COUNTERPATH CORPORATION
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
Adopted April 24, 2008
The upholding of a strong sense of ethics and integrity is of the highest importance to CounterPath
Corporation (the "Company") and critical to its success in the business environment. The Company's
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program ("Code of Conduct") embodies the
Company's commitment to such ethical principles and sets forth the responsibilities of the Company to its
shareholders, employees, consultants, customers, lenders and other stakeholders. The Company's Code of
Conduct addresses general business ethical principles, conflicts of interests, special ethical obligations for
employees with financial reporting responsibilities, insider trading laws, reporting of any unlawful or
unethical conduct, political contributions and other relevant issues.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
It is the Company's firm belief that effective business relationships can only be built on mutual trust and
fair dealing. The Company and all its directors, officers, employees and consultants, to whom the
Company's Code of Conduct is applicable, will conduct themselves in accordance with the standards
established herein.
The Company's Code of Conduct outlines the fundamental principles of legal and ethical business
conduct as adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company. It is not intended to be a comprehensive
list addressing all legal or ethical issues, which may confront the Company's personnel. Hence, it is
essential that all personnel subject to the Company's Code of Conduct employ good judgment in the
application of the principles contained herein.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Directors, officers and employees of the Company are expected to make decisions and take actions based
on the best interests of the Company, as a whole, and not based on personal relationships or benefits.
Generally, a "conflict of interest" is an activity that it inconsistent with or opposed to the best interest of
the Company or one which gives the appearance of impropriety. As conflicts of interest can compromise
the ethical behavior of Company personnel, they should be avoided.
Employees should avoid any relationship which would create a conflict of interest. Employees are
expected to disclose such relationships and conflicts to their immediate supervisors. Conflicts of interest
involving those with whom the Company does business should also be disclosed in writing to such third
parties. Any waivers of conflicts of interest must be approved by the Board of Directors or an appropriate
committee.
Members of the Board of Directors are to disclose any conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of
interest to the entire Board of Directors as well as the committees on which they serve. Directors are to
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excuse themselves from participation in any decision of the Board or a committee thereof in any matter in
which there is a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest.
Set forth below is specific guidance in respect to certain conflicts of interest situations. As it is not
possible to list all conflicts of interest situations, it is the responsibility of the individual, ultimately, to
avoid and properly address any situation involving a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest.
Company personnel who wish to obtain clarification of the Company's conflicts of interest principles or
further guidance with respect to the proper handling of any specific situation should consult his or her
immediate supervisor, the Company's corporate secretary or the Company's outside legal counsel.
Interest in Other Businesses: All Company's directors, officers and employees and their family members
must avoid any direct or indirect financial relationship with third parties with whom the Company has
relationships which would involve a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest or compromise
the individual's loyalty to the Company. Permission must be obtained from the Company's president
before any such individual commences an employment, business or consulting relationship with third
parties with whom the Company has relationships.
Outside Directorships: All Company directors, officers and employees may serve on the boards of
directors of other profit-making organizations so long as those other companies are not in direct
competition with the Company. Direct competition does not necessarily include being in the same type of
industry as the Company, and directors, officers and employees are not obliged to refer to the Company
every opportunity they may have in the Company's industry area.
Individuals who serve as directors of other companies may retain any compensation earned from that
outside directorship without accounting for the same to the Company. Individuals may receive
compensation (whether in the form of cash, stock or options) for service on a board of directors of another
business organization if such service is at the request of the Company or in connection with the
investment of the Company in such business organization, so long as the individual discloses the
compensation to the Company. All individuals must excuse themselves from any matters pertaining to
the Company and the business organization of which they are directors.
Proper Payments: All individuals should pay for and receive only that which is proper. Company
personnel should not make improper payments for the purposes of influencing another's acts or decisions
and should not receive any improper payments or gifts from others for the purposes influencing the
decisions or actions of Company's personnel. No individual should give gifts beyond those extended in
the context of normal business circumstances. Company personnel must observe all government
restrictions on gifts and entertainment.
Supervisory Relationships: Supervisory relationships with family members present special workplace
issues. Accordingly, Company personnel should where possible avoid a direct reporting relationship with
a family member. If such a relationship exists or occurs, the individuals involved must report the
relationship in writing to the Board of Directors.
COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS--WHISTLEBLOWER PROVISIONS
Ethical business conduct is critical to the Company's business. As an employee, your responsibility is to
respect and adhere to these practices. Many of these practices reflect legal or regulatory requirements.
Violations of these laws and regulations can create significant liability for you, the Company, its
directors, officers and other employees.
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All employees and consultants, and particularly managers and/or supervisors, have a responsibility for
maintaining financial integrity within the Company, consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles and both federal and state securities laws.
Please refer to the Company's Insider Trading Policy. Any further inquiries relating to insider trading
laws should be directed to the Company's Insider Trading Compliance Officer or the Company's outside
counsel.
Part of your job and ethical responsibility is to help enforce this Code of Conduct. Any failure to report
inappropriate or irregular conduct of others is a severe disciplinary matter. It is against Company policy
to retaliate against any individual who reports in good faith the violation or potential violation of the
Company's Code of Conduct of another.
If you suspect that a Company officer, director or employee has violated this Code of Conduct, or broken
any law, or become aware of any incidents involving financial or accounting manipulation or other
irregularities, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, you should follow the following
procedures to report the violation:
1. In most cases, you should report the violation to your immediate supervisor, to the Corporate
Secretary or to the Company's Insider Trading Compliance Officer.
2. If you believe reporting the violation to your immediate supervisor, Corporate Secretary, or to the
Insider Trading Compliance Officer would not result in appropriate action, then you may report the
suspected violation to the Designated Director. The current Designated Director is Chris Cooper. The
Designated Director is an independent director who is not an employee of the Company and who does not
have any material business relationship with the Company.
3. To report a suspected unlawful or unethical activity to the Designated Director, you may contact
the Designated Director using any of the following methods:
· By E-mail to Chris Cooper at ccooper@firstmg.com;
· By voice message to the following number: 1-604-689-8336; or
· By sealed letter addressed to: Chris Cooper, Suite 2410, P.O. Box 11524, 650 West
Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6N 1Z5.
4. If you wish, you may report suspected unlawful or unethical activity on an anonymous basis.
Any person reporting a suspected violation is encouraged to provide as much detail as possible regarding
the subject matter of the suspected violation, as the ability to investigate and rectify the problem will
depend largely on the quality and specificity of the information provided.
All reports of suspected unlawful or unethical conduct will be promptly investigated by the Company's
Corporate Secretary or by the Designated Director and communicated to the Board of Directors. All
employees are expected to cooperate in any internal or external investigations of possible violations.
Investigatory reports will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct
an adequate investigation. The Board of Directors will maintain copies of all such reports for not less
than five years.
Reprisal, threats, retribution or retaliation against any person who has in good faith reported a violation or
a suspected violation of law, this Code of Conduct or other Company policies, or against any person who
is assisting in any investigation or process with respect to such a violation, is strictly prohibited. Anyone
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who becomes aware of any such improper retaliatory conduct should immediately report such conduct to
the Designated Director.
The Company recognizes the need for this Code of Conduct to be applied equally to everyone. The
Board of Directors has primary authority and responsibility for the enforcement of this Code of Conduct.
The Company will devote the necessary resources to enable the Board of Directors to establish such
procedures as may be reasonably necessary to create a culture of accountability and facilitate compliance
with the Code of Business and Ethics and Compliance Program.
The Board of Directors shall determine, with or without the advice of others, appropriate actions to be
taken in the event there is a violation of this Code of Conduct. These actions shall be reasonably designed
to deter wrongdoing and to promote accountability for adherence to this Code of Conduct and may
include actions ranging from: (a) written notices to the individual involved in the violation, to (b)
termination of the individual's employment. In determining what action is appropriate in a particular
case, the Board of Directors will take into account all relevant information, including the nature and
severity of the violation, whether the violation was a single occurrence or repeated occurrences, whether
the violation appears to have been intentional or inadvertent, whether the individual in question had been
advised prior to the violation as to the proper course of action and whether or not the individual in
question had committed other violations in the past.
Situations which may involve a violation of ethics, laws or this Code of Conduct may not always be clear
and may require difficult judgment. No code of conduct or ethics can anticipate every business situation
that might present an ethical dilemma. In trying to determine whether any given action is appropriate,
answer the following questions:
· Would I feel comfortable if the action I'm taking is fully publicized in the media with all
the details, including my photo?
· Could I testify in a court of law or before a government agency about my action without
exposing the Company or myself to liability?
· Will my action seem like the appropriate one the next day or over time?
· Would I feel comfortable telling my manager, my family, my friends or my religious
leader about my action?
If you answer "no" to any of the questions above, you are likely at risk of making an unethical decision
and potentially violating this Code of Conduct. In all cases, if you are unsure about the appropriateness of
an event or action, please seek assistance in interpreting the requirements of these practices by contacting
your supervisor, the Corporate Secretary or the Company's outside legal counsel.
FINANCIAL REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
As a public company, it is of critical importance that the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and other relevant regulatory authorities be accurate and timely. Hence, all
Company personnel are obligated to provide information to ensure that the Company's publicly filed
documents be complete and accurate. All Company personnel must take this responsibility seriously and
provide prompt and accurate answers and responses to inquiries related to the Company's public
disclosure requirements.
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The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company have the ultimate
responsibilities of ensuring the integrity of the filings and disclosure made by the Company as required by
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other relevant regulatory
authorities. In the performance of their duties relating to the Company's public disclosure obligations, the
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and all Company personnel must:
· Act with honesty and integrity
· Provide information that is accurate, complete, objective, fair and timely
· Comply with rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments and other relevant
public and private regulatory authorities
· Act in good faith with due care, competence and due diligence
· Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of the performance of one's
duties
· Promote ethical and proper behavior in the work environment
· Report to the Chairman of the Audit Committee any conduct that the individual believes to be a
violation of law of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
INSIDER TRADING
It is the policy of the Company to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of any nonpublic information
acquired in the workplace and the misuse of material nonpublic information in securities trading. It is not
possible to define all categories of material information. However, information should be regarded as
material if there is a reasonable likelihood that it would be considered important to an investor in making
an investment decision regarding the purchase or sale of the Company's securities. Nonpublic information
is information that has not been previously disclosed to the general public and is otherwise not available
to the general public. While it may be difficult to determine whether particular information is material,
there are various categories of information that are particularly sensitive and, as a general rule, should
always be considered material. In addition, material information may be positive or negative. Examples of
such information may include:
· Financial results
· Projections of future earnings or losses
· Major contract awards, cancellations or write-offs
· Joint ventures with third parties
· Research, exploration or development milestones
· News of a pending or proposed merger or acquisition
· News of the disposition of material assets
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· Impending bankruptcy or financial liquidity problems
· Gain or loss of a substantial customer or supplier
· New product announcements or resource discoveries of a material nature
· Significant pricing changes
· Stock splits
· New equity or debt offerings
· Significant litigation exposure due to actual or threatened litigation
· Changes in senior management
· Capital investment plans
· Changes in dividend policy
Trading on Material Nonpublic Information: With certain limited exceptions, no officer or director of the
Company, no employee of the Company or its subsidiaries and no consultant or contractor to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and no members of the immediate family or household of any such
person, shall engage in any transaction involving a purchase or sale of the Company's securities, including
any offer to purchase or offer to sell, during any period commencing with the date that he or she possesses
material nonpublic information concerning the Company, and ending at the close of business on the
second trading day following the date of public disclosure of that information, or at such time as such
nonpublic information is no longer material. The term "trading day" shall mean a day on which national
stock exchanges such as the TSX or the NASDAQ National Market are open for trading.
Tipping: No insider shall disclose ("tip") material nonpublic information to any other person (including
family members) where such information may be used by such person to his or her profit by trading in the
securities of companies to which such information relates, nor shall such insider or related person make
recommendations or express opinions on the basis of material nonpublic information as to trading in the
Company's securities.
Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission provides that
when the Company, or person acting on its behalf, discloses material nonpublic information to certain
enumerated persons (in general, securities market professionals and holders of the Company's securities
who may well trade on the basis of the information), it must make public disclosure of that information.
The timing of the required public disclosure depends on whether the selective disclosure was intentional
or unintentional; for an intentional selective disclosure, the Company must make public disclosures
simultaneously; for a non-intentional disclosure the Company must make public disclosure promptly.
Under the regulation, the required public disclosure may be made by filing or furnishing a Form 8-K, or
by another method or combination of methods that is reasonably designed to effect broad, non-
exclusionary distribution of the information to the public.
It is the policy of the Company that all communications with the press be handled through the Company
CEO or CFO or other person designated by such.
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Confidentiality of Nonpublic Information: Nonpublic information relating to the Company is the property
of the Company and the unauthorized disclosure of such information is strictly forbidden.
Applicability of Insider Trading Regulations to Securities of Other Companies: The insider trading
guidelines described herein also apply to material nonpublic information relating to other companies,
including the Company's customers, vendors or suppliers ("business partners"), when that information is
obtained in the course of employment with, or other services performed on behalf of the Company. All
employees and consultants should treat material nonpublic information about the Company's business
partners with the same care as is required with respect to information relating directly to the Company.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
No assets of the Company, including the time of Company personnel, the use of Company premises or
equipment and direct or indirect monetary payments, may be contributed to any political candidate,
political action committees, political party or ballot measure without the written permission of the
president or CEO of the Company.
COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
In order to implement the principles of the Company's Code of Conduct and to establish a Compliance
Program, the Company has adopted the following policies:
Size of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will periodically review the appropriate size of the
Board.
Independent Directors: It is the policy of the Company that where possible at least one of the directors
will be non-employees and non-officers of the Company and will otherwise meet the appropriate
standards of independence. In determining independence, the Board of Directors will consider the
definition of "independence" under the relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the stock exchange or market on which the Company's shares are listed for trading. The
Company acknowledges that as a small, venture stage company, it may be difficult to attract independent
directors and may operate with non-independent directors.
Management Directors: The Board of Directors anticipates that the Company's Chief Executive Officer
will be nominated annually to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also nominate
other members of management.
Chair; Lead Independent Director: The Board of Directors will periodically appoint a Chair. Both
independent and management directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, are eligible for
appointment as the Chair. The Chair or one of the independent directors (if the Chair is not an
independent director) may be designated by the Board of Directors to be the "lead independent director."
The lead independent director may periodically help schedule or conduct separate meetings of the
independent directors.
Selection of Board Nominees: The Board of Directors will be responsible for the selection of candidates
for the nomination of all Board members. A Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, if
constituted, shall recommend candidates for election to the Board of Directors.
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Board Membership Criteria: The Board's policy is to encourage selection of directors who will contribute
to the Company's overall corporate goals of responsibility to its shareholders and other stakeholders.
Independent Directors' Discussions: It is the policy of the Board of Directors that the independent
directors, under the direction of the lead independent director, may meet separately without management
directors at least once per year to discuss such matters as the independent directors may consider
appropriate. The Company's independent auditors, outside legal counsel, finance staff, legal staff and
other employees may be invited to attend.
Access to Information: The Board of Directors encourages the presentation at meetings by managers who
can provide additional insight into matters being discussed. The Company's executive management will
afford each Board member full access to the Company's records, information, employees, outside auditors
and outside counsel.
Board Committees: The Board shall have two standing committees, the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee. From time to time, the Board of Directors may establish additional
committees.
Committee Member Selection: The Board of Directors will designate the members and Chairs of each
committee. The membership of the committees shall meet all applicable criteria of the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the stock exchange or market on which the
Company's shares are listed for trading.
Committee Functions: The Board of Directors shall adopt a Committee Charter for each of the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and any other constituted committee which shall provide the
structure and guiding principles of such committees. The full authority and responsibilities of each
committee are fixed by resolution of the full Board of Directors and the Committee Charter. The
following is a brief summary of the authority of each committee:
· Audit Committee. Review the Company's financial procedures and controls; monitor financial
reporting and select and meet with independent auditors.
· Compensation Committee. Determine the appropriate compensation levels for the Company's
executive officers, evaluate officer and director compensation plans, policies and programs and
review benefit plans for officers and employees.
· Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Recommend to the full Board candidates for
election to the Board of Directors and changes to governance policies.
Insider Trading Compliance: The Board of Directors shall adopt an Insider Trading Compliance Program
for the purposes of educating and ensuring that all subject persons are fully aware of the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to insider trading. The Company
will, within reason, endeavor to make the Company's outside legal counsel available to Company
personnel with respect to any insider trading questions or issues.
Financial Reporting; Legal Compliance and Ethics: The Board's governance and oversight functions do
not relieve the Company's executive management of its primary responsibility of preparing financial
statements which accurately and fairly present the Company's financial results and condition, the
responsibility of each executive officer to fully comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
or the responsibility of each executive officer to uphold the ethical principles adopted by the Company.
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Corporate Communications: Management has the primary responsibility to communicate with investors,
the press, employees and other stakeholders on a timely basis and to establish policies for such
communication.
Access to Outside Counsel: The Company will, within reason, endeavor to provide Company personnel
access to the Company's outside legal counsel with respect to any matter which may arise relating to the
Company's Code of Conduct.
No waivers of any provision of this Code of Conduct may be made except by the Board of Directors.
Only the Board of Directors may amend this Code of Conduct. Any waiver or amendment shall be
reported as required by law or regulation.
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