Protection of Confidential Information; Non-Competition 4.1. Executive acknowledges that:
(1) As a result of his current employment with the Company, Executive will obtain secret and confidential information concerning the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (referred to collectively in this Article 4 as the “Company”), including, without limitations, financial information, designs and other proprietary rights, trade secrets and “know-how,” customers and sources (“Confidential Information”).
(2) The Company will suffer substantial damage which will be difficult to compute if, during the period of his employment with the Company or thereafter, Executive should enter a business competitive with the Company or divulge Confidential Information.
(3) The provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the business of the Company.
4.2. Executive agrees that he will not at any time, either during the term of this Agreement or thereafter, divulge to any person or entity any Confidential Information obtained or learned by him as a result of his employment with the Company, except (i) in the course of performing his duties hereunder, (ii) to the extent that any such information is in the public domain other than as a result of Executive’s breach of any of his obligations hereunder, (iii) where required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or other government process or (iv) if such disclosure is made without Executive’s knowing intent to cause material harm to the Company. If Executive shall be required to make disclosure pursuant to the provisions of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, Executive promptly, but in no event more than 72 hours after learning of such subpoena, court order, or other government process, shall notify, by personal delivery or by electronic means, confirmed by mail, the Company and, at the Company’s expense, Executive shall: (a) take reasonably necessary and lawful steps required by the Company to defend against the enforcement of such subpoena, court order or other government process, and (b) permit the Company to intervene and participate with counsel of its choice in any proceeding relating to the enforcement thereof.
4.3. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals, drawings, blue-prints and other documents (and all copies thereof) relating to the business of the Company and all property associated therewith, which he may then possess or have under his control; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to retain one copy of such documents for his personal use and records.
4.4. During the period commencing with the start date of employment under this agreement and terminating three years after termination of employment: (A) Executive, without the prior written permission of the Company, shall not, anywhere in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, (i) enter into the employ of or render any services to any person, firm or corporation engaged in any business which is directly in competition with the Company’s principal existing business at the time of termination (“Competitive Business”); (ii) engage in any Competitive Business as an individual, partner, shareholder, creditor, director, officer, principal, agent, employee, trustee consultant, advisor or in any other relationship or capacity; (iv) employ, or have or cause any other person or entity to employ, any person who was employed by the Company at the time of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company (other than Executive’s personal secretary and assistant); or (v) solicit, interfere with, or endeavor to entice away from the Company, for the benefit of a Competitive Business, any of its customers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be precluded from investing and managing the investment of, his or his family’s assets in the securities of any corporation or other business entity which is engaged in a Competitive Business if such securities are traded on a national stock exchange or in the over-the-counter market and if such investment does not result in his beneficially owning, at any time, more than 5% of any class of the publicly-traded equity securities of such Competitive Business; provided, however, that for a period commencing with the start date of employment under this agreement and terminating three years after termination of Executive’s employment (except for investments in a class of securities trading on public markets), Executive shall refer to the Company for consideration (before any other party) any and all opportunities to acquire or purchase, or otherwise make equity or debt investments in, companies primarily involved in a Competitive Business if such opportunities becomes known to Executive while he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If the Company determines not to exploit any opportunity referred to in the foregoing sentence, the Company shall determine what, if anything, should be done with such opportunity. Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation, as a finder or otherwise, if either the Company or Executive introduces such opportunity to other persons, it being understood that all such compensation shall be paid to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company terminates this Agreement without “cause” or if Executive terminates this Agreement for Good Reason under Section 3.5 hereof, Executive’s obligations under this Section 4.4 shall terminate one month following termination.
4.5. If Executive commits a breach of any of the provisions of Sections 4.2 or 4.4, the Company shall have the right:
(1) to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the Company are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company; and
(2) to require Executive to account for and pay over to the Company all monetary damages determined by a non-appealable decision by a court of law to have been suffered by the Company as the result of any actions constituting a breach of any of the provisions of Section 4.2 or 4.4, and Executive hereby agrees to account for and pay over such damages to the Company (up to the maximum of all payments made under the Agreement).
4.6. If Executive shall violate any covenant contained in Section 4.4, the duration of such covenant so violated shall be automatically extended for a period of time equal to the period of such violation.
4.7. If any provision of Sections 4.2 or 4.4 is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or area of its applicability, the tribunal making such determination shall not have the power to modify such scope, duration, or area, or all of them and such provision or provisions shall be void ab initio.
Protection of Confidential Information The Servicer shall keep confidential and shall not divulge to any party, without the Seller’s prior written consent, any nonpublic information pertaining to the Mortgage Loans or any borrower thereunder, except to the extent that it is appropriate for the Servicer to do so in working with legal counsel, auditors, taxing authorities or other governmental agencies or it is otherwise in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices.
Company Creation and Use of Confidential Information The Executive understands and acknowledges that the Company has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, money and specialized knowledge into developing its resources, creating a customer base, generating customer and potential customer lists, training its employees, and improving its product offerings in the field of financial services. The Executive understands and acknowledges that as a result of these efforts, the Company has created, and continues to use and create Confidential Information. This Confidential Information provides the Company with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.
Protection of Proprietary Information The Seller has taken all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and otherwise protect and enforce their rights in all proprietary information pertaining to the Seller or any Seller Product. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of the source code for any software ever owned or developed by the Seller has been disclosed or licensed to any escrow agent or other Person.
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets During the period of my employment with the Company, I acknowledge that the Company may disclose to me confidential and proprietary information of the Company which the Company takes great pains to safeguard from unauthorized use and disclosure. I agree at all times during the term of my employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or to disclose to any person, firm or corporation, except as such use or disclosure is required in connection with my work for the Company or unless the Chief Executive Officer of the Company otherwise expressly authorizes in writing, any Confidential Information (defined below) before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own. I understand and agree that “Confidential Information” means any non-public information that does not otherwise qualify as Trade Secrets (defined below) that relates to the actual or demonstrably anticipated business or research or development of the Company or any other information which is marked “confidential” or which might reasonably be anticipated to be confidential in nature. I further agree, at all times during my employment and anytime thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or disclose to any person, firm or corporation, except as such use or disclosure is required in connection with my work for the Company or unless the Chief Executive Officer of the Company expressly authorizes such use or disclosure in writing, any Trade Secret (defined below) before it has become generally known in the public domain through no fault of my own. I understand and agree that “Trade Secrets” are information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, including, but not limited to technical and non-technical data, formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, and lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers which is not commonly known in the public domain and which (i) derives economic value, economic or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy, or any other information that constitutes a trade secret under common law.
Confidential Information Protections 4.1 At all times during and after the Employee’s employment, the Employee will hold in confidence and will not disclose, use, lecture upon, or publish any of Company’s Confidential Information (defined below), except as may be required in connection with the Employee’s work for Company, or as expressly authorized by the Board. The Employee will obtain the written approval of the Board before publishing or submitting for publication any material (written, oral, or otherwise) that relates to the Employee’s work at Company and/or incorporates any Confidential Information. The Employee hereby assigns to Company any rights the Employee may have or acquire in any and all Confidential Information and recognize that all Confidential Information shall be the sole and exclusive property of Company and its assigns.
Definition of Confidential Information The term “Confidential Information” shall mean all information that either party discloses (a “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (a “Receiving Party”), whether in writing, electronically, or orally and in any form (tangible or intangible), that is confidential, proprietary, or relates to clients or shareholders (each either existing or potential). Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to:
Access to Information; Confidentiality (a) Upon reasonable advance written notice, subject to applicable logistical restrictions or limitations as a result of COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures and solely for purposes of furthering the Merger Transactions, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to Parent, Merger Sub and their respective representatives reasonable access during normal business hours during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VII, to all their respective properties, assets, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to Parent: (i) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws and (ii) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as Parent or Merger Sub may reasonably request (including Tax Returns filed and those in preparation and the workpapers of its auditors). Nothing herein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5.2(a) and Section 5.2(b)) shall require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to provide such access or information to the extent that such action (A) would reasonably be expected to result in a waiver of attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or similar privilege, (B) specifically relates to the evaluation, deliberation or minutes of the Company Board (or any committee or subcommittee thereof) related to the Merger Transactions, the strategic and financial alternatives process leading thereto, or any information or materials provided to the Company Board (or any committee or subcommittee thereof) in connection therewith or (C) would reasonably be expected to violate any applicable Law or any confidentiality obligation owing to a third party so long as the Company shall promptly notify Parent of any such confidentiality obligations or access restrictions and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of such third party to provide such information and otherwise provide such access to Parent, if requested and (b) generally describe the type of information that cannot be disclosed to Parent (to the extent not prohibited by law or the underlying document). No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall affect any representation or warranty in this Agreement of any party hereto or any condition to the obligations of the parties hereto. All requests for access pursuant to this Section 5.2 must be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company or another person designated in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and shall cause their respective representatives not to, contact any partner, licensor, licensee, customer or supplier of the Company in connection with the Offer, the Merger or any of the other Merger Transactions without the Company’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that any such contact shall be arranged by and with a representative of the Company participating.
(b) To the extent Parent requests further information or investigation of the basis of any potential violations of Law, including Customs & Trade Laws, and Anti-Bribery Laws, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with such request and make available any personnel or experts engaged by the Company or its Subsidiaries necessary to accommodate such request.
(c) The Company shall (i) notify Parent in writing as promptly as reasonably practicable after learning of any Legal Proceeding by any Person initiated against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives in their capacity as such (a “New Litigation Claim”); (ii) notify Parent of ongoing material developments in any New Litigation Claim and any Legal Proceeding that was existing prior to the date hereof and (iii) consult in good faith with Parent regarding the conduct of the defense of any New Litigation Claim and any Legal Proceeding that was existing prior to the date hereof. With respect to any New Litigation Claim against the Company or its directors or officers relating to this Agreement or the Merger Transactions, the Company shall consult with Parent and give Parent the opportunity to participate in the defense and settlement of any such litigation, and no such settlement shall be agreed to without Parent’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
Confidentiality and Trade Secrets (a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his position as an employee of the Company will afford him a unique opportunity to acquire confidential information concerning the Company and that the misappropriation or disclosure of such confidential information would cause irreparable harm to the Company. The Executive recognizes and agrees that he will have access to certain confidential information of the Company that is not generally available to the public and that such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of the Company. The Executive acknowledges that such confidential information includes information concerning the Business and the Company including, without limitation, financial information concerning the Business or the Company, the names and addresses of actual and potential customers or acquisition or investment targets of the Business or the Company, studies of prospective market areas for the Business, supply sources, products, technical data, notes, diagrams, drawings, flow charts, ideas, techniques, specifications, procedures, processes, research, development, and trade secrets of the Business and the Company (such information whether related to the Business or the Company being referred to collectively as the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not include any information or documents (i) that are or become publicly available or otherwise known in the industry without breach of this Section 4.02; or (ii) that the Executive rightfully receives from any third party which is not breaching an obligation of confidence with the Company or without an accompanying obligation of confidence; or (iii) that were known to or by the Executive prior to his appointment with the Company without breach of this Section 4.02. In the event that the Executive is requested in any court or governmental proceeding to disclose any Confidential Information, the Executive shall give the Company prompt notice of such request such that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate relief and shall cooperate in all respects with the Company in its efforts in connection therewith.
(b) The Executive will keep confidential and will not, during his employment and for a period of five (5) years after any termination under this Agreement (whether by expiration or pursuant to Section 5.01 or otherwise), directly or indirectly, divulge to anyone, use or otherwise appropriate any of the Confidential Information for any reason or purpose whatsoever except to authorize representatives of the Company or when, in the good faith belief of the Executive, such disclosure is necessary or desirable in the normal course of the Business in order for the Executive to fulfill his duties and responsibilities to the Company as set out in Section 2.02.
(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that these prohibitions against disclosure of Confidential Information are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights or remedies which the Company may have available pursuant to the laws of any jurisdiction or at common law to prevent the disclosure of trade secrets or proprietary information, and the enforcement by the Company of any of their rights and remedies pursuant to this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights or available remedies which they may possess in law or equity absent this Agreement.
(d) Upon any termination of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall surrender to the Company all documents and materials in his possession, custody or control embodying the Confidential Information or any part thereof.
Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Confidential Information on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person other than Employer, or reveal, divulge, or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person not expressly authorized by Employer to receive such Confidential Information. This obligation shall remain in effect for as long as the information or materials in question retain their status as Confidential Information. Executive further agrees to fully cooperate with Employer in maintaining the Confidential Information to the extent permitted by law. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either Employer’s rights or Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order, or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided, however, that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Executive shall provide Employer with prompt notice of such requirement so that Employer may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Executive. Executive understands and acknowledges that nothing in this section limits Executive’s ability to report possible violations of federal, state, or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity; to communicate with any government agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any government agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on Executive’s behalf, or by any other individual; or to make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state, or local law or regulation, and Executive shall not need the prior authorization of Employer to make any such reports or disclosures and shall not be required to notify Employer that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive is hereby given notice that Executive shall not be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, in either event solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
