually by the Compensation Committee.
Annual Bonus
Our compensation program includes eligibility for bonuses as rewarded by the Compensation Committee. All executives are eligible for annual performance-based cash bonuses in accordance with Company policies.
Long Term Equity Award Incentives
We believe that long-term performance is achieved through an ownership culture that encourages long-term participation by our executives in equity-based awards. Our various Employee Stock Option Plans allow us to grant stock options to employees. We currently make initial equity awards of stock options to new executives and certain non-executive employees in connection with their employment with the Company. Annual grants of options, if any, are approved by the Compensation Committee.
Equity Incentives. Executives, certain non-executive employees, and directors who join us may be awarded stock awards and/or stock option grants after they join the Company. These grants have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Such awards are intended to provide the executive with incentive to build value in the organization over an extended period of time. The size of the stock option award is also reviewed in light of the executive's track record, base salary, other compensation and other factors to ensure that the executive's total compensation is in line with our overall compensation philosophy. A review of all components of compensation is conducted when determining equity awards to ensure that total compensation conforms to our overall philosophy and objectives.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We provide named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that we believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to executive officers.
We maintain benefits and perquisites that are offered to all employees, including health insurance and dental insurance. Benefits and perquisites may vary in different country locations and are consistent with local practices and regulations.
Termination Based Compensation
Upon termination of employment, all executive officers with a written employment agreement are entitled to receive severance payments under their employment agreements. In determining whether to approve, and as part of the process of setting the terms of, such severance arrangements, the Compensation Committee recognizes that executives and officers often face challenges securing new employment following termination. Further, the Committee recognizes that many of the named executives and officers have participated in the Company since its founding and that this participation has not resulted in a return on their investments. Termination and Change in Control Payments considered both the risk and the dedication of these executives’ service to the Company.
WHAT WE DO
|
WHAT WE DON’T DO
|
●Forfeiture of all unvested stock options upon termination of employment for any reason
|
●No guaranteed bonuses
|
●Significant stock ownership requirements, ensuring that senior executives are substantially invested in the Company and its long-term success
|
●No accelerated vesting of long-term incentive awards, other than pre-rated vesting of performance awards and RSUs based on active employment during the vesting period
|
●Prohibit hedging of NetSol securities by executives and directors
|
●No tax gross-ups, other than for certain relocation expenses
|
●Independent Compensation Consultant
|
●No repricing or buybacks of stock options
|
Our Chief Executive Officer, CEO of NetSol Technologies, Ltd. and CEO of NetSol Technologies Europe, Ltd. have employment agreements that provide, if his employment is terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the agreement with Good Reason, he is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to the end of the date of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment term through the end of the third anniversary of the date of termination, and (b) the continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance coverage for him and his family until the end of the employment term and through the end of the third anniversary of the date of termination. Provided, however, if such benefits cannot be continued for this extended period, the Executive shall receive cash (including a tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local income and payroll taxes assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for all such purposes) where such benefits may not be continued. These agreements further provide for vesting of all options and restrictive stock grants, if any.
Our Chief Financial Officer has an employment agreement that provides, if his employment is terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the agreement with Good Reason, he is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to the end of the date of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment term through the end of the second month of the date of termination, and (b) the continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance coverage for him and his family until the end of the employment term and through the end of the two months from the date of termination. Provided, however, if such benefits cannot be continued for this extended period, the Executive shall receive cash (including a tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local income and payroll taxes assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for all such purposes) where such benefits may not be continued. These agreements further provide for vesting of all options and restrictive stock grants, if any.
The Secretary of the Company has an employment agreement that provides, if she is terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the agreement with Good Reason, she is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to the end of the date of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment term through the end of the first anniversary of the date of termination, and (b) the continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance coverage for her and her family until the end of the employment term and through the end of the first anniversary of the date of termination. Provided, however, if such benefits cannot be continued for this extended period, the Executive shall receive cash (including a tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local income and payroll taxes assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for all such purposes) where such benefits may not be continued. These agreements further provide for vesting of all options and restrictive stock grants, if any.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides that we may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 that is paid to certain individuals. We believe that compensation paid under the management incentive plans is generally fully deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Commencing on July 1, 2006, we began accounting for stock-based payments, including awards under our Employee Stock Option Plans, in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, or SFAS 123(R).
Compensation and Risk
We believe that our compensation programs create appropriate incentives to increase long-term shareholder value. These programs have been designed and administered in a manner that discourages undue risk taking by employees. Relevant features of these programs include:
●Compensation Committee- approved limits on annual incentive and long term performance awards;
●The use of economic profit as our performance metric, which incents employees to increase earnings and mange net assets efficiently;
●Compensation Committee discretion to adjust economic profit to reflect the core operating performance of the Company and its businesses, but not the authorize payouts above stated maximum awards; and
●Formal recoupment policies applicable to both cash and equity compensation of senior executives along with restrictions on trading by senior executives to reduce insider trading compliance risk, as well as a prohibition on hedging and restrictions on pledging Company equities.
Summary Compensation
The following table shows the compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, earned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer who is our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, and others considered to be executive officers of the Company.
Name and Principle Position
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards ($) (1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards ($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation ($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Najeeb Ghauri
|
2012
|
|
$
|
389,063
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
32,500
|
|
|
$
|
168,820
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
78,884
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
669,267
|
|
CEO & Chairman
|
2011
|
|
$
|
375,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
96,875
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
81,603
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
553,478
|
|
Boo Ali Siddiqui
|
2012
|
|
$
|
90,300
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
17,875
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
108,175
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
2011
|
|
$
|
84,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
69,250
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
153,250
|
|
Patti L. W. McGlasson
|
2012
|
|
$
|
139,750
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
17,875
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
23,863
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
181,488
|
|
Secretary, General Counsel
|
2011
|
|
$
|
130,500
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
55,400
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
21,281
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
207,181
|
|
(1) The stock was awarded as compensation to the officers and related expense was recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
(2) 500,000 options were granted to officers during the period and related expense was recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
(3) Consists of $36,000 and $36,000 paid for automobile and travel allowance, $16,758 and $16,758 on account of life insurance and $26,126 and $28,845 paid for medical and dental insurance premiums paid by the Company for participation in the health insurance program for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(4) The amount paid to the officer was in aggregate less than $10,000 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(5) Consists of $9,000 and $9,000 paid for automobile allowance and $14,863 and $12,281 paid for medical and dental insurance premiums for participation in the health insurance program for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 respectively.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Mr. Najeeb Ghauri was granted, in November 2011, 50,000 to acquire shares of common stock of the Company. The options vest quarterly and were approved by the Compensation Committee as an incentive for Mr. Ghauri.
Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, was granted, in February 2009, 750,000, options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company. The options vest quarterly and were approved by the Compensation Committee as an incentive for Mr. Ghauri in light of the agreed reduction of salary in early 2009.
Ms. McGlasson was granted 20,000 shares of common stock of the Company in early 2009 as an incentive for Ms. McGlasson in light of the agreed reduction of salary.
Discussion of Summary Compensation Table
The terms of our executive officers' compensation are derived from our employment agreements with them and the annual performance review by our Compensation Committee. The terms of Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, Mr. Naeem Ghauri and Mr. Salim Ghauri’s employment agreements with the Company were the result of negotiations between the Company and the executives and were approved by our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors. The terms of Ms. McGlasson’s and Mr. Siddiqui’s employment agreement with the Company were the result of negotiations between our Chief Executive Officer and the employees and were approved by our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.
Employment Agreement with Najeeb Ghauri
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Najeeb Ghauri (the “CEO Agreement”). The CEO Agreement was amended effective January 1, 2008 and again January 1, 2010. Pursuant to the CEO Agreement, as amended, between Mr. Ghauri and the Company (the "CEO Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its Chief Executive Officer from the date of the CEO Agreement through December 31, 2012. The term of employment automatically renews for 36 additional months unless notice of intent to terminate is received by either party at least 6 months prior to the end of the term. Under the CEO Agreement, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an annualized base salary of $375,000 and 250,000 shares of common stock which are granted 25% on a quarterly basis following each 3 months of service, and is eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the terms of the amendment, Mr. Ghauri was entitled to the following bonuses. A bonus of One Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Dollars ($133,000) is payable upon achieving the minimum bonus benchmark of: company-wide revenue of $30,000,000 for the fiscal year 2009-2010; and, earnings per share of $0.05 (the “Minimum Bonus Benchmark”). An additional bonus may be earned if an “accelerator goal” is achieved. The bonus is accelerated to a total of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) if revenue of $33,000,000 is attained together with earnings per share of $0.10.
Mr. Ghauri is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option plans, is entitled to three weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, is to receive a car allowance totaling $3,000 per month for the term of the CEO Agreement, and the Company shall pay premiums not to exceed $16,600 (or $4,150 quarterly) for life insurance for the Executive.
The CEO Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance, non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to the CEO Agreement, if he terminates his employment for Good Reason (as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, he shall be entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 36 months thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination, immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan benefits for a period of 36 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end of the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under the CEO Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the relocation of the Company's principal office by 30 miles, if the Company asks him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or act of moral turpitude, or a material breach
of the CEO Agreement by the Company. Under the CEO Agreement, Cause includes conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company, engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the CEO Agreement by Mr. Ghauri.
The above summary of the CEO Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CEO Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. The above summary of the First Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The above summary of the Second Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-Q for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Employment Agreement with Boo-Ali Siddiqui
Effective April 1, 2010, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Boo-Ali Siddiqui. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement between Ms. Siddiqui and the Company (the "CFO Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Mr. Siddiqui as its CFO from the date of the CFO Agreement through March 31, 2011. According to the terms of the CFO Agreement, the term of the agreement automatically extends for an additional thirty day periods unless notice of intent to terminate is received by either party at least two weeks prior to the end of the term. Under the CFO Agreement, Mr. Siddiqui is entitled to an annualized base salary of $84,000 and is eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Siddiqui shall also receive a total of 50,000 shares of common stock to be granted in 25% tranches upon each completion of a quarter of service during the term of his CFO Agreement.
The CFO Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance, non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to the CFO Agreement, if she terminates her employment for Good Reason (as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, she shall be entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 2 months thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination, immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan benefits for a period of 2 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end of the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under the CFO Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the relocation of the Company's principal office by 60 miles, if the Company asks him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the CFO Agreement by the Company. Under the CFO Agreement, Cause includes conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company, engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the CFO Agreement by Mr. Siddiqui.
The above summary of the CFO Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CFO Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.
Employment Agreement with Patti L. W. McGlasson
Effective May 1, 2006, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Secretary and General Counsel, Ms. Patti L. W. McGlasson. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement between Ms. McGlasson and the Company (the "General Counsel Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Ms. McGlasson as its Secretary and General Counsel from the date of the General Counsel Agreement through March 31, 2012. According to the terms of the General Counsel Agreement, the term of the agreement automatically extends for an additional one year periods unless notice of intent to terminate is received by either party at least 6 months prior to the end of the term. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Ms. McGlasson was entitled to an annualized base salary of $130,000, 40,000 shares of common stock to be granted in 25% tranches after each quarter of service, and is eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Ms. McGlasson is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option plans and, is entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year.
The General Counsel Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance, non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to the General Counsel Agreement, if she terminates her employment for Good Reason (as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, she shall be entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 12 months thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination, immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan benefits for a period of 12 months. She shall have no obligation to seek other employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If she is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end of the employment term, she shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties inconsistent with her title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the relocation of the Company's principal office by 60 miles, if the Company asks her to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the General Counsel Agreement by the Company. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Cause includes conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform her duties to the Company, engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the General Counsel Agreement by Ms. McGlasson.
The above summary of the General Counsel Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the General Counsel Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 on September 27, 2006. The above summary is also qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment to the General Counsel Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock awards outstanding on June 30, 2012, the last day of our fiscal year, to each of the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS (#)
UNEXERCISABLE
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($)
|
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
|
Najeeb Ghauri
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
22.10
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
37.50
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
50.00
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
26.40
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
50.00
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
37,423
|
|
|
|
|
19.40
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
29.10
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
16,721
|
|
|
|
|
18.30
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
25.00
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
6.50
|
|
2/12/19
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
7.50
|
|
11/7/21
|
Boo-Ali Siddiqui
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Patti L. W. McGlasson
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
30.00
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
26.40
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
50.00
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
16.50
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
22.50
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
7/23/17
|
Pension Benefits
We do not have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Generally, regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer's employment terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include the portion of the executive's base salary that has accrued prior to any termination and not yet been paid and unused vacation pay.
In addition, we are required to make the additional payments and/or provide additional benefits to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control, as set forth below.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
No options were exercised by officers in fiscal year 2012.
Pension Benefits
We do not have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Generally, regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer's employment terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include the portion of the executive's base salary that has accrued prior to any termination and not yet been paid and unused vacation pay.
In addition, we are required to make the additional payments and/or provide additional benefits to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control, as set forth below.
Change-in-Control Payments
Najeeb Ghauri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
In the event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve (12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June 30, 2012, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary
|
|
$
|
1,181,250
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,181,250
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
1,177,313
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
398,127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
4,893,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,649,992
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,181,250
|
|
Boo-Ali Siddiqui, Chief Financial Officer
In the event that Mr. Siddiqui is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and his salary during the preceding 6 months; (b) a one-time payment equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one-half of one percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous six (6) months (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”).
The following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Siddiqui assuming his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June 30, 2012, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary
|
|
$
|
46,200
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
46,200
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
138,138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
199,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
383,402
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
46,200
|
|
Patti L. W. McGlasson, Secretary and General Counsel
In the event that Ms. McGlasson is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined below), she is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and her salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one-half of one percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve (12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying Executive’s options, she shall so notify the Company of her intent.
The following table summarizes the potential payments to Ms. McGlasson assuming her employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June 30, 2012, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary
|
|
$
|
143,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
143,000
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
427,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
199,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
326,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,096,434
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
143,000
|
|
Director Compensation
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, other than Najeeb Ghauri and Naeem Ghauri who are otherwise employed by the Company or its subsidiaries.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR PAID
IN CASH
($)
|
|
|
SHARES
AWARDS
($) (1)
|
|
|
TOTAL ($)
|
|
Eugen Beckert
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
Shahid Javed Burki
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
41,000
|
|
Mark Caton
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
38,000
|
|
(1)
|
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, 40,000 shares were issued out of which 20,000 shares were accrued to be issued last year
|
Director Compensation Policy
Messrs. Ghauri are not paid any fees or other compensation for services as members of our Board of Directors.
The non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts to members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.
BOARD ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Board Member Fee
|
|
$
|
48,000
|
|
Committee Membership
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
Chairperson for Audit Committee
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Chairperson for Compensation Committee
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Chairperson for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Members of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option or stock award grants both upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in line with recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are non-qualified stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from time to time, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to receive stock grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the shareholders of the Company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman), Mr. Beckert and Mr. Burki. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was Mr. Caton. There were no other members of the committee during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. All current members of the Compensation Committee are "independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. None of these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, or at any other time, an officer or employee of the Company.
No executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Employee Stock Option Plans
The 2001 plan authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000 options to purchase common stock of which 200,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $7.50 and $25.00.
The 2002 plan authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000 options to purchase common stock of which 200,000 options have been granted. The grant prices range between $7.50 and $50.00.
In March 2004, our shareholders approved the 2003 stock option plan. This plan authorizes up to 200,000 options to purchase common stock of which 200,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $6.50 and $5.00.
In March 2005, our shareholders approved the 2004 stock option plan. This plan authorizes up to 500,000 options to purchase common stock of which 500,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $6.50 and $30.00.
In April 2006, our shareholders approved the 2005 stock option plan. This plan authorizes up to 500,000 options to purchase common stock of which 500,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $6.50 and $25.50.
In June 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Equity incentive plan. This plan authorizes up to 100,000 grants and/or options of common stock of which 100,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $3.20 and $23.20.
In May 2011, our shareholders approved the 2011 Equity incentive plan. This plan authorizes up to 500,000 grants and/or options of common stock of which 343,399 have been granted. The grant prices range between $3.00 and $16.70.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained within this Proxy Statement with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated into NetSol Technologies, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012, as previously filed.
|
Compensation Committee
|
|
Mark Caton (Chair)
|
|
Eugen Beckert
|
|
Shahid Javed Burki
|
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL 2013
The Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit shareholders of the Company, after notice to the Company, to present proposals for stockholder action in the Company's proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for stockholder action and are not properly omitted by Company action in accordance with the proxy rules published by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's 2013 annual meeting of shareholders is expected to be held on or about May 1, 2014 and proxy materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or about February 1, 2014. The Company must receive stockholder proposals prepared in accordance with the proxy rules by December 1, 2013.
A proposal which is received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet the requirements for stockholder proposals established by the SEC will not be included. The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in the proxy statement.
FILINGS UNDER SECTION 16(A)
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and officers, and persons holding ten percent or more of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding their acquisitions and dispositions of the Company's equity securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish the Company with copies of any Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on copies of such forms furnished as provided above, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of its Common Stock were complied with.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Tabulation of the Votes: The votes cast by proxy will be tabulated by Broadridge.
Effect of an Abstention and Broker Non-Votes: A shareholder who abstains from voting on any of or all of the proposals will be included in the number of shareholders present at the meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted either in favor of or against the election of the nominees or other proposals. Under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, brokers holding stock for the accounts of their clients who have not been given specific voting instructions as to a matter by their clients may vote their client’s proxies in their own discretion.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of NetSol’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012, which has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act will be furnished to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement. Copies of these reports are available without charge to each shareholder, upon written request to the Investor Relations department at our principal offices at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 410 Calabasas, CA 91302 or from the Internet on SEC’s Edgar database at www.sec.gov.
Incorporation by Reference
We incorporate the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 and the Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, both of which have been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act into this proxy statement by this reference. As stated above, the annual report on form 10-K is being delivered to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement. Copies of the reports are available without charge to each shareholder, upon written request to the Investor Relations department at our principal offices at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 410, Calabasas, CA 91302 or from the Internet on the SEC’s Edgar database at www.sec.gov.
Legal Proceedings
There are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of the registrant, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of voting securities of the registrant, or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate of the registrant, or security holder is a party adverse to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries also shall be described.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company does not intend to present any business at the Annual Meeting other than the matters specifically set forth in this Proxy Statement and knows of no other business to come before the Annual Meeting. However, on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting by the Board or by others, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND MAIL PROXIES, VOTE VIA TELEPHONE OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET PROMPTLY.
Your attendance at the Annual Meeting is desired whether your holdings are large or small. We encourage shareholders to take an active interest in NetSol and we would appreciate your vote on the enclosed proxy card or via the Internet through our transfer agent Computershare by visiting the www.proxyvote.com site and following the screen instructions. If you plan to vote at the Annual Meeting by proxy, please either sign, date and mail your Proxy in the enclosed envelope or at www.proxyvote.com , as promptly as possible.
Dated: May 29, 2013
Calabasas, California
|
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb Ghauri
|
|
Chairman and CEO
|
NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Proxy for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on July 17, 2013
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Najeeb Ghauri, with full power of substitution, as his or her Proxy to represent and vote, as designated below, the number of shares of which the undersigned is entitled to vote as a common stockholder of NetSol Technologies, Inc., registered in the name of the undersigned on with the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Company’s headquarters located at 24015 Park Sorrento, Suite 410, Calabasas, CA 91302 at 10:00 AM local time, on and at any adjournment thereof, hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously given.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
|
|
|
For
|
Against |
Abstain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALL NOMINEES LISTED |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1a. |
Najeeb Ghauri |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1b. |
Naeem Ghauri |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1c. |
Salim Ghauri |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1d. |
Eugen Beckert |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1e. |
Mark Caton |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1f. |
Shahid J. Burki |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1g. |
Jeffrey Bilbrey |
[ ] |
[ ] |
[ ] |
|
2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY INC. AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2013.
|
[ ] For
|
[ ] Against
|
[ ] Abstain
|
|
3. TO AUTHORIZE FOR THE COMPANY’S 2013 INCENTIVE PLAN.
|
[ ] For
|
[ ] Against
|
[ ] Abstain
|
|
Discretionary authority is hereby granted with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND, "FOR" PROPOSAL NUMBERS 2, 3 AND 4 , AND IN THE PROXY'S DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
|
Dated: __________________________, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Signature)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Second signature)
|
|
|
|
|
|
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as your
|
|
|
name appears on your Stock Certificate, indicating where appropriate, official position or representative capacity.
|
|
APPENDIX A
NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
1.1 General.
The purpose of the NetSol Technologies, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the success, and enhance the value, of NetSol Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), by linking the personal interests of its qualified directors, officers, employees and consultants to those of Company shareholders and by providing its qualified directors, officers, employees and consultants with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of employees upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company's operation is largely dependent. Accordingly, the Plan permits the grant of incentive awards from time to time to selected directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
ARTICLE 2
EFFECTIVE DATE
2.1 Effective Date.
The Plan will become effective on May 10, 2011, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan will be deemed to be approved by the shareholders if it receives the approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Laws of the State of Nevada and the Bylaws of the Company. Any Awards granted under the Plan prior to shareholder approval are effective when made (unless the Committee specifies otherwise at the time of grant), but no Award may be exercised or settled and no restrictions relating to any Award may lapse before shareholder approval. If the shareholders fail to approve the Plan within twelve (12) months of February 4, 2013 ,, any Award previously made pursuant to the Plan shall be automatically canceled without any further act.
ARTICLE 3
DEFINITIONS
3.1 Definitions.
When appearing in this Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not commence a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be given the meaning ascribed to it in this Section or in Sections 1.1 or 2.1, unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a)
"Award" means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, or Performance Share Award, or any other right or interest relating to Stock or cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
(b)
"Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.
(c)
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(e)
"Committee" means the committee of the Board described in Article 4.
(f)
"Company" means NetSol Technologies, Inc.
(g)
"Disability" shall mean any illness or other physical or mental condition of a Participant that renders the Participant incapable of performing his customary and usual duties for the Company, or any medically determinable illness or other physical or mental condition resulting from a bodily injury, disease or mental disorder which, in the judgment of the Committee, is permanent and continuous in nature. The Committee may require such medical or other evidence as it deems necessary to judge the nature and permanency of the Participant's condition. Such disability determination shall be made in accordance with Code section 22(e)(3).
(h)
"Effective Date" has the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.1.
(i)
"Fair Market Value" means with respect to Stock or any other property, the fair market value of such Stock or other property determined by such methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee.
(j)
"Incentive Stock Option" means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(k)
"Non-Qualified Stock Option" means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(l)
"Option" means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(m)
"Participant" means a person who, as a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(n)
"Performance Award" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive cash, Stock, or other Awards, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals established by the Committee (includes "Performance Shares" and "Performance Units").
(o)
"Performance Share" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive shares of Company Stock, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals.
(p)
"Performance Units" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive units the value of which is equivalent to $1.00, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals.
(q)
"Plan" means the NetSol Technologies, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(r)
"Restricted Stock Award" means Stock granted to a Participant under Article 10 that is subject to certain restrictions and to risk of forfeiture.
(s)
"Retirement" means a Participant's termination of employment with the Company after attaining any normal or early retirement age specified in any pension, profit sharing or other retirement program sponsored by the Company as provided in the Company's policies or, if earlier, Social Security normal retirement age.
"Stock" means the NetSol Technologies, Inc. $.001 par value common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company as may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Article 12.
(u)
"Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 8 to receive a payment equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock as of the date of exercise of the SAR and the grant price of the SAR, as determined pursuant to Article 8.
(v)
"1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
(w)
"1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE 4
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Committee.
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board who are (i) "outside directors" as that term is used in Section 162 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) "non-employee directors," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16 of the 1934 Act or any successor provision, except as may be otherwise permitted under Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
4.2 Action by the Committee.
For purposes of administering the Plan, the following rules of procedure shall govern the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting who are, at which a quorum is present and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee in lieu of a meeting shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
4.3 Authority of Committee.
The Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:
(a)
Designate Participants;
(b)
Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;
(c)
Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate;
(d)
Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan, including but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(e)
Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be granted, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in (cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property), or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;
(g)
Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(h)
Establish, adopt or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and
(i)
Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required under the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
Decisions Binding.
The Committee is hereby granted discretionary authority to construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan. The Committee's interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted under the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE 5
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
5.1 Number of Shares.
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.1, the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved and available for Awards shall be 1,250,000.
5.2 Lapsed Awards.
To the extent that an Award is canceled, terminates, expires or lapses for any reason, any shares of Stock subject to the Award will again be available for the grant of an Award under the Plan and shares subject to SARs or other Awards settled in cash will be available for the grant of an Award under the Plan.
5.3 Stock Distributed.
Any Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock or Stock purchased on the open market.
5.4 Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards.
Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one Participant over any one calendar year period during the term of the Plan shall not exceed 500,000 in the aggregate.
ARTICLE 6
ELIGIBILITY
6.1 General.
Awards may be granted only to individuals who are directors (including non-employee directors), officers or employees (including employees who also are directors or officers) of or consultants to the Company or to the Company's subsidiaries, as determined by the Committee.
ARTICLE 7
STOCK OPTIONS
7.1 General.
The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants in such amounts as it deems appropriate in its discretion and subject to such conditions and based on such criteria as it may deem advisable (including performance based criteria or conditions) consistent with the other terms of the Plan and the following:
(a)
Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock under an Option shall be determined by the Committee but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the date of the grant.
(b)
Time and Conditions of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. The Committee also shall determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.
(c)
Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Stock, or other property (including "cashless exercise" arrangements), and the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Without limiting the power and discretion conferred on the Committee pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Committee may, in the exercise of its discretion, but need not, allow a Participant to pay the Option price by directing the Company to withhold from the shares of Stock that would otherwise be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of shares having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the Option price, all as determined pursuant to rules and procedures established by the Committee.
(d)
Evidence of Grant. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such provisions as may be specified by the Committee.
(e)
Dividend Equivalents. Any Option may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the Participant on a current, deferred or contingent basis or may provide that Dividend Equivalents be credited against the option price. The right to Dividend Equivalents, if so provided, shall be evidenced in the Award Agreement. Any such right shall be structured in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
7.2 Incentive Stock Options.
The terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan must comply with the following additional rules:
(a)
Exercise Price. Subject to Section 7.2 (e) below, the exercise price per share of Stock shall be set by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for any Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the date of the grant.
(b)
Exercise. Subject to Section 7.2(e) below, in no event may any Incentive Stock Option be exercisable for more than ten (10) years from the date of its grant.
(c)
Lapse of Option. An Option shall lapse under the following circumstances:
(1)
A vested Option shall lapse according to the Stock Option Agreement entered into by the Participant and according to this Plan, provided, however, that vested Incentive Stock Options not exercised within three months after the Participant's termination of employment shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options as defined by the Code.
(2)
If the Participant becomes disabled within the meaning of Disability under Section 3.1(g) of the Plan, then the Option will lapse twelve (12) months after employment ceased due to the Disability.
(3)
If the Participant dies before the Option lapses pursuant to paragraph (1), (2) or (3) or before its original expiration as indicated above, the Incentive Stock Option shall lapse, unless it is previously exercised, on the date on which the Option would have lapsed had the Participant lived and had his employment status (i.e., whether the Participant was employed by the Company on the date of his death or had previously terminated employment) remained unchanged. Upon the Participant's death, any exercisable Incentive Stock Options may be exercised by the Participant's legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so under the Participant's last will and testament, or, if the Participant shall fail to make testamentary disposition of such Incentive Stock Options or shall die intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive such Incentive Stock Options under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(d)
Individual Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Award is made) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.00.
(e)
Ten Percent Owners. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless the exercise price per share of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock at the date of grant and the Option expires no later than five (5) years after the date of grant.
(f)
Expiration of Incentive Stock Options. No Award of an Incentive Stock Option may be made pursuant to the Plan after the day immediately prior to the tenth anniversary of the original Effective Date (i.e., May 10, 2011).
(g)
Right to Exercise. During a Participant's lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.
(h)
Grants only to Employees. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company.
ARTICLE 8
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
8.1 Grant of SARs.
The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(a)
Right to Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Participant to whom it is granted has the right to receive all or a percentage of:
(1)
The Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise, minus,
(2)
The grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee. The grant price of the SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of grant.
(b)
Tandem Awards. SARs may be granted alone or in tandem with options. If a SAR is granted in tandem with an option, the SAR may only be exercised at a time when the related option is exercisable and the difference between the Fair Market Value and the grant price is a positive number. The exercise of the tandem SAR requires the surrender of the related option for cancellation.
Other Terms. All awards of SARs shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. The terms, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR shall be determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award and shall be reflected in the Award Agreement. The grant of any SAR may include the right to Dividend Equivalents as described in Section 7.1(e).
ARTICLE 9
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
9.1 Grant of Performance Awards.
The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants on such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee (which may include Performance Criteria). The Committee shall have the complete discretion to determine the number of Performance Awards granted to each Participant. All grants of Performance Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
9.2 Right to Payment.
A grant of Performance Awards gives the Participant rights, valued as determined by the Committee, and payable to, or exercisable by, the Participant to whom the Performance Awards are granted, in whole or in part, as the Committee shall establish at grant or thereafter. The Committee shall set performance goals and other terms or conditions to payment of the Performance Awards in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and value of Performance Shares that will be paid to the Participant.
9.3 Other Terms.
Performance Awards may be payable in cash, Stock, or other property, and have such other terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and reflected in the Award Agreement.
ARTICLE 10
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock.
The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to Participants in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee. All Awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
10.2 Issuance and Restrictions.
Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may choose to impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. An award of Restricted Stock will provide the Participant with voting, dividend and other ownership rights provided in the Award Agreement.
10.3 Forfeiture.
Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock, that is at that time subject to restrictions, shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may provide in any Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination resulting from any specified cause, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock.
10.4 Certificates for Restricted Stock.
Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
ARTICLE 10A
DEFERRED SHARES
10A.1 Deferred Shares.
The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Deferred Shares to Participants in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee. A Deferred Share Award shall entitle the Participant to receive Stock from the Company in the future in consideration for services performed during the Deferral Period. All services required of the Participant for receipt of the Deferred Share shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
10A.2 Deferral Period.
The "Deferral Period" means the time period mandated by the Award Agreement during which specified services are to be performed by the Participant that will merit receipt of the Deferred Shares.
10A.3 Other Conditions.
The Committee may authorize Dividend Equivalents, defined under Section 7.1(e), to be provided on or after the date of any grant under this Section. During the Deferral Period the Participant has no right to transfer any rights covered by the Award and no right to vote the Stock.
The grant of any Deferred Shares may require the payment of additional consideration. However, in no case shall the additional consideration exceed the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.
ARTICLE 11
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
11.1 Stand-Alone, Tandem, and Substitute Awards.
Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for, any other Award granted under the Plan. If an Award is granted in substitution for another Award, the Committee may require the surrender of such other Award in consideration of the grant of the new Award. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.
11.2 Exchange Provisions.
The Committee may at any time offer to exchange or buy out any previously granted Award for a payment in cash, Stock, or another Award (subject to Section 12.1), based on the terms and conditions the Committee determines and communicates to the Participant at the time the offer is made.
The term of each Award shall be for the period as determined by the Committee, provided that in no event shall the term of any Incentive Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with the Incentive Stock Option exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.
11.4 Form of Payment for Awards.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Award Agreement or any applicable law, payments or transfers to be made by the Company on the grant or exercise of an Award may be made in such form as the Committee determines at or after the time of grant, including without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or any combination, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case determined in accordance with rules adopted by, and at the discretion of, the Committee.
11.5 Limits on Transfer.
No right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be encumbered or pledged to or in favor of any party other than the Company, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company. No Award shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code, if the order satisfies Section 414(p)(1)(A) of the Code.
11.6 Beneficiaries.
Notwithstanding Section 13.5, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant's death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married, a designation of a person other than the Participant's spouse as his beneficiary with respect to more than 50 percent of the Participant's interest in the Award shall not be effective without the written consent of the Participant's spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto under the Participant's will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.
11.7 Stock Certificates.
All Stock certificates delivered under the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock.
11.8 Acceleration Upon Death or Disability.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or any Participant's Award Agreement to the contrary, upon the Participant's death or Disability, all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards in the nature of rights that may be exercised shall become fully exercisable and all restrictions on outstanding Awards shall lapse. Any Option or Stock Appreciation Rights Awards shall then lapse in accordance with the other provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement unless the options have been exercised in full or in part within 60 days of death or disability. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Section 7.2(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
11.9 Acceleration Upon Certain Events.
In the event of (i) the commencement of a public tender offer for all or any portion of the Stock, (ii) a proposal to merge, consolidate or otherwise combine with another company is submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval, or (iii) the Board approves any transaction or event that would constitute a change of control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of the 1934 Act, the Committee may in its sole discretion declare all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards in the nature of rights that may be exercised to become fully exercisable, and/or all restrictions on all outstanding Awards to lapse, in each case as of such date as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, declare, which may be on or before the consummation of such tender offer or other transaction or event. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Section 7.2(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
11.10 Performance Criteria.
Awards other than Options and SARs made pursuant to the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. For purposes of this Plan, such business criteria shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a subsidiary, division or other area of the Company, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years' results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee: (a) cash flow; (b) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"), earnings before taxes ("EBT"), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock option expense ("EBITDASO"), and net earnings); (c) ethical conduct; (d) market share; (e) earnings per share; (f) growth in earnings or earnings per share; (g) stock price; (h) return on equity or average shareholders' equity; (i) total shareholder return; (j) return on capital; (k) return on assets or net assets; (l) return on investment; (m) revenue; (n) income or net income; (o) operating income or net operating income; (p) operating profit or net operating profit; (q) operating margin; (r) return on operating revenue; (s) overhead or other expense reduction; (t) growth in shareholder value relative to the two-year moving average of the S&P 500 Index; (u) growth in shareholder value relative to the two-year moving average of the Dow Jones Industrial Average; (v) credit rating; (w) strategic plan development and implementation; (x) succession plan development and implementation; (y) retention of executive talent; (z) improvement in workforce diversity; (aa) return on average shareholders' equity relative to the ten year treasury yield; (bb) capital resource management plan development and implementation; (cc) improved internal financial controls plan development and implementation; (dd) corporate tax savings; (ee) corporate cost of capital reduction; (ff) investor relations program development and implementation; (gg) corporate relations program development and implementation; (hh) executive performance plan development and implementation; and (ii) tax provision rate for financial statement purposes. The Committee may adjust the performance results to take into account extraordinary, unusual, non-recurring, or non-comparable items. No Award (other than Options and SARs) that is intended to satisfy the requirements for "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code will be payable unless the Committee certifies in writing that the applicable performance goals have been satisfied.
ARTICLE 12
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE
12.1 General.
In the event a stock dividend is declared upon the Stock, the shares of Stock then subject to each Award shall be increased proportionately without any change in the aggregate purchase price therefor. In the event of any change in the number of outstanding shares of Stock, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock available for Awards shall be adjusted proportionately. In the event the Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for a different number or class of shares of stock or securities of the Company or of another company, whether through reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of shares, merger or consolidation, there shall be substituted for each such share of Stock then subject to each Award the number and class of shares into which each outstanding share of Stock shall be so exchanged. The Committee shall make such adjustments to the aggregate purchase price for the shares then subject to each Award as it deems necessary or advisable to put Participants in the same relative position after such change in capital structure as before such change.
ARTICLE 13
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION
13.1 Amendment, Modification and Termination.
With the approval of the Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that no amendment of the Plan may be made without approval of the shareholders of the Company as may be required by the Code, by the insider trading rules of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, by any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed or reported.
13.2 Awards Previously Granted.
No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant.
ARTICLE 14
GENERAL PROVISIONS
14.1 No Rights to Awards.
No Participant or employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants and employees uniformly.
14.2 No shareholder Rights.
No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until shares of Stock are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.
14.3 Withholding.
The Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant's FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan. With respect to withholding required upon any taxable event under the Plan, the Committee may, at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, require that any such withholding requirement be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the amount to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes.
14.4 No Right to Employment.
Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant's employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company.
14.5 Unfunded Status of Awards.
The Plan is intended to be an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.
14.6 Indemnification.
To the extent allowable under applicable law, each member of the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such member may be a party or in which he may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such member in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him provided he gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Bylaws of the Company or as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
14.7 Relationship to Other Benefits.
No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or benefit plan of the Company.
14.8 Expenses.
The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company.
14.9 Titles and Headings.
The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
14.10 Gender and Number.
Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
14.11 Fractional Shares.
No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding up.
14.12 Securities Law Compliance.
With respect to any person who is, on the relevant date, obligated to file reports under Section 16 of the 1934 Act, transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with Rule 16b-3(d) as transactions between the Company and its officers or directors. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be void to the extent permitted by law and voidable as deemed advisable by the Committee.
14.13 Government and Other Regulations.
The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Stock or otherwise shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register under the 1933 Act, any of the shares of Stock paid under the Plan. If the shares paid under the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
14.14 Governing Law.
To the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the state of California.
NetSol Technologies, Inc.
____________________
Najeeb Ghauri,
Chief Executive Officer