Edgar Filing: SPHERIX INC

spexpre14aapr52013.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN

PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

x	Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

¨	Definitive Proxy Statement

¨	Definitive Additional Materials

¨	Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12.

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x	No fee required.

¨	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies.

	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

	(5)	Total fee paid:

¨	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:

	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

	(3)	Filing Party:

	(4)	Date Filed:

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

7927 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 3125

Tysons Corner, VA 22102

(703) 992-9260

NOTICE OF CONSENT SOLICITATION

*, 2013

To our Stockholders:

We are soliciting your consent to approve:

(1) the issuance of an aggregate of (a) 118,483 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “us” or “we” or “our”) and (b) 1,488,152 shares of newly designated Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) which is convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-ten basis (collectively, the “Merger Consideration”) as consideration for the acquisition of North South Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“North South”), by our wholly-owned subsidiary Nuta Technology Corp., a Virginia corporation (“Nuta Virginia”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 2, 2013 (the “Merger” and the agreement, the “Merger Agreement”) in accordance with NASDAQ listing rules; (2) the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) of the Company; and (3) the retention of the law firm associated with the Company’s current interim Chief Executive Officer as special counsel to the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Proposals”). On April 1, 2013, the Company’s board of directors unanimously approved the Merger, the issuance of the Merger Consideration, adoption of the 2013 Plan and the retention of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (“SRFF”). The Company’s board of directors has deemed it advisable to seek stockholder approval of the issuance of the Merger Consideration, in accordance with NASDAQ listing rules, of the 2013 Plan, as required under applicable law to preserve the intended tax consequences of the 2013 Plan, and as otherwise deemed advisable by the board of directors and of the retention of SRFF as a matter of good corporate governance, and has decided to seek the written consent of stockholders through a consent solicitation process rather than holding a special meeting of stockholders, in order to eliminate the costs and management time involved in holding a special meeting. The Proposals described in more detail in the accompanying Consent Solicitation Statement.

We have established the close of business on April 4, 2013, as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to submit written consents. Stockholders holding a majority of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the record date must vote in favor of the Proposals to be approved by stockholders.

This solicitation is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the accompanying Consent Solicitation Statement and Written Consent. To be counted, your properly completed Written Consent must be received before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on *, 2013, subject to early termination of the consent solicitation by our board of directors if a majority approval is received, or extension of the time of termination by our board of directors (the “Expiration Time”).

Failure to submit the Written Consent will have the same effect as a vote against the Proposals. We recommend that all stockholders consent to the Proposals, by marking the box entitled “FOR” with respect to each Proposal and submitting the Written Consent by one of the methods set forth in the form of Written Consent which is attached as Appendix B to the Consent Solicitation Statement. If you sign and send in the Written Consent form but do not indicate how you want to vote as to the Proposals, your consent form will be treated as a consent “FOR” each Proposal.

By Order of the Board of Directors of Spherix Incorporated.

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

7927 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 3125

Tysons Corner, VA 22102

(703) 992-9260

CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT

General

This Consent Solicitation Statement dated *, 2013 is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of written consents of the stockholders of Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “Spherix,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) with regard to the following proposals:

(1)

To approve the issuance of an aggregate of (a) 118,483 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company and (b) 1,488,152 shares of newly designated Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) which is convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-ten basis (collectively, the “Merger Consideration”) as consideration for the acquisition of North South Holdings, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“North South”), by our wholly-owned subsidiary Nuta Technology Corp., a Virginia corporation (“Nuta Virginia”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 2, 2013 (the “Merger” and the agreement, the “Merger Agreement”) in accordance with NASDAQ listing rules, including waiver of our Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”) and Delaware anti-takeover laws, as a result of the Merger;

(2)	To approve the Spherix Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) as attached as Appendix A to this Consent Solicitation Statement, including the reservation of 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder; and

(3)	To approve the retention of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP as special counsel to the Company and its subsidiaries.

Our board of directors unanimously adopted the Proposals and recommends that stockholders vote FOR the approval of the Proposals. The board of directors has decided to seek written consent rather than calling a special meeting of stockholders, in order to eliminate the costs and management time involved in holding a special meeting. Written consents are being solicited from all of our stockholders of record pursuant to Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Section 1.12 of our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Voting materials, which include this Consent Solicitation Statement and a Written Consent form (attached as Appendix B), are being mailed to all stockholders on or about *, 2013. Our board of directors set the close of business on April 4, 2013, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to act with respect to the consent solicitation (the “Record Date”). As of the Record Date, the Company had [__] shares of Common Stock outstanding of record, held by approximately [__] registered holders of record.

Any beneficial owner of Spherix who is not a record holder must arrange with the person who is the record holder or such record holder’s assignee or nominee to: (i) execute and deliver a Written Consent on behalf of such beneficial owner; or (ii) deliver a proxy so that such beneficial owner can execute and deliver a Written Consent on its own behalf.

Stockholders who wish to consent must deliver their properly completed and executed Written Consents to the Corporate Secretary of Spherix in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Written Consent. Spherix reserves the right (but is not obligated) to accept any Written Consent received by any other reasonable means or in any form that reasonably evidences the giving of consent to the approval of the Proposals.

Requests for copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement should be directed to Spherix Incorporated at the address or telephone number set forth above.

-1-

Spherix expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion and regardless of whether any of the conditions of the consent solicitation have been satisfied, subject to applicable law, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on *, 2013 (the “Expiration Date”) to (i) terminate the consent solicitation for any reason, including if the consent of stockholders holding the majority of the Company’s outstanding shares has been received, (ii) waive any of the conditions to the consent solicitation, or (iii) amend the terms of the consent solicitation.

The final results of this solicitation of written consents will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) by the Company. This Consent Solicitation Statement and the Form 8-K shall constitute notice of taking of a corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent as permitted by applicable law and Section 1.12 of our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

All questions as to the form of all documents and the validity and eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of consents and revocations of consents will be determined by Spherix, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding.

Revocation of Consents

Written consents may be revoked or withdrawn by any stockholder at any time before the Expiration Date. A notice of revocation or withdrawal must specify the record stockholder’s name and the number of shares being withdrawn. After the Expiration Date, all written consents previously executed and delivered and not revoked will become irrevocable. Revocations may be submitted to the Corporate Secretary of the Company by the same methods as written consents may be submitted, as set forth in the form of Written Consent attached hereto as Appendix B.

Solicitation of Consents

Our board of directors is sending you this Consent Solicitation Statement in connection with its solicitation of stockholder consent to approve the Proposals. Spherix will pay for the costs of solicitation. We will pay the reasonable expenses of brokers, nominees and similar record holders in mailing consent materials to beneficial owners of our common stock. Because the approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock is required to approve the Proposals, not returning the Written Consent will have the same effect as a vote against the Proposals.

Other than as discussed above, Spherix has made no arrangements and has no understanding with any other person regarding the solicitation of consents hereunder, and no person has been authorized by Spherix to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the solicitation of consents, other than those contained herein and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. In addition to solicitations by mail, consents may be solicited by directors, officers and other employees of Spherix who will receive no additional compensation therefor.

Members of our management beneficially own shares of our Common Stock and intend to submit their consents “For” the Proposals. As a result, approximately 129,391 shares held by our interim Chief Executive Officer will be voted in favor of the Proposals constituting approximately 16% of our presently issued and outstanding Common Stock (prior to issuance of the Merger Consideration). In addition, six of our principal stockholders own approximately 36.4% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock. Each of these principal stockholders is expected to vote “For” the Proposals. As a result, the vote of our other stockholders will not be necessary to approve the Proposals if each of the foregoing persons consents to the approval of the Proposals. Certain of the principal stockholders are also persons known to be associated with North South and are expected to vote “For” and will receive a portion of the Merger Consideration and therefore may be deemed to be interested in the transactions. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”.

-2-

No Appraisal Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law and our charter documents, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to statutory rights of appraisal, commonly referred to as dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights (i.e., the right to seek a judicial determination of the “fair value” of their shares and to compel the purchase of their shares for cash in that amount) with respect to the Proposals.

No Poison Pill/Control Share Acquisition Rights Under the Merger

The board of directors has waived the effectiveness of the holders of the Company’s rights under the Company’s January 1, 2013 Rights Plan. As a result, stockholders will not receive any distribution of rights in connection with the issuance of in excess of 10% of the Common Stock in connection with the Merger, and there will be no effect under the Delaware state law Control Share Acquisition statute which prohibits certain acquisitions with interested stockholders under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

No Change of Control/Change in Control

The board of directors has determined that the Merger Consideration shall not constitute a Change of Control or Change in Control under any agreement that provides for acceleration or other effects of issuance of voting securities of the Company. In connection with the approval of Proposal No. 1, a vote in favor of such proposal by any holder that is also a purchaser of our Units offered in our private placement which closed on November 7, 2012 shall also be deemed to have waived any change of control/change in control trigger feature in such Units.

Householding Matters

Stockholders that share a single address will receive only one Consent Solicitation Statement and Written Consent at that address, unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a stockholder of record residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate copy of this Consent Solicitation Statement or of future consent solicitations (as applicable), he or she may write to us at: Spherix Incorporated, 7927 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 3125, Tysons Corner, Virginia 22102, Attention: Robert Clayton, Chief Financial Officer. We will deliver separate copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement and form of Written Consent promptly upon written request. If you are a stockholder of record receiving multiple copies of our Consent Solicitation Statement and form of Written Consent, you can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. If you own your shares through a bank, broker or other stockholder of record, you can request additional copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement and form of Written Consent or request householding by contacting the stockholder of record.

As of the Record Date, the closing price of our common stock was $7.64 per share and our total market capitalization was approximately $[__].

INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE PROPOSALS

Members of the board of directors and executive officers of Spherix are eligible to receive grants under the terms of the 2013 Plan. Accordingly, members of the board of directors and the executive officers of Spherix have a substantial interest in Proposal 2, adoption of the 2013 Plan. Members of the board of directors and executive officers of Spherix do not have any interest in any other Proposal that is not shared by all other stockholders of Spherix, other than Proposal 3, approval of certain legal services which may from time to time be provided by persons associated with our interim Chief Executive Officer.

PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF AN AGGREGATE OF (A) 118,483 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND (B) 1,488,152 SHARES OF SERIES D CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY, NUTA TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND NORTH SOUTH HOLDINGS, INC.

-3-

Background

As previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2013, on April 2, 2013, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nuta Technology Corp., a Virginia corporation (“Nuta Virginia”) and North South Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“North South”). Nuta Virginia is the owner or assignee of certain patents, licenses and applications (the “North South Patent Portfolio”). At the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger, North South will be merged with and into Nuta Virginia, with Nuta Virginia surviving the Merger as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”) in consideration for an aggregate of (i) 118,483 shares of our Common Stock and (ii) 1,488,152 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, which are convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one for ten basis (collectively, the “Merger Consideration”). The closing of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including the approval of our stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding voting Common Stock in favor of the issuance of the Merger Consideration, receipt of a fairness opinion and satisfaction of certain additional conditions.

Certain stockholders of North South are also stockholders of the Company. The assurance and likelihood of obtaining the requisite consent for the issuance of the Merger Consideration is greatly increased due to the significant overlap in share ownership. In connection with the approval of the Merger and the negotiation of the Merger Consideration, prior to the Closing, the board of directors will receive a Fairness Opinion that the shares of Common Stock constituting the Merger Consideration is fair to stockholders and the Company from a financial point of view, considering, among other things, the North South Patent Portfolio assets.

Reasons for this Proposal

Our Common Stock is currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and therefore we are subject to the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

Pursuant to NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5635(d)(2), if an issuer intends to issue securities in a transaction that could result in the issuance of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the issuer’s common stock on a pre-transaction basis for less than the greater of book or market value for such stock, the issuer generally must obtain the prior approval of its stockholders prior to such issuance. Shareholder Approval is required for issuance of the 118,483 shares of Common Stock and 1,488,152 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, which are convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-ten basis.

Risks Associated with the Merger

Upon closing of the Merger of Nuta Virginia with North South, we intend to engage in a new line of business. We intend, through Nuta Virginia, to become engaged in the commercialization and development of intellectual property assets. Our activities will generally include the acquisition and development of patents through internal or external research and development. In addition, we will seek to acquire existing rights to intellectual property through acquisitions of already issued patents and pending patent applications, both in the United States and abroad. We may alone or in conjunction with others develop products and processes associated with our intellectual property and license our intellectual property to others seeking to develop products or processes or whose products or processes infringe our intellectual property rights through legal processes.

A description of certain risks associated with the Merger and the new business we intend to pursue is included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2013. Below are certain risk factors contained therein:

-4-

The Company intends to expand the focus of its business to commercializing, developing and monetizing intellectual property, including through licensing and enforcement. The Company may not be able to successfully monetize the patents which it acquires and thus it may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of such acquisition.

There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully commercialize, acquire, develop or monetize the patent portfolio that it acquires from North South. The acquisition of the patents could fail to produce anticipated benefits, or could have other adverse effects that the Company does not currently foresee. Failure to successfully monetize these patent assets may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the acquisition of the patent portfolio is subject to a number of risks, including, but not limited to the following:

• There is a significant time lag between acquiring a patent portfolio and recognizing revenue from those patent assets. During that time lag, material costs are likely to be incurred that would have a negative effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position; and

• The integration of a patent portfolio will be a time consuming and expensive process that may disrupt the Company’s operations. If its integration efforts are not successful, the Company’s results of operations could be harmed. In addition, the Company may not achieve anticipated synergies or other benefits from such acquisition.

Therefore, there is no assurance that the monetization of the patent portfolios to be acquired will generate enough revenue to recoup the Company’s investment.

The Company’s operating history makes it difficult to evaluate its current business and future prospects.

The Company has, prior to the acquisition of North South, been involved in businesses primarily involving research and development in furtherance of drug and pharmaceutical products and processes, including nutritional supplements and related services. Prior to the consummation of the Merger, the Company’s business has consisted entirely of its biotechnology research and development unit. The Company not only has no operating history in executing its additional new business which includes, among other things, creating, commercializing, prosecuting, licensing, litigating or otherwise monetizing patent assets. The Company’s lack of operating history in this sector makes it difficult to evaluate its additional new business model and future prospects.

The Company will be initially reliant exclusively on the patent assets it acquired from North South. If the Company is unable to commercialize, license or otherwise monetize such assets and generate revenue and profit through those assets or by other means, there is a significant risk that the Company’s business will fail.

Upon closing of the Merger, the Company will acquire a portfolio of patent assets from North South that it plans to commercialize, license or otherwise monetize. If the Company’s efforts to generate revenue from such assets fail, the Company will have incurred significant losses and may be unable to acquire additional assets. If this occurs, the Company’s business will likely fail.

-5-

Upon closing of the Merger and commencement of its additional new line of business, the Company may commence legal proceedings against certain companies, and the Company expects such litigation to be time-consuming and costly, which may adversely affect its financial condition and its ability to operate its business.

To license or otherwise monetize its patent assets, which may constitute a significant focus of the Company’s future activities, the Company may be required to commence legal proceedings against certain companies, pursuant to which the Company may allege that such companies infringe on one or more of the Company’s patents. The Company’s viability could be highly dependent on the outcome of this litigation, and there is a risk that the Company may be unable to achieve the results it desires from such litigation, which failure would harm the Company’s business to a great degree. In addition, the defendants in this litigation are likely to be much larger than the Company and have substantially more resources than the Company does, which could make the Company’s litigation efforts more difficult.

The Company anticipates that these legal proceedings may continue for several years and may require significant expenditures for legal fees and other expenses. Disputes regarding the assertion of patents and other intellectual property rights are highly complex and technical. Once initiated, the Company may be forced to litigate against others to enforce or defend its intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of other parties’ proprietary rights. The defendants or other third parties involved in the lawsuits in which the Company is involved may allege defenses and/or file counterclaims in an effort to avoid or limit liability and damages for patent infringement. If such defenses or counterclaims are successful, they may preclude the Company’s ability to derive licensing revenue from the patents. A negative outcome of any such litigation, or one or more claims contained within any such litigation, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business. Additionally, the Company anticipates that its legal fees and other expenses will be material and will negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and may result in its inability to continue its business.

The Company may seek to internally develop additional new inventions and intellectual property, which would take time and be costly. Moreover, the failure to obtain or maintain intellectual property rights for such inventions would lead to the loss of the Company’s investments in such activities.

Part of the Company’s additional new business may include the internal development of new inventions or intellectual property that the Company will seek to monetize. However, this aspect of the Company’s business would likely require significant capital and would take time to achieve. Such activities could also distract our management team from its present business initiatives, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business. There is also the risk that the Company’s initiatives in this regard would not yield any viable new inventions or technology, which would lead to a loss of the Company’s investments in time and resources in such activities.

In addition, even if the Company is able to internally develop new inventions, in order for those inventions to be viable and to compete effectively, the Company would need to develop and maintain, and it would heavily rely upon, a proprietary position with respect to such inventions and intellectual property. However, there are significant risks associated with any such intellectual property the Company may develop principally including the following:

• patent applications the Company may file may not result in issued patents or may take longer than the Company expects to result in issued patents;

• the Company may be subject to interference proceedings;

• the Company may be subject to opposition proceedings in the U.S. or foreign countries;

-6-

• any patents that are issued to the Company may not provide meaningful protection;

• the Company may not be able to develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;

• other companies may challenge patents issued to the Company;

• other companies may have independently developed and/or patented (or may in the future independently develop and patent) similar or alternative technologies, or duplicate the Company’s technologies;

• other companies may design around technologies the Company has developed; and

• enforcement of the Company’s patents would be complex, uncertain and very expensive.

The Company cannot be certain that patents will be issued as a result of any future applications, or that any of the Company’s patents, once issued, will provide the Company with adequate protection from competing products. For example, issued patents may be circumvented or challenged, declared invalid or unenforceable, or narrowed in scope. In addition, since publication of discoveries in scientific or patent literature often lags behind actual discoveries, the Company cannot be certain that it will be the first to make its additional new inventions or to file patent applications covering those inventions. It is also possible that others may have or may obtain issued patents that could prevent the Company from commercializing the Company’s products or require the Company to obtain licenses requiring the payment of significant fees or royalties in order to enable the Company to conduct its business. As to those patents that the Company may license or otherwise monetize, the Company’s rights will depend on maintaining its obligations to the licensor under the applicable license agreement, and the Company may be unable to do so. The Company’s failure to obtain or maintain intellectual property rights for the Company’s inventions would lead to the loss the Company’s investments in such activities, which would have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s company.

Moreover, patent application delays could cause delays in recognizing revenue from the Company’s internally generated patents and could cause the Company to miss opportunities to license patents before other competing technologies are developed or introduced into the market.

New legislation, regulations or court rulings related to enforcing patents could harm the Company’s new line of business and operating results.

If Congress, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or courts implement new legislation, regulations or rulings that impact the patent enforcement process or the rights of patent holders, these changes could negatively affect the Company’s new business model. For example, limitations on the ability to bring patent enforcement claims, limitations on potential liability for patent infringement, lower evidentiary standards for invalidating patents, increases in the cost to resolve patent disputes and other similar developments could negatively affect the Company’s ability to assert its patent or other intellectual property rights.

In addition, on September 16, 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (the “Leahy-Smith Act”), was signed into law. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to United States patent law. These changes include provisions that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. The U.S. Patent Office is currently developing regulations and procedures to govern administration of the Leahy-Smith Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the Leahy-Smith Act recently became effective. Accordingly, it is too early to tell what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will have on the operation of the Company’s business. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of patent applications and the enforcement or defense of the Company’s issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

-7-

On February 27, 2013, US Representatives DeFazio and Chaffetz introduced HR845. In general, the bill known as the SHIELD Act (“Saving High-tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes”), seeks to assess legal fee liability to plaintiffs in patent infringement actions for defendants costs. In the event that the bill becomes law, the potential obligation to pay the legal fees of defendants in patent disputes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

It is impossible to determine the extent of the impact of any new laws, regulations or initiatives that may be proposed, or whether any of the proposals will become enacted as laws. Compliance with any new or existing laws or regulations could be difficult and expensive, affect the manner in which the Company conducts its business and negatively impact the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s acquisitions of patent assets may be time consuming, complex and costly, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

Acquisitions of patent or other intellectual property assets, which are and will be critical to the Company’s business plan, are often time consuming, complex and costly to consummate. The Company may utilize many different transaction structures in its acquisitions and the terms of such acquisition agreements tend to be heavily negotiated. As a result, the Company expects to incur significant operating expenses and will likely be required to raise capital during the negotiations even if the acquisition is ultimately not consummated. Even if the Company is able to acquire particular patent assets, there is no guarantee that the Company will generate sufficient revenue related to those patent assets to offset the acquisition costs. While the Company will seek to conduct confirmatory due diligence on the patent assets the Company is considering for acquisition, the Company may acquire patent assets from a seller who does not have proper title to those assets. In those cases, the Company may be required to spend significant resources to defend the Company’s interest in the patent assets and, if the Company is not successful, its acquisition may be invalid, in which case the Company could lose part or all of its investment in the assets.

The Company may also identify patent or other intellectual property assets that cost more than the Company is prepared to spend with its own capital resources. The Company may incur significant costs to organize and negotiate a structured acquisition that does not ultimately result in an acquisition of any patent assets or, if consummated, proves to be unprofitable for the Company. These higher costs could adversely affect the Company’s operating results, and if the Company incurs losses, the value of its securities will decline.

In addition, the Company may acquire patents and technologies that are in the early stages of adoption in the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Demand for some of these technologies will likely be untested and may be subject to fluctuation based upon the rate at which the Company’s licensees will adopt its patents and technologies in their products and services. As a result, there can be no assurance as to whether technologies the Company acquires or develops will have value that it can monetize.

In certain acquisitions of patent assets, the Company may seek to defer payment or finance a portion of the acquisition price. This approach may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage and could result in harm to the Company’s business.

The Company has limited capital and may seek to negotiate acquisitions of patent or other intellectual property assets where the Company can defer payments or finance a portion of the acquisition price. These types of debt financing or deferred payment arrangements may not be as attractive to sellers of patent assets as receiving the full purchase price for those assets in cash at the closing of the acquisition. As a result, the Company might not compete effectively against other companies in the market for acquiring patent assets, many of whom have greater cash resources than the Company has. In addition, any failure to satisfy the Company’s debt repayment obligations may result in adverse consequences to its operating results.

-8-

Any failure to maintain or protect the Company’s patent assets or other intellectual property rights could significantly impair its return on investment from such assets and harm the Company’s brand, its business and its operating results.

The Company’s ability to operate its new line of business and compete in the intellectual property market largely depends on the superiority, uniqueness and value of the Company’s acquired patent assets and other intellectual property. To protect its proprietary rights, the Company will rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements with its employees and third parties, and protective contractual provisions. No assurances can be given that any of the measures the Company undertakes to protect and maintain its assets will have any measure of success.

Following the acquisition of patent assets, the Company will likely be required to spend significant time and resources to maintain the effectiveness of those assets by paying maintenance fees and making filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company may acquire patent assets, including patent applications, which require the Company to spend resources to prosecute the applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Further, there is a material risk that patent related claims (such as, for example, infringement claims (and/or claims for indemnification resulting therefrom), unenforceability claims, or invalidity claims) will be asserted or prosecuted against the Company, and such assertions or prosecutions could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business. Regardless of whether any such claims are valid or can be successfully asserted, defending such claims could cause the Company to incur significant costs and could divert resources away from the Company’s other activities.

Despite the Company’s efforts to protect its intellectual property rights, any of the following or similar occurrences may reduce the value of the Company’s intellectual property:

• the Company’s applications for patents, trademarks and copyrights may not be granted and, if granted, may be challenged or invalidated;

• issued trademarks, copyrights, or patents may not provide the Company with any competitive advantages when compared to potentially infringing other properties;

• the Company’s efforts to protect its intellectual property rights may not be effective in preventing misappropriation of the Company’s technology; or

• the Company’s efforts may not prevent the development and design by others of products or technologies similar to or competitive with, or superior to those the Company acquires and/or prosecutes.

Moreover, the Company may not be able to effectively protect its intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries where the Company may do business in the future or from which competitors may operate. If the Company fails to maintain, defend or prosecute its patent assets properly, the value of those assets would be reduced or eliminated, and the Company’s business would be harmed.

-9-

Weak global economic conditions may cause infringing parties to delay entering into licensing agreements, which could prolong the Company’s litigation and adversely affect its financial condition and operating results.

The Company’s new business plan depends significantly on worldwide economic conditions, and the United States and world economies have recently experienced weak economic conditions. Uncertainty about global economic conditions poses a risk as businesses may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news and declines in income or asset values. This response could have a material negative effect on the willingness of parties infringing on the Company’s assets to enter into licensing or other revenue generating agreements voluntarily. Entering into such agreements is critical to the Company’s business plan, and the Company’s failure to do so could cause material harm to its business.

If the Company is unable to adequately protect its intellectual property, the Company may not be able to compete effectively.

The Company’s ability to compete depends in part upon the strength of the Company’s proprietary rights that it will own as a result of the Merger or may hereafter acquire in its technologies, brands and content. The Company intends to rely on a combination of U.S. and foreign patents, copyrights, trademark, trade secret laws and license agreements to establish and protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights. The efforts the Company takes to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective at stopping unauthorized use of its intellectual property and proprietary rights. In addition, effective trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available or cost-effective in every country in which the Company’s services are made available. There may be instances where the Company is not able to fully protect or utilize its intellectual property in a manner that maximizes competitive advantage. If the Company is unable to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights from unauthorized use, the value of the Company’s products may be reduced, which could negatively impact the Company’s new business. The Company’s inability to obtain appropriate protections for its intellectual property may also allow competitors to enter the Company’s markets and produce or sell the same or similar products. In addition, protecting the Company’s intellectual property and other proprietary rights is expensive and diverts critical managerial resources. If any of the foregoing were to occur, or if the Company is otherwise unable to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights, the Company’s business and financial results could be adversely affected.

If the Company is forced to resort to legal proceedings to enforce its intellectual property rights, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive. In addition, the Company’s proprietary rights could be at risk if the Company is unsuccessful in, or cannot afford to pursue, those proceedings. The Company will also rely on trade secrets and contract law to protect some of its proprietary technology. The Company will enter into confidentiality and invention agreements with its employees and consultants. Nevertheless, these agreements may not be honored and they may not effectively protect the Company’s right to its un-patented trade secrets and know-how. Moreover, others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to the Company’s trade secrets and know-how.

-10-

If the NASDAQ Stock Market determines that the Merger with North South and the issuance of the Merger Consideration results in a change of control of the Company, the Company may be required to submit a new application under NASDAQ’s original listing standards and if such application is not approved, the Company’s Common Stock may be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market.

In connection with the Merger, the Company will issue 118,483 shares of Common Stock and 1,488,152 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, which are convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-ten basis. The Company does not believe the issuance of the Merger Consideration will result in a change of control of the Company because of, among other things, the significant overlap in ownership between the Company and North South. NASDAQ Rule 5110(a) provides that a Company must apply for initial listing in connection with a transaction whereby a company combines with a non-NASDAQ entity, resulting in a change of control of such company and potentially allowing the non-NASDAQ entity to effectively obtain NASDAQ listing. In determining whether a change of control has occurred, NASDAQ considers all relevant factors including, changes in management, board of directors, voting power, ownership and financial structure of the Company. If The NASDAQ Stock Market determines that a change of control does in fact result from the consummation of the Merger and the issuance of the Merger Consideration and an original listing application has not been approved prior to the consummation of Merger, the Company will be in violation of NASDAQ Rule 5110(a) and the Company’s Common Stock could be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market.

-11-

PROPOSAL TO APPROVE SPHERIX INCORPORATED 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Description of Our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan

On April 1, 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Spherix Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), an omnibus equity incentive plan pursuant to which the Company may grant equity and cash and equity-linked awards to certain management, consultants and others. The Company’s board of directors recommends adoption of the 2013 Plan in order to promote the success of the Company by providing a means to offer incentives and to attract, motivate, retain and reward persons eligible to participate in the 2013 Plan. Accordingly, the Company’s board of directors voted unanimously to adopt the 2013 Plan.

Set forth below is a summary of the 2013 Plan, but this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2013 Plan, a copy of which is included as Appendix A to this Consent Solicitation Statement.

Shares Available

The 2013 Plan authorizes approximately 17% or our fully-diluted Common Stock (2,800,000 shares) be reserved for issuance under the Plan, after giving effect to the shares of our capital stock issuable under the Merger. As of April 1, 2013, no shares were issued under our 2013 Plan and 122,250 shares of Common Stock were used under our previously adopted 2012 Plan.

Administration

The 2013 Plan will be administered by the board of directors or by one or more committees of directors appointed by the board of directors (the “Administrator”). The board of directors may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under the 2013 Plan. Any committee delegated administrative authority under the 2013 Plan may further delegate its authority under the Plan to another committee of directors, and any such delegate shall be deemed to be an Administrator of the 2013 Plan. Any Administrator may also, within its administrative authority under the 2013 Plan and in accordance with applicable law, delegate to one or more officers of the Company the ability to make awards to Eligible Persons (as defined below) under the 2013 Plan. It is anticipated that the Administrator (either generally or with respect to specific transactions) will be constituted so as to comply, as necessary or desirable, with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Eligibility

Awards may be granted pursuant to the 2013 Plan only to persons who are eligible persons. Under the 2013 Plan, “Eligible Person” means any person who is either: (a) an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (b) a director of the Company or one of its subsidiaries; or (c) an individual consultant who renders bona fide services to the Company or one of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that ISOs may be granted only to employees. As of the Record Date, the approximate number of Eligible Persons under the 2013 Plan included four officers or employees of the Company, three independent directors of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, and [__]individual consultants to the Company or one of its subsidiaries.

Awards

The 2013 Plan permits the grant of: (a) stock options, which may be intended as ISOs or as nonqualified stock options (options not meeting the requirements to qualify as ISOs); (b) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”); (c) restricted stock; (d) restricted stock units; (e) cash incentive awards; or (f) other awards, including: (i) stock bonuses, performance stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the common stock, upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (ii) any similar securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the common stock and/or returns thereon.

-12-

Option and SAR Awards. Option and SAR awards granted under the 2013 Plan must have an exercise price or base price of no less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value on the date of grant, in the case of ISOs granted to certain ten percent stockholders of the Company). Options and SAR awards shall become exercisable upon such conditions (which may include the passage of time or the attainment of certain performance criteria) as the Administrator may establish in its sole discretion. The exercise price of any option shall be paid in cash or by any of the methods set forth below under the heading “Consideration for Awards.” Option and SAR awards are exercisable for a period established by the Administrator, which in no event shall exceed ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of ISOs granted to certain ten percent stockholders of the Company). If the Administrator does not specify otherwise in an award agreement, upon termination of a participant’s employment or other service to the Company, option and SAR awards shall expire (1) three months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Company or any subsidiary (provided; however, that in the event of the participant’s death during this period, those persons entitled to exercise the option or SAR pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution shall have one year following the date of death within which to exercise such option or SAR); (2) in the case of a participant whose termination of employment or services is due to death or disability (as defined in the applicable award agreement), 12 months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Company or its subsidiary; and (3) immediately upon a participant’s termination for “cause”.

Performance Based Compensation

The 2013 Plan provides for the grant of certain awards, the vesting or payment of which may be contingent on the satisfaction of certain performance criteria. Such performance-based awards are designed to be exempt from the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code, as described below under “Certain Federal Tax Consequences.” The maximum number of shares that may be issued to any single participant pursuant to options and SARs during the term of the 2013 Plan shall not exceed Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand (2,800,000) shares. The maximum number of shares of common stock which may be delivered pursuant to other performance-based equity awards granted during the 162(m) Term (as defined below) may not exceed 2,000,000 shares, and the maximum amount of cash compensation payable pursuant to performance-based cash awards granted during the 162(m) Term (as defined below) may not exceed $1,000,000. The 162(m) Term is the period beginning on the effective date of the 2013 Plan and ending on the date of the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Company’s stockholders first approve this 2013 Plan (the “162(m) Term”)

The 2013 Plan includes the following performance criteria that may be used by the Administrator when granting performance-based awards: (1) earnings per share, (2) cash flow (which means cash and cash equivalents derived from either (i) net cash flow from operations or (ii) net cash flow from operations, financing and investing activities), (3) total stockholder return, (4) price per share of common stock, (5) gross revenue, (6) revenue growth, (7) operating income (before or after taxes), (8) net earnings (before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), (9) return on equity, (10) capital employed, or on assets or on net investment, (11) cost containment or reduction, (12) cash cost per ounce of production, (13) operating margin, (14) debt reduction, (15) resource amounts, (16) production or production growth, (17) resource replacement or resource growth, (18) successful completion of financings, or (19) any combination of the foregoing.

Fair Market Value

Under the 2013 Plan, “Fair Market Value” means, unless otherwise determined or provided by the administrator in the circumstances, the closing price for a share of common stock on the trading day immediately before the grant date, as furnished by the NASDAQ Stock Market or other principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed for the date in question, or if the Common Stock is no longer listed on a principal stock exchange, then by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets. If the Common Stock is no longer listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market or listed on a principal stock exchange or is no longer actively traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets as of the applicable date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Administrator for purposes of the award in the circumstances.

-13-

Consideration for Awards

The purchase price for any award granted under the 2013 Plan or the common stock to be delivered pursuant to any such award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator, including, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

•

services rendered by the recipient of such award;

•

cash, check payable to the order of the Company, or electronic funds transfer;

•

notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;

•

the delivery of previously owned and fully vested shares of common stock;

•

by a reduction in the number of shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the award; or

•

subject to such procedures as the Administrator may adopt, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” with a third party who provides financing for the purposes of (or who otherwise facilitates) the purchase or exercise of awards.

In the event that the Administrator allows a participant to exercise an award by delivering shares of common stock previously owned by such participant and unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, any shares delivered which were initially acquired by the participant from the Company (upon exercise of a stock option or otherwise) must have been owned by the participant at least six months as of the date of delivery. Shares of common stock used to satisfy the exercise price of an option are valued at their fair market value on the date of exercise. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise or purchase price for the shares and any related withholding obligations and any other conditions to exercise or purchase, as established from time to time by the Administrator, have been satisfied. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, the Administrator may at any time eliminate or limit a participant’s ability to pay the purchase or exercise price of any award or shares by any method other than cash payment to the Company.

All of the reserved shares under our 2013 Plan are available for issuance under the 2013 Plan may be issued as “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or as other type of awards. The Administrator 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 in accordance with the 2013 Plan. Shares shall be counted against those reserved to the extent such shares have been delivered and are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, (i) to the extent that an award under the 2013 Plan, in whole or in part, is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, settled by delivery of fewer shares than the number of shares underlying the award, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to the participant, the shares retained by or returned to the Company will not be deemed to have been delivered under the 2013 Plan and will be deemed to remain or to become available under the 2013 Plan; and (ii) shares that are withheld from such an award or separately surrendered by the participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to such an award shall be deemed to constitute shares not delivered and will be deemed to remain or to become available under the 2013 Plan. The foregoing adjustments to the share limit of the 2013 Plan are subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).

The number of shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan (as well as the number of shares that may be issued as ISOs, and the share limitations set forth below under the heading “Performance Based Compensation”) are subject to proportionate adjustment by the Administrator (as defined below) in the event of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split, or upon any merger, arrangement, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization, or upon any spin-off, split-up or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the common stock, or upon any exchange of common stock or other securities of the Company, or upon any similar unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the common stock.

-14-

Change in Control

Upon a change in control, each then-outstanding option and SAR shall automatically become fully vested, all restricted shares then outstanding shall automatically fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under the 2013 Plan that is then outstanding shall automatically become vested and payable to the holder of such award unless the Administrator has made appropriate provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of the award pursuant to the change in control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may choose (in an award agreement or otherwise) to provide for full or partial accelerated vesting of any award upon a change in control (or upon any other event or other circumstance related to the change in control, such as an involuntary termination of employment occurring after such change in control, as the Administrator may determine), irrespective of whether such any such award has been substituted, assumed, exchanged or otherwise continued pursuant to the change in control.

For purposes of the 2013 Plan, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i) a tender offer (or series of related offers) shall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, unless as a result of such tender offer more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the commencement of such offer), and/or by any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

(ii) the Company shall be merged or consolidated with another entity, unless as a result of such merger or consolidation more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), and/or by any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

(iii) the Company shall sell substantially all of its assets to another entity that is not wholly owned by the Company, unless as a result of such sale more than 50% of such assets shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), and/or by any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries and their affiliates; or

(iv) a person shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record), unless as a result of such acquisition more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the first acquisition of such securities by such person), and/or by any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and their affiliates.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Administrator may waive the requirement described in paragraph (iv) above that a person must acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company for a change in control to have occurred if the Administrator determines that the percentage acquired by a person is significant (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion) and that waiving such condition is appropriate in light of all facts and circumstances, and (2) no compensation that has been deferred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code shall be payable as a result of a change in control unless the change in control qualifies as a change in ownership or effective control of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

Certain Federal Tax Consequences

The following summary of the federal income tax consequences of the 2013 Plan transactions is based upon federal income tax laws in effect on the date of this Consent Solicitation Statement. This summary does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.

-15-

Nonqualified Stock Options. The grant of a nonqualified stock option under the 2013 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. Upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time of exercise over the option exercise price. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the sales proceeds received and whether the shares are held for more than one year following exercise. The Company does not receive a tax deduction for any subsequent capital gain.

Incentive Options. The grant of an ISO under the 2013 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. A participant recognizes no federal taxable income upon exercising an ISO (subject to the alternative minimum tax rules discussed below), and the Company receives no deduction at the time of exercise. In the event of a disposition of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO, the tax consequences depend upon how long the participant has held the shares. If the participant does not dispose of the shares within two years after the ISO was granted, nor within one year after the ISO was exercised, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain (or loss) equal to the difference between the sale price of the shares and the exercise price. The Company is not entitled to any deduction under these circumstances.

If the participant fails to satisfy either of the foregoing holding periods (referred to as a “disqualifying disposition”), he or she will recognize ordinary compensation income in the year of the disposition. The amount of ordinary compensation income generally is the lesser of (i) the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the exercise price or (ii) the difference between the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Such amount is not subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes, even if the participant is an employee of the Company. Any gain in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain. The Company, in the year of the disqualifying disposition, is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary compensation income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.

The “spread” under an ISO —i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares at exercise and the exercise price—is classified as an item of adjustment in the year of exercise for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If a participant’s alternative minimum tax liability exceeds such participant’s regular income tax liability, the participant will owe the alternative minimum tax liability.

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is generally taxable to the participant as ordinary compensation income on the date that the restrictions lapse (i.e. the date that the stock vests), in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on such date over the amount paid for such stock (if any). If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss treatment depending on the sales price and how long the stock has been held since the restrictions lapsed. The Company does not receive a tax deduction for any subsequent gain.

Participants receiving restricted stock awards may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (“Section 83(b) Election”) to recognize as ordinary compensation income in the year that such restricted stock is granted, the amount equal to the excess of the fair market value on the date of the issuance of the stock over the amount paid for such stock. If such an election is made, the recipient recognizes no further amounts of compensation income upon the lapse of any restrictions and any gain or loss on subsequent disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss to the recipient. The Section 83(b) Election must be made within 30 days from the time the restricted stock is issued.

-16-

Other Awards. Other awards (such as restricted stock units) are generally treated as ordinary compensation income as and when common stock or cash are paid to the participant upon vesting or settlement of such awards. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for income and employment tax purposes. The Company is generally entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the recipient, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Code Section 162(m), no deduction is allowed in any taxable year of the Company for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the Company’s “covered employees.” A “covered employee” is the Company’s chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated officers of the Company other than the chief financial officer. An exception to this rule applies to “qualified performance based compensation,” which generally includes stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under a stockholder approved plan, and other forms of equity incentives, the vesting or payment of which is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain stockholder approved performance goals. The Company intends that the 2013 Plan allow for the grant of options and stock appreciation rights that may be treated as “qualified performance based compensation” that is exempt from the limitations of Code Section 162(m), and for the grant of other performance-based awards that may be treated as “qualified performance based compensation,” but it makes no assurance that either such type of award will be so treated.

NEW PLAN BENEFITS

SEC rules require us to disclose any amounts that we currently are able to determine will be allocated to our named executive officers, directors and other employees following approval of the 2013 Plan. Amounts to be granted to our executive officers and directors in the future cannot be determined at this time.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth information concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012.

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)	Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)			Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders	7,163	(1)	$	22.34	2,750	(3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by securities holders	1,399	(2)	$	97.27	N/A
Total	8,562				2,750

1 Consists of options to acquire 7,163 shares of our common stock issued to our key employees and directors.

2 Consists of warrants to purchase 1,399 shares of our common stock issued to our placement agent with respect to the January 2011, October 2011 and February 2012 offerings.

3 Consists of shares of common stock available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan.

-17-

PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AND RATIFY THE RETENTION OF SICHENZIA ROSS FRIEDMAN FERENCE LLP AS SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AND TO WAIVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH SUCH LAW FIRM.

On April 1, 2013, our board of directors approved Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (“SRFF”) to perform services for the Company as counsel after full disclosure of the relationship of such firm with our interim Chief Executive Officer. Harvey Kesner, who has been a member of the Company’s board of directors since November 2012 and the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer since February 27, 2013, is a partner of SRFF. The board’s decision was based in part on the alignment between SRFF’s resources and expertise and the Company’s new business focus and experience in similar business ventures. Our board of directors approved the retention of SRFF and determined that no conflict of interest existed as a result of Mr. Kesner’s association with SRFF and was not likely to arise given the nature of the services SRFF would be providing generally as well as the Company’s continued access to, and utilization of, independent outside counsel with long-standing relations with the Company on other matters.

The selection of the Company’s outside legal counsel is not required to be submitted to a vote of our stockholders for ratification. However, we are submitting this matter to the stockholders as a best practices matter in order to provide disclosure and seek ratification of such decision by the stockholders. Even if the retention of SRFF is not ratified, the board of directors may, in its discretion, retain SRFF or a different law firm at any time if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company

-18-

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our voting securities as of April 4, 2013 by:

	•	each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5.0% of any class of our voting securities;
	•	each of our directors;
	•	each of our named executive officers; and
	•	all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

The percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or dispositive power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.

As of April 4, 2013, we had [_____] shares outstanding.

Title of Class	Name of Beneficial Owner	Amount and Nature of Ownership	Percent Of Class
Principal Stockholders







Executive Officers and Directors

*		Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.
(1)	Investors in the November 7, 2012 private placement may not beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock (taking into account any beneficial ownership limitations contained in the Warrants and any other securities of the Company owned by such Purchaser). Further, the Warrants issued under the November 7, 2012 private placement may only be exercised to the extent that the holder would not beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation of 4.99% of the of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, may increase the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of the Warrant Agreement, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder.

(2)	Included in the number of shares beneficially owned by D.T. Brown, R.L. Clayton, E.M. Karr, H.J. Kesner, R.A. Lodder, R.J. Vander Zanden and All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group are 1,159, 63, 1,013, 1,013, 63, 1,159 and 4,470 shares, respectively, which such persons have a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options.
(3)	Included in the number of shares beneficially owned by H.J. Kesner are 9,391 shares of common stock, 1,013 options and 120,000 shares of restricted common stock owned indirectly by Paradox Capital Partners LLC an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Kesner.

-19-

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following Summary of Compensation table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company during the two years ended December 31, 2012, to all Executive Officers earning in excess of $100,000 during any year.

Summary of Compensation

												Change in
												Pension
												Value
										Non-Equity		and Non-
										Incentive		Qualified		All Other
Name and						Stock		Option		Plan		Deferred		Compen-
Principal Position	Year	Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		Award ($)		Award ($)(1)		Compensation ($)(2)		Compensation Earnings ($)		sation ($)(3)		Total ($)
C. Kruger (3)	2012		262,573		-		-		3,919		143,222		-		286,443		696,157
Former CEO and COO	2011		278,100		-		-		531		139,050		-		-		417,681

R. Lodder	2012		233,398		-		-		2,138		93,359		-		-		328,895
Principal Executive Officer	2011		226,600		-		-		273		90,640		-		-		317,513
and President
R. Clayton	2012		212,180		-		-		2,138		74,263		-		-		288,581
CFO, Treasurer	2011		206,000		-		-		273		72,100		-		-		278,373
and Corporate Secretary

(1)	On November 15, 2011, C. Kruger, R. Lodder and R. Clayton were granted stock options for 500, 250, and 250 shares, respectively. On February 17, 2006, R. Clayton was granted stock options for 100 shares. Information regarding forfeiture and assumptions made in the valuation are disclosed in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements included herein.
(2)	Awards pursuant to the Spherix Incorporated Incentive Compensation Plan.

(3)	Dr. Kruger resigned her position from the Company on December 3, 2012, following the sale of the Spherix Consulting subsidiary. Under the terms of Dr. Kruger’s Severance Agreement, the Company paid Dr. Kruger $286,443 in December 2012.

-20-

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2012

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Number

Market

Number of

of Shares

Value of

Securities

or Units

Shares or

Underlying

of Stock

Units of

Unexercised

Option

that have

Stock that

Options (#)

Exercise

Expiration

not Vested

have not

Name

Exercisable

Unexercisable

Price ($)

Date

(#)

Vested ($)

R. Lodder

187

40.00

11/14/2016

1,000

6,830

R. Clayton

187

40.00

11/14/2016

1,000

6,830

Potential Payment Upon Termination or Change in Control

We have agreed to pay our officers one year salary and health and welfare (COBRA) benefits upon termination by us or following a change of control. Under the December 12, 2012, Retention Agreement with Mr. Clayton, Mr. Clayton agreed to remain as CFO of the Company through March 31, 2013 and the Company will pay Mr. Clayton a severance of $212,180 as required by the terms of his prior employment agreement. Pursuant to a Retention Agreement with Mr. Lodder, Mr. Lodder agreed to remain as principal executive officer through June 30, 2013 and the Company will pay Mr. Lodder a severance of $233,398 as required by the terms of his prior employment agreement.

Unless otherwise agreed by the board of directors, the other staff members would be entitled to severance upon termination of employment pursuant to the Company’s severance policy. The policy provides:

Completed Service Years	Severance Pay
> 1 year	10 days
1 but less than 2 years	15 days
2 but less than 3 years	20 days
3 but less than 4 years	25 days
4 or more years	30 days

Director Compensation

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Name	Fees Earned Paid in Cash ($)		Options ($)		All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
Douglas T. Brown	$	22,000	$	8,084	$	-	$	30,084
Edward M. Karr		3,600		6,980		-		10,580
Harvey J. Kesner(2)		3,600		6,980		-		10,580
Aris Melissaratos(1)		22,000		8,084		10,500		40,584
Thomas B. Peter(1)		17,300		8,084		3,500		28,884
Robert J. Vander Zanden		32,900		8,084		-		40,984

(1)	Aris Melissaratos and Thomas B. Peter resigned their positions as Directors of the Company on November 30, 2012.
(2)	On February 29, 2013, Mr. Kesner was elected as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

-21-

Non-employee directors receive the following annual compensation for service as a member of the Board:

Annual Retainer	$5,000	To be paid in cash at May Board Meeting annually.
Stock Options	$10,000	To be calculated by dividing $10,000 by the closing stock price the day the Stock Options are awarded; and at the May Board Meeting annually thereafter. The Options will vest in full on the day of award and will be exercisable for a period of five (5) years.
Board Meeting Fees	$2,500	To be paid for all in-person Board Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.
Committee Meeting Fees	$800	To be paid for all in-person Committee Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.
Teleconference Fees	$300	To be paid for all teleconferences called by either the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by the Chairman of the relevant Committee. Members must be on-line to be paid.
Additional Retainer	$5,000	To be paid to the Chairman of the Board upon election annually.
Additional Retainer	$1,000	To be paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee at May Board Meeting annually.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

There are no proposals by any security holder which are or could have been included within this consent solicitation.

-22-

Appendix A

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.	PURPOSE OF PLAN

1.1 The purpose of this 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) of Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), is to promote the success of the Corporation and to increase stockholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons.

2.	ELIGIBILITY

2.1 The Administrator (as such term is defined in Section 3.1) may grant awards under this Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be Eligible Persons. An “Eligible Person” is any person who is either: (a) an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; (b) a director of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; or (c) an individual consultant who renders bona fide services (other than services in connection with the offering or sale of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in a capital-raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries) to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and who is selected to participate in this Plan by the Administrator; provided, however, that a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person under clause (c) above may participate in this Plan only if such participation would not adversely affect either the Corporation’s eligibility to use Form S-8 to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the offering and sale of shares issuable under this Plan by the Corporation, or the Corporation’s compliance with any other applicable laws. An Eligible Person who has been granted an award (a “participant”) may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional awards if the Administrator shall so determine. As used herein, “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; and “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

3.	PLAN ADMINISTRATION

3.1 The Administrator. This Plan shall be administered by and all awards under this Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The “Administrator” means the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of this Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, to one or more officers of the Corporation, its powers under this Plan (a) to Eligible Persons who will receive grants of awards under this Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under this Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Corporation or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (a) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute due authorization of an action by the acting Administrator.

With respect to awards intended to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), this Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code); provided, however, that the failure to satisfy such requirement shall not affect the validity of the action of any committee otherwise duly authorized and acting in the matter. Award grants, and transactions in or involving awards, intended to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), must be duly and timely authorized by the Board or a committee consisting solely of two or more non-employee directors (as this requirement is applied under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act). To the extent required by any applicable stock exchange, this Plan shall be administered by a committee composed entirely of independent directors (within the meaning of the applicable stock exchange). Awards granted to non-employee directors shall not be subject to the discretion of any officer or employee of the Corporation and shall be administered exclusively by a committee consisting solely of independent directors.

-23-

3.2 Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization of awards and the administration of this Plan (in the case of a committee or delegation to one or more officers, within the authority delegated to that committee or person(s)), including, without limitation, the authority to:

(a) determine eligibility and, from among those persons determined to be eligible, the particular Eligible Persons who will receive awards under this Plan;

(b) grant awards to Eligible Persons, determine the price at which securities will be offered or awarded and the number of securities to be offered or awarded to any of such persons, determine the other specific terms and conditions of such awards consistent with the express limits of this Plan, establish the installments (if any) in which such awards shall become exercisable or shall vest (which may include, without limitation, performance and/or time-based schedules), or determine that no delayed exercisability or vesting is required, establish any applicable performance targets, and establish the events of termination or reversion of such awards;

(c) approve the forms of award agreements (which need not be identical either as to type of award or among participants);

(d) construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries, and participants under this Plan, further define the terms used in this Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan or the awards granted under this Plan;

(e) cancel, modify, or waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

(f) accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all such outstanding awards (in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, within the maximum ten-year term of such awards) in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature) subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

(g) adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any award, adjust the price of any or all outstanding awards or otherwise change previously imposed terms and conditions, in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate, in each case subject to compliance with applicable stock exchange requirements, Sections 4 and 8.6 and the applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m) and treasury regulations thereunder with respect to awards that are intended to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), and provided that in no case (except due to an adjustment contemplated by Section 7 or any repricing that may be approved by stockholders) shall such an adjustment constitute a repricing (by amendment, cancellation and regrant, exchange or other means) of the per share exercise or base price of any stock option or stock appreciation right or other award granted under this Plan, and further provided that any adjustment or change in terms made pursuant to this Section 3.2(g) shall be made in a manner that, in the good faith determination of the Administrator will not likely result in the imposition of additional taxes or interest under Section 409A of the Code;

(h) determine the date of grant of an award, which may be a designated date after but not before the date of the Administrator’s action (unless otherwise designated by the Administrator, the date of grant of an award shall be the date upon which the Administrator took the action granting an award);

-24-

(i) determine whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7 hereof and authorize the termination, conversion, substitution, acceleration or succession of awards upon the occurrence of an event of the type described in Section 7;

(j) acquire or settle (subject to Sections 7 and 8.6) rights under awards in cash, stock of equivalent value, or other consideration; and

(k) determine the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 5.6) of the Common Stock or awards under this Plan from time to time and/or the manner in which such value will be determined.

3.3 Binding Determinations. Any action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Subsidiary, or the Administrator relating or pursuant to this Plan and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. Neither the Board, the Administrator, nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any award made under this Plan), and all such persons shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Corporation in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time.

3.4 Reliance on Experts. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Administrator may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including professional advisors to the Corporation. The Administrator shall not be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith based upon such advice.

3.5 Delegation of Non-Discretionary Functions. In addition to the ability to delegate certain grant authority to officers of the Corporation as set forth in Section 3.1, the Administrator may also delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or to third parties.

4.	SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; SHARE LIMIT

4.1 Shares Available. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the capital stock available for issuance under this Plan shall be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock. For purposes of this Plan, “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Corporation and such other securities or property as may become the subject of awards under this Plan, or may become subject to such awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 7.1.

4.2 Share Limit. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted to Eligible Persons under this Plan may not exceed 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Share Limit”).

The foregoing Share Limit is subject to adjustment as contemplated by Section 4.3, Section 7.1, and Section 8.10.

4.3 Awards Settled in Cash, Reissue of Awards and Shares. The Administrator 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 in accordance with this Section 4.3. Shares shall be counted against those reserved to the extent such shares have been delivered and are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, (i) to the extent that an award under the Plan, in whole or in part, is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, settled by delivery of fewer shares than the number of shares underlying the award, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to the participant, the shares retained by or returned to the Corporation will not be deemed to have been delivered under the Plan and will be deemed to remain or to become available under this Plan; and (ii) shares that are withheld from such an award or separately surrendered by the participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to such an award shall be deemed to constitute shares not delivered and will be deemed to remain or to become available under the Plan. The foregoing adjustments to the Share Limit of this Plan are subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to awards intended as performance-based compensation thereunder.

-25-

4.4 Reservation of Shares; No Fractional Shares. The Corporation shall at all times reserve a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to cover the Corporation’s obligations and contingent obligations to deliver shares with respect to awards then outstanding under this Plan (exclusive of any dividend equivalent obligations to the extent the Corporation has the right to settle such rights in cash). No fractional shares shall be delivered under this Plan. The Administrator may pay cash in lieu of any fractional shares in settlements of awards under this Plan.

AWARDS

5.1 Type and Form of Awards. The Administrator shall determine the type or types of award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The types of awards that may be granted under this Plan are:

5.1.1 Stock Options. A stock option is the grant of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock during a specified period as determined by the Administrator. An option may be intended as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “ISO”) or a nonqualified stock option (an option not intended to be an ISO). The award agreement for an option will indicate if the option is intended as an ISO; otherwise it will be deemed to be a nonqualified stock option. The maximum term of each option (ISO or nonqualified) shall be ten (10) years. The per share exercise price for each option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. When an option is exercised, the exercise price for the shares to be purchased shall be paid in full in cash or such other method permitted by the Administrator consistent with Section 5.5.

5.1.2 Additional Rules Applicable to ISOs. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant of the applicable option) of stock with respect to which ISOs first become exercisable by a participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account both Common Stock subject to ISOs under this Plan and stock subject to ISOs under all other plans of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries (or any parent or predecessor corporation to the extent required by and within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), such options shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. In reducing the number of options treated as ISOs to meet the $100,000 limit, the most recently granted options shall be reduced first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the $100,000 limit, the Administrator may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which shares of Common Stock are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries (for this purpose, the term “subsidiary” is used as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, which generally requires an unbroken chain of ownership of at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of each subsidiary in the chain beginning with the Corporation and ending with the subsidiary in question). There shall be imposed in any award agreement relating to ISOs such other terms and conditions as from time to time are required in order that the option be an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time the option is granted, owns (or is deemed to own under Section 424(d) of the Code) shares of outstanding Common Stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, unless the exercise price of such option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the option and such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such option is granted.

5.1.3 Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right or “SAR” is a right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the number of shares of Common Stock being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised, over (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR was granted as specified in the applicable award agreement (the “base price”). The maximum term of a SAR shall be ten (10) years.

-26-

5.1.4 Restricted Shares.

(a) Restrictions. Restricted shares are shares of Common Stock subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Administrator may impose, which 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 Administrator may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of this Plan and the applicable 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 Administrator).

(b) Certificates for Shares. Restricted shares granted under this Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. If certificates representing restricted stock are registered in the name of the participant, the Administrator may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such restricted stock, that the Corporation retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the participant deliver a stock power to the Corporation, endorsed in blank, relating to the restricted stock. The Administrator may require that restricted shares are held in escrow until all restrictions lapse

(c) Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of an award of restricted stock, subject to applicable law, the Administrator may require or permit a participant to elect 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 this Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, 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.

5.1.5 Restricted Share Units.

(a) Grant of Restricted Share Units. A restricted share unit, or “RSU”, represents the right to receive from the Corporation on the respective scheduled vesting or payment date for such RSU, one Common Share. An award of RSUs may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, subject to the provisions of this Plan. At the time an award of RSUs is made, the Administrator shall establish a period of time during which the restricted share units shall vest and the timing for settlement of the RSU.

(b) Dividend Equivalent Accounts. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award agreement, as well as any procedures established by the Administrator, prior to the expiration of the applicable vesting period of an RSU, the Administrator may determine to pay dividend equivalent rights with respect to RSUs, in which case, the Corporation shall establish an account for the participant and reflect in that account any securities, cash or other property comprising any dividend or property distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying each RSU. Each amount or other property credited to any such account shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as the RSU to which it relates. The participant shall have the right to be paid the amounts or other property credited to such account upon vesting of the subject RSU.

(c) Rights as a Shareholder. Subject to the restrictions imposed under the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable award agreement, each participant receiving RSUs shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to such RSUs until such time as shares of Common Stock are issued to the participant. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a RSU is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, shares of Common Stock issuable under an RSU shall be treated as issued on the first date that the holder of the RSU is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as determined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and the holder shall be the owner of such shares of Common Stock on such date. An award agreement may provide that issuance of shares of Common Stock under an RSU may be deferred beyond the first date that the RSU is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, provided that such deferral is structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

-27-

5.1.6 Cash Awards. The Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant cash bonuses (including without limitation, discretionary awards, awards based on objective or subjective performance criteria, awards subject to other vesting criteria or awards granted consistent with Section 5.2 below). Cash awards shall be awarded in such amount and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.

5.1.7 Other Awards. The other types of awards that may be granted under this Plan include: (a) stock bonuses, performance stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the Common Stock (subject to the requirements of Section 5.1.1 and in compliance with applicable laws), upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) any similar securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the Common Stock and/or returns thereon.

5.2 Section 162(m) Performance-Based Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of the types of awards listed in Sections 5.1.4 through 5.1.7 above may be, and options and SARs granted with an exercise or base price not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the date of grant (“Qualifying Options” and “Qualifying SARs,” respectively) typically will be, granted as awards intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Performance-Based Awards”). The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of Performance-Based Awards may depend (or, in the case of Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs, may also depend) on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using the Business Criteria provided for below for the Corporation on a consolidated basis or for one or more of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing. Such criteria may be evaluated on an absolute basis or relative to prior periods, industry peers, or stock market indices. Any Qualifying Option or Qualifying SAR shall be subject to the requirements of Section 5.2.1 and 5.2.3 in order for such award to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Any other Performance-Based Award shall be subject to all of the following provisions of this Section 5.2.

5.2.1 Class; Administrator. The eligible class of persons for Performance-Based Awards under this Section 5.2 shall be officers and employees of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The Administrator approving Performance-Based Awards or making any certification required pursuant to Section 5.2.4 must be constituted as provided in Section 3.1 for awards that are intended as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

5.2.2 Performance Goals. The specific performance goals for Performance-Based Awards (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall be, on an absolute or relative basis, established based on such business criteria as selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion (“Business Criteria”), including the following: (1) earnings per share, (2) cash flow (which means cash and cash equivalents derived from either (i) net cash flow from operations or (ii) net cash flow from operations, financing and investing activities), (3) total stockholder return, (4) price per share of Common Stock, (5) gross revenue, (6) revenue growth, (7) operating income (before or after taxes), (8) net earnings (before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), (9) return on equity, (10) capital employed, or on assets or on net investment, (11) cost containment or reduction, (12) cash cost per ounce of production, (13) operating margin, (14) debt reduction, (15) resource amounts, (16) production or production growth, (17) resource replacement or resource growth, (18) successful completion of financings, or (19) any combination of the foregoing. To qualify awards as performance-based under Section 162(m), the applicable Business Criterion (or Business Criteria, as the case may be) and specific performance goal or goals (“targets”) must be established and approved by the Administrator during the first 90 days of the performance period (and, in the case of performance periods of less than one year, in no event after 25% or more of the performance period has elapsed) and while performance relating to such target(s) remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance targets shall be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of material, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses, accounting changes or other extraordinary events not foreseen at the time the targets were set unless the Administrator provides otherwise at the time of establishing the targets; provided that the Administrator may not make any adjustment to the extent it would adversely affect the qualification of any compensation payable under such performance targets as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of Code. The applicable performance measurement period may not be less than 3 months nor more than 10 years.

-28-

5.2.3 Form of Payment. Grants or awards intended to qualify under this Section 5.2 may be paid in cash or shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof.

5.2.4 Certification of Payment. Before any Performance-Based Award under this Section 5.2 (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) is paid and to the extent required to qualify the award as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator must certify in writing that the performance target(s) and any other material terms of the Performance-Based Award were in fact timely satisfied.

5.2.5 Reservation of Discretion. The Administrator will have the discretion to determine the restrictions or other limitations of the individual awards granted under this Section 5.2 including the authority to reduce awards, payouts or vesting or to pay no awards, in its sole discretion, if the Administrator preserves such authority at the time of grant by language to this effect in its authorizing resolutions or otherwise.

5.2.6 Expiration of Grant Authority. As required pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Administrator’s authority to grant new awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall terminate upon the first meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Corporation’s stockholders first approve this Plan (the “162(m) Term”).

5.2.7 Compensation Limitations. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to any Eligible Person during the term of this Plan pursuant to Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs may not exceed 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to any Eligible Person pursuant to Performance-Based Awards granted during the 162(m) Term (other than cash awards granted pursuant to Section 5.1.6 and Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs) may not exceed 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The maximum amount that may be paid to any Eligible Person pursuant to Performance-Based Awards granted pursuant to Sections 5.1.6 (cash awards) during the 162(m) Term may not exceed $1,000,000.

5.3 Award Agreements. Each award shall be evidenced by a written or electronic award agreement in the form approved by the Administrator and, if required by the Administrator, executed by the recipient of the award. The Administrator may authorize any officer of the Corporation (other than the particular award recipient) to execute any or all award agreements on behalf of the Corporation (electronically or otherwise). The award agreement shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the award as established by the Administrator consistent with the express limitations of this Plan.

5.4 Deferrals and Settlements. Payment of awards may be in the form of cash, Common Stock, other awards or combinations thereof as the Administrator shall determine, and with such restrictions as it may impose. The Administrator may also require or permit participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the settlement of awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under this Plan. The Administrator may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferral amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares. All mandatory or elective deferrals of the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the settlement of cash awards shall be structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

-29-

5.5 Consideration for Common Stock or Awards. The purchase price for any award granted under this Plan or the Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator and subject to compliance with applicable laws, including, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

•

services rendered by the recipient of such award;

•

cash, check payable to the order of the Corporation, or electronic funds transfer;

•

notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;

•

the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock that are fully vested and unencumbered;

•

by a reduction in the number of shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the award; or

•

In the event that the Administrator allows a participant to exercise an award by delivering shares of Common Stock previously owned by such participant and unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, any shares delivered which were initially acquired by the participant from the Corporation (upon exercise of a stock option or otherwise) must have been owned by the participant at least six months as of the date of delivery (or such other period as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment). Shares of Common Stock used to satisfy the exercise price of an option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. The Corporation will not be obligated to deliver any shares unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise or purchase price therefor and any related withholding obligations under Section 8.5 and any other conditions to exercise or purchase, as established from time to time by the Administrator, have been satisfied. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, the Administrator may at any time eliminate or limit a participant’s ability to pay the purchase or exercise price of any award by any method other than cash payment to the Corporation.

5.6 Definition of Fair Market Value. For purposes of this Plan “Fair Market Value” shall mean, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Administrator in the circumstances, the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the trading day immediately before the grant date, as furnished by the NASDAQ Stock Market or other principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed for the date in question, or if the Common Stock is no longer listed on a principal stock exchange, then by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets . If the Common Stock is no longer listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market or listed on a principal stock exchange or is no longer actively traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets as of the applicable date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Administrator for purposes of the award in the circumstances.

5.7 Transfer Restrictions.

5.7.1 Limitations on Exercise and Transfer. Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 5.7, by applicable law and by the award agreement, as the same may be amended, (a) all awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; (b) awards shall be exercised only by the participant; and (c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the participant.

5.7.2 Exceptions. The Administrator may permit awards to be exercised by and paid to, or otherwise transferred to, other persons or entities pursuant to such conditions and procedures, including limitations on subsequent transfers, as the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, establish in writing (provided that any such transfers of ISOs shall be limited to the extent permitted under the federal tax laws governing ISOs). Any permitted transfer shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

-30-

5.7.3 Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer. The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 5.7.1 shall not apply to:

(a) transfers to the Corporation,

(b) the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the participant’s death or, if the participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution,

(c) subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, transfers to a family member (or former family member) pursuant to a domestic relations order if approved or ratified by the Administrator,

(d) subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, if the participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the participant by his or her legal representative, or

(e) the authorization by the Administrator of “cashless exercise” procedures with third parties who provide financing for the purpose of (or who otherwise facilitate) the exercise of awards consistent with applicable laws and the express authorization of the Administrator.

5.8 International Awards. One or more awards may be granted to Eligible Persons who provide services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries outside of the United States. Any awards granted to such persons may, if deemed necessary or advisable by the Administrator, be granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of any applicable sub-plans, if any, appended to this Plan and approved by the Administrator.

5.9 Vesting. Subject to Section 5.1.2 hereof, awards shall vest at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant; provided, however, that in the absence of any award vesting periods designated by the Administrator at the time of grant in the applicable award agreement, awards shall vest as to one-third of the total number of shares subject to the award on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

6.	EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON AWARDS

6.1 Termination of Employment.

6.1.1 The Administrator shall establish the effect of a termination of employment or service on the rights and benefits under each award under this Plan and in so doing may make distinctions based upon, inter alia, the cause of termination and type of award. If the participant is not an employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and provides other services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrator shall be the sole judge for purposes of this Plan (unless a contract or the award agreement otherwise provides) of whether the participant continues to render services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and the date, if any, upon which such services shall be deemed to have terminated.

6.1.2 For awards of stock options or SARs, unless the award agreement provides otherwise, the exercise period of such options or SARs shall expire: (1) three months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary (provided; however, that in the event of the participant’s death during this period, those persons entitled to exercise the option or SAR pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution shall have one year following the date of death within which to exercise such option or SAR); (2) in the case of a participant whose termination of employment is due to death or disability (as defined in the applicable award agreement), 12 months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary; and (3) immediately upon a participant’s termination for “cause”. The Administrator will, in its absolute discretion, determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to a termination of employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment and whether a participant’s termination is for “cause.”

-31-

If not defined in the applicable award agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

(i) conviction of a felony or a crime involving fraud or moral turpitude; or

(ii) theft, material act of dishonesty or fraud, intentional falsification of any employment or Company records, or commission of any criminal act which impairs participant’s ability to perform appropriate employment duties for the Corporation; or

(iii) intentional or reckless conduct or gross negligence materially harmful to the Company or the successor to the Corporation after a Change in Control , including violation of a non-competition or confidentiality agreement; or

(iv) willful failure to follow lawful instructions of the person or body to which participant reports; or

(v) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of participant’s assigned duties. Cause shall not include mere unsatisfactory performance in the achievement of participant’s job objectives.

6.1.3 For awards of restricted shares, unless the award agreement provides otherwise, restricted shares that are subject to restrictions at the time that a participant whose employment or service is terminated shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Corporation; provided that, the Administrator 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 shares shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Administrator may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of restricted shares. Similar rules shall apply in respect of RSUs.

6.2 Events Not Deemed Terminations of Service. Unless the express policy of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator, otherwise provides, the employment relationship shall not be considered terminated in the case of (a) sick leave, (b) military leave, or (c) any other leave of absence authorized by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator; provided that unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or law, such leave is for a period of not more than 3 months. In the case of any employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on an approved leave of absence, continued vesting of the award while on leave from the employ of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be suspended until the employee returns to service, unless the Administrator otherwise provides or applicable law otherwise requires. In no event shall an award be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the award agreement.

6.3 Effect of Change of Subsidiary Status. For purposes of this Plan and any award, if an entity ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation, a termination of employment or service shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Eligible Person in respect of such Subsidiary who does not continue as an Eligible Person in respect of another entity within the Corporation or another Subsidiary that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status.

7. ADJUSTMENTS; ACCELERATION

7.1 Adjustments. Upon or in contemplation of any of the following events described in this Section 7.1,: any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split (“stock split”); any merger, arrangement, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock (whether in the form of securities or property); any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Administrator shall in such manner, to such extent and at such time as it deems appropriate and equitable in the circumstances (but subject to compliance with applicable laws and stock exchange requirements) proportionately adjust any or all of (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of awards (including the number of shares provided for in this Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any or all outstanding awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or exercise price (which term includes the base price of any SAR or similar right) of any or all outstanding awards, (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or payment of any outstanding awards, and (5) the 162(m) compensation limitations set forth in Section 5.2.7 and (subject to Section 8.8.3(a)) the performance standards applicable to any outstanding awards (provided that no adjustment shall be allowed to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of Code section 162(m)). Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall be made in a manner that, in the good faith determination of the Administrator, will not likely result in the imposition of additional taxes or interest under Section 409A of the Code. With respect to any award of an ISO, the Administrator may make such an adjustment that causes the option to cease to qualify as an ISO without the consent of the affected participant.

-32-

7.2 Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, each then-outstanding option and SAR shall automatically become fully vested, all restricted shares then outstanding shall automatically fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under this Plan that is then outstanding shall automatically become vested and payable to the holder of such award unless the Administrator has made appropriate provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of the award pursuant to the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may choose (in an award agreement or otherwise) to provide for full or partial accelerated vesting of any award upon a Change In Control (or upon any other event or other circumstance related to the Change in Control, such as an involuntary termination of employment occurring after such Change in Control, as the Administrator may determine), irrespective of whether such any such award has been substituted, assumed, exchanged or otherwise continued pursuant to the Change in Control.

For purposes of this Plan, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i) a tender offer (or series of related offers) shall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, unless as a result of such tender offer more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to the commencement of such offer), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

(ii) the Corporation shall be merged or consolidated with another entity, unless as a result of such merger or consolidation more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

(iii) the Corporation shall sell substantially all of its assets to another entity that is not wholly owned by the Corporation, unless as a result of such sale more than 50% of such assets shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries and their affiliates; or

(iv) a Person (as defined below) shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record), unless as a result of such acquisition more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to the first acquisition of such securities by such Person), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(I)(i) (as in effect on the date hereof) under the Exchange Act. In addition, for such purposes, “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof; provided, however, that a Person shall not include (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.

-33-

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Administrator may waive the requirement described in paragraph (iv) above that a Person must acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation for a Change in Control to have occurred if the Administrator determines that the percentage acquired by a person is significant (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion) and that waiving such condition is appropriate in light of all facts and circumstances, and (2) no compensation that has been deferred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code shall be payable as a result of a Change in Control unless the Change in Control qualifies as a change in ownership or effective control of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

7.3 Early Termination of Awards. Any award that has been accelerated as required or permitted by Section 7.2 upon a Change in Control (or would have been so accelerated but for Section 7.4 or 7.5) shall terminate upon such event, subject to any provision that has been expressly made by the Administrator, through a plan of reorganization or otherwise, for the survival, substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of such award and provided that, in the case of options and SARs that will not survive, be substituted for, assumed, exchanged, or otherwise continued in the transaction, the holder of such award shall be given reasonable advance notice of the impending termination and a reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her outstanding options and SARs in accordance with their terms before the termination of such awards (except that in no case shall more than ten days’ notice of accelerated vesting and the impending termination be required and any acceleration may be made contingent upon the actual occurrence of the event).

The Administrator may make provision for payment in cash or property (or both) in respect of awards terminated pursuant to this section as a result of the Change in Control and may adopt such valuation methodologies for outstanding awards as it deems reasonable and, in the case of options, SARs or similar rights, and without limiting other methodologies, may base such settlement solely upon the excess if any of the per share amount payable upon or in respect of such event over the exercise or base price of the award.

7.4 Other Acceleration Rules. Any acceleration of awards pursuant to this Section 7 shall comply with applicable legal and stock exchange requirements and, if necessary to accomplish the purposes of the acceleration or if the circumstances require, may be deemed by the Administrator to occur a limited period of time not greater than 30 days before the event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may deem an acceleration to occur immediately prior to the applicable event and/or reinstate the original terms of an award if an event giving rise to the acceleration does not occur. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may override the provisions of Section 7.2, 7.3, and/or 7.5 by express provision in the award agreement or otherwise. The portion of any ISO accelerated pursuant to Section 7.2 or any other action permitted hereunder shall remain exercisable as an ISO only to the extent the applicable $100,000 limitation on ISOs is not exceeded. To the extent exceeded, the accelerated portion of the option shall be exercisable as a nonqualified stock option under the Code.

7.5 Possible Rescission of Acceleration. If the vesting of an award has been accelerated expressly in anticipation of an event and the Administrator later determines that the event will not occur, the Administrator may rescind the effect of the acceleration as to any then outstanding and unexercised or otherwise unvested awards; provided, that, in the case of any compensation that has been deferred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator determines that such rescission will not likely result in the imposition of additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A.

8.	OTHER PROVISIONS

8.1 Compliance with Laws. This Plan, the granting and vesting of awards under this Plan, the offer, issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock, the acceptance of promissory notes and/or the payment of money under this Plan or under awards are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law, federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any applicable stock exchange listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

-34-

8.2 Future Awards/Other Rights. No person shall have any claim or rights to be granted an award (or additional awards, as the case may be) under this Plan, subject to any express contractual rights (set forth in a document other than this Plan) to the contrary.

8.3 No Employment/Service Contract. Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents under this Plan or in any award) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or other participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to change a person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment or other service, with or without cause. Nothing in this Section 8.3, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of such person under a separate employment or service contract other than an award agreement.

8.4 Plan Not Funded. Awards payable under this Plan shall be payable in shares or from the general assets of the Corporation, and no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit shall be made to assure payment of such awards. No participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including shares of Common Stock, except as expressly otherwise provided) of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries by reason of any award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and any participant, beneficiary or other person. To the extent that a participant, beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any award hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

8.5 Tax Withholding. Upon any exercise, vesting, or payment of any award, the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right at its option to:

(a) require the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of at least the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment; or

(b) deduct from any amount otherwise payable in cash to the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such cash payment.

In any case where a tax is required to be withheld in connection with the delivery of shares of Common Stock under this Plan, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to Section 8.1) grant (either at the time of the award or thereafter) to the participant the right to elect, pursuant to such rules and subject to such conditions as the Administrator may establish, to have the Corporation reduce the number of shares to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares, valued in a consistent manner at their Fair Market Value or at the sales price in accordance with authorized procedures for cashless exercises, necessary to satisfy the minimum applicable withholding obligation on exercise, vesting or payment. In no event shall the shares withheld exceed the minimum whole number of shares required for tax withholding under applicable law.

8.6 Effective Date, Termination and Suspension, Amendments.

8.6.1 Effective Date and Termination. This Plan was approved by the Board and became effective on April 1, 2013. Unless earlier terminated by the Board, this Plan shall terminate at the close of business on April 1, 2023. After the termination of this Plan either upon such stated expiration date or its earlier termination by the Board, no additional awards may be granted under this Plan, but previously granted awards (and the authority of the Administrator with respect thereto, including the authority to amend such awards) shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

8.6.2 Board Authorization. The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part. No awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends this Plan.

-35-

8.6.3 Stockholder Approval. To the extent then required by applicable law or any applicable stock exchange or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the Code to preserve the intended tax consequences of this Plan, or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, this Plan and any amendment to this Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval.

8.6.4 Amendments to Awards. Without limiting any other express authority of the Administrator under (but subject to) the express limits of this Plan, the Administrator by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on awards to participants that the Administrator in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.2 and 8.6.5) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of awards. Any amendment or other action that would constitute a repricing of an award is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.2(g).

8.6.5 Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards. No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan or change of or affecting any outstanding award shall, without written consent of the participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the participant any rights or benefits of the participant or obligations of the Corporation under any award granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 7 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 8.6.

8.7 Privileges of Stock Ownership. Except as otherwise expressly authorized by the Administrator or this Plan, a participant shall not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any shares of Common Stock not actually delivered to and held of record by the participant. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

8.8 Governing Law; Construction; Severability.

8.8.1 Choice of Law. This Plan, the awards, all documents evidencing awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware

8.8.2 Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall continue in effect.

8.8.3 Plan Construction.

(a) Rule 16b-3. It is the intent of the Corporation that the awards and transactions permitted by awards be interpreted in a manner that, in the case of participants who are or may be subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, qualify, to the maximum extent compatible with the express terms of the award, for exemption from matching liability under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall have no liability to any participant for Section 16 consequences of awards or events under awards if an award or event does not so qualify.

(b) Section 162(m). Awards under Sections 5.1.4 through 5.1.7 to persons described in Section 5.2 that are either granted or become vested, exercisable or payable based on attainment of one or more performance goals related to the Business Criteria, as well as Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs granted to persons described in Section 5.2, that are approved by a committee composed solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code) shall be deemed to be intended as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code unless such committee provides otherwise at the time of grant of the award. It is the further intent of the Corporation that (to the extent the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries or awards under this Plan may be or become subject to limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code) any such awards and any other Performance-Based Awards under Section 5.2 that are granted to or held by a person subject to Section 162(m) will qualify as performance-based compensation or otherwise be exempt from deductibility limitations under Section 162(m).

-36-

(c) Code Section 409A Compliance. The Board intends that, except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator, any awards under the Plan are either exempt from or satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”) to avoid the imposition of any taxes, including additional income or penalty taxes, thereunder. If the Administrator determines that an award, award agreement, acceleration, adjustment to the terms of an award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a participant’s award to become subject to Section 409A, unless the Administrator expressly determines otherwise, such award, award agreement, payment, acceleration, adjustment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be undertaken and the related provisions of the Plan and/or award agreement will be deemed modified or, if necessary, rescinded in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent determined by the Administrator without the content or notice to the participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any participant under Section 409A and neither the Company nor the Administrator will have any liability to any participant for such tax or penalty.

(d) No Guarantee of Favorable Tax Treatment. Although the Company intends that awards under the Plan will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law. The Company shall not be liable to any participant for any tax, interest or penalties the participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise or payment of any award under the Plan

8.9 Captions. Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

8.10 Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Corporation. Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee stock options, SARs, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons who are or who will become Eligible Persons in respect of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, in connection with a distribution, arrangement, business combination, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the employing entity. The awards so granted need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, provided the awards reflect only adjustments giving effect to the assumption or substitution consistent with the conversion applicable to the Common Stock in the transaction and any change in the issuer of the security. Any shares that are delivered and any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Corporation, as a result of the assumption by the Corporation of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company (or previously granted by a predecessor employer (or direct or indirect parent thereof) in the case of persons that become employed by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a business or asset acquisition or similar transaction) shall not be counted against the Share Limit or other limits on the number of shares available for issuance under this Plan, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator at the time of such assumption or substitution or as may be required to comply with the requirements of any applicable stock exchange.

8.11 Non-Exclusivity of Plan. Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or the Administrator to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Common Stock, under any other plan or authority.

-37-

8.12 No Corporate Action Restriction. The existence of this Plan, the award agreements and the awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation to make or authorize: (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (b) any merger, arrangement, business combination, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the capital stock (or the rights thereof) of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (e) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or (f) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Corporation or any Subsidiary. No participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim under any award or award agreement against any member of the Board or the Administrator, or the Corporation or any employees, officers or agents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, as a result of any such action.

8.13 Other Corporation Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a participant under an award made pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of a participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, except where the Administrator expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing or except as otherwise specifically set forth in the terms and conditions of such other employee welfare or benefit plan or arrangement. Awards under this Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, as alternatives to or in payment of grants, awards or commitments under any other plans or arrangements of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

8.14 Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 4, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation (i) reduce the exercise price, or cancel and reissue options so as to in effect reduce the exercise price or (ii) change the manner of determining the exercise price so that the exercise price is less than the fair market value per share of Common Stock.

As adopted by the Board of Directors of Spherix Incorporated on [__], 2013.

-38-

Appendix B

WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDER OF

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

[__], 2013

The undersigned stockholder of Spherix Incorporated (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Consent Solicitation and accompanying Consent Solicitation Statement, each dated [___], 2013. The undersigned hereby consents (by checking the FOR box) or declines to consent (by checking the AGAINST box or the ABSTAIN box) to the adoption of the following recitals and resolutions:

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the stockholders to approve the Spherix Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) attached as Appendix A to the Consent Solicitation Statement that accompanies this Written Consent, and has referred the same to the stockholders of the Company for approval by written consent;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company adopted the 2013 Plan on April 1, 2013 and recommended that the stockholders vote “FOR” the below resolution, which it has deemed is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the stockholders to approve the issuance of an aggregate of 118,483 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and 1,488,152 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), which is convertible into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-ten basis, as consideration for the acquisition of North South Holdings, Inc. (“North South”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and between the Company, Nuta Technology Corp., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and North South (the “Merger Consideration”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company approved the issuance of the Merger Consideration on April 1, 2013 and recommended that the stockholders vote “FOR” the below resolution, which it has deemed is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders in accordance with NASDAQ listing standards;

WHEREAS, on April 1, 2013 the board of directors of the Company approved the future retention of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (“SRFF”) as the Company’s outside legal counsel and waived any conflict of interest relating to or arising from the association of the Company’s current interim Chef Executive Officer and SRFF and recommended that the stockholders vote “FOR” the below resolution, which it has deemed is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company hereby approve the Spherix Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, in the form attached as Appendix A to the Consent Solicitation Statement;

oFORoAGAINSToABSTAIN

and it is further

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company hereby approve the issuance of the Merger Consideration and such Merger Consideration, when issued in accordance with the Merger Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

oFORoAGAINSToABSTAIN

and it is further

-39-

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company hereby approve and ratify the retention of SRFF as the Company’s outside legal counsel and hereby waive any conflict of interest relating to or arising from the association of the Company’s current interim Chef Executive Officer and SRFF.

oFORoAGAINSToABSTAIN

This Written Consent action may be executed in counterparts. Failure of any particular stockholder(s) to execute and deliver counterparts is immaterial so long as the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company do execute and deliver counterparts.

This Written Consent is solicited by the Company’s Board of Directors.

(Continued, and to be dated and signed, on the other side)

PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Consent Materials

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Written Consent on ________, 2013.

___________________________________________

Print name(s) exactly as shown on Stock Certificate(s)

______________________________ ________________________________________

Signature (and Title, if any) Signature (if held jointly)

Sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock certificate(s). If stock is held jointly, each holder must sign. If signing is by attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title as such. A corporation or partnership must sign by an authorized officer or general partner, respectively.

Please sign, date and return this consent to the following address or submit the consent through the e-mail address listed below:

[___]

You may also submit your consent by facsimile to [__].