EXHIBIT 4.2
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RESALE AND MARKETING AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.
AND
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS..........................................................2
ARTICLE II EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM.............................................6
2.1 Effective Date and Term......................................6
ARTICLE III SALES AND MARKETING OF COVAD PRODUCTS..............................6
3.1 Wholesale Sales of Covad Products to SBC.....................6
3.2 Resale of Covad Products by SBC..............................8
3.3 Non-Exclusivity.............................................12
3.4 Protection of SBC Customer Information......................12
3.5 Protection of CPNI..........................................12
3.6 Law Enforcement Processes...................................12
ARTICLE IV SYSTEMS INTEGRATION................................................13
4.1 Need For Systems Integration................................13
4.2 Manual Processes............................................13
ARTICLE V ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RIGHT TO COMPETE.................................14
5.1 Acknowledgement of Right to Compete.........................14
ARTICLE VI PRICING AND PAYMENT................................................14
6.1 MFN Pricing.................................................14
6.2 Product Pricing and Mix.....................................14
6.3 Churn Rebate................................................15
6.4 Payment Terms...............................................15
6.5 Audit Rights................................................17
6.6 Efficiency Gains............................................18
ARTICLE VII DELIVERY AND QUALITY OF COVAD PRODUCTS............................18
7.1 Competitive Services and Products...........................18
7.2 Benchmarking of SLAs........................................18
7.3 Content of SLAs.............................................19
7.4 Non-Performance of SLAs.....................................19
7.5 Regulatory Authority........................................19
7.6 Identification of Technical Difficulties....................19
7.7 Covad Access to SBC Customer Premises.......................20
7.8 Covad Facilities............................................20
7.9 Title and Power.............................................21
7.10 Customer-Provided Equipment.................................21
7.11 Service Charges.............................................21
7.12 Removal of Equipment........................................21
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ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION......................................................22
8.1 Termination.................................................22
8.2 Failure to Satisfy SLAs.....................................22
8.3 Failure to Comply With Deployment Schedules.................23
8.4 Bankruptcy, Insolvency, Etc.................................23
8.5 Covad Change in Control Event...............................24
8.6 Timing......................................................24
8.7 Transition..................................................24
ARTICLE IX SOFTWARE TERMS.....................................................25
9.1 License.....................................................25
9.2 Conflict With the Network and Product Planning Agreement....26
ARTICLE X CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION............................26
10.1 General.....................................................26
10.2 Obligation to Protect Proprietary Information...............26
10.3 Judicial or Administrative Proceedings......................27
10.4 Loss or Unauthorized Use....................................27
10.5 Proprietary Information Exchange Agreements.................27
10.6 Nondisclosure Agreements....................................27
10.7 Termination.................................................27
10.8 Irreparable Injury by Disclosure to Competitors.............27
10.9 Survival of Nondisclosure Obligations.......................28
ARTICLE XI REGULATORY FILINGS.................................................28
11.1 Regulatory Submissions......................................28
11.2 Modification or Amendment of this Agreement.................28
ARTICLE XII INDEMNIFICATION...................................................29
12.1 General.....................................................29
12.2 Notice......................................................29
12.3 Assumption of Defense of Claim..............................29
12.4 Right of Indemnified Party To Undertake Defense.............30
12.5 Claim of Infringement.......................................30
ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................30
13.1 Organization, Standing and Authority........................30
13.2 No Violation................................................31
13.3 Consents and Approvals......................................31
13.4 CALEA.......................................................31
ARTICLE XIV LIMITATION OF LIABILITY...........................................31
14.1 Limited Responsibility......................................31
14.2 Limitation of Damages.......................................32
14.3 Warranty Disclaimer.........................................32
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ARTICLE XV INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY..............................................33
15.1 Retention of Intellectual Property Rights...................33
15.2 Allocation of Intellectual Property Rights..................33
15.3 Securing Patent Rights......................................33
15.4 Branded Products and Services...............................34
15.5 Assignment Documents........................................34
15.6 License to Use Covad Marks..................................34
15.7 No Infringement.............................................35
ARTICLE XVI APPLICABLE TAXES..................................................36
16.1 Payment of Taxes............................................36
16.2 Assessments.................................................36
16.3 Reimbursement of Taxes on Covad Products....................36
16.4 Certificate of Exemption....................................36
16.5 Tax Indemnification by Covad................................37
16.6 Schedule of Taxes...........................................37
16.7 Audits......................................................37
16.8 Collection..................................................38
16.9 Cooperation.................................................38
ARTICLE XVII INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR...........................................38
17.1 Covad Warranty of Independent Contractor Status.............38
ARTICLE XVIII COVAD'S USE OF SBC SERVICES.....................................40
18.1 SBC as Preferred Provider...................................40
ARTICLE XIX MINORITY, WOMEN AND DISABLED VETERANS BUSINESS ENTERPRISES........41
19.1 Covad's Commitment..........................................41
19.2 Definitions.................................................41
ARTICLE XX COVENANTS..........................................................43
20.1 Publicity...................................................43
20.2 Third Party Warranties......................................43
20.3 Unauthorized Warranties.....................................43
20.4 Cooperation.................................................43
ARTICLE XXI GENERAL...........................................................44
21.1 Americans With Disabilities Act.............................44
21.2 Amendment...................................................44
21.3 Assignment..................................................44
21.4 Attachments.................................................44
21.5 Cooperation.................................................44
21.6 Costs, Expenses and Attorneys' Fees.........................44
21.7 Dispute Resolution..........................................44
21.8 Entire Agreement; Further Agreements........................45
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21.9 Environmental Hazard........................................45
21.10 Execution...................................................45
21.11 Force Majeure...............................................45
21.12 Good Faith Performance......................................46
21.13 Governing Law...............................................46
21.14 Insurance...................................................46
21.15 Joint Work Product..........................................46
21.16 Labor Relations.............................................46
21.17 No Solicitation.............................................47
21.18 No Waiver...................................................47
21.19 Nonexclusive Dealings.......................................47
21.20 Notices.....................................................47
21.21 Relationship of Parties; Independent Contractor.............48
21.22 Rules of Construction.......................................49
21.23 Severability................................................49
21.24 Third Party Warranties......................................49
21.25 Third Party Beneficiaries; Disclaimer of Agency.............50
21.26 Use of Contractors and Agents...............................50
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RESALE AND MARKETING AGREEMENT
This Resale and Marketing Agreement ("Agreement"), dated as of September
10, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), is made by and between SBC Communications Inc.,
a Delaware corporation having its principal office at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx, 00000 (together with its affiliates, "SBC"), and Covad
Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal office
at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (together with its
affiliates, "Covad"). SBC and Covad are individually referred to as a "Party"
and collectively referred to as the "Parties."
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Covad and SBC have entered into a Settlement Agreement of
concurrent date herewith to resolve certain disputes between the Parties (the
"Settlement Agreement") and have agreed, as part of the Settlement Agreement, to
enter into other agreements, pursuant to which SBC and SBC's Affiliates will
collocate equipment in space leased from Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
("ILEC") by Covad (the "Collocation Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Covad and SBC also are entering into a Network and Product
Planning Agreement pursuant to which Covad and SBC will create mechanisms to
facilitate the expansion of Covad's network to support SBC's resale of Covad's
DSL services (the "Network and Product Planning Agreement"), it being understood
that nothing in this Agreement or any related agreement will limit Covad's
ability to develop products or deploy facilities in order to compete with SBC;
and
WHEREAS, Covad currently provides digital subscriber line ("DSL") service,
DSL plus Internet protocol ("IP") products and services and other
Telecommunications Services; and
WHEREAS, SBC desires to resell Covad Products to SBC's retail customers in
both Out-of-Region Markets and In-Region Markets, and Covad desires to sell the
Covad Products to SBC on a wholesale basis;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this
Agreement, the Collocation Agreement, the Settlement Agreement, and the Network
and Product Planning Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, SBC and Covad
agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply whenever the words appearing in bold
are used in the Agreement.
"ACT" or "COMMUNICATIONS ACT" shall mean the federal Communications Act of
1934, as amended, including by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as it may
be amended in the future.
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or
indirectly Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such
other Person.
"ANNUAL REVENUE COMMITMENT" shall mean the annual revenue commitment set
forth for each Commitment Year in Section 3.2.1.
"APPLICABLE LAW" shall mean, with respect to any Party, any statute, law,
regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, rule of common law, order, decree, award,
concession, grant franchise, license agreement, or other governmental
restriction of any similar form or decision or determination by, or any
interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental
Entity, whether in effect as of the date hereof or thereafter, and in each case
as amended, applicable to such Party or its Affiliates or their respective
assets.
"BENEFICIAL OWNER" means, with respect to any security, a Person that
Beneficially Owns such security.
"BENEFICIALLY OWN," and variants thereof, means having the right to vote or
dispose of, or "beneficially own" as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement, including pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding.
"BUSINESS CUSTOMER" shall mean an end-user of Covad Products that is
located at a business address.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a week day except for New Years Day, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
"BUSINESS LINE" shall mean SDSL products and services, including but not
limited to TeleSpeed 144, TeleSpeed 192, TeleSpeed 384, TeleSpeed 768, TeleSpeed
1.1, TeleSpeed 1.5, and comparable future product and service offerings.
"CHURN" shall mean the disconnection of an SBC-ordered DSL line.
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"COMMITMENT PERIOD" shall mean the period commencing on October 1, 2000 and
terminating in accordance with ARTICLE VIII of this Agreement.
"COMMITMENT YEAR" shall mean the twelve-month period from October 1 to
September 30, commencing on October 1, 2000 and continuing through the remainder
of the Commitment Period.
"CONTROL" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of management and policies by one Person or group
of Persons acting in concert, provided, however, that the legal ownership or
Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, by one Person or group of Persons
acting in concert of more than 50% of the Voting Securities shall always be
deemed Control.
"COVAD CHANGE IN CONTROL EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred if there
shall be consummated (i) any consolidation or merger of Covad with another
Person, other than a transaction in which, immediately after such transaction,
all or substantially all of the Beneficial Owners of Covad's Voting Securities
immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, securities
representing a majority of the Total Voting Power of the entity surviving or
resulting from any such transaction or such entity's parent entity, (ii) any
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the Assets of Covad to
any Person, or (iii) the acquisition of Control of Covad by any Person other
than in a transaction in which, immediately after such transaction, all or
substantially all of the Beneficial Owners of Covad's Voting Securities
immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, securities
representing a majority of the Total Voting Power of the entity surviving or
resulting from any such transaction or such entity's parent entity.
"COVAD NETWORK" shall mean the Network Facilities used by Covad to provide
Telecommunications Service.
"COVAD PRODUCTS" shall mean (a) Covad's existing DSL and DSL plus IP
products and services, (b) any future enhancements, upgrades or improvements to
such services and (c) any other Telecommunications Service offered by Covad
during the term of this Agreement.
"CUSTOMER" shall mean a Residential or Business Customer of SBC that is the
end-user of the Covad Products.
"CUSTOMER PROPRIETARY NETWORK INFORMATION" ("CPNI") shall have the meaning
set forth in the Act and the rules and regulations of the FCC.
"CPE" shall mean customer premises equipment.
"DATA SYSTEMS" shall mean the hardware and/or software data processing
systems used to process, exchange, analyze, store and retrieve data concerning
systems
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for pre-ordering, ordering, service activation, service assurance and billing
(commonly known as operating support systems), and separate technical systems,
such as middleware software, that permit the Parties' disparate operating and/or
administrative systems to interoperate.
"EARLY TERMINATION AMOUNT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.
"EFFECTIVE DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"EXISTING CUSTOMER" shall mean a customer of Covad that is taking service
or has placed a firm order for service.
"FCC" or "FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION" shall mean the Federal
Communications Commission created pursuant to the Act or any successor agency.
"GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE" shall mean the body established by the Parties to
coordinate their activities pursuant to the Network and Product Planning
Agreement, as set forth therein.
"GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY" shall mean any government or political subdivision
thereof, including without limitation, any regional or municipal authority, any
governmental department, ministry, commission, board, bureau, agency, regulatory
authority, instrumentality, judicial, or administrative body, having
jurisdiction over the matter or matters in question.
"ILEC" shall mean an incumbent local exchange carrier, as defined in the
Act.
"IN-REGION MARKETS" shall mean markets in the states in which SBC's
subsidiaries are ILECs.
"LEAD OFFERING" as used herein means the marketing and promotion of only
SDSL Covad Products unless and until (i) the prospective customer specifically
rejects the offered SDSL service or a package of telecommunications services
that includes SDSL service, or (ii) the prospective customer specifically
requests an ADSL service or a package of telecommunications services that
includes ADSL service, or requests lower price or functionality options than
those provided through SDSL.
"NEW PRODUCTS" shall have the meaning given in Section 3.1.8.
"OPERATING AGREEMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, the Network and Product
Planning Agreement, the Collocation Agreement, and such other agreements as the
Parties may designate as Operating Agreements.
"OUT-OF-REGION MARKETS" shall mean markets outside the states in which
SBC's subsidiaries are ILECs.
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"PERSON" shall mean any natural person or any sole proprietorship,
corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability partnership, joint venture, or other business entity, but
shall not include any Governmental Entity or organization.
"PRODUCT" shall mean one or more Telecommunications Services of the type
and functionality typically provided by Covad with specified features and
functions which when consisting of more than one Telecommunications Service are
marketed as a package.
"PROPRIETARY INFORMATION" shall mean information of a confidential and
proprietary nature that a Party has a right to possess and which that Party
maintains in confidence.
"REGULATORY LICENSE" shall mean any license, approval, consent,
authorization, grant or other authority issued by the FCC, any State public
utility commission, municipal or county government or agency or any other
governmental consent that is required to perform any activity under this
Agreement, but shall not be construed to mean any license, approval, consent,
authorization, grant or other authority that may be issued or become available
under Section 271 of the Act.
"RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER" shall mean an end-user of Covad Products that is
located at a residential address.
"REVENUE COMMITMENTS" shall mean the Annual Revenue Commitment and Total
Revenue Commitment guaranteed by SBC to Covad arising from the sale of Covad
Products over the Term as specified in ARTICLE III.
"SBC CUSTOMER INFORMATION" shall mean information concerning any SBC
Customer concerning the location, type of service, quantity of service and any
other information that is included in the definition of Customer Proprietary
Network Information.
"SBC PRODUCT" shall mean any Covad Product resold and provided by SBC to a
Customer.
"SERVICE ORDER" shall mean an order for Covad Products submitted by SBC to
Covad as set forth in Section 3.1.1.
"SHORTFALL PAYMENT" shall mean the payment by SBC to Covad of the amount by
which SBC's sales are insufficient to meet its Annual Revenue Commitment by the
end of any year, as set forth in Section 3.2.1.2.
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE" shall mean a telecommunications service as
defined in the Act.
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"TERM" shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.
"TOTAL REVENUE COMMITMENT" shall have the meaning given in Section 3.2.1.
"TOTAL VOTING POWER" means the aggregate number of votes which may be cast
by holders of Voting Securities in respect of Voting Securities.
"VOTING SECURITIES" means securities of Covad ordinarily having the power
to vote for the election of directors of Covad, provided, that when the term
"Voting Securities" is used with respect to any other Person, it means the
capital stock or other equity interests of any class or kind ordinarily having
the power to vote for the election of directors or other members of the
governing body of such Person.
ARTICLE II
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
2.1 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and will
terminate on the earlier of (a) September 30, 2006, (b) the date that the
Total Revenue Commitment is met, or (c) any earlier termination pursuant to
ARTICLE VIII (the "Term"). However, if the Total Revenue Commitment is met
before September 30, 2006, SBC shall have the option of extending the Term
under the same terms and conditions, without any additional Revenue
Commitments, until September 30, 2006.
ARTICLE III
SALES AND MARKETING OF COVAD PRODUCTS
3.1 WHOLESALE SALES OF COVAD PRODUCTS TO SBC.
3.1.1 SALE OF SERVICES TO SBC. Beginning October 1, 2000, Covad shall sell
to SBC, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and upon SBC's
submission of a Service Order to Covad, and SBC shall have the right
to market and resell all Covad Products to any Customers, subject to
and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.8, for
resale in Out-of-Region Markets and In-Region Markets.
3.1.2 LIMITATIONS ON SBC SALES OF COVAD PRODUCTS. Notwithstanding Section
3.1.1, SBC shall not directly or through its partners, (a) advertise,
offer or promote (including without limitation direct marketing,
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telemarketing, internet web sites, email solicitations, or other forms
of advertising or promotion) the sale of Telesurfer, TeleSurfer + IP,
TeleSurfer Pro, TeleSurfer Pro + IP, TeleSurfer Plus, TeleSurfer Plus
+ IP, or other ADSL Covad Products to Business Customers, nor (b)
offer Covad's Telesurfer Plus product (384-1.5/128) in a package
comparable to SBC's existing business DSL product.
3.1.3 Notwithstanding Section 3.1.2, nothing in this Resale Agreement shall
prevent SBC from advertising or promoting ADSL products to Business
Customers in any market, provided that SBC uses its own brands in
connection with such marketing efforts, and such marketing efforts are
designed to promote the sale of ADSL products that are not provisioned
by means of Covad Products.
3.1.4 Notwithstanding Section 3.1.2, SBC may publish and distribute printed
or electronic (e.g., Email) materials, make available web pages, that
include (a) ADSL service designed for Business Customers, and (b)
descriptions of packages of telecommunications services designed for
Business Customers that include ADSL services, and such ADSL services
may be provisioned by means of Covad Products in areas where SBC does
not otherwise have alternative ADSL facilities available, provided
that SBC uses its own brands in connection with such marketing
efforts, and provided that such printed or electronic (e.g., Email)
materials also include descriptions of (x) SDSL service designed for
Business Customers, and (y) packages of telecommunications services
designed for Business Customers that include SDSL service. Nothing in
this Section 3.1.4 shall be construed to relieve SBC of its
obligations under Section 3.1.6 in connection with any direct sales
presentation by SBC's sales representatives to a Business Customer.
3.1.5 Notwithstanding Section 3.1.2, SBC shall have the right to sell ADSL
services to Business Customers that request them or request lower
price or functionality options than those provided through SDSL, and
SBC will not be responsible for identifying the nature of, or
otherwise qualifying customers to receive Telesurfer Pro, Telesurfer
Plus, or other ADSL Covad Products intended for Residential Customers.
3.1.6 Notwithstanding Section 3.1.2, with respect to any direct sales
presentation to a Business Customer, so long as an SDSL Covad Product
was presented to such customer as the Lead Offer, then SBC may
subsequently offer an ADSL Covad Product to such customer.
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3.1.7 ORDERING PROCEDURES AND INTERVALS. Covad shall provision Covad
Products to SBC pursuant to the mutually agreed processes, procedures
and forms.
3.1.8 NEW AND ENHANCED COVAD PRODUCTS. New Covad Products or enhancements
to Covad Products that are commercially released by Covad during the
term of the Resale Agreement shall be made commercially available to
SBC at the same time they are commercially available in the market to
Covad or any other Person, upon rates, terms and conditions which
comply with Section 6.1.
3.2 RESALE OF COVAD PRODUCTS BY SBC.
3.2.1 REVENUE COMMITMENTS. SBC shall make guaranteed payments to Covad in
the total amount of Six Hundred Million Dollars ($600,000,000.00)
arising from the sale of Covad Products over the Term of the Agreement
(the "Total Revenue Commitment"), in accordance with the following
payment schedule for each Commitment Year, subject to calculation and
adjustment as provided in this Agreement:
--------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Commitment 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total
Year
--------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Cumulative
Revenue
Commitment $23,009 $91,569 $246,642 $396,405 $511,524 $600,000 $600,000
(in thousands)
--------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Annual
Revenue
Commitment $23,009 $68,560 $155,073 $149,763 $115,119 $88,476 $600,000
(in thousands)
--------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
3.2.1.1 If SBC exceeds its Annual Revenue Commitment for any
Commitment Year, the amount by which it exceeds its Annual
Revenue Commitment shall be carried forward toward satisfying
SBC's Annual Revenue Commitment for the following Commitment
Year.
3.2.1.2 If SBC's payments to Covad do not meet SBC's Annual Revenue
Commitment by the end of any Commitment Year, SBC shall pay any
such shortfall (the "Shortfall Payment") to Covad no later than 3
months after the end of such Commitment Year. Any Shortfall
Payment shall be credited to SBC as a prepayment against future
Covad Products purchased by SBC. The Shortfall Payment shall
count towards the Annual Revenue Commitment for the previous
Commitment Year, it being understood that the Covad Products
subsequently sold and paid for by the credit arising from the
Shortfall Payment will then not count towards
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the Revenue Commitment. To the extent that SBC has, as the time
of the termination of this Agreement, a credit for prepaid
services arising from Shortfall Payments, SBC shall have one year
following such termination to purchase Covad Products that may be
paid for with such credit. Following such one-year period, the
credit will expire and Covad will have no further obligation to
provide Covad Products paid for with such credit unless Covad, in
its sole discretion, elects to extend the one-year period. The
calculation of SBC's fulfillment of its Cumulative Revenue
Commitment shall take into account all payments for Covad
Products made by SBC to Covad as specified in this Agreement and
any Shortfall Payments.
3.2.1.3 All payments to Covad for purchases of Covad Products by SBC,
or payments made to Covad on behalf of SBC by any channel or
aggregator used by SBC, shall count towards the Total Revenue
Commitment. These payments will include recurring monthly charges
(as specified in Addendum 1) for Covad's DSL and DSL plus IP
products and services that Covad makes available to SBC, as well
as nonrecurring charges for installation of these services and
for the Churn Rebate provided for in Section 6.3. However, any
sales made on behalf of SBC by a third party shall not count
towards any preexisting volume commitment made by such third
party to Covad.
3.2.1.4 SBC's Revenue Commitments shall be calculated in accordance
with Addendum 2 to account for the quantity of installed business
DSL lines realized by SBC. SBC's Revenue Commitments shall be
adjusted where appropriate as set forth in Addendum 2, and a
revenue true-up process will be conducted in accordance with that
Addendum.
3.2.1.5 In the event that Covad fails to meet the deployment schedules
set forth in Schedule 4.3 of the Network and Product Planning
Agreement, SBC's Revenue Commitments shall be reduced for each
location in which Covad fails to deploy on-schedule by the
difference between a reasonable forecast of SBC's revenues if the
deployment schedule had been met and the actual revenues received
for such location. In the event that Covad makes investments at
the request of SBC which it otherwise would not have made, and
such investments are not utilized due to lack of demand, SBC will
compensate Covad for Covad's unrecovered capital costs associated
with such investments as provided in the Network and Product
Planning Agreement.
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3.2.2 LEAD SUPPLIER. With respect to any sales channel in any In-Region
Market or Out-of-Region Market, SBC may elect to have one or more
Persons of its choosing fulfill the role of lead supplier of Covad
Products to Customers in order to respond to demand, and such entity
will have the right to purchase Covad Products pursuant to this
Agreement. Subject to Section 3.2.1.3, any payments to Covad for
purchases made by such Person serving as lead supplier will count
towards SBC's Annual Revenue Commitment and Total Revenue Commitment.
3.2.3 SALES OF CPE. To the extent that SBC sells a Product which includes
CPE provided by Covad, the CPE sales will count towards the Revenue
Commitments, up to a maximum of Fifty Million Dollars
($50,000,000.00). The price of CPE provided by Covad to SBC shall be
equal to Covad's out-of-pocket costs for such CPE, including any
discounts, promotional benefits or other adjustments of published
prices from which Covad benefits.
3.2.3.1 If Covad elects to exit the business of providing CPE after
the Effective Date but prior to October 1, 2000, SBC's Total
Revenue Commitment shall be reduced by Fifty Million Dollars
($50,000,000.00).
3.2.3.2 If Covad elects to exit the business of providing CPE on or
after October 1, 2000 until the termination of this Agreement,
Covad shall give SBC at least ninety (90) days written notice of
such election, and SBC's Revenue Commitments shall be reduced,
depending upon the date of such exit, by the following amounts,
the difference between which shall be pro-rated on a monthly
basis:
----------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
Exit Date < 0.5 Yrs. < 1.0 Yrs. < 1.5 Yrs. < 2.0 Yrs < 2.5 Yrs. < 3.0 Yrs.
----------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
$ Amount 46M 42M 35M 28M 14M 7M
----------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
3.2.3.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, SBC reserves the right to
utilize its own supplier agreements and CPE, subject to Covad's
prior approval of product interoperability, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, and certification of all such CPE. SBC's
use of its own CPE supplier agreements or its own CPE shall not
reduce the Revenue Commitments.
3.2.4 MARKETING PLAN. SBC will develop sales strategies and forecasts at
appropriate intervals relating to this Agreement. These forecasts will
include anticipated sales of DSL lines and the other Covad Products
that SBC will sell to meet the Revenue Commitments. SBC will not be
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penalized for failure to achieve line sales forecasts, but will only
be committed to and responsible for the Revenue Commitment.
3.2.5 ARRANGEMENT START-UP FEE. Upon execution of this Agreement, SBC shall
pay Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) (the "Arrangement Start-Up
Fee") to Covad to assist Covad's development of processes, products,
systems, and functionalities necessary to support the arrangements
between SBC and Covad under this Agreement (the "Covad Arrangement
Costs"), including without limitation the development of (a) the
TeleSurfer Plus product, (b) the NIC card installation service, (c)
the Non-Truck-Roll installation service and (d) related operational
support systems. Payment of the Arrangement Start-Up Fee shall not
affect other obligations of SBC as set forth herein. Subject to
ARTICLE IV, following payment of the Arrangement Start-Up Fee, SBC
shall have no further liability whatsoever for Covad Arrangement
Costs, and Covad shall bear all such further Covad Arrangement Costs.
3.2.6 BRANDING; ADVERTISING REIMBURSEMENT. Subject to Section 3.1.2, SBC
shall be permitted to offer, market and sell the Covad Products in
SBC's own brand name or any brand name selected by SBC, and in
combination with its own Internet access service, or in combination
with any other Internet access service, goods or services from any
source. SBC may, in its sole and absolute discretion, co-brand the
Covad Products (including all advertisements, brochures, mailings and
the like) with the tag line "The Internet as it should be," the Covad
name and logo, and the legend "DSL service provided by Covad" or
equivalent in conformity with Covad's branding practices. During the
first eighteen (18) months of the Term, and regardless of whether SBC
elects to co-brand Covad's service, Covad will reimburse SBC for up to
Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) for fees incurred by SBC for
advertising selected by SBC and used to promote Covad Products,
including advertising to promote primary demand for DSL services that
can be satisfied by Covad Products. Such reimbursements shall be
payable upon SBC's presentation to Covad of a fee statement or its
equivalent and reasonable documentation demonstrating that SBC has
paid such expenses. SBC shall not be entitled to any reimbursements
under this Section 3.2.6 after the first eighteen (18) months of the
Term.
3.2.7 RELATIONSHIP WITH CUSTOMER. With respect to any SBC Product, SBC
shall have all contractual relationships with Customers, and unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, shall provide Customers
with all aspects of customer care, including but not limited to
receiving trouble reports, service inquiries, inquiries concerning
billing questions and disputes, change orders, and orders for
additional Covad Products. Any dealings Covad may have with a Customer
in connection with the
11
provision of SBC Products to that customer shall be as a
representative or agent of SBC; provided that Covad shall have no
obligation to display logos of SBC or its affiliates or to market SBC
products or services unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.
3.3 NON-EXCLUSIVITY.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent Covad from selling
or marketing its services through any and all retail and wholesale channels
of its choice, including direct sales, or to prevent SBC from utilizing
other channels or aggregators of its choice to sell or market Covad
Products or any other services offered or resold by SBC. SBC may resell
Covad Products within both In-Region Markets and Out-of-Region Markets.
3.4 PROTECTION OF SBC CUSTOMER INFORMATION. Covad hereby acknowledges and
agrees that SBC Customer Information is sensitive and confidential business
information that is entitled to treatment as Proprietary Information
subject to the provisions of ARTICLE X of this Agreement. Covad hereby
covenants and agrees that it will not use any SBC Customer Information for
any purpose other than that which is necessary for it fulfill its
obligations under this Agreement. Covad further hereby covenants and agrees
that, in order to assure compliance with this Section 3.4, it shall employ
systems and procedures (including employee training as appropriate) that
are designed to assure, to the extent practicable, that only those
personnel with a need to know in order to provide Covad Products to SBC and
to SBC Customers shall have access to SBC Customer Information. Where
necessary and appropriate to assure the confidentiality of SBC Customer
Information, Covad shall restrict access to SBC Customer Information to
specified employees. In no event shall Covad allow any of its retail sales
employees or agents to access information concerning SBC Customer
Information, except that Covad's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer, Senior Vice President Sales, or officers holding positions with
comparable responsibility may have access to such information on a need to
know basis and subject to the confidentiality requirements of ARTICLE X.
3.5 PROTECTION OF CPNI. Unless the Parties otherwise agree, Covad hereby
covenants and agrees that it will comply with the provisions of the Act and
the rules of the FCC thereunder with respect to CPNI. Covad's obligations
under this Section inure to the benefit of SBC and shall be in addition to
and notwithstanding any Covad obligation to comply with the Act and the
rules of the FCC, except that nothing in this Section shall require Covad
to act in a manner inconsistent with the Act or the rules of the FCC.
3.6 LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCESSES.
Each Party shall be responsible for complying with any law enforcement
subpoena or similar law enforcement process received by that Party. The
Parties
12
shall cooperate as may be necessary to comply with valid law enforcement
subpoena and similar processes, including requests to place wire taps, pen
registers, or similar devices on end user services, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
either Party may, in the exercise of its reasonable judgment, challenge the
legality of any law enforcement process received by either Party. In such
event, the other Party shall cooperate with the Party challenging the law
enforcement process.
ARTICLE IV
SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
4.1 NEED FOR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION.
The Parties understand and agree that, in order to achieve the purposes of
this Agreement, the Parties' networks and Data Systems must communicate and
interoperate efficiently and in accordance with reasonable commercial
standards, and that SBC desires to have those Data Systems flow through to
SBC such data and information as may be necessary for SBC to provide Covad
Products to SBC Customers as contemplated by this Agreement. In order to
provide this level of interoperability, Covad shall make available to SBC,
as promptly as possible after acceptance by SBC, the electronic Data
Systems developed by the Parties for exchanging information related to
pre-ordering, ordering, provisioning, service activation, service
assurance, maintenance, repair and billing for Covad Products. SBC hereby
covenants and agrees that it will not use any of Covad's Data Systems for
any purpose other than that which is intended by Covad and is necessary for
SBC to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
4.2 MANUAL PROCESSES.
Pending deployment of the electronic Data Systems, Covad and SBC shall
employ mutually agreed upon manual processes for exchanging information
related to pre-ordering, ordering, provisioning, service activation,
service assurance, maintenance, repair and billing for Covad Product. The
Parties hereby stipulate and agree that these manual processes are interim
systems to be used for as limited a period of time as practicable until the
Parties develop and deploy electronic Data Systems.
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ARTICLE V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RIGHT TO COMPETE
5.1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RIGHT TO COMPETE.
Each Party acknowledges and understands that it remains at all times solely
responsible for the success and profits of its business, and that the other
Party makes no promises, warranties or representations regarding business
success or prospects of business success in connection with the provision
of the Covad Products being sold and marketed pursuant to this Agreement,
except to the extent that SBC is obligated to satisfy the Revenue
Commitments. Each Party acknowledges and understands that the other Party
will continue to market services directly to the public, subject to the
terms of this Agreement, and that such marketing may from time to time
bring the Parties into direct or indirect competition. Each Party
acknowledges and understands that except as expressly provided in the
Operating Agreements, nothing in this Agreement diminishes or restricts in
any way the rights of the other Party to engage in competition for
customers or to market its services to competitors of the first Party.
ARTICLE VI
PRICING AND PAYMENT
6.1 MFN PRICING.
Covad will offer Covad Products to SBC (including DSL transport and IP
connectivity in the case only of the DSL plus IP product) at prices and
upon terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to SBC as those
that Covad offers to other purchasers of comparable products whose volumes
of purchases from Covad are comparable to or less than SBC's ("MFN
Pricing"). Covad's obligation to provide MFN Pricing to SBC shall apply to
any special or promotional offering by Covad.
6.2 PRODUCT PRICING AND MIX.
The initial prices that SBC shall receive from Covad for Business Lines
(SDSL) and Consumer Lines (ADSL) are set forth in Addendum 1. For Covad's
Consumer (ADSL) service, SBC shall receive from Covad the line sharing
prices set forth in Addendum 1. If SBC requests a second line ADSL service,
then SBC will be charged for the second line ADSL service, the professional
installation, and the CPE at the prices set forth in Addendum 1. SBC shall
purchase at least 35% (as defined in Addendum 2) of all lines as Business
Lines (SDSL or TeleSpeed lines).
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6.2.1 SALES IN EXCESS OF 35%. For each 1% increase over 35% (as defined in
Addendum 2) in the mix of installed Business Lines sold by or on
behalf of SBC (net of Churn) during any Commitment Year, SBC's Total
Revenue Commitment shall be decreased as set forth in Addendum 2.
6.2.2 SALES BELOW 35%. To the extent SBC fails to reach 35% (as defined in
Addendum 2) Business Lines, SBC's Total Revenue Commitment will be
increased as set forth in Addendum 2. For each 1% below the 35% in the
mix of installed Business Line sold by or on behalf of SBC (net of
Churn), SBC's Total Revenue Commitment shall increase as set forth in
Addendum 2.
6.2.3 DEFINITION OF 35%. For the purposes of this Section 6.2, SBC's
satisfaction or failure to satisfy the 35% Business Lines commitment
shall be determined as set forth in Addendum 2.
6.3 CHURN REBATE.
For every SBC-ordered DSL line installed by Covad that is disconnected
within 1 year of the date of installation, SBC shall pay Covad a Churn
Rebate of [redacted] provided that SBC shall not be liable for any such
payment to the extent that SBC can demonstrate that the disconnect was
reasonably attributable to service outages or quality problems for which
Covad is or was responsible, excluding service outages or quality problems
that are reasonably attributable to an SBC-affiliated ILEC.
6.4 PAYMENT TERMS.
6.4.1 DUE DATE AND INVOICE. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.4.5, all
amounts stated on each monthly invoice are due and payable thirty-five
(35) days from the date of the invoice ("Due Date"); provided,
however, that SBC may deduct from any amount due, any credit or remedy
amount authorized under ARTICLE VII for Covad's failure to meet the
identified performance specifications set forth in Addendum 3, and any
Disputed Amounts, in accordance with Section 6.4.5. SBC shall itemize
the credit or remedies that are deducted from the payment. SBC shall
remit payment to Covad at the remittance address. In the event SBC
fails to make full payment of the undisputed amounts to the proper
address by the Due Date, SBC shall also pay a late fee in the amount
of the lesser of one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) of the unpaid
balance per month or the maximum lawful rate under applicable state
law which shall accrue from the Due Date. SBC acknowledges and
understands that all charges are computed exclusive of any applicable
federal, state or local use, excise, valued added, gross receipts,
sales and privilege taxes, tax or charge levied to support the
Universal Service Fund contemplated by the Communications Act, taxes
on Payphone Charges, duties, fees or similar
15
liabilities (other than general income or property taxes imposed on
Covad), whether charged to or against Covad, or SBC associated with
the Service or Other Service provided to SBC ("Additional Charges").
Such Additional Charges are not classified as Service charges and
shall be paid by SBC in addition to all other charges provided for in
this Agreement.
6.4.2 BILLING PERIODS. Covad will xxxx SBC monthly for the Covad Products
provided hereunder. Charges for usage and all prorated monthly
recurring charges (prorated monthly charges for Covad Products
provided for less than a calendar month), installation and other
non-recurring charges shall be billed following the receipt of any
such Covad Products. Charges for all monthly recurring charges for
full months during which Covad Products are to be provided shall be
billed one month in advance of the beginning of the month in which the
Covad Products are to be provided.
6.4.3 TIMELINESS. Covad will render invoices for Covad Products not later
than the tenth Business Day after the monthly billing cycle in which
any usage is recorded. Covad shall account, and xxxx SBC for, not less
than (1) 97.0% of all usage no later than the first available monthly
billing cycle after the usage is recorded, (2) 98.0% of all usage no
later than the second available monthly billing cycle after the usage
is recorded and (3) 99.8% of all usage no later than the third
available monthly billing cycle after the usage is recorded. Covad
hereby waives all charges for any usage not billed by the fourth
billing cycle unless Covad can document that the delayed billing was
caused by SBC, its Affiliates, or the ILEC, unless the Parties agree
in writing to a longer time period, or is otherwise excused under this
Agreement. In all events, Covad's failure to xxxx for any charge
within two years after the date on which the service was rendered
shall constitute a waiver of any claim for those charges. This waiver
is SBC's sole remedy for invoicing delay.
6.4.4 ACCURACY. Unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing, with respect
to any monthly billing cycle, the accuracy of the raw billing
information that Covad supplies to SBC with respect to the Covad
Products shall be at least equal to the industry standard for
similarly situated companies providing similar services (excluding any
DSL Affiliate of an ILEC), and in any event shall not be less than
90.0%, where Covad cannot document that such raw billing inaccuracy
was caused by SBC, any of its Affiliates, or the ILEC.
6.4.5 PAYMENT DISPUTES. If SBC in good faith disputes any portion of an
invoice it must pay the undisputed amount of the invoice on or before
its Due Date and provide written notice to Covad of the billing
dispute within sixty (60) days thereafter. Such notice must include
documentation substantiating the dispute. The Parties will make a good
faith effort to resolve billing disputes
16
expeditiously. If SBC has already made payment of a disputed charge
and a dispute is resolved in favor of SBC, SBC shall receive a credit
on its next invoice for the amount determined to be due, including
interest in the amount of the lesser of one percent (1%) per month or
the maximum rate allowed by law from the date SBC paid the disputed
amount.
6.4.6 SUSPENSION OF SERVICE. In the event payment in full is not received
from SBC on or before ninety (90) days following the Due Date (less
any amounts disputed pursuant to Section 6.4.5), Covad shall have the
right, after giving SBC ten (10) days written notice, to suspend all
or any portion of the Covad Products provided to SBC. If only a
portion of the Covad Products is suspended and SBC does not cure
within ten days of such partial suspension, Covad may suspend all or
any additional portions of the Covad Products provided to SBC. Covad
may continue suspension until such time as SBC has paid in full all
charges (less any amounts disputed pursuant to Section 6.4.5), then
due, including any late fees as specified in this Agreement.
6.5 AUDIT RIGHTS.
SBC shall have the right to request an independent audit of Covad's books
and records by an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm
mutually acceptable to SBC and Covad with respect to MFN Pricing as
described in Section 6.1 not more than once during each twelve-month period
during the Term by giving written notice to Covad.
6.5.1 SCOPE OF AUDIT. SBC and Covad shall agree upon the scope and
materiality standards aspects of the audit, provided that the audit
shall not exceed the scope of MFN pricing as described in Section 6.1.
The terms of the engagement of the auditor shall specifically define
the scope of the audit and materiality standards, and shall require,
in the case of a quantitative evaluation, a valid statistical sampling
of any information reviewed. Prior to any audit, the auditor must
agree to be bound by a customary non-disclosure agreement.
6.5.2 COOPERATION. Covad shall cooperate fully in connection with any
audit, providing access to any and all relevant books, records and
contracts and causing its employees, accountants, and other
representatives and agents to cooperate fully with the auditor. Covad
shall maintain its billing and associated records in accordance with
accepted accounting principles and shall retain those books and
records for at least two years after an invoice is sent to SBC. If an
audit is requested, Covad will retain those books and records until
such time as the audit is completed.
6.5.3 FINDINGS. The auditor shall submit to SBC and Covad a full report of
the findings of the audit, which report shall specify the conformity
or extent of non-conformity with Covad's obligations under this
Agreement that were
17
the subject of the audit. The determination of the auditor will be
final and binding upon Covad and SBC.
6.5.4 COSTS. The audit will be at SBC's expense, unless the auditor
determines that Covad has failed to provide MFN Pricing in any
material respect (as determined by the auditor), in which case the
audit will be at Covad's expense. If the auditor determines that Covad
is not in compliance with its obligations that were the subject of the
audit, then Covad will make adjustments on a retroactive basis to
reflect adjustments in either SBC's or Covad's favor in accordance
with the findings of the auditor.
6.6 EFFICIENCY GAINS.
The Parties shall consider methods to equitably share reduced input costs
and efficiency gains during the Term of this Agreement that affect the cost
of the Covad Products.
ARTICLE VII
DELIVERY AND QUALITY OF COVAD PRODUCTS
7.1 COMPETITIVE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS.
The Covad Products shall be competitive from a quality perspective as
measured against comparable competitive offerings and shall meet or exceed
the quality and performance standards met by Covad in providing services to
others who place a volume of orders with Covad comparable or less than the
volume of orders placed by SBC. The Covad Products that are the subject of
this Agreement shall be competitive in characteristics and performance with
the products and services SBC is deploying in the In-Region Markets to the
extent that Covad is able to secure line-sharing and other arrangements
with the relevant ILEC that are the same in term, conditions, and practice
as the line-sharing and other arrangements SBC ILECs provide to themselves,
or to SBC's advanced services Affiliate. In all events, and subject to
Sections 7.4, 8.1 et seq., and 8.2 et seq., the Covad Products shall remain
competitive with the service level commitments, operational standards and
performance standards Covad set forth in Addendum 3 ("SLAs"), or as the
SLAs may be modified over time pursuant to the benchmarking analysis to be
undertaken at least annually pursuant to Section 7.2.
7.2 BENCHMARKING OF SLAS.
Given the dynamic nature of the telecommunications industry, the Parties
recognize that offering high quality, competitive services will necessitate
periodic review of the SLAs and their modification over time. Accordingly,
the Parties
18
shall review, at least annually, the SLAs to determine whether they are
competitive with those offered in the industry so that the Covad Products
offered pursuant to this Agreement are of the appropriate competitive
quality. The Parties recognize and agree that SBC's ability to solicit
potential customers for Covad Products, and Covad's ability to provide the
Covad Products, is dependent on the provision of services of the highest
quality and reliability to customers. Where the SLAs are not competitive,
the Parties shall adjust them in order to meet, or exceed, industry
standards.
7.3 CONTENT OF SLAS.
As set forth more particularly in Xxxxxxxx 0, Xxxxx shall offer SLAs
covering the Covad Network, the Customer's circuit, and the circuit from
the SBC Network to the Covad Network. The SLAs shall contain commitments
regarding the following performance parameters: (1) network availability;
(2) network delay; (3) message delivery; (4) mean response time; (5) mean
time to restore service; and (6) ordering system reliability. In addition,
Covad shall offer SLAs covering the work it performs or equipment it
provides with respect to (1) customer installation; (2) CPE warranty; and
(3) inside wire warranty.
7.4 NON-PERFORMANCE OF SLAS.
In the event that Covad fails to perform in accordance with the SLAs set
forth in Xxxxxxxx 0, Xxxxx shall compensate SBC as set forth in that
Addendum. In addition, Covad shall indemnify SBC for any and all
liabilities arising from Covad's failure to meet the SLAs with Customers to
the extent such liability is attributable to Covad's failure to satisfy the
commitments, standards and performance levels set forth in the SLAs.
7.5 REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
Covad and SBC shall each maintain and keep in full force and effect any and
all Regulatory Licenses necessary for it or its Affiliates to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
7.6 IDENTIFICATION OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
The Parties shall work together and coordinate their efforts, in accordance
with such procedures as they may adopt from time to time and in a manner
consistent with the Act, to identify, isolate, and resolve technical
difficulties with respect to the Covad Products that are reported by
Customers or identified by the Parties. SBC shall refer to Covad any
trouble reports received from Customers and, to the extent consistent with
the Act, Covad shall keep SBC advised of its efforts to resolve such
trouble.
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7.7 COVAD ACCESS TO SBC CUSTOMER PREMISES.
7.7.1 Where Covad agrees to install or maintain equipment used in
connection with Covad Products resold by SBC that is to be installed
on the customer premise, SBC shall take, and shall use commercially
reasonable methods to cause its customers to take, reasonable steps to
provide access to premises to the extent reasonably requested by Covad
for the provision of Covad Products, or the maintenance of equipment,
facilities and systems relating to the Covad Products. Covad shall
notify SBC at least two (2) business days in advance of any regularly
scheduled maintenance that will require access to the SBC Customer
premises.
7.7.2 Covad personnel installing or maintaining any equipment used by an
SBC Customer in connection with Covad Products shall adhere to the
guidelines Covad has established for conduct on customer premises and
to any reasonable guidelines or rules SBC shall establish and provide
to Covad.
7.7.3 Covad personnel on the premises of an SBC Customer shall not
volunteer that Covad is the provider of the Covad Products and, to the
extent any inquiries are made of Covad personnel on the premises of an
SBC customer, Covad personnel shall advise the SBC Customer, its
officers, employees, agents, consultants, etc. that Covad is
performing services under contract or agreement with SBC; provided,
however, that this provision shall not restrict the display of Covad
logos on its employees and their equipment, shall not require Covad
personnel to display SBC logos, or to market SBC products.
7.7.4 The rules set forth in this ARTICLE VII and any requirements adopted
by the Network Operating Committee or any other Committee established
pursuant to the Network and Product Planning Agreement shall apply to
any contractor, subcontractor, agent or representative of Covad in the
same manner as to Covad and its officers, employees, and agents
7.8 COVAD FACILITIES.
SBC shall not, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause its customers
to not, rearrange, disconnect, remove, attempt to repair, or otherwise
tamper with any of the facilities or equipment that Covad installs on SBC's
or the customer's premises to deliver the Covad Products, except upon
Covad's consent. Equipment that Covad provides at a premises for use in
connection with Covad Products shall not be used for any purpose other than
that for which Covad provided it. If SBC, SBC Customers, or their agents
attempt to operate or maintain any Covad facilities or equipment without
Covad's approval, in addition to any other remedies hereunder, SBC shall
pay Covad for any actual damage to Covad-owned equipment caused thereby. In
no event shall Covad be liable to
20
SBC or any other person for interruption of service, or for any other loss,
cost or damage, caused by or related to improper use or maintenance of
Covad-owned equipment by SBC, SBC Customers, or any third party not
authorized by Covad. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.8, SBC
shall not be responsible for damage to or failure of Covad equipment
resulting from normal wear and tear.
7.9 TITLE AND POWER.
Title to all facilities provided by Covad (except those sold to SBC or SBC
Customers) and used to provide the Covad Products shall remain with Covad.
The electric power that such facilities consume on the premises of SBC or
SBC Customers shall be provided and maintained at the expense of SBC or
SBC's Customer.
7.10 CUSTOMER-PROVIDED EQUIPMENT.
Covad shall not be responsible for the operation of any equipment provided
by SBC Customers, who shall be responsible for maintaining the equipment
required to provide answer supervision in accordance with Subpart D of part
68 of the Rules of the FCC, as those rules may be amended in the future.
7.11 SERVICE CHARGES.
SBC shall be responsible for the payment of service charges, to be billed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.4.2, for visits by Covad to
the premises when the trouble report results from causes attributable to
any party other than Covad.
7.12 REMOVAL OF EQUIPMENT.
Where SBC uses Covad equipment in connection with the provision of Covad
Products to an SBC Customer whose service is terminated, interrupted or
suspended or where Covad equipment is replaced because of a Service
upgrade, SBC shall, at Covad's option, either return all Covad-owned
equipment to Covad at SBC's expense or allow Covad to remove all
Covad-owned equipment. Any Covad equipment returned or removed pursuant to
the preceding sentence shall be in good working condition, subject to
normal wear and tear, and shall be returned by SBC or reclaimed by Covad,
as the case may be, within thirty (30) days of SBC's receipt of Covad's
choice of the option selected pursuant to the first sentence of this
Section 7.12. Where Covad equipment must be returned for repair, the
procedures for handling such matters shall be worked out in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Network and Product Planning Agreement.
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ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
8.1 TERMINATION.
This Agreement may be terminated, without penalty or termination charges,
by the mutual written consent of Covad and SBC. Either Party may, but shall
not be obligated to, terminate this Agreement:
8.1.1 for failure by any Party to make a payment when due, upon thirty (30)
days notice in writing to the defaulting Party, except that the
defaulting Party may cure the breach upon payment of the amount due
within the thirty (30) day notice period; provided, however, that SBC
shall not have a right to cure if it fails to make timely payment for
three consecutive months, or fails to make timely payment four times
in a consecutive twelve (12)-month period;
8.1.2 for material breaches of Service ordered pursuant to this Agreement
that result from the other Party's fraud, material misrepresentation,
willful misconduct or other intentional unlawful act affecting the
delivery of the Service, after the non-defaulting Party provides
thirty (30) days written notice and if the defaulting Party fails to
cure within the thirty (30) day notice period;
8.1.3 for a material breach of this Agreement, other than a failure to
comply with SLAs, upon sixty (60) days notice in writing to the
defaulting Party in the event of a material breach of this Agreement
by such defaulting Party, unless the defaulting Party cures the breach
within the sixty (60) day notice period.
8.2 FAILURE TO SATISFY SLAS.
SBC shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for material breach
(as defined below) of the reliability, performance and service standards
set forth in Addendum 3 ("SLAs"). . A material breach of the SLAs shall
only exist if the aggregate monthly credits resulting from breaches of the
SLAs exceed 35 % of the total amount invoiced to SBC by Covad for three (3)
consecutive months or for six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period.
In the event that SBC terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section
8.2, Covad shall (a) not assess termination charges or penalties which may
otherwise be charged to SBC under this Agreement, and SBC shall have no
further liability under this Agreement to meet its Revenue Commitment, (b)
provide SBC and its Customers an orderly transition of Covad Products to a
new provider in accordance with Section 8.7, and (c) reimburse SBC for its
out-of-pocket expenses associated with transitioning its Customers to the
new DSL provider. The remedies described in this Section 8.2 and
22
those set forth in the applicable SLA shall constitute SBC's sole remedies
with respect to Covad Product performance failures.
8.2.1 Covad shall not be held responsible for failing to meet the
performance metrics set forth in Addendum 3 if such failure is due to
SBC's or its Customers' personnel, applications, equipment, or
facilities, the ILEC's failure to perform in a timely fashion,
provided, however, that where Covad recovers in the form of a cash
payment or credit any damages or other compensation from the ILEC as a
result of the ILEC's failure to perform, Covad shall reasonably
allocate to SBC a portion of that recovery according to the harm
suffered by SBC as relative to the harm suffered by Covad and its
partners other than SBC. Covad shall be responsible and liable to SBC
for the remedies set forth in Addendum 3 where a failure to meet any
performance metrics is due to the performance or actions of Covad's
contractors and subcontractors.
8.3 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULES.
As set forth in the Network Product and Planning Agreement, SBC shall have
the right to terminate this Agreement in the event of Covad's material
failure to meet the deployment requirements of the Network Product and
Planning Agreement.
8.4 BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, ETC.
This Agreement shall expire and terminate automatically and without notice
in the event that any Party hereto:
8.4.1 ceases to do business as a going concern;
8.4.2 is unable or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they
become due;
8.4.3 commences or authorizes a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking
liquidation, reorganization, suspension of payments or other relief
with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other
similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or
consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking
possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other
proceeding commenced against it, or makes a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or fails to pay a substantial portion of its
debts as they become due, or takes any corporate action to authorize
any of the foregoing, is insolvent, bankrupt or the subject of a
receivership; or
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8.4.4 has any substantial part of its property subjected to any levy,
seizure, assignment or sale for or by any creditor or governmental
agency without such levy, seizure, assignment or sale being released,
lifted, reversed, or satisfied within ten (10) days.
8.5 COVAD CHANGE IN CONTROL EVENT.
During the first two years of the Term, in the event of a Covad Change in
Control Event, SBC shall have the right, in its sole and absolute
discretion at any time during the one hundred eighty (180) days following
the Covad Change in Control Event, by providing written notice to Covad, to
either (a) terminate this Agreement 30 days after the date of the
termination notice, or (b) terminate this Agreement one year after the date
of the termination notice. If SBC elects a termination in 30 days, then SBC
shall pay the Early Termination Amount (as defined below) in cash to Covad
within 60 days following the date of the termination notice. If SBC elects
a termination in one year, then the Total Revenue Commitment that SBC must
satisfy as of the date of such termination shall be equal to the Early
Termination Amount. In all events, Covad shall not be obligated to (i)
return any portion of the Revenue Commitment satisfied by SBC or (ii) pay
SBC any amount in any form as a result of termination under this paragraph.
The Early Termination Amount shall be the difference between (a) the amount
of the original Total Revenue Commitment that has been satisfied on that
date which is 30 days after the date of the Termination Notice (including
any increases or decreases arising pursuant to Section 6.2), and (b) one
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000.00). After the first two years of the
Term, in the event of a Covad Change in Control Event, SBC shall have the
right in its sole and absolute discretion to terminate this Agreement at
any time during the one hundred eighty (180) days following such Covad
Change in Control Event by providing written notice to Covad, and in such
case no Early Termination Amount or other liability of any kind shall be
due to Covad as a result of such termination. The date of termination shall
be set by SBC in its notice, but shall not be less than thirty (30) days
after the date of the notice.
8.6 TIMING.
The Party having the right to terminate shall exercise such right within a
reasonable period of time, but in no event more than one hundred eighty
(180) days from actual notice of the event or circumstances permitting
termination by such Party.
8.7 TRANSITION.
The Parties recognize that the Covad Products are vital to SBC and must be
continued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement after the
cancellation or other termination of the Agreement while SBC transitions to
new arrangements required for the continued provision of the Covad Products
to SBC Customers.
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Accordingly, the Parties hereby agree, to cooperate in developing and
implementing an orderly and efficient transition that will minimize any
adverse effects on (a) the quality and availability of the Covad Products,
(b) SBC's ability to provide the quality and variety of services offered to
its customers prior to termination, and (c) SBC Customers. Unless SBC is in
material breach of this Agreement on account of non-payment for Covad
Products, Covad will, as part of such transition, and if requested by SBC
prior to the expiration of the Term, continue to provide the Covad Products
for a period of not less than nine (9) months after the expiration of the
Term (or such lesser period as SBC may specify), on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement. Beginning nine (9) months after the
expiration of the Term, SBC shall pay prevailing market prices charged to
similarly situated customers for any Covad Products that SBC purchases from
Covad.
ARTICLE IX
SOFTWARE TERMS
9.1 LICENSE.
If and to the extent that SBC or SBC Customers require the use of Covad
licensed software ("Covad Licensed Software") in order to use the Covad
Products supplied under any service order, then SBC and SBC Customers shall
have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, limited license to use such Covad
Licensed Software only and to the extent required to permit delivery and
use of the Covad Products. SBC and SBC Customers shall in no event be
entitled to claim title to or any ownership interest in any Licensed
Software (or any derivations or improvements thereto), and SBC and SBC
Customers shall execute any documentation reasonably required by Covad to
document Covad's or its licensor(s)' existing and continued ownership of
Licensed Software.
9.1.1 RESTRICTIONS. SBC agrees that it shall not, and shall not permit its
customers, to:
9.1.1.1 Copy the Covad Licensed Software, except as allowed and
permitted by Covad's express written consent.
9.1.1.2 Reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the Covad Licensed
Software.
9.1.1.3 Sell, lease, license or sublicense the Covad Licensed
Software, except that SBC may sublicense the Covad Licensed
Software to SBC Customers on a non-exclusive, non-transferable
basis.
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9.1.1.4 Create, write or develop any derivative software or any other
software program based on the Covad Licensed Software or any
Proprietary Information of Covad.
9.2 CONFLICT WITH THE NETWORK AND PRODUCT PLANNING AGREEMENT.
To the extent that anything in this ARTICLE IX is inconsistent with the
Intellectual Property provision of the Network and Product Planning
Agreement, the Network and Product Planning Agreement shall control.
ARTICLE X
CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
10.1 GENERAL.
Each Party shall hold in confidence and withhold from third parties (other
than as permitted below) any and all Proprietary Information received
pursuant to this Agreement and shall use such Proprietary Information only
to fulfill its obligations or enforce its rights hereunder and for no other
purposes unless the disclosing Party shall otherwise agree in writing.
10.2 OBLIGATION TO PROTECT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.
Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard any
Proprietary Information received pursuant to this Agreement from theft,
loss or disclosure to others, and to limit access to Proprietary
Information to those officers, directors, and employees within the
receiving Party's organization, and subcontractors, consultants, investors,
advisors, attorneys, service providers, business partners and others who
reasonably require access in order to accomplish the aforesaid purposes.
Proprietary Information shall be protected hereunder only if it is
identified as proprietary when provided. The receiving Party shall not be
liable for unauthorized use or disclosure of any such Proprietary
Information if it can establish that the same: (i) is or becomes public
knowledge or part of the knowledge or literature within the
telecommunications industry without breach of this Agreement by the
receiving Party; (ii) is known to the receiving Party without restriction
as to further disclosure when received; (iii) is independently developed by
the receiving Party as demonstrated by written records; or (iv) is or
becomes known to the receiving Party from a third party who had a lawful
right to disclose it without breach of its contractual obligations.
Specific Proprietary Information shall not be deemed to be available to the
public or in the possession of the receiving Party merely because it is
embraced by more general information so available or in the receiving
Party's possession.
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10.3 JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
Should the receiving Party be faced with judicial or administrative
governmental action to disclose Proprietary Information received hereunder,
said receiving Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify
the originating Party in sufficient time to permit the disclosing Party to
intervene in response to such action.
10.4 LOSS OR UNAUTHORIZED USE.
The receiving Party agrees promptly to notify the disclosing Party of the
loss or unauthorized use or disclosure of any Proprietary Information.
10.5 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS.
Each Party shall ensure that all subcontractors providing Proprietary
Information to such Party in connection with this Agreement shall enter
into a "Proprietary Information Exchange Agreement" or a substantially
similar agreement that provides that such Proprietary Information may be
disclosed and used by the Parties for the purposes provided in this ARTICLE
X, subject to providing appropriate assurances of confidentiality, but
without requiring further permission from or notice to such subcontractor.
10.6 NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.
Each Party shall have any third party, person or entity to whom it provides
the Proprietary Information of the other Party agree in writing to be bound
to protect such Proprietary Information on the same conditions as set forth
in this Agreement.
10.7 TERMINATION.
Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Parties shall cease
use of all Proprietary Information furnished by the other Party and shall,
at the direction of the furnishing Party, return or destroy all such
Proprietary Information, together with all copies made hereof, except to
the extent that the receiving Party retains a license to use such
Proprietary Information. Upon request, the receiving Party shall send the
other Party a destruction certificate.
10.8 IRREPARABLE INJURY BY DISCLOSURE TO COMPETITORS.
Specifically, but without limiting the foregoing, each Party agrees and
acknowledges that the disclosure by a Party of any Proprietary Information
to any competitor of a Party could cause irreparable harm to such Party,
and agrees not to make such a disclosure. Each Party shall have the right
to enforce the provision of this Section by injunctive relief, including
specific performance.
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Personnel of one Party or its Affiliates present at the premises of the
other Party or its Affiliates shall refrain from obtaining access to
information that is proprietary to the customers of such other Party or its
Affiliates. Such personnel shall comply with the other Party's or its
Affiliates' reasonable measures established to restrict such access.
10.9 SURVIVAL OF NONDISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS.
The nondisclosure obligations set forth in this ARTICLE X shall survive the
termination of this Agreement for two years.
ARTICLE XI
REGULATORY FILINGS
11.1 REGULATORY SUBMISSIONS.
In the event that either Party reasonably concludes that it is necessary or
advisable to file this Agreement with a Governmental Entity or that a
Governmental Entity is required to approve or review this Agreement or the
arrangement between the Parties, the other Party shall cooperate fully in
the preparation and filing of any regulatory filings which may be necessary
or appropriate, including, without limitation, providing such information
as may reasonably be necessary or which is requested by the Governmental
Entity. Where a Party reasonably believes that information to be filed with
a Governmental Authority is Proprietary Information, the Parties shall
cooperate to obtain such confidential treatment from the Governmental
Authority as may reasonably be secured.
11.2 MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
In the event a Governmental Entity with jurisdiction over a Party or both
Parties or over this Agreement determines that one or more provisions of
this Agreement are unlawful, contrary to public policy or otherwise
unenforceable, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to amend the
Agreement in order to comply with any such applicable regulatory
requirements or policies while preserving the business objectives of both
Parties. Either Party may, without the consent of the other Party, appeal
or seek reconsideration of any decision or order which holds one or more
provisions of this Agreement unlawful, contrary to public policy or
otherwise unenforceable, but such appeal or request for reconsideration
shall not affect the obligations of the Parties under this Section to
negotiate in good faith, unless a stay of the decision or order is obtained
and the terms and conditions of the stay are acceptable to both Parties. In
such event, the obligations of the Parties to negotiate under this Section
shall attach at such time as the stay is lifted
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and the adverse order or decision is reinstated or become effective or the
stay is modified in a manner which a Party reasonably finds unsatisfactory.
ARTICLE XII
INDEMNIFICATION
12.1 GENERAL.
Each Party (the "Indemnifying Party") shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the other Parties, including any of its Affiliates, officers,
directors, shareholders, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Party"),
from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities
whatsoever, including reasonable legal fees and any damages, arising out
of, caused by, related to or based upon a claim (a) by a third party for
physical property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death, whether
sounding in tort or contract, claim of defamation, invasion of privacy or
similar claim based on any act or omission of the other Party, its
employees, agents or contractors in connection with this Agreement, or (b)
that the Indemnifying Party's products or services infringe or violate any
copyright, trade secret, trademark or service xxxx, United States patent or
other property right of a third party, or (c) that the claimant was
"slammed" or "crammed," as those terms are understood in the industry.
12.2 NOTICE.
The Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in
writing of any claim that the Indemnified Party reasonably considers
subject to the indemnity, giving a description in reasonable detail of the
relevant facts on which the claim is based. The Indemnified Party shall
provide the Indemnifying Party with all reasonable assistance in
investigating, defending, and pursuing such claim at the indemnifying
Party's expense. The Indemnifying Party shall not be required to indemnify
the Indemnified Party for any settlement entered into without its consent
except to the extent set forth in Section 12.4 of this Agreement.
12.3 ASSUMPTION OF DEFENSE OF CLAIM.
The Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense of any such claim or any
litigation resulting from such claim and shall have absolute control over
the litigation, including, but not limited to, the selection of counsel,
the legal strategy with respect to the claim, and the settlement of such
claim, either before or after litigation has commenced. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, (a) if there is a reasonable probability that a claim
may materially and adversely affect the Indemnified Party, other than as a
result of monetary damages or monetary payment, the Indemnified Party shall
have the right, at its own expense, to participate in the defense of such
claim, and (b) to the extent any defense
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applicable to the Indemnified Party shall involve a conflict of interest
(other than the requirement of indemnification) with the Indemnifying
Party, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to control such defense
at the expense of the Indemnifying Party.
12.4 RIGHT OF INDEMNIFIED PARTY TO UNDERTAKE DEFENSE.
If, within a reasonable period of time after notice of any claim, the
Indemnifying Party fails to defend such claim, the Indemnified Party shall
have the right to undertake the defense, or compromise or settle such claim
on behalf of and for the account and at the risk of the Indemnifying Party,
subject to the right of the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of
such claim at any time prior to settlement, compromise or final
determination of the claim, except to the extent set forth in the last
sentence of Section 12.3 of this Agreement.
12.5 CLAIM OF INFRINGEMENT.
In the case of a claim of infringement of any Intellectual Property right,
where a court of competent jurisdiction finds such infringement, the
Indemnifying Party shall, at its option and expense, use all reasonable
efforts either (a) to procure for the Indemnified Party the right to
continue to use the product, service or other item as provided for herein,
(b) to modify the infringing product, service or other item so that it is
noninfringing, without materially altering its performance or function, or
(c) to replace the infringing product, service or other item with a
substantially equivalent noninfringing item.
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Party as follows:
13.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY.
The Party is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction where it is incorporated, that
it has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein, that all
corporate acts and other proceedings required to be taken to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance hereof and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein have been duly and properly taken, and
that this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Party,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
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13.2 NO VIOLATION.
The execution and delivery by the Party of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance with
the terms hereof will not (a) conflict with or result in any violation of
any provision of the articles of incorporation or by-laws, or the
comparable organizational documents of the Party, (b) conflict with, result
in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default, or give rise to any
right of termination, revocation, cancellation, or acceleration, under, any
material contract, concession or permit issued to Party, except for any
such conflict, violation, breach, default or right which is not reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Party to
consummate the material transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c)
conflict with or result in a violation of any judgment, order, decree,
writ, injunction, statute, law, ordinance, concession, permit, rule or
regulation applicable to the Party or to the property or assets of the
Party, except for any such conflict or violation which is not reasonably
likely to have such a material adverse effect, or (d) violate any existing
contractual arrangement to which the Party is a party or give rise to a
claim against any other Party for inducing a breach of contract or
interfering with contractual or other rights, or similar claim.
13.3 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS.
No consent, approval, license, permit, order or authorization of,
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental
Entity is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to the Party
in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Party has or will
obtain all necessary consents, approvals, authorizations and permits
necessary to perform fully hereunder.
13.4 CALEA.
Any equipment, facilities or services provided pursuant to this Agreement
complies or will comply with CALEA.
ARTICLE XIV
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
14.1 LIMITED RESPONSIBILITY.
Each Party shall be responsible only for services and facilities which are
provided by that Party, its Affiliates, authorized agents, subcontractors,
or others retained by such persons, and no Party shall bear any
responsibility for the services and facilities provided by the other Party,
the other Party's Affiliates, agents,
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subcontractors, or other persons retained by such persons. No Party shall
be liable for any act or omission of another telecommunications carrier
(other than an Affiliate) providing a portion of a service, unless such
telecommunications carrier is an authorized agent, subcontractor or other
person retained by the Party providing such service.
14.2 LIMITATION OF DAMAGES.
The Parties will not be liable to each other for any indirect, incidental
consequential, reliance, or special damages suffered by third parties
(including without limitation damages for harm to business, lost revenues,
lost savings, or lost profits suffered by such other parties), regardless
of the form of action, whether in contract, warranty, strict liability, or
tort, including without limitation negligence of any kind whether active or
passive, and regardless of whether the Parties knew of the possibility that
such damages could result. The Parties hereby release each other and their
respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any
such claim. Nothing contained in this Section will limit one Party's
liability to another Party for bodily injury, death, or damage to tangible
real or tangible personal property proximately caused by a Party's
negligent act or omission or that of their respective agents,
subcontractors or employees, nor will anything contained in this Section
limit the Parties indemnification obligations under ARTICLE XII of this
Agreement.
14.3 WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE SLAs, THE COVAD PRODUCTS AND ALL OTHER PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY COVAD HEREUNDER ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS,
AND SBC's AND ITS CUSTOMERS' USE THEREOF IS AT THEIR OWN RISK. COVAD DOES
NOT MAKE, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS, ANY AND ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT AND TITLE, AND ANY
WARRANTIES ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE SLA, COVAD DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE COVAD
PRODUCTS WILL PERFORM AT A PARTICULAR SPEED, OR WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED,
ERROR-FREE, OR COMPLETELY SECURE.
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ARTICLE XV
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
15.1 RETENTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, no Party shall
be deemed to have offered or granted to any other Party any rights or
licenses under any present or future Intellectual Property disclosed or
arising pursuant to this Agreement.
15.2 ALLOCATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
The right of the Parties to any Intellectual Property that may be created
in connection with or as a result of the product or service jointly
developed by the Parties or otherwise developed pursuant to this Agreement
shall be allocated in connection with the decision of the Parties to
develop the product or service. In the absence of such a decision, all
Intellectual Property Rights developed in connection with the joint
development of a product or service shall be owned by the Party which
initially proposed the product or service in the form of a marketing
service description or similar document.
15.2.1 The Party owning Intellectual Property created in the performance of
a jointly developed product or service shall grant the other Parties a
royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license during the term of this
Agreement to use, reproduce, adapt, distribute, perform, display and
otherwise practice all such Intellectual Property for their business
purposes, including the right to authorize third parties to do the
foregoing for the other Party's business purposes.
15.2.2 The Party owning Intellectual Property created in the performance of
a jointly developed product or service shall grant the other Parties a
perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license effective
upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement to use,
reproduce, adapt, distribute, perform, display, and otherwise practice
all such Intellectual Property as may be reasonably necessary to
permit the other Parties to continue pursuing their business in
substantially the manner that business was pursued prior to any
termination or expiration of this Agreement, including the right to
authorize third parties to do the foregoing for the purpose of so
continuing the other Party's business.
15.3 SECURING PATENT RIGHTS.
The Party owning Intellectual Property created in the performance of a
product or service shall have the first right to file patent applications
and obtain and maintain patents covering inventions made in the development
or implementation of the
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product or service. In the event that such Party does not file patent
applications covering such patentable or potentially patentable inventions
promptly after receiving a written request from either of the other
Parties, the Party making the request shall have the right, at its option
and its cost, to file such patent applications and obtain and maintain
patents covering such inventions. In such case, (a) such first Party shall
assign to the requesting Party all its right, title and interest in the
relevant invention and any resulting patents and cooperate with the
requesting Party in filing such patent applications and obtaining such
patents, and (b) the requesting Party shall grant such first Party a
perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license to make, use,
offer for sale, sell, import and otherwise practice such invention for its
business purposes, including the right to authorize third parties to do the
foregoing for such first Party's business purposes.
15.4 BRANDED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) to the extent that the development of a
product or service results in the creation of unique, novel or original
branding for an SBC-branded product or service, SBC shall own the
Intellectual Property relating to such branding and shall be permitted to
establish distribution limitations for such branded product or service, and
(b) to the extent that the development of a product or service results in
the creation of unique, novel or original branding for a Covad-branded
product or service, Covad shall own the Intellectual Property relating to
such branding and shall be permitted to establish distribution limitations
for such branded product or service. To the extent the branded product or
service of one Party may be distributed by the other Party, the Party which
owns the Intellectual Property shall set the royalty payment to be paid.
15.5 ASSIGNMENT DOCUMENTS.
Each Party shall sign and deliver any assignment documents, patent
applications or other documents reasonably requested by another Party to
effectuate the provisions of this ARTICLE XV or the provisions of a scope
of work document concerning Intellectual Property.
15.6 LICENSE TO USE COVAD MARKS.
15.6.1 Covad hereby grants to SBC, during the Term of this Agreement, a
license giving SBC the non-transferable right and authorization to use
all trademarks, services marks, and any other intellectual property
associated with the Covad Products identified in Addendum 1 and any
New Products Covad shall offer (collectively "Covad Marks"). SBC shall
use such Covad Marks in connection with offering, marketing and
selling the Covad Products and any services related thereto, and in
connection with the branding of the Covad Products as set forth in
Section 3.2.6 of this Agreement, for so long as this Agreement remains
in effect. SBC acknowledges Covad's title to such Covad Marks and the
validity of the
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registration of Covad as the proprietor in the Register of Trademarks
or Service Marks. SBC shall not claim any ownership or similar right
to the Covad Marks by reason of its use thereof pursuant to this
Agreement, and any rights which SBC should otherwise acquire in or to
the Covad Marks shall be deemed for the account and benefit of Covad.
15.6.2 SBC shall use its best endeavors to preserve the value and validity
of the Covad Marks and in particular will:
(a) Endeavor to create, promote, and retain goodwill in the business
of selling the goods and services included under the Covad Marks.
(b) Give any information as to its use of the Covad Marks which Covad
may require and otherwise render any assistance to Covad in
maintaining the Covad Marks duly registered, except that Covad
shall pay all renewal fees for its Trademarks or Service Marks.
(c) Use the Covad Marks correctly, spelled as registered and not as a
verb or in the plural.
(d) Refrain from using the Covad Marks unaccompanied by words
describing the nature of the goods and services to which they
relate unless the Covad Marks in question are capitalized or
otherwise distinguished from the surrounding and adjacent text.
15.6.3 In the event that the Covad Marks are to be used with another
trademark or service xxxx or in relation to goods and services under
the control of SBC, SBC shall use its best efforts to have both
trademarks or service marks represented equally legibly, equally
prominently, and of the same size as each other but nevertheless
separated from the other so that each xxxx appears to be a xxxx in its
own right distinct from the other xxxx.
15.6.4 Each Party agrees not to use in its business any other trademark
which is similar to or so nearly resembles the other Party's
trademarks or service marks or any of them as to be likely to cause
deception or confusion.
15.7 NO INFRINGEMENT.
Covad represents and warrants that its intellectual property and the Covad
Marks do not infringe upon any third party copyright, trademark, patent,
trade secret or other third party right and, to the best of Covad's
knowledge, any of the aforementioned items not created by it, but
nevertheless used by it, shall also conform to the foregoing warranty.
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ARTICLE XVI
APPLICABLE TAXES
16.1 PAYMENT OF TAXES.
Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall be fully responsible
for the payment of all taxes required by law to be paid by that Party. SBC
and Covad agree that Covad will be responsible for paying all existing or
future federal, state or local taxes imposed on the receipt of payments
made by SBC to Covad under this Agreement.
16.2 ASSESSMENTS
SBC is solely responsible for calculating and remitting any and all taxes,
fees and assessments, imposed directly on SBC's acquisition and resale of
Covad Products under this Agreement and billed directly to SBC
(collectively, "SBC Assessments"). Such SBC Assessments may be made by any
governmental, quasi-governmental agency or regulatory body and Covad shall
not be directly or indirectly responsible in any way for SBC's remitting
such SBC Assessments. Covad is solely responsible for calculating and
remitting any and all taxes, fees and assessments imposed directly on
Covad's provision of materials or services under this Agreement and billed
directly to Covad (collectively, "Covad Assessments"). Such Covad
Assessments may be made by any governmental, quasi-governmental agency or
regulatory body and SBC shall not be directly or indirectly responsible in
any way for Covad's remitting such Covad Assessments.
16.3 REIMBURSEMENT OF TAXES ON COVAD PRODUCTS
SBC shall pay to Covad all federal excise or state or local sales or use
taxes and fees which Covad is expressly required or permitted by ordinance,
statute, regulation or administrative pronouncement to collect from SBC
which are associated with SBC's acquisition of Covad Products under this
Agreement. All such taxes and fees shall be stated as separate items on a
timely invoice that shall comply with the requirements of state law and
shall indicate the jurisdiction imposing the tax. Installation and other
non-taxable charges, if any, must be separately stated. SBC shall not be
obligated to pay any amount otherwise collectable under this Section that
is invoiced more than ninety (90) days after the date of the transaction
giving rise to such tax or fee.
16.4 CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION.
Alternatively, SBC shall provide Covad with a certificate evidencing SBC's
exemption from payment of, or liability for the above taxes or fees. For
example, to the extent SBC claims that its acquisition of materials or
services qualifies for a purchase or sale for resale sales tax exemption,
SBC shall furnish Covad with a
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resale tax exemption certificate as authorized or required by the
jurisdiction providing said exemption. If applicable law exempts the
purchase from a sales tax but does not also provide an exemption procedure
then Covad will not collect such sales tax if SBC furnishes Covad a letter
from a Director or higher level executive describing the exemption and
identifying the applicable statute, regulation, or other law of the
jurisdiction that both allows such exemption and does not require an
exemption certificate.
16.5 TAX INDEMNIFICATION BY COVAD.
Covad agrees to pay, and to hold SBC harmless from and against, any
penalty, interest, additional tax, or other charge that may be levied or
assessed as a result of the delay or failure of Covad, for any reason, to
pay any tax or file any tax return or information required by law, rule or
regulation or by this Agreement to be paid or filed by Covad. Covad agrees
to pay and to hold SBC harmless from and against any penalty or sanction
assessed as a result of Covad doing business with any country subject to
U.S. trade restrictions.
16.6 SCHEDULE OF TAXES.
Following the issuance of an order of materials or supplies under this
Agreement, Covad shall within 20 days, (but in no event later than two
weeks before delivery of the product under the purchase order) present SBC
a schedule of the taxes and fees it proposes to collect from SBC under
Section 16.3. Upon SBC's request, the Parties shall consult with respect to
the basis and rates upon which Covad shall pay any taxes or fees for which
SBC is obligated to reimburse Covad under this Agreement. If SBC determines
that in its opinion any such taxes or fees are not payable or should be
paid on a basis less than the full price or at rates less than the full tax
or fee rate, Covad shall make payment in accordance with such
determinations and SBC shall be responsible for such determination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this paragraph shall require
Covad to provide SBC with a schedule of USF fees.
16.7 AUDITS.
If any taxing authority advises Covad that it intends to audit Covad with
respect to any taxes for which SBC is obligated to reimburse Covad under
this Agreement, Covad shall: (1) promptly so notify SBC, (2) afford SBC an
opportunity to participate on an equal basis with Covad in such audit with
respect to such taxes and (3) keep SBC fully informed as to the progress of
such audit. Each Party shall bear its own expenses with respect to any such
audit, and the responsibility for any additional tax, penalty or interest
resulting from such audit shall be determined in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Section. Notwithstanding the above, Covad
shall have the right, but not the obligation to take control of an issue in
such audit with respect to taxes that SBC is obligated to
37
reimburse Covad. In that event, SBC shall be obligated to pay Covad the
amount of tax, interest and penalties that it reasonably believes that it
owes, calculated through the date that Covad takes control of the issue in
dispute, and Covad shall assume the obligation to pay all additional tax,
interest and penalties, and any further costs incurred in continuing to
pursue the issue. Covad's failure to comply with the notification
requirements of this section shall relieve SBC of its responsibility to
reimburse Covad for taxes, interest, and penalties if Covad's failure
prejudiced SBC's ability to contest the taxes, interest, or penalties.
16.8 COLLECTION.
In circumstances where collection is sought by a governmental authority for
a greater amount of taxes or fees than that so determined by SBC, Covad
shall promptly notify SBC. If SBC desires to contest such collection, SBC
shall promptly notify Covad. Covad shall cooperate with SBC in contesting
such determination, but SBC shall be responsible for, and shall reimburse
Covad for any fee, tax, interest, or penalty in excess of its
determination. If SBC, Covad, or a governmental authority determines that
SBC has reimbursed Covad for taxes or fees in excess of the amount that SBC
is obligated to reimburse Covad, SBC and Covad shall consult to determine
the appropriate method of recovery of such excess reimbursements. Covad
shall credit any excess reimbursements against tax reimbursements or other
payments due from SBC if and to the extent, Covad can make corresponding
adjustments to its payments to the relevant tax authority. At SBC's
request, Covad shall timely file any claims for refund and any other
documents required to recover any other excess reimbursements, and shall
promptly remit to SBC all such refunds and interest received.
16.9 COOPERATION.
SBC and Covad agree that they will reasonably cooperate with each other
with respect to any tax planning to minimize taxes, and with respect to any
tax audit, tax controversy, tax refund matter, claim, action, or similar
proceeding by a taxing authority or other governmental agency. The degree
of cooperation contemplated by this section is to enable any tax inquiry or
controversy to be resolved expeditiously and includes, but is not limited
to, assisting with responses to audit inquiries and producing documents and
information.
ARTICLE XVII
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
17.1 COVAD WARRANTY OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS.
Covad warrants to SBC as follows:
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17.1.1 Covad is engaged in an independent business and will perform all
obligations under this Agreement as an independent contractor and not
as the agent or employee of SBC, except as expressly provided in
Section 3.2.7;
17.1.2 Covad's personnel performing Services shall be considered solely the
employee personnel of Covad and not employees or agents of SBC, except
as expressly provided in Section 3.2.7;
17.1.3 Covad has and retains the right to exercise full control of and
supervision over the performance of the Services and full control over
the employment, direction, assignment, compensation, and discharge of
all personnel performing the Services;
17.1.4 Covad is solely responsible for all matters relating to
compensation, including payment of premium pay for overtime, of all
Covad's personnel who perform Services. Covad will pay all employee
compensation and related taxes and benefits from its own accounts,
without regard to any dispute concerning SBC's liability for payment
to Covad under any invoice related to any Service performed by Covad;
17.1.5 Covad is solely responsible for all matters relating to compliance
with all employer obligations to withhold employee taxes, pay employee
and employer taxes, and file payroll tax returns and information
returns under local, state, and federal income tax laws, unemployment
compensation insurance and state disability insurance tax laws, and
social security and Medicare tax laws, and all other payroll tax laws
or similar laws (all collectively hereinafter referred to as "payroll
tax obligations") with respect to all Covad personnel providing
Services. If any federal, state, or local authority including but not
limited to taxing authority may claim that SBC or any subsidiary of
SBC is or may be liable for any payroll, payroll tax, or benefit plan
obligations, including the payment of interest or penalties, with
respect to any such Covad personnel, then Covad shall:
(a) cooperate fully in SBC's defense of such claim;
(b) disclose its income tax returns, payroll tax returns, information
returns and transmittals, and associated payment deposits
records, canceled checks and instruments, and other such
documents reasonably necessary to enable SBC to perfect its
defense of such claims, subject to appropriate protections for
information deemed confidential by Covad;
(c) execute and deliver such powers of attorney or other consents as
may be necessary to enable SBC to obtain copies of such
39
returns and other documents from the taxing and other authorities
that are appropriate or helpful in order to prove compliance with
tax and other legal requirements; and
(d) indemnify and hold SBC harmless from any reasonable cost or
expense, and any taxes as well as any interest or penalties;
17.1.6 Covad is and will respond as the employer of all Covad personnel,
exclusive of SBC, for purposes of any federal, state, or local taxes,
benefits and unemployment insurance law. Covad will indemnify and hold
SBC harmless from any claim that SBC's reserve account should be taxed
to provide unemployment compensation to any Covad personnel or former
Covad personnel based upon Services provided to SBC under this
Agreement;
17.1.7 If any Covad personnel makes a claim for employee benefits under any
SBC employee benefit plan or for workers' compensation against SBC,
then Covad will indemnify and hold harmless SBC from any such claim,
including any and all costs an expenses, including interest and
penalties; Covad's employee benefit plans and self-employed benefit
plans will credit Covad's personnel with all time worked on SBC
assignments and all compensation earned on SBC assignments for plan
participation purposes, vesting purposes, and benefit accrual
purposes, on the same basis as Covad credits time worked on other
assignments; and Covad will be responsible for its own acts and those
of Covad's personnel during the performance of Covad's obligations
under this Agreement.
17.1.8 Each Party and each Party's contractors shall be solely responsible
for the withholding or payment of all applicable federal, state and
local income taxes, social security taxes and other payroll taxes with
respect to its employees, as well as any taxes, contributions or other
obligations imposed by applicable state unemployment or workers'
compensation acts or other legal requirements applicable to the
employees or the employer-employee relationship. Each Party has sole
authority and responsibility to hire, fire and otherwise control its
employees.
ARTICLE XVIII
COVAD'S USE OF SBC SERVICES
18.1 SBC AS PREFERRED PROVIDER.
Covad agrees that in those cities where SBC provides Telecommunications
Services, including local and long distance voice, data, wireless and ISP
service,
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Covad will grant SBC the right of first refusal to provide all of such
service requirements that Covad obtains from third parties (which shall not
include Affiliates), provided that SBC's price is no higher than other
offers for reasonably equivalent services, that the terms, conditions,
functionalities and quality of service, when considered as a whole, are
reasonably equivalent to competitive options available to Covad, and that
SBC can deliver such services in a timely fashion. Nothing in this Section
18.1 shall require Covad to cancel or to breach an existing agreement for
such services, or to refrain from entering into any agreement which is
being negotiated as of the date hereof. SBC will initiate the right of
first refusal process by having its sales representative contact the Covad
representative designated by Covad within thirty (30) days of the Effective
Date.
ARTICLE XIX
MINORITY, WOMEN AND DISABLED VETERANS BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
19.1 COVAD'S COMMITMENT.
Covad commits to good faith efforts to develop procedures and policies for
the participation of M/WBE and DVBE firms as defined in Section 19.2 and to
develop a participation plan with identified participation levels by these
firms. Covad commits to institute procedures for tracking, validating and
reporting such efforts to SBC.
19.2 DEFINITIONS.
19.2.1 MBE/WBE.
(a) For purchases under this Agreement by Pacific Xxxx, Pacific Xxxx
Directory, Pacific Xxxx Mobile Services, Pacific Xxxx Information
Services, Pacific Xxxx Communications, and any other entity
operating principally in California (collectively "California
Affiliates"), Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBEs/WBEs)
are defined as businesses which satisfy the requirements of
paragraph (c) below and are certified as MBEs/WBEs by the
California Public Utilities Commission Clearinghouse
("CPUC-certified").
(b) For purchases under this Agreement by any entity that is not a
California Affiliate, MBEs/WBEs are defined as businesses which
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (c) below and are either
CPUC-certified or are certified as MBEs/WBEs by a certifying
agency recognized by SBC.
(c) MBEs/WBEs must be at least fifty one percent (51%) owned by a
minority individual or group or by one or more women (for
publicly-held
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businesses, at least fifty one percent (51)% of the stock must be
owned by one or more of those individuals), and the MBEs/WBEs'
management and daily business operations must be controlled by
one or more of those individuals, and these individuals must be
either U.S. citizens or legal aliens with permanent residence
status. For the purpose of this definition, minority group
members include male or female Asian Americans, Black Americans,
Filipino Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (i.e.,
American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts and Native Hawaiians),
Polynesian Americans, and multi-ethnic (i.e., any combination of
MBEs and WBEs where no one specific group has a fifty one percent
(51)% ownership and control of the business, but when aggregated,
the ownership and control combination meets or exceeds the fifty
one percent (51%) rule). "Control" in this context means
exercising the power to make policy decisions. "Operate" in this
context means actively involved in the day-to-day management of
the business and not merely acting as officers or directors.
19.2.2 DVBE.
(a) For purchases under this Agreement by California Affiliates,
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs) are defined as
business concerns that satisfy the requirements of paragraph (e)
below and are certified as DVBEs by the California State Office
of Small and Minority Business (OSMB). The DVBE must be a
resident of the State of California, and must satisfy the
requirements of Section 19.2.2(c) below.
(b) For purchases under this Agreement by any entity that is not a
California Affiliate, DVBEs are defined as any business concern
that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (c) below and is
either a defined DVBE for purchases by California Affiliates, or
is certified as a DVBE by a certifying agency recognized by SBC.
(c) The DVBE must be (1) a sole proprietorship at least fifty-one
percent (51%) owned by one or more disabled veterans; or (2) a
publicly-owned business in which at least fifty-one percent (51%)
of the stock is owned by one or more disabled veterans; or (3) a
subsidiary which is wholly owned by a parent corporation, but
only if at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the voting stock of
the parent corporation is owned by one or more disabled veterans;
or (4) a joint venture in which at least fifty-one percent (51%)
of the joint venture's management and control and earnings are
held by one or more disabled veterans. In each case, the
management and control of the daily business operations must be
by one or more disabled veterans. A disabled veteran is a veteran
of the military, naval or air service of the United States with a
service-connected disability. "Management and control" in this
context means exercising the power to
42
make policy decisions and actively involved in the day-to-day
management of the business and not merely acting as officers or
directors.
ARTICLE XX
COVENANTS
20.1 PUBLICITY.
The Parties agree to cooperate in the preparation and dissemination of
publicity concerning this Agreement. No Party shall make a public
announcement about this Agreement or the Parties' discussions related to
any aspect of it, without the consent of the other Parties, which consent
shall not be unreasonably refused, delayed, or conditioned. Any Party may
at any time make announcements which are required by applicable law,
regulatory bodies, or stock exchange or stock association rules, so long as
the Party so required to make the announcement notifies in advance the
other Parties of such requirement and promptly discusses with the other
Parties in good faith the wording of any such announcement.
20.2 THIRD PARTY WARRANTIES.
Each Party shall enforce any rights, warranties, licenses, terms and
conditions and other benefits accruing to it under each of its agreements
with third parties participating in or providing equipment, software or
other services used in connection with the provision of services under this
Agreement wherever and whenever such Party's failure to enforce any such
rights, warranties, licenses, terms, conditions and other benefits could
materially impair its ability to provide such services in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
20.3 UNAUTHORIZED WARRANTIES.
SBC shall not make any warranty or representation with respect to the Covad
Products inconsistent with or in addition to any warranty or representation
stated in writing by Covad.
20.4 COOPERATION.
Each Party shall use its respective commercially reasonable efforts to
perform all actions or refrain from performing any action, in either case
as reasonably requested by another Party, in connection with the
performance of the activities contemplated by this Agreement.
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ARTICLE XXI
GENERAL
21.1 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
The Parties agree to coordinate any activities taken collectively which may
be subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42
U.S.C. Section 12101) and with the network disclosure rules adopted by the
FCC in proceedings to implement that Act or any amendments to that Act.
21.2 AMENDMENT.
No amendment of this Agreement shall be valid or binding on the Parties
unless such amendment shall be in writing and duly executed by an
authorized representative of each Party.
21.3 ASSIGNMENT.
No Party may assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement, except to an Affiliate, without the consent of the other Party.
21.4 ATTACHMENTS.
Any attachments to this Agreement are incorporated into the Agreement and
governed by the terms hereof.
21.5 COOPERATION.
Each Party shall use its respective commercially reasonable efforts to
perform all actions or refrain from performing any action, in either case
as reasonably requested by another Party, in connection with the
performance of the activities contemplated by this Agreement.
21.6 COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES.
Except as otherwise specifically agreed in writing in the Operating
Agreements or otherwise, each Party shall be responsible for its own
expenses arising under this Agreement, including the preparation of this
Agreement.
21.7 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
All disputes and disagreements between the Parties that can not be resolved
by mutual agreement regarding or relating to this Agreement (including, but
not limited to, the interpretation or construction of this agreement,
performance and implementation concerns, and any potential claims, causes
of action, lawsuits, arbitration or related disputes), including
Attachments to this Agreement, shall be
44
resolved in accordance with the Dispute Resolution Agreement entered into
by SBC and Covad of concurrent date herewith.
21.8 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AGREEMENTS.
The Operating Agreements constitute the entire agreement and understanding
of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained therein.
21.9 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD.
Each Party shall be solely responsible at its own expense for the proper
handling, storage, transport, treatment, disposal and use of all hazardous
substances by such Party and its contractors and agents. For purposes of
the Operating Agreements, hazardous substances includes those substances
(a) included within the definition of hazardous substance, hazardous waste,
hazardous material, toxic substance, solid waste or pollutant or
contaminant under any applicable law or (b) listed by any Government Entity
as a hazardous substance.
21.10 EXECUTION.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which copies shall
be deemed an original.
21.11 FORCE MAJEURE.
21.11.1 Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or failure in
performance of any part of this Agreement from any cause beyond its
control and without its fault or negligence including, without
limitation, acts of nature, acts of civil or military authority,
government regulations, embargoes, epidemics, terrorist acts, riots,
insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, nuclear accidents,
floods, work stoppages, equipment failure, cable cuts, power
blackouts, volcanic action, other major environmental disturbances or
unusually severe weather conditions. In such event, the Party affected
shall, upon giving prompt notice to the other Party, be excused from
such performance on a day-to-day basis to the extent of such
interference (and the other Party shall likewise be excused from
performance of its obligations on a day-to-day basis to the extent
such Party's obligations are related to the performance so interfered
with). The affected Party shall use its best efforts to avoid or
remove the cause of nonperformance and both Parties shall proceed to
perform with dispatch once the causes are removed or cease.
21.11.2 Notwithstanding the previous subsection, no delay or other failure
to perform shall be excused pursuant to this Section (i) by the acts
or omissions of a Party's subcontractors, material men, suppliers or
other
45
third persons providing products or services to such Party, unless
such acts or omissions are themselves the product of a force majeure
condition, and (ii) unless such delay or failure and the consequences
thereof are beyond the reasonable control and without the fault or
negligence of the Party claiming excusable delay or other failure to
perform.
21.12 GOOD FAITH PERFORMANCE.
Each Party shall act in good faith in its performance under this Agreement
and, in each case in which a Party's consent or agreement is required or
requested hereunder, such Party shall not unreasonably withhold or delay
such consent or agreement.
21.13 GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware without regard to choice of law provisions.
21.14 INSURANCE.
At all times during the term of this Agreement or any Operating Agreement,
each Party shall keep and maintain in force at its own expense all
insurance required by applicable law, including, but not limited to,
workers' compensation insurance, and general liability insurance (primary
or umbrella) in the amount of ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) for
personal injury or death, property damage, and automobile liability with
coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Upon request by any other
Party, a Party shall provide to the other Party evidence of such insurance
(which may be provided through a program of self-insurance).
21.15 JOINT WORK PRODUCT.
This Agreement is the joint work product of the Parties and has been
negotiated by the Parties and their respective counsel and shall be fairly
interpreted in accordance with its terms. In the event of any ambiguities,
no inferences shall be drawn against either Party.
21.16 LABOR RELATIONS.
Each Party shall be responsible for labor relations with its own employees.
Each Party agrees to notify the other Party as soon as practicable whenever
such Party has knowledge that a labor dispute concerning its employees is
delaying or threatens to delay such Party's timely performance of its
obligations under this Agreement and shall minimize impairment of service
to the other Party (by using its management personnel to perform work or by
other means) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.
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21.17 NO SOLICITATION.
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months
thereafter, no Party or its Affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, for
itself or on behalf of any other Person, induce or attempt to induce any
employee of the other Parties or their Affiliates engaged in activities
related to the Operating Agreements to leave his or her employment.
However, general employment advertisements in media of general or industry
specific circulation shall be permissible, and a Party that hires an
employee of another Party or its Affiliate due to his or her response to
such advertisement(s) shall not be in breach hereunder.
21.18 NO WAIVER.
The failure of any Party to insist upon or enforce strict performance by
any other Party of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right
under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment
to any extent of such Party's right to assert or rely upon any such
provision or right in that or any other instance; rather, the same shall be
and remain in full force and effect.
21.19 NONEXCLUSIVE DEALINGS.
This Agreement does not prevent either Party from providing or purchasing
services to or from any other person.
21.20 NOTICES.
Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by
any Party to any other Party under any section of this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given upon receipt if delivered personally
or by telex or facsimile, the next day if by express mail or three days
after being sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid to the following addresses (or at such other address for a
Party as shall be specified by like notice provided that such notice shall
be effective only after receipt thereof):
If to SBC: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
EVP - SBC Strategic
Marketing/Planning
SBC Communications Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Voice: 000-000-0000
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With a copy (which shall Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
not constitute notice) to: General Attorney
SBC Communications Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Voice: 000-000-0000
If to Covad: Xxxxx X. Xxxx
EVP-External affairs
Covad Communications
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000.000.0000
Voice: 303.785.2050
With a copy (which shall Xxxxx Xxxxxx
not constitute notice) to: General Counsel
Covad Communications
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Voice: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Assistant General Counsel
Covad Communications
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx. 000X
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Voice: (000) 000-0000
21.21 RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES; INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.
Each Party shall perform services hereunder as an independent contractor
and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating any other
relationship between the Parties. The relationship established by this
Agreement or any other Operating Agreement shall not render any Party an
affiliate of any other Party (or of any of their Affiliates) nor be
construed to create a partnership, joint venture, or any other form of
legal entity, nor establish any fiduciary relationship among the
48
Parties or any affiliate of any Party. The provision of the services
described in this Agreement does not establish any joint undertaking, joint
venture, pooling arrangement, partnership, agency, fiduciary relationship
or formal business organization of any kind. No Party shall act as or hold
itself out as agent for the other Party or create or attempt to create
liabilities for any other Party, except to the extent expressly set forth
in this Agreement.
21.22 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or
unless the context otherwise requires, (a) words used in this Agreement,
regardless of the gender and number specifically used, shall be deemed and
construed to include any other gender and any other number as the context
requires; (b) as used in this Agreement, the word "including" is not
limiting, and the word "or" is not exclusive; (c) except as specifically
otherwise provided in this Agreement in a particular instance, a reference
to a Section, Schedule, Attachment, Appendix, Addendum or Exhibit is a
reference to a Section of this Agreement or a Schedule, Attachment,
Appendix, Addendum or Exhibit hereto, and the terms "this Agreement,"
"hereof," "herein," and other like terms refer to this Agreement as a
whole, including the Schedules, Attachments, Appendices, Addenda and
Exhibits to this Agreement, and not solely to any particular part of this
Agreement; (d) the descriptive headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (e) this Agreement
shall be construed to refer to the provision of services in the United
States of America; and (f) as used in this Agreement, unless otherwise
specifically noted herein, the word "day" or "days" means a calendar day or
days, respectively, including weekends and holidays.
21.23 SEVERABILITY.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or
any other Operating Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court or other authority of
competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision hereof and the affected Operating
Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein and, in lieu of each such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as a part of the affecting Operating Agreement a provision as
similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may
be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable, it being the intent of the
Parties to maintain the benefit of the bargain for all Parties.
21.24 THIRD PARTY WARRANTIES.
Each Party shall enforce any rights, warranties, licenses, terms and
conditions and other benefits accruing to it under each of its agreements
with third parties
49
participating in or providing equipment, software or other services used in
connection with the provision of services under the Operating Agreements
wherever and whenever such Party's failure to enforce any such rights,
warranties, licenses, terms, conditions and other benefits could materially
impair its ability to provide such services in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Operating Agreements.
21.25 THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES; DISCLAIMER OF AGENCY.
This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted,
and nothing herein expressed or implied shall create or be construed to
create any third-party beneficiary rights hereunder, other than to
permitted assigns. Except for provisions herein expressly authorizing a
Party to act for another, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a
Party as a legal representative or agent of the other Party, nor shall a
Party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any liability
or any obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the name
or on behalf of the other Party unless otherwise expressly permitted by
such other Party. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
no Party undertakes to perform any obligation of the other Party, whether
regulatory or contractual, or to assume any responsibility for the
management of the other Party's business. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party to
create the relationship of principal and agent or of partnerships or joint
venture.
21.26 USE OF CONTRACTORS AND AGENTS.
Each Party shall be fully responsible for the actions and conduct of their
contractors, subcontractors, consultants, agents and others employed to
undertake or perform any act or function under this Agreement as if the
Party undertook or performed the act or function through its directors,
officers and employees.
[signatures follow on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Resale and Marketing
Agreement to be executed by their respective authorized representatives as of
the date first written above.
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.
GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President Title:
--------------------------- ---------------------------
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