def14a
 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

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Synaptics Incorporated


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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(SYNAPTICS LOGO)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
October 19, 2004

     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Synaptics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, in the San Jose Room at the Network Meeting Center located at 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054 for the following purposes:

     1. To elect two directors to serve for three-year terms expiring in 2007.

     2. To approve our 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     3. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005.

     4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2004 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

     All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. To assure your representation at the meeting, however, you are urged to mark, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any stockholder of record attending the meeting may vote in person even if the stockholder previously has returned a proxy.

     
  Sincerely,
 
   
  -s- Russell J. Knittel
San Jose, California
  Russell J. Knittel
September 13, 2004
  Secretary

 


 

(SYNAPTICS LOGO)

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
2381 Bering Drive
San Jose, California 95131

PROXY STATEMENT

VOTING AND OTHER MATTERS

General

     The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of Synaptics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, by our Board of Directors for use at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 9:00 a.m., or at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and in the accompanying meeting notice. The meeting will be held in the San Jose Room at the Network Meeting Center located at 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054.

     These proxy solicitation materials were first mailed on or about September 15, 2004 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

Voting Securities and Voting Rights

     Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2004, which we have set as the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On the record date, there were issued and outstanding 25,113,208 shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share.

     The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Each stockholder voting at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, may cast one vote per share of common stock held on all matters to be voted on at the meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, the two persons receiving the highest number of “for” votes of common stock of our company present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote (a plurality) will be elected as directors. Assuming that a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock of our company present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote is required for the approval of our 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005.

     Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be tabulated by the election inspectors appointed for the meeting and will determine whether a quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.

Voting of Proxies

     When a proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting as directed. If no specification is indicated, the shares will be voted (1) “for” the election of the nominees for directors set forth in this proxy statement; (2) “for” the approval of our 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (3) “for” the ratification of the appointment of

 


 

KPMG LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005; and (4) as the persons specified in the proxy deem advisable on any such other matters as may come before the meeting.

Revocability of Proxies

     Any stockholder giving a proxy may revoke the proxy at any time before its use by delivering to us either a written notice of revocation, by delivering to us a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

Solicitation

     We will bear the cost of this solicitation. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies also may be solicited by certain of our directors and officers, personally or by telephone or e-mail, without additional compensation.

Annual Report and Other Matters

     Our 2004 Annual Report to Stockholders, which was mailed to stockholders with or preceding this proxy statement, contains financial and other information about our company, but is not incorporated into this proxy statement and is not to be considered a part of these proxy soliciting materials or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The information contained in the “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation,” “Audit Committee Report,” and “Performance Graph” below shall not be deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

     We will provide upon written request, without charge to each stockholder of record as of the record date, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004 as filed with the SEC. Any exhibits listed in the Form 10-K report also will be furnished upon request at the actual expense we incur in furnishing such exhibits. Any such requests should be directed to our company’s Secretary at our executive offices set forth in this proxy statement.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees

     Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of our Board of Directors. Currently, the number of directors is fixed at five and that number of directors is divided into three classes, with one class standing for election each year for a three-year term. The Board of Directors has nominated Federico Faggin and W. Ronald Van Dell for election as Class 2 directors for three-year terms expiring in 2007 or until their successors have been elected and qualified.

     Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the nominees named above. Messrs. Faggin and Van Dell currently are directors of our company. In the event that Mr. Faggin or Mr. Van Dell is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the current Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that either Mr. Faggin or Mr. Van Dell will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.

     The Board of Directors recommends a vote “for” the nominees named herein.

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     The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and the nominees for directors:

                     
Name
  Age
  Position
  Term Expires
Federico Faggin
    62     Chairman of the Board     2004  
Francis F. Lee
    52     President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director     2005  
Keith B. Geeslin
    51     Director     2006  
Richard L. Sanquini
    69     Director     2005  
W. Ronald Van Dell
    47     Director     2004  

     Federico Faggin co-founded our company and has served as its Chairman of the Board since January 1999. He served as a director, President and Chief Executive Officer from March 1987 to December 1998. Mr. Faggin is currently President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of Foveon, Inc., a private company that develops advanced image sensing technology. He is also a director of BlueArc, Inc.; Zilog, Inc., a public company that is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of integrated microcontroller products; and Chairman of the Board of Integrated Device Technology, Inc., a public company that is a producer of integrated circuits. Mr. Faggin also co-founded Cygnet Technologies, Inc. in 1982 and Zilog, Inc. in 1974. Mr. Faggin served as Department Manager in Research and Development at Intel Corporation from 1970 to 1974 and led the design and development of the world’s first microprocessor and more than 25 integrated circuits. In 1968, Mr. Faggin was employed by Fairchild Semiconductor and led the development of the original MOS Silicon Gate Technology and designed the world’s first commercial integrated circuit to use such technology. He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the 1988 International Marconi Fellowship Award, the 1994 IEEE W. Wallace McDowell Award, and the 1997 Kyoto Prize. In addition, in 1996, Mr. Faggin was inducted in the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame for the co-invention of the microprocessor. Mr. Faggin holds a doctorate in physics, summa cum laude, from the University of Padua, Italy. He also holds honorary doctorate degrees in computer science from the University of Milan, Italy and in electrical engineering from the University of Rome, Italy.

     Francis F. Lee has served as a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of our company since December 1998. He was a consultant from August 1998 to November 1998. From May 1995 until July 1998, Mr. Lee served as General Manager of NSM, a Hong Kong-based joint venture between National Semiconductor Corporation and S. Megga. Mr. Lee held a variety of executive positions for National Semiconductor from 1988 until August 1995. These positions included Vice President of Communication and Computing Group, Vice President of Quality and Reliability, Director of Standard Logic Business Unit, and various other operations and engineering management positions. Mr. Lee has been a director of Foveon, Inc. since March 2004. Mr. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in electrical engineering from the University of California at Davis.

     Keith B. Geeslin has been a director of our company since 1986 . Mr. Geeslin has been a General Partner of Francisco Partners, a firm specializing in structured investments in technology companies undergoing strategic, technological, and operational inflection points, since January 2004. From 2001 until October 2003, Mr. Geeslin served as Managing General Partner of the Sprout Group, a venture capital firm, with which he became associated in 1988. In addition, Mr. Geeslin served as a general or limited partner in a series of investment funds associated with the Sprout Group, a division of DLJ Capital Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Credit Suisse First Boston (USA), Inc. Mr. Geeslin is currently a director of Paradyne Networks Inc., a public company that produces communication products for network service providers and business customers. Mr. Geeslin is also a director of several privately held companies. He has also served as a director of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists. Mr. Geeslin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Engineering and Economic Systems from Stanford University and a Masters of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University.

     Richard L. Sanquini has been a director of our company since 1994. Mr. Sanquini is currently a consultant for Foveon, Inc., National Semiconductor, and several privately held companies. From January 1999 to November 1999, Mr. Sanquini served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer and Commercial Group of National Semiconductor; from April 1998 to December 1998, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cyrix Group of National Semiconductor; from November 1997 to March 1998, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Personal Systems Group of National Semiconductor; from April 1996 to October 1997, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Corporate Strategy, Business

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Development, and Intellectual Property Protection Group of National Semiconductor; and from December 1995 to March 1996, he served as Senior Vice President of the Business Development and Intellectual Property Protection Group of National Semiconductor. Prior to National Semiconductor, he was with RCA, where he directed its memory and microprocessor businesses. Mr. Sanquini holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Wisconsin.

     W. Ronald Van Dell has been a director of our company since April 2002. Mr. Van Dell has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Primarion, Inc., a mixed signal semiconductor company, since March 2004. Mr. Van Dell served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Legerity, a fabless analog/mixed-signal semiconductor company, from December 2000 until February 2004. Prior to joining Legerity, from July 1999 until December 2000, Mr. Van Dell served as General Manager for Dell Computer’s Dimension product line. Prior to joining Dell Computer, Mr. Van Dell served from November 1997 until July 1999 as Vice President and General Manager of the communication integrated circuit business, and from August 1995 until October 1997 as Vice President and General Manager of worldwide marketing and sales, for Harris Semiconductor (now Intersil Corporation). Mr. Van Dell has been a member of the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Information Relating to Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors

     Our Board of Directors has determined, after considering all the relevant facts and circumstances, that Messrs. Faggin, Geeslin, Sanquini, and Van Dell are independent directors, as “independence” is defined by Nasdaq, because they have no relationship with us that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment. Mr. Lee is an employee director.

     Our bylaws authorize our Board of Directors to appoint among its members one or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors. Our Board of Directors has established three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. The members of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee consist entirely of independent directors.

     Our Board of Directors has adopted charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committees describing the authority and responsibilities delegated to each committee by the board. Our Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Conduct, and a Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers. We post on our website at www.synaptics.com, the charters of our Audit, Compensation, and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committees; our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, and Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, and any amendments or waivers thereto; and any other corporate governance materials contemplated by SEC or Nasdaq regulations. These documents are also available in print to any stockholder requesting a copy in writing from our corporate secretary at our executive offices set forth in this proxy statement.

     We regularly schedule executive sessions at which independent directors meet without the presence or participation of management. The presiding director of such executive session rotates among the Chairs of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee.

     Interested parties may communicate with our Board of Directors or specific members of our Board of Directors, including our independent directors and the members of our various board committees, by submitting a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of Synaptics Incorporated c/o any specified individual director or directors at the address listed herein. Any such letters are sent to the indicated directors.

     The Audit Committee

     The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the financial and reporting processes of our company and the audits of the financial statements of our company and to provide assistance to our Board of Directors with respect to the oversight of the integrity of the financial statements of our company, our company’s compliance with legal and regulatory matters, the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and the performance of our company’s independent auditor. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter and include various matters with respect to the oversight of our company’s accounting and financial reporting process and audits of the financial statements of our company on behalf of our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee

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also selects the independent auditor to conduct the annual audit of the financial statements of our company; reviews the proposed scope of such audit; reviews accounting and financial controls of our company with the independent auditor and our financial accounting staff; and reviews and approves transactions between us and our directors, officers, and their affiliates.

     The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Geeslin, Sanquini, and Van Dell, each of whom is an independent director of our company under Nasdaq rules as well as under rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Geeslin (whose background is detailed above) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Mr. Geeslin serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

     The Compensation Committee

     The purpose of the Compensation Committee includes determining, or recommending to our Board of Directors for determination, the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers of our company and discharging the responsibilities of our Board of Directors relating to compensation programs of our company. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Faggin, Geeslin, and Sanquini, with Mr. Sanquini serving as Chairman.

     The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee

     The purposes of the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee include the selection or recommendation to the Board of Directors of nominees to stand for election as directors at each election of directors, the oversight of the selection and composition of committees of the Board of Directors, the oversight of the evaluations of the Board of Directors and management, and the development and recommendation to the Board of Directors of a set of corporate governance principles applicable to our company. The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Messrs. Geeslin, Sanquini, and Van Dell, with Mr. Van Dell serving as Chairman.

     The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by stockholders for inclusion as nominees for election to our Board of Directors if the names, biographical data, and qualifications of such persons are submitted in writing in a timely manner addressed and delivered to our company’s corporate secretary at the address listed herein. The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and evaluates nominees for our Board of Directors, including nominees recommended by stockholders, based on numerous factors it considers appropriate, some of which may include strength of character, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills, diversity, and the extent to which the nominee would fill a present need on our Board of Directors. As discussed above, the members of the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee are independent, as that term is defined by Nasdaq.

     The Board of Directors held a total of four meetings during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004. The Audit Committee met separately at five meetings during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004. The Compensation Committee held a total of five meetings during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004. The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors held during fiscal 2004, and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of our Board of Directors on which such person served during fiscal 2004.

Director Compensation

     We pay each non-employee director an annual retainer of $10,000 in cash or stock at the director’s election, provided such election is made six months in advance of the annual retainer payment date. We also pay a fee of $2,000 to each non-employee director for attendance at each board meeting in person and $500 for attendance at each board meeting by teleconference as well as a fee of $1,000 (or $2,000 for the committee chair) for each committee meeting attended. In addition, directors are eligible to receive grants of stock options under our 2001 incentive compensation plan, with the option grant for the Chairman of the Board fixed at options for 18,750 shares annually. Newly elected non-employee directors receive an initial option grant to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock in lieu of any annual option grant during the first year of service. We reimburse non-employee directors for their expenses for attending board and committee meetings.

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     During fiscal 2004, we granted options to purchase shares of common stock to the following non-employee directors: options to purchase 18,750 shares at an exercise price of $16.40 were granted to Mr. Faggin; options to purchase 12,500 shares at an exercise price of $16.40 per share were granted to Mr. Geeslin; options to purchase 12,500 shares at an exercise price of $16.40 were granted to Mr. Sanquini; and options to purchase 12,500 shares at an exercise price of $16.40 were granted to Mr. Van Dell. Twenty-five percent of the options granted to each director will vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and options to purchase 1/48th of the total number of options granted to each director will vest and become exercisable each month thereafter.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the total compensation earned for services provided to us in all capacities by our Chief Executive Officer and our four next most highly compensated executive officers whose aggregate compensation exceeded $100,000 during fiscal 2004, whom we refer to as the named executive officers.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                                         
                            Long-Term    
                            Compensation
   
                            Awards    
    Annual Compensation(1)  
Securities
  All Other
   
  Underlying   Compensation
Name and Principal Position
  Year
  Salary ($)
  Bonus ($)
  Options (#)(2)
  ($)(3)
Francis F. Lee
    2004     $ 280,000     $ 470,000       200,000     $ 800  
President and Chief
    2003       278,000       175,000       200,000        
Executive Officer
    2002       230,000       230,000       200,000        
 
Donald E. Kirby
    2004     $ 221,001     $ 200,000       50,000     $ 651  
Senior Vice President and
    2003       213,000       75,000       50,000        
General Manager PC Products
    2002       205,000       133,000       55,000        
 
Russell J. Knittel
    2004     $ 210,000     $ 210,000       55,000     $ 1,050  
Senior Vice President, Chief
    2003       208,000       74,000       50,000        
Financial Officer, Chief
    2002       200,000       125,000       15,000        
Administrative Officer, and Secretary
                                       
 
Shawn P. Day, Ph.D.
    2004     $ 185,000     $ 131,000       30,000     $ 660  
Vice President of Research
    2003       183,000       46,000       20,000        
and Development
    2002       178,000       69,000       25,000        
 
Thomas D. Spade
    2004     $ 325,401             30,000     $ 702  
Vice President of
    2003       259,108             30,000        
Worldwide Sales
    2002       242,211             25,000        


(1)   Executive officers received certain perquisites, the value of which did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of that officer’s salary and bonus during fiscal 2004.
 
(2)   The exercise price of all stock options granted was equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
 
(3)   Amounts shown represent matching contributions to our company’s 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2004.

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Option Grants

     The table below provides information about the stock options granted to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004. These options were granted under our 2001 incentive compensation plan and have a term of 10 years. The options may terminate earlier if the optionholder stops providing services to us.

     The percentage of total options in the table below was calculated based on options to purchase an aggregate of 1,260,500 shares of our common stock granted to our employees in fiscal 2004.

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

                                                 
    Individual Grants
  Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
    Number of   Percent of                   Annual Rates of
    Securities   Total Options                   Stock Price Appreciation
    Underlying   Granted to                   for Option Term(2)
    Options   Employees in   Exercise   Expiration  
Name
  Granted(#)(1)
  Fiscal Year
  Price($/Sh)
  Date
  5%
  10%
Francis F. Lee
    200,000       15.9 %   $ 16.40       01/21/2014     $ 2,062,774     $ 5,227,475  
Donald E. Kirby
    50,000       4.0 %   $ 9.96       08/07/2013     $ 313,190     $ 793,684  
Russell J. Knittel
    55,000       4.4 %   $ 9.96       08/07/2013     $ 344,508     $ 873,052  
Shawn P. Day, Ph.D.
    30,000       2.4 %   $ 9.96       08/07/2013     $ 187,914     $ 476,210  
Thomas D. Spade
    30,000       2.4 %   $ 9.96       08/07/2013     $ 187,914     $ 476,210  


(1)   Twenty-five percent of the options granted to each of the named officers will vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and 1/48th of the total number of options granted to each of the named officers will vest and become exercisable each month thereafter.
 
(2)   Potential gains are net of the exercise price, but before taxes associated with the exercise. Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. The assumed 5% and 10% rates of stock price appreciation are provided in accordance with the rules of the SEC and do not represent our estimate or projection of the future price of our company’s common stock. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will depend upon the future market prices of our common stock.

Option Exercises and Option Holdings

     The following table describes, for the named executive officers, the number of shares acquired and the value realized upon exercise of stock options during fiscal 2004 and the exercisable and unexercisable options held by them as of June 26, 2004.

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

                                                 
                    Number of Securities   Value of Unexercised
                Underlying Unexercised   In-The-Money Options at
    Shares
Acquired on
  Value   Options at June 26, 2004 (#)
  June 26, 2004 ($) (1)
    Exercise (#)
  Realized ($)
  Exercisable
  Unexercisable
  Exercisable
  Unexercisable
Francis F. Lee
    0     $ 0       558,332       666,668     $ 9,775,811     $ 6,771,189  
Donald E. Kirby
    75,499     $ 1,059,787       216,269       103,232     $ 3,509,987     $ 1,232,751  
Russell J. Knittel.
    50,000     $ 725,335       140,102       124,898     $ 2,292,856     $ 1,418,744  
Shawn P. Day, Ph.D.
    30,000     $ 490,000       81,664       83,336     $ 1,372,526     $ 1,034,574  
Thomas D. Spade
    83,580     $ 1,110,958       28,756       85,835     $ 446,872     $ 1,060,709  


(1)   Calculated based upon the June 25, 2004, Nasdaq National Market closing price of $19.96 per share, multiplied by the number of shares held, less the aggregate exercise price for such shares.

Employment Agreements

     We have no written employment contracts with our executive officers or directors. We do have, however, Change of Control and Severance Agreements or signed terms-and-conditions agreements with certain employees. We offer our employees medical, dental, vision, life, a 401(k) match, employee stock purchase plan, and disability insurance benefits. Our executive officers and other key personnel are eligible to receive incentive bonuses and are eligible to receive stock options under our stock option plans.

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Severance Policy

     We maintain a severance policy for certain executive officers designated by our Board of Directors and who have completed at least one full year of employment with our company. Under the policy, we will pay base salary and targeted bonus and maintain benefits following a termination of employment without cause for one year in the case of the Chief Executive Officer and six months in the case of the other designated executive officers and continue to vest stock options for one year in the case of the Chief Executive Officer and six months in the case of the other designated executive officers unless the options provide otherwise. In the event of death, we will pay to the estate of the executive the executive’s base salary and targeted bonus for one year in the case of the Chief Executive Officer and 50% of the base salary and targeted bonus in the case of the other designated executive officers. Messrs. Lee, Kirby, and Knittel currently are subject to the severance policy.

     At the commencement of his employment in April 2000, our company agreed to provide Mr. Knittel with six months severance pay in the event of a change of control or a constructive termination as a result of reduced responsibilities or stature within our company. Various outstanding stock options are not covered by the severance policy. Messrs. Lee, Kirby, and Knittel hold options for 200,000, 50,000, and 50,000 shares, respectively, that provide for immediate vesting of 100% of unvested options upon a change of control. Messrs. Faggin, Lee, and Knittel hold other options that provide for an acceleration of vesting in the event of a change of control; however, these options are now fully vested based on the standard 48-month vesting terms provided for in the original stock option grant agreements. Subsequent to the fiscal year end, Mr. Kirby and Mr. Knittel were granted options for 50,000 and 55,000 shares, respectively, that provide for vesting upon a change of control in accordance with the terms of the Change of Control and Severance Agreements described below.

Change of Control and Severance Agreements

     We are a party to a Change of Control and Severance Agreement with each of Francis F. Lee, Donald J. Kirby, and Russell J. Knittel. The agreements become effective upon a change of control of our company as defined in the agreements. Under the agreements, each of the executives has agreed to remain employed by our company or its successor for a rolling one-year period after a change of control upon the same terms and conditions that existed immediately prior to the change of control and to refrain from competing with our company during the term of employment and while any severance payments are being made. The agreements provide for the payment by our company, for one year after termination of employment by our company without good cause or by the executive for good reason, as defined in the agreements, or by the executive for any reason during the 30-day period following the first anniversary of the change of control, of compensation equal to the greater of two times the average of the base salary and bonus for the two years prior to such termination or the base salary and targeted bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs in the case of Mr. Lee and the greater of the average of the base salary and bonus for the two years prior to such termination or the base salary and targeted bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs in the case of Messrs. Kirby and Knittel. In the case of such termination, the agreements also provide for the continuation of insurance coverage on the executive and the executive’s family for two years in the case of Mr. Lee and one year in the case of Messrs. Kirby and Knittel. In addition, the agreements provide for the continuation of base salary payments and benefit coverage for the executive’s family for a period of 12 months after the death of the executive and for the payment in the event of disability of a lump sum equal to the greater of two times the average of the base salary and bonus for the two fiscal years prior to such termination or the executive’s base salary and targeted bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs in the case of Mr. Lee and the greater of the average of the base salary and bonus for the two fiscal years prior to such termination or the executive’s base salary and targeted bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs in the case of Messrs. Kirby and Knittel. The agreements provide that in the event of a change of control 50% of unvested options vest immediately and the remaining 50% of unvested options vest immediately if the executive is terminated by our company without good cause or by the executive for good reason. All vested options, including those vesting under the terms of the agreements, will be exercisable during their full term in the event of a change of control.

Indemnification Under our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

     Our certificate of incorporation provides that no director will be personally liable to our company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption or limitation of liability is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The effect of this provision in the certificate of incorporation is to eliminate the rights of our company and its stockholders, either directly or through stockholders’ derivative suits brought on behalf of our company, to recover monetary damages from a

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director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director except in those instances described under the Delaware General Corporation Law. In addition, we have adopted provisions in our bylaws and entered into indemnification agreements that require us to indemnify our directors, officers, and certain other representatives of our company against expenses and certain other liabilities arising out of their conduct on behalf of our company to the maximum extent and under all circumstances permitted by law. Indemnification may not apply in certain circumstances to actions arising under the federal securities laws.

1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1986 Supplemental Stock Option Plan

     Our 1986 incentive stock option plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options to our key employees, including employee directors. Our 1986 supplemental stock option plan provided for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to employees, directors, and consultants. As of June 26, 2004, there were outstanding options to acquire 6,269 shares of our common stock under the two 1986 plans. The 1986 incentive stock option plan and the 1986 supplemental stock option plan expired in November 1996, and no additional options will be issued under those plans. The expiration date, the maximum number of shares purchasable, and the other provisions of the options, including vesting provisions, were established at the time of grant. Options were granted for terms of up to 10 years and became exercisable in whole or in one or more installments at such time as was determined by the administrator upon the grant of the options.

     Under the 1986 incentive stock option plan, exercise prices of options are equal to not less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the grant. Under the 1986 supplemental stock option plan, exercise prices of options are equal to not less than 85% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the grant. The exercise price for any options granted under the 1986 incentive stock option plan and the 1986 supplemental stock option plan may be paid in cash, in shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date, or in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board of Directors or administrator in their discretion. In addition, the administrator may provide financial assistance to one or more optionees in the exercise of their outstanding options by allowing any such individual to deliver an interest-bearing promissory note in payment of the exercise price and any associated withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise or purchase. In the event of a change of control of our company, we would expect that options outstanding under the 1986 incentive stock option plan and the 1986 supplemental stock option plan at the time of the transaction would be assumed or replaced with substitute options by the acquiror. If our acquiror did not agree to assume or replace outstanding awards, either the exercise period of all options would accelerate and terminate if not exercised upon consummation of the acquisition, or such options would remain in effect. Outstanding awards under the 1986 incentive stock option plan and the 1986 supplemental stock option plan will be adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar change in our capital stock without the receipt of consideration by us.

1996 Stock Option Plan

     Our 1996 stock option plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees, including employee directors, and of nonstatutory stock options to employees, directors, and consultants. The purposes of the 1996 stock option plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to our employees and consultants, and to promote the success of our business. The 1996 stock option plan was originally adopted by our Board of Directors in December 1996 and approved by our stockholders in November 1996. The 1996 stock option plan provides for the issuance of options and rights to purchase up to 5,380,918 shares of our common stock. Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, the 1996 stock option plan will terminate in December 2006.

     As of June 26, 2004, options to purchase 2,248,297 shares of common stock were outstanding under the 1996 stock option plan and 2,819,160 shares had been issued upon exercise of outstanding options.

     The 1996 stock option plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of the board, each known as the administrator. The administrator determines the terms of options granted under the 1996 stock option plan, including the number of shares subject to the award, the exercise or purchase price, the vesting and exercisability of the award, and any other conditions to which the award is subject. Incentive stock options granted under the 1996 stock option plan must have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant (110% if the option is granted to a stockholder who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock).

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Nonstatutory stock options granted under the 1996 stock option plan must have an exercise price of at least 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant (110% if the option is granted to a stockholder who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock). The exercise price for any options granted under the 1996 stock option plan may be paid in cash, in shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date, or in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board of Directors or administrator in their discretion. The option may also be exercised through a same-day sale program without any cash outlay by the optionee. In addition, the administrator may provide financial assistance to one or more optionees in the exercise of their outstanding options by allowing any such individual to deliver an interest-bearing promissory note in payment of the exercise price and any associated withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise or purchase.

     With respect to options granted under the 1996 stock option plan, the administrator determines the term of options, which may not exceed 10 years, or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of our stock. An option is nontransferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee. Stock options are generally subject to vesting, meaning that the optionee earns the right to exercise the option over a specified period of time only if he or she continues to provide services to our company over that period.

     If our company or its business is acquired by another corporation, we would expect that options outstanding under the 1996 stock option plan at the time of the transaction would be assumed or replaced with substitute options by our acquiror. If our acquiror did not agree to assume or replace outstanding awards, all options would terminate upon consummation of the acquisition. Outstanding awards and the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 1996 stock option plan will adjust in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar change in our capital stock without the receipt of consideration by us. The administrator has the authority to amend or terminate the 1996 stock option plan, but no action may be taken that impairs the rights of any holder of an outstanding option without the holder’s consent. In addition, we must obtain stockholder approval of amendments to the plan as required by applicable law.

2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

     Our 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to employees and consultants. The purposes of the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to our employees and consultants, and to promote the success of our business. The 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan was adopted by our Board of Directors in September 2000. The 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to 200,000 shares of our common stock. As of June 26, 2004, there were outstanding options to acquire 149,636 shares of our common stock. Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan will terminate in September 2010.

     The 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of the board, each known as the administrator. The administrator determines the terms of options granted under the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan, including the number of shares subject to the award, the exercise or purchase price, the vesting and/or exercisability of the award, and any other conditions to which the award is subject. The exercise price for any options granted under the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan may be paid in cash, in shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date, or in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board of Directors or administrator in their discretion. The option may also be exercised through a same-day sale program without any cash outlay by the optionee. In addition, the administrator may provide financial assistance to one or more optionees in the exercise of their outstanding options by allowing such individuals to deliver an interest-bearing promissory note in payment of the exercise price and any associated withholding taxes incurred in connection with such exercise or purchase. The term of options granted under the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan may not exceed 10 years.

     If our company or its business is acquired by another corporation, we would expect that options outstanding under the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan at the time of the transaction would be assumed or replaced with substitute options by our acquiror. If our acquiror did not agree to assume or replace outstanding awards, all options would terminate upon consummation of the acquisition. Outstanding awards and the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan will be adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar change in our capital stock. The administrator has the authority to amend or

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terminate the 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan, but no action may be taken that impairs the rights of any holder of an outstanding option without the holder’s consent.

2001 Incentive Compensation Plan

     Our 2001 incentive compensation plan is designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward our executives, employees, officers, directors, and independent contractors, by providing such persons with annual and long-term performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value. The 2001 incentive compensation plan was adopted by our Board of Directors in March 2001 and approved by our stockholders in November 2001. Under the 2001 incentive compensation plan, an aggregate of 2,379,782 shares of common stock as of the end of fiscal 2004 may be issued pursuant to the granting of options to acquire common stock, the direct granting of restricted common stock and deferred stock, the granting of stock appreciation rights, or the granting of dividend equivalents. On the first day of each calendar quarter, an additional number of shares equal to 1 1/2% of the total number of shares then outstanding will be added to the number of shares that may be subject to the granting of awards. As of June 26, 2004, there were outstanding options to acquire 3,026,479 shares of our common stock under the 2001 incentive compensation plan and 260,932 shares had been issued upon exercise of outstanding options.

     The 2001 incentive compensation plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of the board. The Board of Directors or committee determines the persons to receive awards, the type and number of awards to be granted, the vesting and exercisability of the awards, and any other conditions to which the awards are subject. Awards may be settled in the form of cash, shares of common stock, other awards, or other property in the discretion of the committee or the Board of Directors.

     The Board of Directors or committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability, the lapsing of restrictions, or the expiration of deferral or vesting periods of any award, and such accelerated exercisability, lapse, expiration, and, if so provided in the award agreement, vesting will occur automatically in the case of a “change in control” of our company. In addition, the committee or the Board of Directors may provide in an award agreement that the performance goals relating to any performance-based award will be deemed to have been met upon the occurrence of any change in control. Upon the occurrence of a change in control, if so provided in the award agreement, stock options and certain stock appreciation rights may be cashed out based on a “change in control price,” which will be the higher of (1) the cash and fair market value of property that is the highest price per share paid in any reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or sale of substantially all assets of our company, or (2) the highest fair market value per share at any time during the 60 days before and 60 days after a change in control.

     The Board of Directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the 2001 incentive compensation plan or the committee’s authority to grant awards without further stockholder approval, except stockholder approval must be obtained for any amendment or alteration if such approval is required by law or regulation or under the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which shares of our common stock are then listed or quoted. Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, the 2001 incentive compensation plan will terminate at such time as no shares of common stock remain available for issuance under the plan and we have no further rights or obligations with respect to outstanding awards under the plan.

2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     Our 2001 employee stock purchase plan is designed to encourage stock ownership in our company by our employees, thereby enhancing employee interest in our continued success. The plan was adopted by our Board of Directors in February 2001 and approved by our stockholders in November 2001. One million shares of our common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the plan. An annual increase is made equal to the lesser of 500,000 shares, 1% of all shares of common stock outstanding, or a lesser amount determined by the Board of Directors. As of June 26, 2004, there were 904,642 shares reserved for issuance under the plan. During fiscal 2004, 165,833 shares of common stock were issued under the plan.

     The plan is currently administered by our Board of Directors. Under the plan’s terms, however, the board may appoint a committee to administer the plan. The plan gives broad powers to the board or the committee to administer and interpret the plan.

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     The plan permits employees to purchase our common stock at a favorable price and possibly with favorable tax consequences to the participants. All employees of our company or of those subsidiaries designated by the board who are regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for more than five months per year are eligible to participate in any of the purchase periods of the plan after completing 90 days of continuous employment. However, any participant who would own (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code), immediately after the grant of an option, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the stock of our company will not be granted an option under the plan.

     The plan is implemented in a series of successive offering periods, each having a maximum duration of 24 months. If the fair market value per share of our common stock on any purchase date is less than the fair market value per share on the start date of a 24-month offering period, then that offering period will automatically terminate, and a new 24-month offering period will begin on the next business day. All participants in the terminated offering will be transferred to the new offering period.

     Eligible employees may elect to participate in the plan on January 1 or July 1 of each year. Subject to certain limitations determined in accordance with calculations set forth in the plan, a participating employee is granted the right to purchase shares of common stock on the last business day on or before each June 30 and December 31 during which the employee is a participant in the plan. Upon enrollment in the plan, the participant authorizes a payroll deduction, on an after-tax basis, in an amount of not less than 1% and not more than 15% of the participant’s compensation on each payroll date. Payment on the initial purchase date in the first offering period will be a lump-sum payment unless the participant elects otherwise. Unless the participant withdraws from the plan, the participant’s option for the purchase of shares will be exercised automatically on each exercise date, and the maximum number of full shares subject to the option will be purchased for the participant at the applicable exercise price with the accumulated plan contributions then credited to the participant’s account under the plan. The option exercise price per share may not be less than 85% of the lower of the market price on the first day of the offering period or the market price on the exercise date, unless the participant’s entry date is not the first day of the offering period, in which case the exercise price may not be lower than 85% of the greater of the market price on the first day of the offering period or the market price of the common stock on the entry date.

     As required by tax law, no participant may receive an option under the plan for shares that have a fair market value in excess of $25,000 for any calendar year, determined at the time the option is granted. Any funds not used to purchase shares will remain credited to the participant’s bookkeeping account and applied to the purchase of shares of common stock in the next succeeding purchase period. No interest is paid on funds withheld, and those funds are used by our company for general operating purposes.

     No plan contributions or options granted under the plan are assignable or transferable, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as provided under the plan. During the lifetime of a participant, an option is exercisable only by that participant. The expiration date of the plan will be determined by the board and may be made any time following the close of any six-month exercise period, but may not be longer than 10 years from the date of the first grant. If our company dissolves or liquidates, the offering period will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of that action, unless otherwise provided by the board. In the event of a merger or a sale of all or substantially all of our company’s assets, each option under the plan will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation, unless the board, in its sole discretion, accelerates the date on which the options may be exercised. The unexercised portion of any option granted to an employee under the plan will be automatically terminated immediately upon the termination for any reason, including retirement or death, of the employee’s employment.

     The plan provides for adjustment of the number of shares for which options may be granted, the number of shares subject to outstanding options, and the exercise price of outstanding options in the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued and outstanding shares as a result of one or more reorganizations, restructurings, recapitalizations, reclassifications, stock splits, reverse stock splits, or stock dividends.

     The board or the committee may amend, suspend, or terminate the plan at any time, provided that such amendment may not adversely affect the rights of the holder of an option and the plan may not be amended if such amendment would in any way cause rights issued under the plan to fail to meet the requirements for employee stock purchase plans as defined in Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, or would cause the plan to fail to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

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     Our stockholders will not have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for the shares reserved for issuance under the plan. If any option granted under the plan expires or terminates for any reason other than having been exercised in full, the unpurchased shares subject to that option will again be available for purposes of the plan.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

     In July 1991, we adopted a 401(k) retirement savings plan for which our employees generally are eligible. The plan is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, so that contributions to the plan by employees or by us and the investment earnings on the contributions are not taxable to the employees until withdrawn. Our contributions are deductible by us when made. Our employees may elect to reduce their current compensation by an amount equal to the maximum of 25% of total annual compensation or the annual limit permitted by law and to have those funds contributed to the plan. We provide matching funds of 10% of the employee’s contribution up to a maximum of $1,300.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

     The following table sets forth information with respect to our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options under our 1986 incentive stock option plan and 1986 supplemental stock option plan, 1996 stock option plan, 2000 nonstatutory stock option plan, and 2001 incentive compensation plan as of June 26, 2004.

                         
                    (c) Number of Securities
    (a) Number of   (b) Weighted-   Remaining Available for
    Securities to be   Average Exercise   Future Issuance Under
    Issued Upon Exercise   Price of   Equity Compensation
    of Outstanding   Outstanding   Plans (Excluding
    Options, Warrants,   Options, Warrants,   Securities Reflected in
Plan Category
  and Rights
  and Rights
  Column(a))
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders
    5,281,045     $ 6.90       2,595,463  
 
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Stockholders
    149,636     $ 5.85       34,000  
 
   
 
             
 
 
Total
    5,430,681     $ 6.87       2,629,463  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Introduction

     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of our company consists exclusively of non-employee directors. The committee is responsible for reviewing and establishing compensation practices, executive salary levels, and variable compensation programs, both cash-based and equity-based. The committee generally reviews base salary levels for executive officers at the beginning of each fiscal year and sets actual bonuses at the end of each fiscal year based upon individual executive performance and the performance of our company.

     Richard L. Sanquini is the Chairman of the committee, and Federico Faggin and Keith B. Geeslin are the other committee members.

Philosophy

     Our executive compensation program seeks to provide a level of compensation that is competitive with companies similar in both size and industry. The committee obtains the comparative data used to assess competitiveness from a variety of resources. Actual total compensation levels may differ from competitive levels in surveyed companies as a result of annual and long-term company performance, as well as individual performance.

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The committee uses its discretion to establish executive compensation when, in its judgment, external, internal, or an individual’s circumstances warrant.

Compensation Program

     The primary components of executive compensation consist of base salary, annual incentive bonuses, and stock option grants.

     Base Salary

     The committee establishes salaries for executive officers based on the overall performance of our company and an evaluation of individual executive performance. The committee makes final decisions on any adjustments to the base salary for executives in conjunction with the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The committee’s evaluation of the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer considers the same factors outlined above and is subjective, with no particular weight assigned to any one factor. Base salaries for the executive officers were not materially increased in fiscal 2004.

     Annual Incentive Bonuses

     Annual bonuses are intended to provide incentive compensation to key officers and employees who contribute substantially to the success of our company. The granting of such awards is based upon the achievement of company performance objectives and predefined individual performance objectives. Individual performance objectives are developed for every senior level manager and key employee early in each fiscal year. After the first half of the year and upon the close of each fiscal year, executive management and the committee conduct an assessment of individual performance achieved versus individual performance objectives for our officers. This assessment may include but not be limited to individual responsibility, performance, and compensation level. Simultaneously, the Board of Directors conducts an assessment of our company’s overall performance to date, which may include but not be limited to the achievement of sales, net income, and other performance criteria. The combination of these factors determines any incentive bonuses to be paid.

     Based on both individual performances and the assessment of our company’s overall performance in fiscal 2004, bonuses were awarded to our named executive officers as set forth under “Executive Compensation - Summary Compensation Table.”

     Stock Option Grants

     Our company grants stock options periodically to our employees to provide additional incentive to work to maximize long-term total return to stockholders. Under each stock option plan, the Board of Directors is specified to act as the plan administrator, although the Board of Directors has authorized the Compensation Committee to make decisions regarding grants of options to senior officers of our company. In general, stock options are granted to employees at the onset of employment. If, in the opinion of the plan administrator, the outstanding service of an existing employee merits an increase in the number of options held, however, the plan administrator may elect to issue additional stock options to that employee. The vesting period on grants is generally four years for newly hired employees. The vesting schedule is generally 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1/48th of the total shares each month thereafter in order to encourage optionholders to continue in the employ of our company. Certain officers and key employees may sometimes have longer vesting schedules with vesting starting two or more years after the grant date. In fiscal 2004, the issuance of stock options to certain executive officers and other employees was authorized, including those to our named executive officers as set forth under “Executive Compensation – Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year.”

     Benefits

     Our company provides various employee benefit programs to executive officers, including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance benefits, and a 401(k) retirement savings plan. These benefits are generally available to all employees of our company.

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     Chief Executive Officer Compensation

     The committee considers the same factors outlined above for other executive officers in evaluating the base salary and other compensation of Francis F. Lee, the Chief Executive Officer of our company. The committee’s evaluation of Mr. Lee’s base salary is subjective, with no particular weight assigned to any one factor. Based upon an assessment of overall company performance in fiscal 2004, the committee also determined that Mr. Lee would receive a $470,000 bonus for fiscal 2004. In January 2004, the committee granted Mr. Lee options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock in order to provide a long-term incentive program for Mr. Lee.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to each of any publicly held corporation’s chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. Our company currently intends to structure the performance-based portion of the compensation of executive officers in a manner that complies with Section 162(m).

     This report has been furnished by the Compensation Committee to the Board of Directors.

Richard L. Sanquini, Chairman
Federico Faggin
Keith B. Geeslin

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Faggin, Geeslin, and Sanquini. Mr. Faggin is our Chairman of the Board and previously served as our President. No interlocking relationship exists between any member of our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee and any member of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of any other company.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

     The Board of Directors has appointed an Audit Committee consisting of three directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Keith B. Geeslin, Richard L. Sanquini, and W. Ronald Van Dell. Each of the committee members is “independent” of our company and management, as that term is defined in Nasdaq rules.

     The primary responsibility of the committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee management’s conduct of our company’s financial reporting process, including overseeing the financial reports and other financial information provided by our company to governmental or regulatory bodies (such as the SEC), the public, and other users thereof; our company’s systems of internal accounting and financial controls; and the annual independent audit of our company’s financial statements.

     Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. The independent auditor is responsible for auditing the financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

     In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent auditor. The committee discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61. This included a discussion of the auditor’s judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of our company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee under generally accepted auditing standards. In addition, the committee received from the independent auditor written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. The committee also discussed with the independent auditor the auditor’s independence from management and our company, including the matters covered by the written disclosures and letter provided by the independent auditor, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with auditor independence.

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     The committee discussed with the independent auditor the overall scope and plans for its audits. The committee met with the independent auditor, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its audit, its consideration of our company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the financial reporting. The committee held four meetings with management of our company, all of which were attended by our independent auditor, with respect to the company’s financial statements and audit or quarterly review procedures.

     Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the board approved, that the audited financial statements be included in our company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2004 for filing with the SEC. The committee also has selected our company’s independent auditor.

     The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which was filed as an appendix to our company’s 2002 proxy statement.

     The report has been furnished by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Keith B. Geeslin, Chairman
Richard L. Sanquini
W. Ronald Van Dell

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers, and persons that own more than 10% of a registered class of our company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Directors, officers, and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish our company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

     Based solely upon our review of the copies of such forms received by us during the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004, and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that each person who, at any time during such fiscal year, was a director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during such fiscal year, except that Messrs. Day, Kirby, Knittel, McKinnon, Spade, and Stacy each filed a late Form 4 covering one grant of stock options.

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The following line graph compares cumulative total stockholder returns for the period from our initial public offering through the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004 for (1) our common stock, (2) the Nasdaq Composite Index, and (3) the Nasdaq Computer Index. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on January 29, 2002, the date on which our common stock began trading on Nasdaq as a result of our initial public offering. The calculations of cumulative stockholder return on the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Computer Index include reinvestment of dividends. The calculation of cumulative stockholder return on our common stock does not include reinvestment of dividends because we did not pay dividends during the measurement period. Historical performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

COMPARISON OF 29 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Synaptics Incorporated, The Nasdaq Composite Index
and The Nasdaq Computer Index

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

     

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS,
DIRECTORS, AND OFFICERS

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock on September 1, 2004 by (1) each director; (2) the named executive officers as set forth under “Executive Compensation”; (3) all directors and executive officers as a group; and (4) each person or entity known by us to beneficially own or to exercise voting or dispositive control over more than 5% of our common stock.

                 
    Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner
  Number(1)
  Percent(2)
Directors and Executive Officers:
               
Federico Faggin(3)
    1,184,766       4.7 %
Francis F. Lee(4)
    925,897       3.6 %
Donald E. Kirby(5)
    263,165       1.0 %
Shawn P. Day, Ph.D.(6)
    168,673       *  
Russell J. Knittel(7)
    192,125       *  
Thomas D. Spade(8)
    58,010       *  
Keith B. Geeslin(9)
    37,719       *  
Richard L. Sanquini(10)
    27,924       *  
W. Ronald Van Dell(11)
    9,792       *  
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons) (12)
    3,206,856       11.9 %
 
               
5% Stockholders:
               
FMR Corp. (13)
    2,889,100       11.5 %
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(14)
    2,298,300       9.2 %
Kopp Investment Advisors, LLC (15)
    1,425,710       5.7 %


    *Less than 1%.
 
(1)   Except as otherwise indicated, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all common stock beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property laws. Except as otherwise indicated, each person may be reached at 2381 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131. The numbers and percentages shown include the shares of common stock actually owned as of September 1, 2004 and the shares of common stock that the identified person or group had the right to acquire within 60 days of such date.
 
(2)   The percentages shown are calculated based on 25,113,408 shares of common stock outstanding on September 1, 2004. In calculating the percentage of ownership, all shares of common stock that the identified person or group had the right to acquire within 60 days of September 1, 2004 upon the exercise of options are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock owned by that person or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock owned by any other person or group.
 
(3)   Includes an aggregate of 1,000 shares held by Mr. Faggin’s son, 100,000 shares held by 1999 Faggin Trust fbo Eric Faggin, and 210,208 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options. Mr. Faggin disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his son, and this proxy statement shall not be deemed to be an admission that Mr. Faggin is the beneficial owner of these shares for any purpose.
 
(4)   Includes 4,000 shares held by Mr. Lee’s daughter, 8,000 shares held by Mr. Lee as custodian for his children, 23,276 shares held by Francis F. Lee and Evelyn C. Lee as Co-Trustees of the Lee 1999 Living Trust, 91,862 shares held by Evelyn C. Lee, Trustee of the Evelyn Lee 2002 Irrevocable Trust, 91,862 shares held by Francis F. Lee, Trustee of the Francis Lee 2002 Irrevocable Trust, and 699,998 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options. Mr. Lee disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his daughter, and this proxy statement shall not be deemed to be an admission that Mr. Lee is the beneficial owner of these shares for any purpose.
 
(5)   Includes 256,061 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(6)   Includes 103,164 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.

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(7)   Includes 189,060 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(8)   Includes 55,006 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(9)   Includes 20,521 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(10)   Includes 27,916 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(11)   Represents 9,792 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(12)   Includes 1,875,434 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
 
(13)   The information is as reported on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G as filed May 10, 2004. The address of FMR Corp. is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Of the shares, 2,887,400 are owned by various individual and institutional investors for which Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. (“Fidelity”), serves as an investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Fidelity is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such shares; however, Fidelity expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.
 
(14)   The information is as reported on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G as filed February 11, 2004. The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The shares are owned by various individual and institutional investors for which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) serves as an investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such shares; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.
 
(15)   The information is as reported on Schedule 13G as filed February 4, 2004. The address of Kopp Investment Advisors, LLC is 7701 France Avenue South, Suite 500, Edina, Minnesota 55435. The shares are owned by various individual and institutional investors for which Kopp Investment Advisors, Inc. (“KIA”) serves as an investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, KIA is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such shares; however, KIA expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.

APPROVAL OF OUR 2001 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION
162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

     In March 2001, our Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders subsequently approved, our 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan.

     We are seeking approval of the material terms of the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as Section 162(m) and the Code, respectively. Section 162(m) denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain employees in a taxable year to the extent that the compensation exceeds $1 million for any covered employee. However, there is an exception from the $1 million tax deduction limitation for “performance-based” compensation. Certain awards granted under the plan can qualify as “performance-based” compensation if specific requirements are met. See “Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards” below for a more detailed discussion of the application of Section 162(m). One requirement for the awards under the plan to qualify as “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) is stockholder approval after an initial public offering of the material terms of the plan.

     Currently, the plan qualifies for a transitional exemption from Section 162(m) for newly public companies. This transitional exemption will end as of our annual meeting of stockholders in 2005. Unless we receive stockholder approval of the plan prior to the date of our 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, compensation attributable to awards granted under the plan will no longer be exempt from the tax deduction limitations of Section 162(m).

     No changes have been made to the terms of the plan and no additional shares are being requested. We are only requesting stockholder approval for purposes of a potential tax deduction under Section 162(m).

     Stockholders are requested in this proposal to approve the 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan for purposes of Section 162(m). The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required to approve the proposal. Abstentions will be counted

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toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum, but will not be counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.

     As of September 1, 2004, options (net of canceled or expired options) covering an aggregate of 3,967,911 shares of the our common stock had been granted under the plan. A total of 1,699,282 shares of our common stock remained available for future grant under the plan, subject to increase in certain circumstances.

     Failure to approve the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) would mean that awards that could qualify as “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) may be granted under the plan to those employees subject to Section 162(m) with adverse tax consequences to our company. As a result, if the stockholders fail to approve the material terms of our plan for purposes of Section 162(m), our Board of Directors will determine whether any further awards that would qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) may be granted to those employees subject to Section 162(m). We believe that any such determination would limit our ability to provide incentive to valued executives.

The Board Of Directors Recommends A Vote In Favor Of This Proposal

     The essential features of the plan are outlined below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the plan in its entirety, which is set forth as Appendix A to this proxy statement.

Background and Purpose

     The terms of the plan provide for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, bonus stock, dividend equivalents, other stock related awards and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property.

     We adopted the plan to provide a means by which employees, directors, and consultants of our company and those of our subsidiaries and other designated affiliates, which we refer to together as our affiliates, may be given an opportunity to purchase our common stock, to assist in retaining the services of such persons, to secure and retain the services of persons capable of filling such positions, and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success and the success of our affiliates. All of our approximately 200 employees, directors, and consultants, including persons performing services for our affiliates, are eligible to participate in the plan.

Shares Available for Awards

     Under the plan, as of September 1, 2004, the total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to awards under the plan is equal to 1,699,282 shares, plus the number of shares with respect to which awards previously granted under the plan terminate without being exercised and the number of shares that are surrendered in payment of any awards or any tax withholding requirements. In addition, on the first day of each calendar quarter, an additional one and one-half percent of the total number of our shares of common stock outstanding on such date will be added to the plan’s share reserve for future grants. Awards with respect to shares that are granted to replace outstanding awards or other similar rights that are assumed or replaced by awards under the plan pursuant to the acquisition of a business are not subject to, and do not count against, the foregoing limit.

Limitations on Awards

     The plan imposes individual limitations on certain awards, in part to comply with Section 162(m). Under these limitations, no more than 1,000,000 shares of stock may be granted to an individual during any fiscal year pursuant to any awards granted under the plan. The maximum amount that may be earned by any one participant as an Annual Incentive Award or other cash award for any fiscal year is $2,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned by any one participant as a Performance Award or other cash award for a performance period is $5,000,000. In addition, no more than 15,000,000 shares may be granted as incentive stock options under the plan. All limitations on the amount of stock to be issued under the plan are subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

     In the event that a dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares of our common stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination,

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repurchase, share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects our common stock so that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, the plan administrator is authorized to adjust (1) the shares available under the plan, including the annual automatic share reserve replenishment provision, (2) the limitations described in the preceding paragraph, and (3) all outstanding awards, including adjustments to exercise prices of options and other affected terms of awards. The plan administrator is authorized to adjust performance conditions and other terms of awards in response to these kinds of events or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.

Eligibility

     The persons eligible to receive awards under the plan consist of directors, officers, employees, and independent contractors of our company and those of our affiliates. However, incentive stock options may be granted under the plan only to our employees, including officers, and those of our affiliates. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in our employ or in the employ of an affiliate for purposes of eligibility under the plan.

Administration

     Our Board of Directors administers the plan. However, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors administers the plan with respect to our senior officers. Together, our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee is referred to as the plan administrator. The Compensation Committee members must be “non-employee directors” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act, “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m), and independent as defined by Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange on which any of our securities may be listed for trading in the future Subject to the terms of the plan, the plan administrator is authorized to select eligible persons to receive awards, determine the type and number of awards to be granted and the number of shares of our common stock to which awards will relate, specify times at which awards will be exercisable or may be settled (including performance conditions that may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and conditions of awards, prescribe forms of award agreements, interpret and specify rules and regulations relating to the plan, and make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the plan.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

     The plan administrator is authorized to grant stock options, including both incentive stock options, which we refer to as ISOs, and non qualified stock options. In addition, the plan administrator is authorized to grant stock appreciation rights, which entitle the participant to receive the appreciation in our common stock between the grant date and the exercise date of a stock appreciation right. The plan administrator determines the exercise price per share subject to an option and the grant price of a stock appreciation right. However, the per share exercise price of an ISO and the per share grant price of a stock appreciation right must not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date and the per share exercise price of an ISO must not be less than 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date. The plan administrator generally will fix the maximum term of each option or stock appreciation right, the times at which each stock option or stock appreciation right will be exercisable, and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised stock options or stock appreciation rights at or following termination of employment or service, except that no stock option or stock appreciation right may have a term exceeding 10 years. Stock options may be exercised by payment of the exercise price in cash, shares that have been held for at least six months (or that the plan administrator otherwise determines will not cause us a financial accounting charge), and outstanding awards or other property having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, as the plan administrator may determine from time to time. The plan administrator determines methods of exercise and settlement and other terms of the stock appreciation rights. Stock appreciation rights under the plan may include “limited stock appreciation rights” exercisable for a stated period of time after we experience a change in control or upon the occurrence of some other event specified by the plan administrator, as discussed below.

Restricted and Deferred Stock

     The plan administrator is authorized to grant restricted stock and deferred stock. Restricted stock is a grant of shares of our common stock, which may not be sold or disposed of and which may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment or service, prior to the end of a restricted period specified by the plan

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administrator. A participant granted restricted stock generally has all of the rights of one of our stockholders, unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator. An award of deferred stock confers upon a participant the right to receive shares of our common stock at the end of a specified deferral period, and may be subject to possible forfeiture of the award in the event of certain terminations of employment prior to the end of a specified restricted period. Prior to settlement, an award of deferred stock carries no voting or dividend rights or other rights associated with share ownership, although dividend equivalents may be granted, as discussed below.

Dividend Equivalents

     The plan administrator is authorized to grant dividend equivalents conferring on participants the right to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, shares of our common stock, other awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid on a specific number of shares of our common stock or other periodic payments. Dividend equivalents may be granted alone or in connection with another award, may be paid currently or on a deferred basis and, if deferred, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, awards, or otherwise as specified by the plan administrator.

Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Cash Obligations

     The plan administrator is authorized to grant shares of our common stock as a bonus free of restrictions for services performed for us or to grant shares of our common stock or other awards in lieu of our obligations to pay cash under the plan or other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as the plan administrator may specify.

Other Stock Based Awards

     The plan administrator is authorized to grant awards under the plan that are denominated or payable in, valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of our common stock. Such awards might include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock, purchase rights for shares of our common stock, awards with value and payment contingent upon our performance or any other factors designated by the plan administrator, and awards valued by reference to the book value of shares of our common stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries or business units. The plan administrator determines the terms and conditions of such awards.

Performance Awards

     The right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of an award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions, including subjective individual goals, as may be specified by the plan administrator. In addition, the plan authorizes specific performance awards, which represent a conditional right to receive cash, shares of our common stock, or other awards upon achievement of certain pre-established performance goals and subjective individual goals during a specified fiscal year. Performance awards granted to persons whom the plan administrator expects will, for the year in which a deduction arises, be “covered employees” (as defined below) will, if and to the extent intended by the plan administrator, be subject to provisions that should qualify such awards as “performance based” compensation not subject to the limitation on tax deductibility by us under Section 162(m). For purposes of Section 162(m), the term “covered employee” means our Chief Executive Officer and our four highest compensated officers as of the end of a taxable year as disclosed in our filings with the SEC. If and to the extent required under Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to a performance award intended to qualify under Section 162(m) is to be exercised by the Compensation Committee, not our Board of Directors.

     Subject to the requirements of the plan, the plan administrator will determine performance award terms, including the required levels of performance with respect to specified business criteria, the corresponding amounts payable upon achievement of such levels of performance, termination and forfeiture provisions, and the form of settlement. One or more of the following business criteria based on our consolidated financial statements, and/or those of our affiliates, or for our business units and/or those of our affiliates (except with respect to the total shareholder return and earnings per share criteria), will be used by the plan administrator in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards (including for awards designed to comply with the performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m)): (1) total stockholder return, (2) total stockholder return compared to total return (on a comparable basis) of a publicly available index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index;

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(3) net income; (4) pretax earnings; (5) earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; (6) pretax operating earnings after interest expense but before bonuses, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; (7) operating margin; (8) earnings per share; (9) return on equity; (10) return on capital; (11) return on investment; (12) operating earnings; (13) working capital or inventory; and (14) ratio of debt to stockholders’ equity. In granting performance awards, the plan administrator may establish unfunded award “pools,” the amounts of which will be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of certain business criteria described in the plan. During the first 90 days of a performance period, the plan administrator will determine who will potentially receive performance awards for that performance period, either out of the pool or otherwise.

     After the end of each performance period, the plan administrator (which will be the Compensation Committee for awards intended to qualify as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m)) will determine (a) the amount of any pools and the maximum amount of potential performance awards payable to each participant in the pools and (b) the amount of any other potential performance awards payable to participants in the plan. The plan administrator may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable as a performance award will be reduced from the amount of any potential award.

Other Terms of Awards

     Awards may be settled in the form of cash, shares of our common stock, other awards, or other property in the discretion of the plan administrator. Awards under the plan are generally granted without a requirement that the participant pay consideration in the form of cash or property for the grant (as distinguished from the exercise), except to the extent required by law. The plan administrator may require or permit participants to defer the settlement of all or part of an award in accordance with such terms and conditions as the plan administrator may establish, including payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred amounts, and the crediting of earnings, gains, and losses based on deemed investment of deferred amounts in specified investment vehicles. The plan administrator is authorized to place cash, shares of our common stock, or other property in trusts or make other arrangements to provide for payment of our obligations under the plan. The plan administrator may condition any payment relating to an award on the withholding of taxes and may provide that a portion of any shares of our common stock or other property to be distributed will be withheld (or previously acquired shares of our common stock or other property be surrendered by the participant) to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. Awards granted under the plan generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or to a designated beneficiary upon the participant’s death, except that the plan administrator may, in its discretion, permit transfers of nonqualified stock options for estate planning or other purposes subject to any applicable restrictions under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     The plan administrator may grant awards in exchange for other awards under the plan or under other of our compensation plans, or other rights to payment from us, and may grant awards in addition to or in tandem with such other awards or rights. In addition, the plan administrator may cancel awards granted under the plan in exchange for a payment of cash or other property. The terms of any exchange of or purchase of an award will be determined by the plan administrator in its sole discretion.

Acceleration of Vesting; Change in Control

     The plan administrator may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting, exercisability, lapsing of restrictions, or expiration of deferral of any award, including if we undergo a “change in control,” as defined in the plan. In addition, the plan administrator may provide in an award agreement that the performance goals relating to any performance-based award will be deemed to have been met upon the occurrence of any “change in control.” Upon the occurrence of a change in control, if so provided in the award agreement, stock options and limited stock appreciation rights (and other stock appreciation rights that so provide) may be cashed out based on a defined “change in control price,” which will be the higher of (1) the cash and fair market value of property that is the highest price per share paid, including extraordinary dividends, in any reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or sale of substantially all of our assets, or (2) the highest fair market value per share (generally based on market prices) at any time during the 60 days before and 60 days after a change in control.

     In the event of a “corporate transaction” (as defined in the plan), the acquiror may assume or substitute for each outstanding stock option. If the acquiror doe not assume or substitute for an outstanding stock option, such stock option will terminate immediately prior to the close of such corporate transaction to the extent the option is not exercised.

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Amendment and Termination

     Our Board of Directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the plan or the plan administrator’s authority to grant awards without further stockholder approval, except stockholder approval must be obtained for any amendment or alteration if such approval is required by law or regulation or under the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which shares of our common stock are then listed or quoted. Stockholder approval will not be deemed to be required under laws or regulations, such as those relating to ISOs, that condition favorable treatment of participants on such approval, although our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, seek stockholder approval in any circumstance in which it deems such approval advisable. Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the plan will terminate on the earlier of (1) 10 years after its adoption by our Board of Directors or (2) such time as no shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under the plan and we have no further rights or obligations with respect to outstanding awards under the plan. Amendments to the plan or any award require the consent of the affected participant if the amendment has a material adverse effect on the participant.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards

     The information set forth below is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. In addition, the information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Moreover, because the tax consequences to any recipient may depend on his particular situation, each recipient should consult the recipient’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired as a result of an award. The plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Nonqualified Stock Options

     Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option. On exercise, an optionee will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock over the exercise price. If the optionee is our employee or an employee of an affiliate, that income will be subject to withholding tax. The optionee’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of the option, and the optionee’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.

     Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m), and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the optionee.

Incentive Stock Options

     The plan provides for the grant of stock options that qualify as “incentive stock options,” which we refer to as ISOs, as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, an optionee generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. In addition, if the optionee holds a share received on exercise of an ISO for at least two years from the date the option was granted and at least one year from the date the option was exercised, which we refer to as the Required Holding Period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the holder’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.

     If, however, an optionee disposes of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO before the end of the Required Holding Period, which we refer to as a Disqualifying Disposition, the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the Disqualifying Disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date the ISO was exercised over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a Disqualifying Disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.

     For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired on exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of that option generally will be an adjustment included in

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the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the option is exercised. If, however, there is a Disqualifying Disposition of the share in the year in which the option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. If there is a Disqualifying Disposition in a later year, no income with respect to the Disqualifying Disposition is included in the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income for that year. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the option is exercised.

     We are not allowed an income tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO after the Required Holding Period. However, if there is a Disqualifying Disposition of a share, we are allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income includible in income by the optionee, provided that amount constitutes an ordinary and necessary business expense for us and is reasonable in amount, and either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.

Stock Awards

     Generally, the recipient of a stock award will recognize ordinary compensation income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days of his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary compensation income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock.

     The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired as stock awards will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.

     Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m), and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock award.

Stock Appreciation Rights

     We may grant stock appreciation rights separate from any other award, which we refer to as stand-alone stock appreciation rights, or in tandem with options, which we refer to as tandem stock appreciation rights, under the plan.

     With respect to stand-alone stock appreciation rights, if the recipient receives the appreciation inherent in the stock appreciation rights in cash, the cash will be taxable as ordinary compensation income to the recipient at the time that the cash is received. If the recipient receives the appreciation inherent in the stock appreciation rights in shares of stock, the recipient will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the day it is received over any amounts paid by the recipient for the stock.

     With respect to tandem stock appreciation rights, if the recipient elects to surrender the underlying option in exchange for cash or shares of stock equal to the appreciation inherent in the underlying option, the tax consequences to the recipient will be the same as discussed above relating to the stand-alone stock appreciation rights. If the recipient elects to exercise the underlying option, the holder will be taxed at the time of exercise as if he or she had exercised a nonqualified stock option (discussed above).

     Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m), and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.

25


 

Dividend Equivalents

     Generally, the recipient of a dividend equivalent award will recognize ordinary compensation income at the time the dividend equivalent award is received equal to the fair market value dividend equivalent award received. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m), and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the dividend equivalent.

Section 162 Limitations

     Section 162(m) denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to such covered employee exceeds $1 million. It is possible that compensation attributable to stock awards, when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered employee from us, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any particular year. For purposes of Section 162(m), the term “covered employee” means our Chief Executive Officer and our four highest compensated officers as of the end of a taxable year as disclosed in our filings with the SEC.

     Certain kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based” compensation, are disregarded for purposes of the Section 162(m) deduction limitation. In accordance with Treasury regulations issued under Section 162(m), compensation attributable to certain stock awards will qualify as performance-based compensation if the award is granted by a committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of “outside directors” and the stock award is granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement (as certified in writing by the committee) of an objective performance goal established in writing by the committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, and the material terms of the plan under which the award is granted is approved by stockholders. A stock option or stock appreciation right may be considered “performance-based” compensation as described in the previous sentence or by meeting the following requirements: the incentive compensation plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which stock options and stock appreciation rights may be granted during a specified period, the material terms of the plan are approved by the stockholders, and the exercise price of the option or right is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

     The regulations under Section 162(m) require that the directors who serve as members of the committee must be “outside directors.” The plan provides that directors serving on the committee must be “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m). This limitation would exclude from the committee directors who are (i) our current employees or those of one of our affiliates, (ii) our former employees or those of one of our affiliates who is receiving compensation for past services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified pension plan), (iii) our current and former officers or those of one of our affiliates, (iv) directors currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from us or one of our affiliates in any capacity other than as a director, and (v) any other person who is not otherwise considered an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m). The definition of an “outside director” under Section 162(m) is generally narrower than the definition of a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

     On March 25, 2003, we dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor. The audit reports of Ernst & Young LLP on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2001 and 2002 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Our Board of Directors and Audit Committee participated in and approved the decision to change independent auditors. In connection with the audits for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2001 and 2002 and the subsequent interim period from June 30, 2002 through and including March 25, 2003, there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP would have caused them to make reference to such disagreement in their report on the financial statements for those years. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2001 and 2002 and the subsequent interim period from June 30, 2002 through and including March 25, 2003, there were no reportable events (as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v)). We requested a letter from Ernst & Young LLP stating whether or not it agreed with the above statements. A copy of such letter from Ernst & Young LLP dated March 27, 2003 was filed as Exhibit 16 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2003.

26


 

     We engaged KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our new independent auditor as of March 25, 2003. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2001 and 2002 and the subsequent interim period from June 30, 2002 through and including March 25, 2003, we had not consulted with KPMG LLP regarding (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; (2) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and in no case was a written report provided to us nor was oral advice provided that we concluded was an important factor in reaching a decision as to an accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (3) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

     Our Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the consolidated financial statements of our company for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005 and recommends that stockholders vote in favor of the ratification of such appointment. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. We anticipate that representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by KPMG LLP is compatible with maintaining KPMG LLP ‘s independence.

Fees

     The aggregate fees billed to our company by KPMG LLP, for the fiscal years ended June 26, 2004 and June 28, 2003, are as follows:

                 
    2004
  2003
Audit fees
  $ 206,600     $ 155,000  
Audit-related fees
    95,000       11,980  
Tax fees
    474,412       25,000  
All other fees
           

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

     The charter of our Audit Committee provides that the duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee include the pre-approval of all audit, audit-related, tax, and other services permitted by law or applicable SEC regulations (including fee and cost ranges) to be performed by our independent auditor. Any pre-approved services that will involve fees or costs exceeding pre-approved levels will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Unless otherwise specified by the Audit Committee in pre-approving a service, the pre-approval will be effective for the 12-month period following pre-approval. The Audit Committee will not approve any non-audit services prohibited by applicable SEC regulations or any services in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported by the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.

     To the extent deemed appropriate, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee or any one or more other members of the Audit Committee provided that any member of the Audit Committee who has exercised any such delegation must report any such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee will not delegate to management the pre-approval of services to be performed by the independent auditor.

     Our Audit Committee requires that our independent auditor, in conjunction with our Chief Financial Officer, be responsible for seeking pre-approval for providing services to us and that any request for pre-approval must inform the Audit Committee about each service to be provided and must provide detail as to the particular service to be provided.

27


 

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Stockholder proposals that are intended to be presented by stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005 must be received by us no later than May 16, 2005, in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting.

     Pursuant to Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act, we intend to retain discretionary authority to vote proxies with respect to stockholder proposals for which the proponent does not seek to have us include the proposed matter in the proxy statement for the annual meeting to be held during calendar 2005, except in circumstances where (1) we receive notice of the proposed matter no later than August 1, 2005, and (2) the proponent complies with the other requirements set forth in Rule 14a-4.

OTHER MATTERS

     We know of no other matters to be submitted to the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the shares they represent as our Board of Directors may recommend.

Dated: September 13, 2004

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APPENDIX A

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2001 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(As amended through December 10, 2002)

A-i


 

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2001 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(As amended through December 10, 2002)
             
1.   Purpose   A-1
2.   Definitions   A-1
3.   Administration   A-4
  (a)   Authority of the Committee   A-4
  (b)   Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority   A-4
  (c)   Limitation of Liability   A-4
4.   Stock Subject to Plan   A-5
  (a)   Limitation on Overall Number of Shares Subject to Awards   A-5
  (b)   Limitation on Number of Incentive Stock Option Shares   A-5
  (c)   Application of Limitations   A-5
5.   Eligibility; Per-Person Award Limitations   A-5
6.   Specific Terms of Awards   A-5
  (a)   General   A-5
  (b)   Options   A-5
  (c)   Stock Appreciation Rights   A-7
  (d)   Restricted Stock   A-8
  (e)   Deferred Stock   A-8
  (f)   Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations   A-9
  (g)   Dividend Equivalents   A-9
  (h)   Other Stock-Based Awards   A-9
7.   Performance and Annual Incentive Awards   A-10
  (a)   Performance Conditions   A-10
  (b)   Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees   A-10
  (c)   Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees   A-11
  (d)   Written Determinations   A-12
  (e)   Status of Section 7(b) and Section 7(c) Awards Under Code Section 162(m)   A-12
8.   Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards or Sales   A-12
  (a)   Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards   A-12
  (b)   Term of Awards   A-12
  (c)   Purchase Prices   A-12
  (d)   Form and Timing of Payment Under Awards; Deferrals   A-13
  (e)   Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability   A-13
9.   Change in Control   A-13
  (a)   Effect of “Change in Control.”   A-13
  (b)   Definition of “Change in Control   A-13
  (c)   Definition of “Change in Control Price.”   A-13
10.   General Provisions   A-13
  (a)   Compliance With Legal and Other Requirements   A-13
  (b)   Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries   A-14
  (c)   Adjustments   A-14
  (d)   Taxes   A-15
  (e)   Changes to the Plan and Awards   A-15
  (f)   Reporting of Financial Information   A-16
  (g)   Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan   A-16
  (h)   Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts   A-16
  (i)   Nonexclusivity of the Plan   A-16
  (j)   Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares   A-16
  (k)   Governing Law   A-16
  (l)   Plan Effective Date and Stockholder Approval; Termination of Plan   A-16

A-ii


 

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
AMENDED AND RESTATED

2001 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(As amended through December 10, 2002)

     1. Purpose. The purpose of this AMENDED AND RESTATED 2001 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN (the “Plan”) is to assist SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED, a California corporation (the “Company”) and its Related Entities in attracting, motivating, retaining and rewarding high-quality executives and other Employees, officers, Directors and independent Contractors by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the Company in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and the Company’s shareholders, and providing such persons with annual and long term performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of shareholder value. In the event that the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation (as hereinafter defined), the Plan is intended to qualify certain compensation awarded under the Plan for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code (as hereafter defined) to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee (or any successor committee) of the Board of Directors of the Company.

     2. Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof.

          (a) “Annual Incentive Award” means a conditional right granted to a Participant under Section 8(c) hereof to receive a cash payment, Stock or other Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, after the end of a specified fiscal year.

          (b) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right (including Limited Stock Appreciation Right), Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any other right or interest, granted to a Participant under the Plan.

          (c) “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 10(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.

          (d) “Beneficial Owner”, “Beneficially Owning” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.

          (e) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

          (f) “Cause” shall, with respect to any Participant, have the equivalent meaning (or the same meaning as “cause” or “for cause”) set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Entity or, in the absence of any such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the failure by the Participant to perform his or her duties as assigned by the Company (or a Related Entity) in a reasonable manner, (ii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her employment agreement with the Company (or a Related Entity), if any, (iii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her non-competition and/or non-disclosure agreement with the Company (or a Related Entity), if any, (iv) any act by the Participant of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to the Company (or a Related Entity), (v) chronic addiction to alcohol, drugs or other similar substances affecting the Participant’s work performance, or (vi) the commission by the Participant of any act, misdemeanor, or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the Participant or the Company. The good faith determination by the Committee of whether the Participant’s Continuous Service was terminated by the Company for “Cause” shall be final and binding for all purposes hereunder.

          (g) “Change in Control” means a Change in Control as defined with related terms in Section 9 of the Plan.

A-1


 

          (h) “Change in Control Price” means the amount calculated in accordance with Section 9(c) of the Plan.

          (i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

          (j) “Committee” means a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee shall consist of at least two directors, and, in the event the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation (as hereinafter defined), each member of which shall be (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by “non-employee directors” is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to apply to transactions under the Plan, and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, unless administration of the Plan by “outside directors” is not then required in order to qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code.

          (k) “Consultant” means any person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering services in such person’s capacity as a director) who is engaged by the Company or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Related Entity.

          (l) “Continuous Service” means uninterrupted provision of services to the Company in any capacity of Employee, Director, or Consultant. Continuous Service shall not be considered to be interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entities, or any successor entities, in any capacity of Employee Director, or Consultant, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director, or Consultant (except as otherwise provided in the Option Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.

          (m) [Reserved]

          (n) “Covered Employee” means an Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee as specified in Section 7(e) of the Plan.

          (o) “Deferred Stock” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(e) hereof, to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period.

          (p) “Director” means a member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related Entity.

          (q) “Disability” means a permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e) of the Code), as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee.

          (r) “Dividend Equivalent” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(g) hereof, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

          (s) “Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan, which shall be March 7, 2001.

          (t) “Eligible Person” means each Executive Officer of the Company (as defined under the Exchange Act) and other officers, Directors and Employees of the Company or of any Related Entity, and independent contractors with the Company or any Related Entity. The foregoing notwithstanding, only employees of the Company, the Parent, or any Subsidiary shall be Eligible Persons for purposes of receiving any Incentive Stock Options. An Employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a Related Entity for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

          (u) “Employee” means any person, including an officer or Director, who is an employee of the Company or any Related Entity. The Payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

          (v) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

          (w) “Executive Officer” means an executive officer of the Company as defined under the Exchange Act.

A-2


 

          (x) “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of Stock, Awards or other property as determined by the Committee or the Board, or under procedures established by the Committee or the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, the Fair Market Value of Stock as of any given date after which the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation shall be the closing sale price per share reported on a consolidated basis for stock listed on the principal stock exchange or market on which Stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there is no sale on that date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported.

          (y) “Good Reason” shall, with respect to any Participant, have the equivalent meaning (or the same meaning as “good reason” or “for good reason”) set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Entity or, in the absence of any such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Participant’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Company (or a Related Entity), or any other action by the Company (or a Related Entity) which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company (or a Related Entity) promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (ii) any failure by the Company (or a Related Entity) to comply with its obligations to the Participant as agreed upon, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company (or a Related Entity) promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (iii) the Company’s (or Related Entity’s) requiring the Participant to be based at any office or location outside of fifty miles from the location of employment as of the date of Award, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the Participant’s responsibilities; (iv) any purported termination by the Company (or a Related Entity) of the Participant’s Continuous Service otherwise than for Cause as defined in Section 2(f), or by reason of the Participant’s Disability as defined in Section 2(o), prior to the Expiration Date. For purposes of this Section 2(v), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Company shall be conclusive.

          (z) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

          (aa) [Reserved]

          (bb) “Limited Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.

          (cc) “Option” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.

          (dd) “Optionee” means a person to whom an Option or Incentive Stock Option is granted under this Plan or any person who succeeds to the rights of such person under this Plan.

          (ee) “Other Stock-Based Awards” means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h) hereof.

          (ff) “Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company), whether now or hereafter existing, in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations in the chain (other than the Company) owns stock possessing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

          (gg) “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

          (hh) “Performance Award” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof, to receive Awards based upon performance criteria specified by the Committee or the Board.

          (ii) “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

          (jj) “Publicly Held Corporation” shall mean a publicly held corporation as that term is used under Section 162(m)(2) of the Code.

A-3


 

          (kk) “Related Entity” means any Parent, Subsidiary and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.

          (ll) “Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) hereof, that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

          (mm) “Rule 16b-3” and “Rule 16a-1(c)(3)” means Rule 16b-3 and Rule 16a-1(c)(3), as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

          (nn) “Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof.

          (oo) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.

          (pp) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company), whether now or hereafter existing, in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

     3. Administration.

          (a) Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided, however, that except as otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or, during the period that the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, in order to comply with Code Section 162(m) or Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, the Board may exercise any power or authority granted to the Committee under this Plan. The Committee or the Board shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants, grant Awards, determine the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, prescribe Award agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award agreements and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein, and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee or the Board may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. In exercising any discretion granted to the Committee or the Board under the Plan or pursuant to any Award, the Committee or the Board shall not be required to follow past practices, act in a manner consistent with past practices, or treat any Eligible Person in a manner consistent with the treatment of other Eligible Persons.

          (b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. In the event that the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation, the Committee, and not the Board, shall exercise sole and exclusive discretion on any matter relating to a Participant then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to the extent necessary in order that transactions by such Participant shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Any action of the Committee or the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Related Entities, Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 10(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and shareholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee or the Board, and the taking of any action by the Committee or the Board, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee or the Board. The Committee or the Board may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any Related Entity, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee or the Board shall determine, (i) to perform administrative functions, (ii) with respect to Participants not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions as the Committee or the Board may determine, and (iii) with respect to Participants subject to Section 16, to perform such other functions of the Committee or the Board as the Committee or the Board may determine to the extent performance of such functions will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3 otherwise available for transactions by such persons, in each case to the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to the requirements set forth in Section 7(d). The Committee or the Board may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan.

          (c) Limitation of Liability. The Committee and the Board, and each member thereof, shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any Executive Officer, other officer or Employee, the Company’s independent auditors, Consultants or any other agents assisting in

A-4


 

the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and the Board, and any officer or Employee acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or the Board, shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

     4. Stock Subject to Plan.

          (a) Limitation on Overall Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall be the sum of (i) 1,000,000, plus (ii) the number of shares with respect to Awards previously granted under the Plan that terminate without being exercised, expire, are forfeited or canceled, and the number of shares of Stock that are surrendered in payment of any Awards or any tax withholding with regard thereto. In the event an Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) of the shares of the Company’s Stock occurs, the overall number of shares of the Company’s Stock subject to Awards shall be further increased by 6% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Stock outstanding immediately following the IPO, plus, on the first day of each subsequent calendar quarter, an additional 1.5% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Stock outstanding on that day, provided, however, that at no time shall the number of shares of the Company’s Stock subject to Awards exceed 30% of the then outstanding shares of the Company’s Stock (counting convertible preferred and convertible senior common shares as if converted), unless a greater percentage is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the securities entitled to vote, or a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such restriction is not required by applicable federal or state securities laws under the circumstances. Any shares of Stock delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.

          (b) Limitation on Number of Incentive Stock Option Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the number of shares of Stock which may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall be the lesser of (i) the number of Shares that may be subject to Awards under Section 4(a), or (ii) 15,000,000.

          (c) Application of Limitations. The limitation contained in this Section 4 shall apply not only to Awards that are settleable by the delivery of shares of Stock but also to Awards relating to shares of Stock but settleable only in cash (such as cash-only Stock Appreciation Rights). The Committee or the Board may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

     5. Eligibility; Per-Person Award Limitations. Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons. In each fiscal year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may not be granted Awards relating to more than 1,000,000 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c), under each of Sections 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(f), 6(g), 6(h), 7(b) and 7(c). In addition, the maximum amount that may be earned as an Annual Incentive Award or other cash Award in any fiscal year by any one Participant shall be $2,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned as a Performance Award or other cash Award in respect of a performance period by any one Participant shall be $5,000,000.

     6. Specific Terms of Awards.

          (a) General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee or the Board may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee or the Board shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of Continuous Service by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee or the Board shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee or the Board is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of California law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant (but not the exercise) of any Award.

          (b) Options. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

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     (i) Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement. Such Stock Option Agreement shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Committee or the Board deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

     (ii) Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of shares of Stock that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 10(c) hereof. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify whether the Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

     (iii) Exercise Price.

          (A) In General. Each Stock Option Agreement shall state the price at which shares of Stock subject to the Option may be purchased (the “Exercise Price”), which shall be, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant. In the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, the Exercise Price shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee or the Board; provided, however, that the Exercise Price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock on the date of grant of the Non-Qualified Stock Option.

          (B) Ten Percent Shareholder. If an individual owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Related Entity, any Option granted to such individual must comply with the following: (1) the Exercise Price of a Non-Qualified Stock Option must be at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant, or (2) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Exercise Price must be at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

          (C) Non-Applicability. The Exercise Price restriction applicable to Non-Qualified Stock Options required by Sections 6(b)(iii)(A) and 6(b)(iii)(B) shall be inoperative if (1) the offer and sale of the shares of Stock to be issued upon payment of the Exercise Price have been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under applicable federal or state securities laws, or (2) a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such Exercise Price restrictions are not required in the circumstances under applicable federal or state securities laws.

     (iv) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee or the Board shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), provided that in the case of an Optionee who is not an officer, Director, or Consultant of the Company or a Related Entity, his or her Options shall become exercisable at least as rapidly as 20% per year, over a 5 year period commencing on the date of the grant, unless a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such vesting requirements are not required in the circumstances under applicable federal or state securities laws. The Board or the Committee may also determine the time or times at which Options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Continuous Service or upon other conditions; provided, however, if the Optionee’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason other than Cause, that portion of the Option that is exercisable as of the date of termination shall remain exercisable for at least 6 months from the date of termination if by reason of death or Disability, and for at least 30 days from the date of termination if by reason other than the Optionee’s death or Disability. The Board or the Committee may determine the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid (including in the discretion of the Committee or the Board a cashless exercise procedure), the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or a Related Entity, or other property (including

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notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.

     (v) Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options (including any Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested the change that will result in such disqualification. Thus, if and to the extent required to comply with Section 422 of the Code, Options granted as Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following special terms and conditions:

          (A) the Option shall not be exercisable more than ten years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent Corporation and the Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Participant, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) for no more than five years from the date of grant; and

          (B) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and all other option plans of the Company or its Parent Corporation during any calendar year exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year shall not (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) exceed $100,000.

     (vi) Repurchase Rights. The Committee and the Board shall have the discretion to grant Options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock. Should the Optionee’s Continuous Service cease while holding such unvested shares, the Company shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Committee or the Board and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right.

          (c) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

     (i) Right to Payment. A Stock Appreciation Right shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of stock on the date of exercise (or, in the case of a “Limited Stock Appreciation Right” that may be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control, the Fair Market Value determined by reference to the Change in Control Price, as defined under Section 9(c) hereof), over (B) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as determined by the Committee or the Board. The grant price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant except as provided under Section 8(a) hereof.

     (ii) Other Terms. The Committee or the Board shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which Stock Appreciation Rights shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Continuous Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a Stock Appreciation Right shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right. Limited

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Stock Appreciation Rights that may only be exercised in connection with a Change in Control or other event as specified by the Committee or the Board, may be granted on such terms, not inconsistent with this Section 6(c), as the Committee or the Board may determine. Stock Appreciation Rights and Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be either freestanding or in tandem with other Awards.

          (d) Restricted Stock. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

     (i) Grant and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee or the Board may impose, or as otherwise provided in this Plan. The restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee or the Board). During the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, subject to Section 10(b) below, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

     (ii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board at the time of the Award, upon termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service during the applicable restriction period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided that the Committee or the Board may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee or the Board may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock.

     (iii) Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee or the Board shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee or the Board may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.

     (iv) Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee or the Board may require that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock or applied to the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

          (e) Deferred Stock. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to Participants, which are rights to receive Stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to the following terms and conditions:

     (i) Award and Restrictions. Satisfaction of an Award of Deferred Stock shall occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Deferred Stock by the Committee or the Board (or, if permitted by the Committee or the Board, as elected by the Participant). In addition, Deferred Stock shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee or the Board may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the

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deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine. Deferred Stock may be satisfied by delivery of Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by the Deferred Stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee or the Board at the date of grant or thereafter. Prior to satisfaction of an Award of Deferred Stock, an Award of Deferred Stock carries no voting or dividend or other rights associated with share ownership.

     (ii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, upon termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service during the applicable deferral period thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award agreement evidencing the Deferred Stock), the Participant’s Deferred Stock that is at that time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the Participant) shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee or the Board may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Deferred Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee or the Board may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Deferred Stock.

     (iii) Dividend Equivalents. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board at date of grant, any Dividend Equivalents that are granted with respect to any Award of Deferred Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Deferred Stock at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) deferred with respect to such Deferred Stock and the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, as the Committee or the Board shall determine or permit the Participant to elect.

          (f) Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of Company obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, provided that, in the case of Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within the discretion of the Committee to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Stock or other Awards are exempt from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee or the Board.

          (g) Dividend Equivalents. The Committee and the Board each is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award. The Committee or the Board may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee or the Board may specify.

          (h) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee and the Board each is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee or the Board to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee or the Board, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified Related Entities or business units. The Committee or the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration (including without limitation loans from the Company or a Related Entity), paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, as the Committee or the Board shall determine. The Committee and the Board shall have the discretion to grant such other Awards which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock. Should the Optionee’s Continuous Service cease while holding such unvested shares, the Company shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of those unvested shares.

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The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Committee or the Board and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h).

     7. Performance and Annual Incentive Awards.

          (a) Performance Conditions. The right of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee or the Board. The Committee or the Board may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Sections 7(b) and 7(c) hereof in the case of a Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). At such times as the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, if and to the extent required under Code Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to a Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), shall be exercised by the Committee and not the Board.

          (b) Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees. If and to the extent that the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 7(b).

     (i) Performance Goals Generally. The performance goals for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 7(b). Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain.” The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Awards. Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.

     (ii) Business Criteria. One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or specified Related Entities or business units of the Company (except with respect to the total shareholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used exclusively by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards: (1) total shareholder return; (2) such total shareholder return as compared to total return (on a comparable basis) of a publicly available index such as, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or the S&P Specialty Retailer Index; (3) net income; (4) pretax earnings; (5) earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (6) pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before bonuses, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; (7) operating margin; (8) earnings per share; (9) return on equity; (10) return on capital; (11) return on investment; (12) operating earnings; (13) working capital or inventory; and (14) ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity. One or more of the foregoing business criteria shall also be exclusively used in establishing performance goals for Annual Incentive Awards granted to a Covered Employee under Section 7(c) hereof that are intended to qualify as “performanced-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).

     (iii) Performance Period; Timing For Establishing Performance Goals. Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of up to ten years, as specified by the Committee. Performance goals shall be established not later than 90 days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

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     (iv) Performance Award Pool. The Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring Company performance in connection with Performance Awards. The amount of such Performance Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 7(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.

     (v) Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms. Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Continuous Service by the Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of Performance Awards.

          (c) Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees. The Committee may, within its discretion, grant one or more Annual Incentive Awards to any Eligible Person, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7(c).

     (i) Annual Incentive Award Pool. The Committee may establish an Annual Incentive Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring Company performance in connection with Annual Incentive Awards. In the case of Annual Incentive Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the amount of such Annual Incentive Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 7(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the Annual Incentive Award pool as a percentage of any such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.

     (ii) Potential Annual Incentive Awards. Not later than the end of the 90th day of each fiscal year, or at such other date as may be required or permitted in the case of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall determine the Eligible Persons who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amounts potentially payable thereunder, for that fiscal year, either out of an Annual Incentive Award pool established by such date under Section 7(c)(i) hereof or as individual Annual Incentive Awards. In the case of individual Annual Incentive Awards intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), the amount potentially payable shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) hereof in the given performance year, as specified by the Committee; in other cases, such amount shall be based on such criteria as shall be established by the Committee. In all cases, the maximum Annual Incentive Award of any Participant shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5 hereof.

     (iii) Payout of Annual Incentive Awards. After the end of each fiscal year, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of (A) the Annual Incentive Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential Annual Incentive Award payable to each Participant in the Annual Incentive Award pool, or (B) the amount of potential Annual Incentive Award otherwise payable to each Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable to any Participant as an Annual Incentive Award shall be reduced from the amount of his or her potential Annual Incentive Award, including a determination to make no Award whatsoever. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive Award shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Continuous Service by the Participant prior to the end of a fiscal year or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award.

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          (d) Written Determinations. All determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award pool or potential individual Performance Awards and as to the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance Awards under Section 7(b), and the amount of any Annual Incentive Award pool or potential individual Annual Incentive Awards and the amount of final Annual Incentive Awards under Section 7(c), shall be made in writing in the case of any Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility relating to such Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards if and to the extent required to comply with Code Section 162(m).

          (e) Status of Section 7(b) and Section 7(c) Awards Under Code Section 162(m). It is the intent of the Company that Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards under Section 7(b) and 7(c) hereof granted to persons who are designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder shall, if so designated by the Committee, constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, the terms of Sections 7(b), (c), (d) and (e), including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. The foregoing notwithstanding, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a given Participant will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean only a person designated by the Committee, at the time of grant of Performance Awards or an Annual Incentive Award, as likely to be a Covered Employee with respect to that fiscal year. If any provision of the Plan or any agreement relating to such Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

     8. Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards or Sales.

          (a) Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee or the Board, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Related Entity, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Related Entity, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any Related Entity. Such additional, tandem, and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award or award, the Committee or the Board shall require the surrender of such other Award or award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company or any Related Entity, in which the value of Stock subject to the Award is equivalent in value to the cash compensation (for example, Deferred Stock or Restricted Stock), or in which the exercise price, grant price or purchase price of the Award in the nature of a right that may be exercised is equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock minus the value of the cash compensation surrendered (for example, Options granted with an exercise price “discounted” by the amount of the cash compensation surrendered).

          (b) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee or the Board; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceed a period of ten years (or such shorter term as may be required in respect of an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code).

          (c) Purchase Prices.

     (i) In General. In the case of an Award under this Plan, other than an Option, which grants an Employee, Director, or Consultant of the Company the right to purchase Stock, the Board or the Committee shall have discretion to set the purchase price, provided that in no event shall the purchase price per share of Stock be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of such share on the date of the Award or the date of the purchase, and in the case of an Award made to an Employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of Stock of the Company, the Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, the purchase price of such Stock shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of such award or the date of the purchase.

     (ii) Non-Applicability of Restrictions. The Purchase Price restrictions contained in Section 8(c)(i) applicable to Awards under this Plan, other than Options, which grant an

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Employee, Director, or Consultant of the Company the right to purchase Stock, shall be inoperative if (A) the offer and sale of the shares of Stock to be issued upon payment of the Exercise Price have been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under applicable federal or state securities laws, or (B) a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such Exercise Price restrictions are not required in the circumstances under applicable federal or state securities laws.

          (d) Form and Timing of Payment Under Awards; Deferrals. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Related Entity upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee or the Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or the Board or upon occurrence of one or more specified events (in addition to a Change in Control). Installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee or the Board (subject to Section 10(e) of the Plan) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee or the Board. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of a reasonable interest rate on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

          (e) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. If and to the extent that the Company is or becomes a Publicly Held Corporation, it is the intent of the Company that this Plan comply in all respects with applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) to the extent necessary to ensure that neither the grant of any Awards to nor other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act is subject to liability under Section 16(b) thereof (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision will be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b). In addition, the purchase price of any Award conferring a right to purchase Stock shall be not less than any specified percentage of the Fair Market Value of Stock at the date of grant of the Award then required in order to comply with Rule 16b-3.

     9. Change in Control.

          (a) Effect of “Change in Control.” The effect of a “Change in Control,” as defined in Section 9(b) below, shall be as provided, if at all, (1) in an employment, compensation, or severance agreement, if any, between the Company or any Related Entity and the Participant, relating to the Participant’s employment, compensation, or severance with or from the Company or such Related Entity, or (2) in the agreement evidencing the Award.

          (b) Definition of “Change in Control.” A “Change in Control” shall be defined as it is defined, if at all, (1) in an employment, compensation, or severance agreement, if any, between the Company or any Related Entity and the Participant, relating to the Participant’s employment, compensation, or severance with or from the Company or such Related Entity, or (2) in the agreement evidencing the Award to such Participant.

          (c) Definition of “Change in Control Price.” The “Change in Control Price” shall be defined as it is defined, if at all, (1) in an employment, compensation, or severance agreement, if any, between the Company or any Related Entity and the Participant, relating to the Participant’s employment, compensation, or severance with or from the Company or such Related Entity, or (2) in the agreement evidencing the Award to such Participant.”

     10. General Provisions.

          (a) Compliance With Legal and Other Requirements. The Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee or the Board, postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Stock or other Company securities are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Company, as the Committee or the Board, may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery

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of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations. The foregoing notwithstanding, in connection with a Change in Control, the Company shall take or cause to be taken no action, and shall undertake or permit to arise no legal or contractual obligation, that results or would result in any postponement of the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of benefits under any Award or the imposition of any other conditions on such issuance, delivery or payment, to the extent that such postponement or other condition would represent a greater burden on a Participant than existed on the 90th day preceding the Change in Control.

          (b) Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries.

     (i) General. Except as provided herein, a Participant may not assign, sell, transfer, or otherwise encumber or subject to any lien any Award or other right or interest granted under this Plan, in whole or in part, including any Award or right which constitutes a derivative security as generally defined in Rule 16a1(c) under the Exchange Act, other than by will or by operation of the laws of descent and distribution, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative.

     (ii) Permitted Transfer of Option. The Committee or Board, in its sole discretion, may permit the transfer of an Option (but not an Incentive Stock Option, or any other right to purchase Stock other than an Option) as follows: (A) by gift to a member of the Participant’s Immediate Family or (B) by transfer by instrument to a trust providing that the Option is to be passed to beneficiaries upon death of the Optionee. For purposes of this Section 10(b)(ii), “Immediate Family” shall mean the Optionee’s spouse (including a former spouse subject to terms of a domestic relations order); child, stepchild, grandchild, child-in-law; parent, stepparent, grandparent, parent-in-law; sibling and sibling-in-law, and shall include adoptive relationships. If a determination is made by counsel for the Company that the restrictions contained in this Section 10(b)(ii) are not required by applicable federal or state securities laws under the circumstances, then the Committee or Board, in its sole discretion, may permit the transfer of Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem therewith) to one or more Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant, which may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent permitted by the Committee or the Board pursuant to the express terms of an Award agreement (subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee or the Board may impose thereon, and further subject to any prohibitions and restrictions on such transfers pursuant to Rule 16b-3). A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee or the Board.

          (c) Adjustments.

     (i) Adjustments to Awards. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Stock and/or such other securities of the Company or any other issuer such that a substitution, exchange, or adjustment is determined by the Committee or the Board to be appropriate, then the Committee or the Board shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, substitute, exchange, or adjust any or all of (A) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, (B) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (C) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, (E) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any outstanding Award, and (F) any other aspect of any Award that the Committee or the Board determines to be appropriate.

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     (ii) Adjustments in Case of Certain Corporate Transactions. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or any reorganization, merger, consolidation, or other form of corporate transaction in which the Company does not survive, or in which the shares of Stock are exchanged for or converted into securities issued by another entity, then the successor or acquiring entity or an affiliate thereof may, with the consent of the Committee or the Board, assume each outstanding Option or substitute an equivalent option or right. If the successor or acquiring entity or an affiliate thereof, does not cause such an assumption or substitution, then each Option shall terminate upon the consummation of sale, merger, consolidation, or other corporate transaction. The Committee or the Board shall give written notice of any proposed transaction referred to in this Section 10(c)(ii) a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given either before or after the approval of such transaction), in order that Optionees may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such transaction within which to exercise any Options that are then exercisable (including any Options that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such transaction). An Optionee may condition his exercise of any Option upon the consummation of the transaction.

     (iii) Other Adjustments. In addition, the Committee (and the Board if and only to the extent such authority is not required to be exercised by the Committee to comply with Code Section 162(m)) is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and performance goals, and Annual Incentive Awards and any Annual Incentive Award pool or performance goals relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Company, any Related Entity or any business unit, or the financial statements of the Company or any Related Entity, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in view of the Committee’s assessment of the business strategy of the Company, any Related Entity or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that such authority or the making of such adjustment would cause Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Awards granted under Section 8(b) hereof or Annual Incentive Awards granted under Section 8(c) hereof to Participants designated by the Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder to otherwise fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.

          (d) Taxes. The Company and any Related Entity are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee or the Board may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee.

          (e) Changes to the Plan and Awards. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan, without the consent of shareholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation (including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m)) or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to shareholders for approval; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. The Committee or the Board may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in

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the Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee or the Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if any right under this Plan would cause a transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest accounting that would, but for the right hereunder, be eligible for such accounting treatment, the Committee or the Board may modify or adjust the right so that pooling of interest accounting shall be available, including the substitution of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash otherwise payable hereunder for the right which caused the transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest accounting.

          (f) Reporting of Financial Information. The Company shall provide to the recipient of any Award under this Plan, no less frequently than annually, the financial statements of the Company, until such time as a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such reports are not required by applicable federal or state securities laws under the circumstances.

          (g) Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ of the Company or a Related Entity; (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a Related Entity to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and Employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

          (h) Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee of such trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the proceeds in alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee or the Board may specify and in accordance with applicable law.

          (i) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable including incentive arrangements and awards which do not qualify under Code Section 162(m).

          (j) Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash or other consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash or other consideration. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee or the Board shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

          (k) Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any Award agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.

          (l) Plan Effective Date and Shareholder Approval; Termination of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, subject to subsequent approval within 12 months of its adoption by the Board by shareholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable) and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable NASDAQ requirements, and other laws, regulations, and obligations of the Company applicable to the Plan. Awards may be granted subject to shareholder approval, but may not be exercised or otherwise settled in the event shareholder approval is not obtained. The Plan shall terminate no later than 10 years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or 10 years from the date the Plan is approved by the Shareholders, whichever is earlier.

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PROXY CARD

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
2381 BERING DRIVE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95131

2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned stockholder of SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement of the Company, each dated September 13, 2004, and hereby appoints Francis F. Lee and Russell J. Knittel, and each of them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, at 9:00 a.m., local time, in the San Jose Room at the Network Meeting Center located at 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of the Company’s Common Stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth on the reverse side.

     A majority of such proxies or substitutes as shall be present and shall act at the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof (or if only one shall be present and act, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the powers of said proxies hereunder.

(Continued and to be signed on the other side.)

     COMMENTS:

 


 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED

October 19, 2004

Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.

Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2, AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 3.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

     
1.
  Election of Directors:
 
   
   NOMINEES:
    Federico Faggin
    W. Ronald Van Dell
 
   
o
  FOR THE NOMINEES
 
   
o
  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
  FOR THE NOMINEES
 
   
o
  EXCEPTIONS

(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the “Exceptions” box and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.)

*Exceptions                                                                                  

     
Please check the box at right if you will attend the annual meeting.
  o
 
   
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the space provided. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.
  o
                 
      FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
2.
  Proposal to approve the 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.   o   o   o
 
               
      FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
3.
  Proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as the company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005.   o   o   o

and upon such matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

This Proxy will be voted as directed or, if no contrary direction is indicated, will be voted FOR the election of the directors; FOR the approval of the 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan; FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 25, 2005; and as said proxies deem advisable on such other matters as may come before the meeting.

TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.

New address:



Signature of Stockholder                  Date:                          Signature of Stockholder                     Date:                            

Note  Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This website contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements may include words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "target," "strategy," "continue," "may," "will," "should," variations of such words, or other words and terms of similar meaning. All forward-looking statements reflect our best judgment and are based on several factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risks as identified in the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business" sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year, and other risks as identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission reports. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we do not have, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to publicly release any updates or any changes in our expectations, or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based. Our actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions, or other business combinations that had not been completed as of the date of this filing.