amendment will be subject to stockholder approval. In addition, the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee may condition any amendment on the approval the stockholders for any other reason. No termination or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any award previously granted without the written consent of the employee.

     The Compensation Committee may amend or terminate outstanding awards. However, such amendments may require the consent of the employee and, unless approved by the stockholders, the exercise price of an outstanding option may not be reduced, directly or indirectly, and the original term of an option may not be extended.

     Prohibition on Repricing. Outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights cannot be repriced, directly or indirectly, without the prior consent of the Company’s stockholders. The exchange of an “underwater” option or stock appreciation right (i.e., having an exercise price in excess of the current market value of the underlying stock) for another award would be considered an indirect repricing and would, therefore, require the prior consent of the Company’s stockholders.

Certain U.S. Federal Tax Effects

     Non-statutory Stock Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to the optionee or to the Company upon the grant of a non-statutory stock option under the Plan. When the optionee exercises a non-statutory option, however, he or she will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock received upon exercise of the option at the time of exercise over the exercise price, and the Company will be allowed a corresponding deduction. Any gain that the optionee realizes when he or she later sells or disposes of the option shares will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on how long the shares were held.

     Incentive Stock Options. There generally will be no federal income tax consequences to the optionee or to the Company upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. If the optionee holds the option shares for the required holding period of the later of two years after the date the option was granted or one year after exercise, the difference between the exercise price and the amount realized upon sale or disposition of the option shares will be long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to a federal income tax deduction. If the optionee disposes of the option shares in a sale, exchange, or other disqualifying disposition before the required holding period ends, he or she will recognize taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the option shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price, and the Company will be allowed a federal income tax deduction equal to such amount. While the exercise of an incentive stock option does not result in current taxable income, the excess of the fair market value of the option shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price will be an item of adjustment for purposes of determining the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income.

     Stock Appreciation Rights. An employee receiving a stock appreciation right under the Plan will not recognize income, and the Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time the award is granted. When the employee exercises the stock appreciation right, the amount of cash and the fair market value of any shares of common stock received will be ordinary income to the employee and the Company will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time.

     Restricted Stock. Unless an employee makes an election to accelerate recognition of the income to the date of grant as described below, an employee will not recognize income, and the Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock award is granted, provided that the award is nontransferable and is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. When the restrictions lapse, the employee will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the common stock as of that date (less any amount he or she paid for the stock), and the Company will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Code Section 162(m). If the employee files an election under Code Section 83(b) within 30 days after the date of grant of the restricted stock, he or she will recognize ordinary income as of the date of grant equal to the fair market value of the stock as of that date (less any amount paid for the stock), and the Company will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Code Section 162(m). Any future appreciation in the stock will be taxable to the employee at capital gains rates. However, if the stock is later forfeited, the employee will not be able to recover the tax previously paid pursuant to the Code Section 83(b) election.

     Restricted or Deferred Stock Units. An employee will not recognize income, and the Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a stock unit award is granted. Upon receipt of shares of common stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property) in settlement of a stock unit award, an employee will recognize ordinary