Intellectual Property Matters A. Definitions
Taxes and Fees Imposed on Providing Party But Passed On To Purchasing Party 13.4.1 Taxes and fees imposed on the providing Party, which are permitted or required to be passed on by the providing Party to its customer, shall be borne by the purchasing Party.
13.4.2 To the extent permitted by applicable law, any such taxes and/or fees shall be shown as separate items on applicable billing documents between the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the purchasing Party shall remain liable for any such taxes and fees regardless of whether they are actually billed by the providing Party at the time that the respective service is billed.
13.4.3 If the purchasing Party disagrees with the providing Party’s determination as to the application or basis for any such tax or fee, the Parties shall consult with respect to the imposition and billing of such tax or fee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the providing Party shall retain ultimate responsibility for determining whether and to what extent any such taxes or fees are applicable, and the purchasing Party shall abide by such determination and pay such taxes or fees to the providing Party. The providing Party shall further retain ultimate responsibility for determining whether and how to contest the imposition of such taxes and fees; provided, however, that any such contest undertaken at the request of the purchasing Party shall be at the purchasing Party’s expense.
13.4.4 In the event that all or any portion of an amount sought to be collected must be paid in order to contest the imposition of any such tax or fee, or to avoid the existence of a lien on the assets of the providing Party during the pendency of such contest, the purchasing Party shall be responsible for such payment and shall be entitled to the benefit of any refund or recovery.
13.4.5 If it is ultimately determined that any additional amount of such a tax or fee is due to the imposing authority, the purchasing Party shall pay such additional amount, including any interest and penalties thereon.
13.4.6 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the purchasing Party shall protect indemnify and hold harmless (and defend at the purchasing Party’s expense) the providing Party from and against any such tax or fee, interest or penalties thereon, or other reasonable charges or payable expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) with respect thereto, which are incurred by the providing Party in connection with any claim for or contest of any such tax or fee.
13.4.7 Each Party shall notify the other Party in writing of any assessment, proposed assessment or other claim for any additional amount of such a tax or fee by a taxing authority; such notice to be provided, if possible, at least ten (10) days prior to the date by which a response, protest or other appeal must be filed, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such assessment, proposed assessment or claim.
Post-Closing Tax Matters As a result of the Closing, the Transferor Partnership shall terminate for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code and its tax year shall close on the Closing Date. The Transferor Agent shall prepare and timely file any federal, state, local and foreign tax or information returns due after Closing that are required to be filed by or on behalf of the Transferor Partnership with respect to all tax years or periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date. The Transferor Agent shall prepare and timely file the terminating tax returns for the Transferor Partnership resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, provided, however, that such tax returns shall be prepared in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and provided further, that prior to the filing thereof the Transferor Agent shall submit the terminating tax returns to the BRI Partnership for its review and approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The BRI Partnership shall assist the Transferor Agent in obtaining such data and information regarding the Transferor Agent to permit the Transferor Partnership to prepare such returns or to respond to any audits or assessments for the periods covered by such returns.
Real Property Matters The Credit Parties shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect to each parcel of Real Property to the extent that such parcel of Real Property becomes or should be subject to a Mortgage pursuant to Section 6.10(a) above, all of the following:
(i) an American Land Title Association (ALTA) mortgagee title insurance policy or policies, or unconditional commitments therefor (a “Title Policy”) issued by a title insurance company reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (a “Title Company”), in an amount not less than the amount reasonably required therefor by the Administrative Agent (taking into account the estimated value of the property involved), insuring fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, such Real Property vested in the applicable Credit Party and assuring the Administrative Agent that the applicable Mortgage creates a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on the respective Real Property encumbered thereby, subject only to Permitted Liens, which Title Policy (1) shall include an endorsement for mechanics’ liens, for revolving, “variable rate” and future advances under this Agreement and for any other matters reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and (2) shall provide for affirmative insurance and such reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(ii) a title report issued by the Title Company with respect thereto, dated not more than 30 days prior to the date of execution of the applicable Mortgage and satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent;
(iii) copies of all recorded documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to in the Title Policy or in such title report relating to such Real Property;
(iv) evidence, which may be in the form of a letter or other certification from the Title Company or from an insurance broker, surveyor, engineer or other provider, as to whether (1) such Real Property is a Flood Hazard Property, and (2) the community in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, and if such Real Property is a Flood Hazard Property, evidence that the applicable Credit Party has obtained flood insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
(v) a survey, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of such Real Property, certified in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent by a licensed professional surveyor reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(vi) a certificate of the Borrower identifying any Phase I, Phase II or other environmental report received in draft or final form by any Credit Party during the five year period prior to the date of execution of the Mortgage relating to such Real Property and/or the operations conducted therefrom, or stating that no such draft or final form reports have been requested or received by any Credit Party (or its counsel), together with true and correct copies of all such environmental reports so listed (in draft form, if not finalized); and all such environmental reports shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent;
(vii) an opinion of local counsel admitted to practice in the jurisdiction in which such Real Property is located, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, as to the validity and effectiveness of such Mortgage as a lien on such Real Property encumbered thereby, and covering such other matters of law in connection with the execution, delivery, recording and enforcement of such Mortgage as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and
(viii) upon request of the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall have received appraisals, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated not more than 60 days prior to the date of execution of each Mortgage and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or accompanied by a separate letter indicating that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may rely thereon, from one or more nationally recognized appraisal firms, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, covering (i) the Real Properties, and (ii) all other tangible property, plant and equipment owned by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, that is to be subjected to the Lien of the Security Agreement and is located at any plant or facility owned or leased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the United States of America, which appraisals shall set forth (A) the “fair market value” of such property (i.e., the amount at which such property would equitably exchange between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under a compulsion and both having reasonable knowledge of all relevant facts on the premise that such property will continue in its present use as part of an ongoing business enterprise), (B) the “orderly disposal value” of such property (i.e., the amount that may be realized through a forced sale disposal of such property when a reasonable time to find a buyer is allowed), and (C) the “forced liquidation value” of such property (i.e., the amount that may be realized through an immediate forced sale disposal of such property), in each case as determined in accordance with sound appraisal standards.
Transition Matters (a) Prior to the Closing, each party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate in good faith the schedules to, and Provider Fees provided for in, the Transition Services Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. To the extent that the Parties are unable to reach such agreement, the applicable provisions of the Transition Services Agreement shall control from and after the Closing, subject to amendment in accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that if there are any disputes with respect to the Transition Services Agreement prior to the Closing, such disputes shall not affect the obligations of the Parties to effect the Closing and shall be resolved in accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement.
(b) Acquiror acknowledges that Seller has the absolute and exclusive proprietary right to the trademark “OPTIMUM”, other “OPTIMUM” inclusive trademarks and designs and logos associated therewith currently used by the Business (collectively, the “Names”) and that none of the rights thereto or goodwill represented thereby or pertaining thereto are being transferred hereby or in connection herewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for a period of 360 days following the Closing, the Company and the Subsidiaries may continue to operate the Systems using the Names, including (i) use of the phrase “Optimum is now Charter,” (ii) use of any Name affixed to vehicles, signage or other equipment which are used by any of them in Business as of the Closing Date, (iii) use of any printed purchase orders or sales, maintenance or license agreements that bear a Name (as limited by any existing agreements the Seller or any of its Affiliates may have with third parties) until the supplies thereof existing on the Closing Date have been exhausted, and (iv) use of any printed billing statements that bear a Name (such billing statements and purchase orders and sales, maintenance and license agreements are collectively referred to herein as “Forms”); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing with respect to any advertising, marketing, packaging, displays, merchandise or other promotional materials (“Promotional Materials”) which are used by the Company or any Subsidiary in the Business as of the Closing Date the Company and the Subsidiaries shall have the right to use such Promotional Materials only: (i) for a period of 60 days following the Closing with respect to mass marketing Promotional Materials (such as television advertising and mass mailings) and 180 days for all other Promotional Materials, (ii) in the exact form as such Promotional Materials exist on the Closing Date, (iii) to the extent that the Company or Subsidiary using such Promotional Materials has not modified the products or services of the Business in any way which would render the use of such Promotional Materials inaccurate or misleading in any respect, and (iv) provided the Company and the Subsidiaries shall xxxx such materials as necessary in order to indicate clearly and prominently to indicate that neither the Acquiror nor any of its Affiliates is affiliated with the Seller or any of its Affiliates. With respect to Forms, within 60 days after the Closing Date the Company and the Subsidiaries shall sticker or otherwise xxxx such documents as necessary in order to indicate clearly that neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates are a party to such documents or affiliated with the Seller or any of its Affiliates. From and after the expiration of the period for use applicable to Promotional Materials or Forms, the Company and the Subsidiaries shall cease to use any such Promotional Materials or Forms. With respect to the other uses of the Names permitted above, from and after the 360-day period permitted above the Company and the Subsidiaries shall delete or cover (as by stickering) any Name from any item included in inventory that bears Name and take such other actions as may be necessary or advisable clearly and prominently to indicate that neither the Acquiror nor any of its Affiliates is affiliated with the Seller or any of its Affiliates. If Acquiror determines that it wishes the Company and the Subsidiaries to use any Promotional Materials or Forms to which the applicable period provided above applies for a duration longer than such period or to use any other Promotional Materials or Forms or to create new Promotional Materials or Forms incorporating the Names in a manner exceeding the scope of the rights granted herein, Acquiror shall notify Seller and the parties shall negotiate in good faith the terms of a trademark license granting to the Company and the Subsidiaries such rights for an agreed-upon term and otherwise on terms and conditions mutually acceptable to Acquiror and Seller. For the avoidance of doubt, the execution and delivery of any such trademark license shall not be a condition to Closing or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties to consummate the Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.11(b) shall require the Acquiror to remove or discontinue using any Name that is affixed as of the Closing Date to converters or other items in or to be used in consumer homes or properties, or as are used in a similar fashion making such removal or discontinuation impracticable.
Litigation Matters If the FDIC Party and the Assuming Institution do not agree to submit the Dispute Item to arbitration, the Dispute Item may be resolved by litigation in accordance with Federal or state law, as provided in Section 13.10 of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement. Any litigation shall be filed in a United States District Court in the proper district.
Transitional Matters (a) Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that the transition of the Business from the Selling Companies to Buyer will require that certain transactions and relationships will need to be entered into, restructured and reorganized in connection with the transition of the Business from the Selling Companies to Buyer. The parties agree that prior to the Closing Date, the parties shall cooperate with each other to identify all such transactions and relationships and negotiate in good faith to enter into a mutually acceptable Transitional Agreement effective as of the Closing Date, which agreement shall provide for all such transactions and relationships as are reasonably necessary to provide,
(i) for (A) the operation of the Business and use of the Purchased Assets by Buyer, (B) the operation and use of the Excluded Assets by Sellers and the Selling Subsidiaries and (C) the separation of the Business, the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities from Parent and its Affiliates (including the Selling Companies), in each case during the period commencing on and after the Closing Date and ending no later than the one year anniversary of the Closing Date or such longer period as the parties may agree, including the following:
(1) the transitioning of the financial systems, assets and hedging valuation systems, asset management systems, payroll and employee benefits systems and any other applicable business operating systems;
(2) the provision of rights of access (provided that access to the ALSS Platform shall be governed and limited by the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement and the Services Agreement) to the Parent and its Affiliates to Intellectual Property currently owned (or licensed) by the Selling Companies (and included in the Purchased Assets) and used by Parent or the Selling Companies in the ordinary course of their business, or required by the Selling Companies for the operation and use of the Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities; provided, that access to the ALSS Platform and other Software shall be governed solely by the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement and the Services Agreement and, provided further, anything foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Buyer shall not be required to disclose or deliver trade secret or confidential information regarding the ALSS Platform, Software or Acquired Intellectual Property unless required by the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, the Services Agreement or required by law or legal proceedings and under the type of protective provisions in the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement.
(3) the provision of rights of access (to the extent not covered by the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement) to Buyer to Intellectual Property currently owned (or licensed) by Parent (or the Selling Companies) and used by the Selling Companies in connection with the Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities;
(4) moving corporate records related to the Selling Companies; and
(5) the provision of office space, computer equipment and supplies sufficient to enable the Selling Companies to complete any transition services; and
(ii) for such services and facilities as Sellers and Selling Subsidiaries may require to monitor compliance with, and implementation of the Subservicing Agreement, during its term, including the provision of office space, computer equipment and supplies sufficient to enable Sellers to monitor compliance with the Retained Portfolio Subservicing Agreement throughout its term.
(b) In addition to the matters to be identified pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 5.12, the Transition Agreement shall specifically provide for the transactions and matters outlined in Section 5.12 of Sellers' Disclosure Schedule.
(c) For the purpose of facilitating the transition of the financial system, on or prior to the 15th day prior to the Closing Date, the Selling Companies shall create on their general ledger, a separate general ledger company ("GL Company"), as well as accounts for such GL Company ("Buyer GL Accounts"), which accounts shall be duplicative of the Selling Companies' own accounts ("Seller GL Accounts") and are intended to be used by the Buyer in the operation of the Business, the Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities from and after the Closing Date. From and after the creation of the Buyer GL Accounts, until Closing, the Selling Companies shall maintain such accounts (as duplicate entries on the books of the Selling Companies in the name of the GL Company). From and after Closing until the completion of the transition of the financial system of the Selling Companies, the Buyer shall operate the Business by recording entries using the Buyer GL Accounts, and shall maintain on behalf of the Selling Companies, the Seller GL Accounts on its general ledger.
(d) The party receiving service under the Transitional Agreement shall pay to the party providing service the costs incurred by such providing party. Services provided under the Transitional Agreement shall be performed at the same standard as the providing party performs such service for its own account.
Additional Matters (a) Any claim on account of a Liability that does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be timely asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the related Indemnifying Party. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of 30 days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 30-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have refused to accept responsibility to make payment. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 30-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall be free to pursue remedies as specified by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
(b) In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.
(c) In the event of an Action in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or the Indemnifying Party shall so request, the parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant, if reasonably practicable. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in this Agreement and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees and all other external expenses, and the allocated costs of in-house counsel and other personnel), the costs of any judgment or settlement, and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.
Franchise Matters (a) Since June 30, 2003, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) have maintained records of all franchise activities in which full, true, and complete entries have been made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to their franchise activities, including all offering circulars, Franchise Agreements (as defined below), correspondence with franchisees, written complaints by franchisees, and government audits, (ii) have complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws regarding franchise activities and other franchise-related matters, (iii) have complied with all franchise agreements and other agreements by which the Company or its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly grant any third party franchise rights (whether not such agreement was entered into before or after June 30, 2002, each, a “Franchise Agreement”), (iv) have obtained and maintained in place franchisee agreements which contain provisions requiring the franchisee to (A) indemnify the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, with respect to claims relating to the franchisee’s business and (B) to obtain insurance from financially sound and respectable insurers to cover such indemnity, naming the Company as additional insured and loss payee, (v) have timely filed with the applicable Governmental Entities all Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars and other required filings, (vi) each Uniform Franchise Offering Circular delivered to any franchisee, prospective franchisee, or Governmental Entity by the Company or any Subsidiary complied in all material respects as of the date delivered with all requirements of applicable Law, and, when delivered, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have accounted for and administered in accordance with the Franchise Agreements and applicable franchise laws all advertising and marketing funds and cooperatives, if any, which the Company and its Subsidiaries administer and into which monies are paid by their franchisees. Section 3.25(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and accurate list, as of the date hereof, of all currently effective Franchise Agreements, including the name of the franchisee and the date and expiration date of the applicable Franchise Agreement. The Company has provided the Buyer with true, complete and correct copies of all currently effective Franchise Agreements, including any amendments or modifications thereto, as of the date hereof, and there are no oral agreements, promises or understandings with respect to any currently effective Franchise Agreements.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.25(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter:
(i) the royalty rates and required advertising contributions specified in each currently effective Franchise Agreement remain in effect, are being paid when due and have not been reduced, modified, waived, or otherwise affected by any Franchise Agreement “side letter,” modification, amendment, waiver, or suspension, in whole or in part and each currently effective Franchise Agreement is in full force and effect;
(ii) all franchise registrations remain in full force and effect and are not the subject of any existing or threatened action by a Governmental Entity or otherwise intended, in whole or in part, to result in the termination, revocation, modification, suspension, conditioning, or dissolution of any such franchise registration and/or any other circumstance which might or would impair, impede or preclude the Company’s ability routinely to renew or amend (as the case may be) any such franchise registration and/or enter into Franchise Agreements in any jurisdiction;
(iii) there are no written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, franchisee complaints, threats to initiate litigation or arbitration, or threats to file complaints with a Governmental Entity, whether such threats have been filed either with the Company or any Subsidiary and/or any third party (including any Governmental Entity);
(iv) there exists no extant formal or, to the Knowledge of the Company, informal, complaint, inquiry, investigation, or judicial or administrative action or proceeding, communicated or commenced (as the case may be) by any Governmental Entity, to or against the Company or any Subsidiary regarding its offer and sale of franchises; the administration of its franchise network; advancing or referring to any complaint received from any franchisee; inquiring of or contesting any element of the Company’s franchise program or franchise relationships (including antitrust issues such as predatory pricing or monopolization); and/or, otherwise related to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s compliance with any franchise Law;
(v) there exists no litigation or other claims asserted by any third party against any of the Company’s franchisees in which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party thereto under any theory, including negligence or “vicarious liability”;
(vi) no supply Contract to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party may be unilaterally terminated by the subject supplier as a result of this Agreement, the Offer, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, if that supply contract is material to the operation of the Company’s network of franchisees, taken as a whole;
(vii) since December 31, 2004, neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries has refused to renew any Franchise Agreement;
(viii) to the Company’s Knowledge, no franchisee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently in default in any material respect under any Franchise Agreement;
(ix) since December 31, 2004, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has terminated any Franchise Agreement; and
(x) the Company may enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby without the consent of any Franchisee.
Certain Additional Matters (a) Any arbitration award shall be a bare award limited to a holding for or against a party and shall be without findings as to facts, issues or conclusions of law (including with respect to any matters relating to the validity or infringement of patents or patent applications) and shall be without a statement of the reasoning on which the award rests, but must be in adequate form so that a judgment of a court may be entered thereupon. Judgment upon any arbitration award hereunder may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
(b) Prior to the time at which an arbitrator is appointed pursuant to Section 8.4, any party may seek one or more temporary restraining orders in a court of competent jurisdiction if necessary in order to preserve and protect the status quo. Neither the request for, or grant or denial of, any such temporary restraining order shall be deemed a waiver of the obligation to arbitrate as set forth herein and the arbitrator may dissolve, continue or modify any such order. Any such temporary restraining order shall remain in effect until the first to occur of the expiration of the order in accordance with its terms or the dissolution thereof by the arbitrator.
(c) Except as required by law, the parties shall hold, and shall cause their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and other representatives to hold, the existence, content and result of mediation or arbitration in confidence in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII and except as may be required in order to enforce any award. Each of the parties shall request that any mediator or arbitrator comply with such confidentiality requirement.
(d) If at any time the sole arbitrator shall fail to serve as an arbitrator for any reason, the parties shall select a new arbitrator who shall be disinterested as to the parties and the matter in accordance with the procedures set forth herein for the selection of the initial arbitrator. The extent, if any, to which testimony previously given shall be repeated or as to which the replacement arbitrator elects to rely on the stenographic record (if there is one) of such testimony shall be determined by the replacement arbitrator.
