| 1. |
STOCK OPTION ISSUER AND HOLDER
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| 1.1 |
Spotify Technology S.A., a Luxembourg société anonyme, with registered address at 42-44, avenue de la Gare, L-1610 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under
number B 123.052 (the “Company”).
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| 1.2 |
Consultant to the Company or of any affiliate, subsidiary or other company controlled by the Company (collectively, the “Group”, each individually, a “Group Company”)
who has received an individual notice of grant (the “Holder”) (the “Notice of Grant”).
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| 1.3 |
“Consultant” shall mean (a) any natural person engaged to provide consulting services for the Group or (b) any entity of which any such natural person is the sole owner, in each case who qualifies
as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.
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| 2. |
BACKGROUND
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| 2.1 |
The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) considers the existence of efficient share-related incentive programs for Consultants to be of material importance for the development of the Group.
By connecting Consultants’ economic interests to the Group’s results and value trend, a long-term increase in value is promoted. Accordingly, the interests of participating Consultants and shareholders will coincide.
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| 2.2 |
The existence of a contract of service between a Consultant and a Group Company shall not give the Consultant any right or expectation to be granted Stock Options at any time under this stock option program (the “Stock Option Program”) or otherwise. Moreover, the granting of a Stock Option shall not give the Holder any right or expectation to be granted additional Stock Options at any time
under the Stock Option Program or otherwise.
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| 3. |
OPTION; SHARES AVAILABLE
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| 3.1 |
Subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, the Holder is entitled to delivery of one share in the Company (a “Share”) per stock option (a “Stock Option”)
at the exercise price communicated to the Holder (the “Exercise Price”). The Exercise Price may be re-calculated under certain circumstances pursuant to clause 8. Subject to the provisions of clauses
8 and 9.3.3, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Stock Options under the Pool is 640,000 Shares.
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| 3.2 |
“Pool” means the Shares granted under the Stock Option Program and the Terms and Conditions governing Consultant Restricted Stock Units 2022/2026 in Spotify
Technology S.A. (each, a “Pool Plan”).
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2(10)
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| 4. |
IMPLEMENTATION AND GRANT
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| 4.1 |
The Stock Option Program shall be effective as per 1 April 2022 (the “Implementation Date”).
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| 4.2 |
Stock Options may be granted to Holders during the period as from and including 1 April 2022 up to and including 31 March 2026. The determination of the Consultants who will be granted Stock Options, and the date or dates of grants of
Stock Options during such period (each, a “Date of Grant”), shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
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| 5. |
VESTING
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| 5.1 |
General
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| 5.2 |
Consultant termination of services
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| 5.2.1 |
If there is a Termination of Services for any reason, all unvested Stock Options shall cease vesting as of the date of Termination of Services and shall immediately lapse. The new Expiration Date shall be the 90th calendar day following
the Termination of Services or such later dates as determined by the Company (but in no event later than the fifth anniversary of the Date of Grant or such date as follows pursuant to clause 9).
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| 5.2.2 |
”Services” means the services the Holder (or, in case of any entity Holder, the services of the sole owner of such entity) provides to a Group Company under a services or consulting agreement.
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| 5.2.3 |
“Termination” means (i) that the Holder is no longer providing Services to any Group Company as a Consultant or (ii) in the case of a Holder that is an entity, the sole owner of such entity on the
Date of Grant ceases to be the sole owner of such entity.
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| 5.2.4 |
If a Holder changes the entity for which he or she provides Services, but continues to provide Services to the Group, such change will not be deemed a Termination of Services for purposes of the Consultant’s Stock Options, provided that
there is no other interruption or termination of the Holder’s Services, unless the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the entity to which the Holder transfers is not a qualified affiliate of the Group. If a Holder changes the
capacity in which the Holder provides service to the Group from a Consultant to an employee, such change will not be deemed a Termination of Services for purposes of his/her Stock Options; provided, however, that the Stock Options will
thereafter be subject to the Terms and Conditions governing Employee Stock Options 2022/2026 in the Company, to the extent determined by the Board.
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| 6. |
EXERCISE
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| 6.1 |
General
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| 6.1.1 |
The Holder is entitled to exercise his/her rights under the Stock Options to the extent the Stock Options have vested pursuant to these terms and conditions by requesting exercise at any time up to and including the fifth anniversary of
the Date of Grant, in the manner set forth below (“Exercise”), provided such Stock Options have not previously lapsed.
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3(10)
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| 6.1.2 |
In the event the Holder has not requested Exercise on or before the fifth anniversary of the Date of Grant (such date, or an earlier date set for the expiration of the term of the Stock Options as provided for in clause 9, the “Expiration Date”), all rights under the Stock Options shall lapse.
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| 6.1.3 |
Exercise may only be requested through an electronic platform where the Holder may (i) place requests on the said electronic platform in order to exercise some or all of her/his vested Stock Options (the “Exercise
Request”) and (ii) carry out any actions required to settle the Holder’s Payment Obligations (as defined in clause 7.1).
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| 6.1.4 |
The Exercise Request placed by the Holder must be placed not later than on the Expiration Date and state the number of Stock Options that the Holder wishes to Exercise. An Exercise Request is binding and irrevocable.
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| 6.1.5 |
If the Holder’s Stock Options at Exercise entitle the Holder to subscribe for a number of Shares which is not an integer, the number of Shares to which the entitlement relates shall be rounded down to the nearest integer.
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| 6.1.6 |
Exercise may not take place in the event the Company is declared bankrupt. However, Exercise may take place in the event the bankruptcy order is subsequently overturned on appeal.
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| 6.1.7 |
The Expiration Date and the periods during which Exercise can take place may be amended pursuant to this clause 6, clause 9, or by other express action of the Board as provided for in these terms and conditions.
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| 6.1.8 |
In the event that the Holder’s Termination of Services occurs due to death or physical disability, the new Expiration Date shall be the 194th calendar day following such event or such later dates as determined by the Company
(but in no event later than the Expiration Date or such date as follows pursuant to clause 9). The Holder (or, in the event of the Holder’s death, the Holder’s estate (Sw. dödsbo)) shall up to and
including the new Expiration Date be entitled to Exercise any Stock Options, which have vested in accordance with these terms and conditions as of such event. Following the new Expiration Date, the Holder (or, in the event of the Holder’s
death, the Holder’s estate) shall have no rights pursuant to the Stock Options and all rights under the Stock Options which have not been subject to Exercise shall lapse. In the event of the Holder’s death, the rights and obligations in
accordance with these terms and conditions shall be binding upon and inure to the Holder’s estate.
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| 7. |
PAYMENT AND DELIVERY OF SHARES
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| 7.1 |
Payment of the Exercise Price and, to the extent applicable, any Withholding Obligation (as defined in clause 13.1 below), in each case as and to the extent the Board requires in its sole discretion (Holder’s obligation to pay the
Exercise Price jointly with any such Withholding Obligation that the Board requires to be so settled, the “Holder’s Payment Obligations”) shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, be satisfied by
a “cash settlement” arrangement pursuant to which the Holder’s Payment Obligations shall be satisfied with money that shall have been paid by the Holder to the Holder’s personal account on the electronic platform (“Cash Settlement”).
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4(10)
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| 7.2 |
To the extent the Board determines that Cash Settlement will not be used to satisfy a Holder’s Payment Obligations, the Board may require the Holder to satisfy such Holder’s Payment Obligations by any other method or combination of
methods determined in the Board’s sole discretion, including, without limitation, by:
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| 7.3 |
If the Company receives a valid Exercise Request and all actions required by the Holder to settle the Holder’s Payment Obligation have been completed, the Company shall deliver Shares to the Holder within 10 days on which banks are open
for business generally (and not for internet banking only) in Luxembourg and the U.S (a “Business Day”) (less any Shares reduced or sold pursuant to this clause 7).
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| 7.4 |
As a condition to the exercise of a Stock Option, the Holder shall make such arrangements as the Board may require for the satisfaction of any Holder’s Payment Obligations that may arise in relation to the Stock Options.
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| 8. |
RE-CALCULATION OF EXERCISE PRICE ETC.
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5(10)
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| 9. |
AMENDMENT OF VESTING SCHEDULE AND EXPIRATION DATE ETC.
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9.1
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Change in Control
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| 9.1.1 |
In the event of a Change in Control the Board may, in its sole discretion, decide to (i) set a period during which the Holder may request Exercise (an “Exercise Period”) and, if determined by the
Board, a new Expiration Date, in accordance with the provisions of clause 9.1.2, (ii) have these terms and conditions continue following the Change in Control in accordance with the provisions of clause 9.1.3, (iii) allow a grant of
substantially equivalent rights (i.e., among other things, that preserves the intrinsic value and vesting schedule of the Stock Options) to acquire securities in a new company as the Holder had in the Company immediately before the Change
in Control in accordance with the provisions of clause 9.1.4, or (iv) allow an amendment of the terms and conditions to the effect that, following the Change in Control, a new company assumes the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder
in accordance with the provisions of clause 9.1.5.
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| 9.1.1.1 |
“Change in Control” shall mean and include each of the following:
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6(10)
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| 9.1.1.2 |
“Incumbent Directors’ shall mean for any period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a
director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause 9.1.1.1(i) or 9.1.1.1(iii)) whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote
of at least a majority (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination) of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of the 12-month period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved. No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.
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| 9.1.2 |
If the Board decides to set an Exercise Period, the Board shall notify the Holder in connection with the Change in Control of the Exercise Period and, if the Board so decides, the new Expiration Date. The notice will set forth the
Exercise Period, which shall, to the extent possible taking into account the circumstances and process related to the Change in Control, give the Holder reasonable time to decide whether to Exercise any vested Stock Options. The Holder
shall during the Exercise Period be entitled to Exercise any Stock Options which have vested in accordance with these terms and conditions. The Board shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to decide whether to adopt a new Expiration
Date so that, at the conclusion of such Exercise Period, any unvested Stock Options shall lapse, or whether unvested Stock Options will continue to vest. The Board shall also be entitled, in its sole discretion, to decide whether any vested
Stock Options which have not been subject to Exercise during an Exercise Period shall be subject to a new Expiration Date and therefore lapse, or whether the vested Stock Options will be exercisable following the expiration of an Exercise
Period. If the Board decides to establish a new Expiration Date so that any unvested, and/or any vested but unexercised, Stock Options shall lapse, the Holder shall have no further rights pursuant to the Stock Options.
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| 9.1.3 |
If the Board decides to have these terms and conditions continue following the effective date of the Change in Control, the vesting schedule and the Expiration Date, as set forth in the Notice of Grant and clause 6 respectively, shall
remain unaffected by the Change in Control.
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7(10)
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| 9.1.4 |
If the Board decides to allow a grant of substantially equivalent rights to acquire securities in a new company as the Holder had in the Company immediately before the Change in Control, all vested and unvested Stock Options shall lapse
as of the closing of the Change in Control and, subject to the grant of such substantially equivalent rights, the Holder shall have no further rights pursuant to the Stock Options after the closing of the Change in Control.
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| 9.1.5 |
If the Board decides to allow an amendment of the terms and conditions to the effect that, following the Change in Control, a new company assumes the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder, the Holder’s right to subscribe for Shares
in accordance with clause 3 shall relate to shares in such new company.
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9.2
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Merger and de-merger
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9.3
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Share for share exchange etc.
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| 9.3.1 |
If the Company’s shareholders perform a share for share exchange for the purpose of creating a new holding company to the Company, or if a new company otherwise replaces the Company as the holding company in the Group, and such
transaction is not a Change in Control, the Board shall use reasonable efforts to either: (a) ensure that the Holder receives substantially equivalent rights to acquire securities in the new holding company as the Holder had in the Company
immediately before such transaction, provided that the Holder in writing waives any rights under the Stock Options, which shall lapse as a consequence thereof; or (b) amend these terms and conditions to the effect that the new holding
company assumes the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder and that the Holder’s right to subscribe for Shares in accordance with clause 3 shall relate to shares in the new holding company.
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| 9.3.2 |
In the event of a transaction as described in clause 9.3.1, the Holder shall always be obliged upon the Board’s request to, in case of (a) in clause 9.3.1, waive any rights under the Stock Options provided that the Holder receives
substantially equivalent rights in the new holding company as the Holder had in the Company immediately before such transaction or, in case of (b) in clause 9.3.1, approve any such amendment to these terms and conditions. No waiver shall be
requested or required, and the Company may act unilaterally in accordance with this clause 9.3.2, provided that the Stock Options preserve the material terms and conditions of the underlying rights, including the vesting schedule and the
intrinsic value of the Stock Option as of immediately prior to such transaction.
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| 9.3.3 |
If the Company effects a change of the classes of outstanding Company securities, the Board shall, appropriately and proportionately adjust the class of securities subject to the Stock Options. The Board will make such adjustments, and
its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
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8(10)
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| 10. |
CANCELLATION OF STOCK OPTIONS IN CASE OF A MATERIAL BREACH
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| 10.1 |
If the Holder commits a material breach of any of its obligations under these terms and conditions, and the breach has not been rectified within 15 calendar days from the date the Holder receives a written demand for rectification, the
Company shall be entitled to cancel the Holder’s unexercised Stock Options (vested as well as unvested) which as a consequence thereof shall lapse.
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| 10.2 |
A material breach for purposes of clause 10 and 11 shall mean a breach by the Holder of the provisions in clauses 7.2, 9.3, 12, 13, 15.1 or 15.5 or any other breach by the Holder of these terms and conditions that is reasonably likely to
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
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| 11. |
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN CASE OF A MATERIAL BREACH
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| 11.1 |
If the Holder commits a material breach in accordance with clause 10.2 and the breach has not been rectified within 15 calendar days from the date the Holder receives a written demand for rectification, the Holder shall upon written
request by the Company pay liquidated damages in an amount corresponding to 50 per cent of the aggregate then-current fair market value of the Shares represented by, or delivered upon exercise of, the Stock Options. The Company shall not be
entitled to demand liquidated damages if the Company has cancelled the Holder’s Stock Options pursuant to clause 10.1.
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| 11.2 |
If the Holder commits a material breach of any of its obligations under these terms and conditions, the Company is entitled, in addition to any liquidated damages in accordance with the provisions of clause 11.1, to claim damages in an
amount corresponding to the difference between the actual damage suffered and the liquidated damages (if any), if such damage exceeds the amount of the liquidated damages (if any).
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| 11.3 |
The payment by the Holder of any liquidated damages and regular damages shall not affect the Company’s right to pursue other remedies that the Company may have against the Holder as a result of a breach.
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| 12. |
APPOINTMENT OF AGENT ETC.
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| 12.1 |
The Holder hereby irrevocably authorises the Board, with full power of substitution, to endorse such documents on behalf of the Holder and to take any other action reasonably necessary to effect any of the Holder’s obligations under
these terms and conditions, including but not limited to, execution of a transfer of Shares owned by the Holder. The Board shall hold any payment received for the benefit of the Holder under this clause 12 on behalf of the Holder and
separated from any other funds. A withdrawal of the authorisation as provided for in this clause 12 constitutes a material breach of these terms and conditions for purposes of clause 10 and 11.
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| 12.2 |
The Holder hereby undertakes to sign, execute and deliver such documents, and to take any other actions, as reasonably required by the Board in order to ensure compliance with or observation of the Holder’s obligations under these terms
and conditions.
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| 13. |
PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TAXES
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| 13.1 |
The Group will perform withholding of taxes in relation to the Stock Options and the Shares acquired at Exercise if and to the extent required by law or decisions by governmental authorities or if the Board in its reasonable opinion
considers it appropriate for the Group to perform such withholding of taxes (any such withholding tax obligation of the Holder, “Withholding Obligation”). For the avoidance of doubt, this clause 13.1
shall not affect the Holder’s liabilities and undertakings pursuant to the remainder of this clause 13.
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9(10)
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| 13.2 |
The Holder is liable for and undertakes to pay any taxes (including but not limited to income taxes, capital taxes, employment taxes, self-employment taxes, social security contributions as well as any tax penalties thereon) for which
the Holder may be liable in relation to the Stock Options and any Shares acquired at Exercise (“Holder’s Tax Liability”). For the avoidance of doubt, any Withholding Obligation (whether preliminary or
deducted at source) on employment income, dividends and capital gains will always be considered as Holder’s Tax Liability.
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| 13.3 |
The calculation of any Withholding Obligation will be subject to applicable rules and regulations based on the applicable tax rates, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion in connection with determining the Holder’s Payment
Obligations.
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| 13.4 |
The Group assumes no responsibility for any Holder’s Tax Liability. The Holder represents that the Holder is not relying on the Group for any tax advice and explicitly agrees not to demand any compensation from the Group to cover any
Holder’s Tax Liability.
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| 14. |
DATA PROTECTION
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| 15. |
MISCELLANEOUS
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| 15.1 |
The Stock Options may not be transferred, otherwise disposed, pledged, borrowed against or used as any form of security.
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| 15.2 |
The Company shall be entitled to amend these terms and conditions to the extent required by legislation, regulations, court decisions, decisions by public authorities or agreements, or if such amendments, in the reasonable judgment of
the Company, are otherwise necessary for practical reasons, and provided in all of the aforementioned cases that the Holder’s rights are in no material respects adversely affected. If the Holder’s rights would be materially adversely
affected, the Holder’s written consent shall be necessary for such amendment.
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| 15.3 |
Nothing in these terms and conditions or in any right or Stock Option granted under these terms and conditions shall confer upon the Holder the right to continue in service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or
otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Group or of the Holder, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate the Holder’s service at any time.
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| 15.4 |
The Holder has no right to compensation or damages for any loss in respect of the Stock Option where such loss arises (or is claimed to arise), in whole or in part, from the termination of the Holder’s service; or notice to terminate
service given by or to the Holder.
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10(10)
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| 15.5 |
The Holder undertakes not to use or disclose the contents of these terms and conditions, or any financial information, trade secrets, customer lists or other information which it may from time to time receive or obtain (orally or in
writing or in disc or electronic form) as a result of entering into or performing its obligations pursuant to these terms and conditions or otherwise, relating to the Group unless: (i) required to do so by law or pursuant to any order of
court or other competent authority or tribunal; or (ii) such disclosure has been consented to by the Company, provided, however, that the Holder may disclose the terms and conditions of the Holder’s Stock Options to the Holder’s spouse,
personal attorney and/or tax preparer or, in the case of Holders that are entities, the owner thereof (who may, for the avoidance of doubt, subsequently disclose this information to his/her spouse, personal attorney and/or tax preparer). If
a Holder becomes required, in circumstances contemplated by (i) to disclose any information, the disclosing Holder shall use its best efforts to consult with the Company prior to any such disclosure.
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| 15.6 |
Shares will not be issued or delivered under this Stock Option Program unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares comply with (or are exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations, and the regulations of any stock exchange or other securities market on which the Company’s securities may then be traded. In
addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board may require that a Holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with
applicable law. The Board shall have the right to require any Holder to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Stock Option, including a window-period limitation, as may
be imposed in the sole discretion of the Board.
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| 16. |
TERM AND TERMINATION
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| 17. |
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
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| 17.1 |
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive law of Sweden (excluding its rules on conflict of laws).
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| 17.2 |
The Company and the Holder undertake to use their best efforts to resolve any disagreements or disputes regarding these terms and conditions between them or any two or more of them through discussions and mutual agreement.
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| 17.3 |
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with these terms and conditions, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, shall be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the
Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties to such arbitration, the Arbitral Tribunal shall be composed of a sole arbitrator, the seat of arbitration shall be Stockholm and the
language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.
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| 17.4 |
The arbitral proceedings and all information and documentation related thereto shall be confidential, unless a disclosure is required under any applicable law, relevant stock exchange regulations or order of court, other tribunal or
competition authority or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Holder in writing.
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