Ex-10.47
Employment Agreement by and between
eTraxx Corporation and Xxxxxx Xxxx dated April 1, 2000
EXHIBIT 10.47
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of this 1st day
of April 2000 by and between eTraxx Corporation, a California corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxxx Xxxx (the "Executive") with reference to the following
facts:
A. Company is desirous of employing the Executive as its Chief Operating
Officer. The ongoing services of the Executive in such capacity is in the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders; and
B. Executive is willing to remain in the employ of the Company all on the
terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. AGREEMENT.
1.1 EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby engages Executive in the capacity
of Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Executive shall
perform such duties and functions consistent with Executive's
position as shall be specified from time to time by the Company's
Chief Executive Officer. Executive hereby accepts such employment
and agrees to perform such duties.
1.2 EXTENT OF SERVICES. Executive shall devote substantially all of
his business time, ability and energy to the performance of his
duties hereunder; PROVIDED, that Executive may devote reasonable
time during normal business hours to such civil and charitable
activities, as he deems appropriate. Executive shall not be
required to accept, without his approval, any materially adverse
change or material reduction in his duties or responsibilities
with the Company from those of his position as it presently
exists and as described in this Agreement, EXCEPT, that it is
agreed that should the Company be acquired by Telegen Corporation
(the "Proposed Parent") then Executive shall also be appointed as
the Chief Administrative Officer of the Proposed Parent. In such
dual capacity Executive shall have such duties as shall be
assigned and allocated as between Company and the Proposed
Parent.
1.3 Executive shall report to the Company's Chief Executive Officer
provided that in the event of a conflict in the performance of
and priority given to both of Executive's Proposed Parent and
Company duties, then such conflict shall be resolved by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Proposed Parent. Executive's principal
place of employment shall be in San Mateo and/or Santa Xxxxx
Counties, California, and Executive shall not be required to
perform any duties under this Agreement in a location other than
in the above named counties, except for normal business travel
outside the two county area incident to the performance of his
duties hereunder.
2. COMPENSATION.
2.1 BASE SALARY.
(a) As compensation for the performance by Executive of his
obligations as Chief Operating Officer hereunder, the
Company shall pay Executive a base salary at the rate of Two
Hundred Thousand dollars ($200,000) per year for each fiscal
year (the "Base Salary") during the term hereof (pro rated
for any partial year), less the usual payroll deductions and
required withholdings, payable in accordance with the normal
payment pattern of the Company for its senior executives.
Executive's Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually
by the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), beginning
with the salary for the fiscal year starting January 1, 2001
and may be adjusted at the discretion of the Company and, as
so adjusted, shall become the Base Salary for all
purposes hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such
adjustment shall reduce Executive's Base Salary for any
fiscal year below his Base Salary for the immediately
preceding fiscal year; PROVIDED, further, such Base Salary
may be adjusted below the Base Salary payable in the prior
fiscal year if a pro rata salary reduction is applicable to
all executives of the Company and such reduction has been
approved by the CEO and the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee").
(b) Executive agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of
any of the Company's affiliates or subsidiaries as an
integral part of his duties hereunder and without additional
compensation.
2.2 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. In addition to his Base Salary Executive
shall also be entitled to participate, on a basis consistent with
his position, in the Company's Executive Bonus Compensation Plan.
In addition, Executive shall be entitled to receive any other
bonus as is recommended by the CEO and approved by the Company's
Board of Directors.
2.3 EXPENSES. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse the
Executive promptly for all reasonable business expenses incurred
by the Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder as
are authorized by the CEO; PROVIDED that the Executive furnishes
to the Company adequate documentation regarding such
expenditures.
2.4 BENEFITS. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in such
of the Company's group life, health, accident, disability or
other insurance programs, pension programs, and other benefit
plans and perquisites as are now generally available or become
available to executives of the Company to the extent such plans
and programs are continued in effect for the Company's executives
generally, including, without limitation, up to the benefits
described on SCHEDULE 2.4 hereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Company shall not materially reduce the benefit plans and
programs available to the Company's executives generally, unless
the Company has experienced a material adverse change in its
financial condition or results of operations.
2.5 ABSENCES. The compensation and benefits payable to or for the
benefit of Executive under this Section 2 shall not be reduced or
otherwise adjusted as a result of absences not exceeding one
hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate in any calendar year
(whether or not consecutive) due to temporary disability or
illness. Subject to Section 3.3 hereof, after such one hundred
eighty (180) day period, Executive shall be entitled to receive
the compensation provided for in this Section 2 offset by any
disability payments received by Executive under the Company's
then-existing disability plan.
2.6 VACATIONS. Subject to the requirements of the Executive's office,
the Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation
during each calendar year. Executive shall be entitled to accrue
up to two hundred (200) hours of unused vacation for use in later
years; PROVIDED, that, with the approval of the President or CEO,
Executive may accrue in excess of two hundred (200) hours of
unused vacation.
3. TERM AND TERMINATION.
3.1 TERM. Except in the event of earlier termination as herein
provided, the initial term of Executive's employment with the
Company hereunder shall commence on the date hereof and shall end
on March 31, 2002 (the "Term"). Unless Executive or the Company
shall have given the other notice that the term is not to be
extended, commencing one year prior to the end of the original
Term, the Term of this Agreement automatically shall extend on a
day to day basis, it being the intention of the parties that,
until such notice is given by one of the parties to the other,
the Term of this Agreement shall have at all times at least one
year remaining; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the
term of this Agreement exceed seven (7) years in the aggregate.
3.2 RIGHTS OF EXECUTIVE IN EVENT OF TERMINATION.
(a) SEVERANCE PAY.
(1) If Executive's employment shall be terminated by the
Company for any reason, other than "cause," the Company
shall pay to Executive severance in an amount equal to
not less than eighteen (18) months Base Salary at the
time of termination. The amount of such severance
pay payable pursuant to this clause (1) shall be paid
to Executive in equal monthly installments over the
corresponding number of months of severance, or, at
Executive's option, in a lump sum payment paid
concurrently with notice of termination discounted to
present value using an annual discount rate equal to
the prevailing ninety (90) day U.S. Treasury Xxxx rate
of interest at the date of notice of termination. For
purposes of this Agreement, neither a notice by either
the Company or Executive of an intention not to extend
the term of this Agreement further nor the normal
expiration of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms shall be treated as a termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or the Executive.
(2) If the Company terminates Executive's employment for
"cause" at any time, or if Executive terminates his
employment in breach of his obligations hereunder,
Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or
any fringe benefit continuation under this Section 3.2.
For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean and
be limited to: (i) any willful or intentional act
having the effect of injuring the reputation, business
or business relationships of the Company or its
affiliates; (ii) conviction of, or plea of NOLO
CONTENDERE to, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
or a felony; (iii) breach of material covenants
contained in this Agreement; and (iv) repeated or
continuous failure, neglect or refusal to perform
Employee's duties hereunder after reasonable prior
notice by the Company.
(b) RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS.
In the event Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated as provided in Section 3.2(a)(1) above,
Executive shall continue to receive for the same number
of months that severance pay is authorized for payment
to Executive under Section 3.2(a)(1) the benefits
described in Section 2.4, to the extent such benefits
were provided by the Company to Executive as of the
date of such termination.
3.3 DEATH OR DISABILITY. In the event of Executive's death or
permanent disability, as hereinafter defined, the compensation
payable to him under Section 2 hereof shall cease. After the date
Executive is deemed to be permanently disabled, the Company shall
pay to Executive a lump sum or other disability payments in
accordance with the Company's then-existing disability program
for its executives, if any. For purposes of this Agreement,
Executive shall be deemed to have become "permanently disabled"
if, because of ill health or physical or mental disability, (i)
he shall have been unable to perform his duties and
responsibilities hereunder in the ordinary and usual manner
required of a person in Executive's position for one hundred
eighty (180) days (consecutively or cumulatively in any period of
three hundred sixty-five (365) days); and (ii) after such one
hundred eighty (180) day period either the Company or the
Executive shall have advised the other in writing that Executive
shall be deemed to be permanently disabled. The date Executive
shall be deemed to be permanently disabled shall be the first day
immediately following delivery of said written notice of
disability.
3.4 NO DUTY OF MITIGATION. The Company acknowledges that it would be
very difficult and generally impracticable to determine the
ability of or extent to which Executive may mitigate any damages
he may incur by reason of termination of this Agreement as
provided in Section 3.2 above or otherwise. The Company has taken
this into account in entering into this Agreement and,
accordingly, the Company acknowledges and agrees that Executive
shall be entitled to receive all of the payments and benefits
provided for herein regardless of any income which Executive may
receive from other sources after any such termination.
4. EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT
AGREEMENT. During the Term hereof and thereafter the Executive shall
not disclose to anyone outside the Company, or use in other than
Company business, confidential information or material relating to the
actual or anticipated business of the Company or its subsidiaries,
unless authorized by the Company in accordance with the terms of
ATTACHMENT A, Employment, Confidential Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
This Section 4 shall not apply to any such information or material
which: (a) is now or becomes generally available to the public other
than as a result of a breach of the terms of ATTACHMENT A; (b) was in
the Executive's possession on a non confidential basis prior to its
being obtained by the Executive in his capacity as an employee,
officer or director of the Company; or (c) is now or becomes available
to the Executive on a non-confidential basis
from a source other than the Company; provided, the Executive does not
know (or have reason to know) of any breach by such source of any
confidentiality obligations it may have with respect thereto.
5. EMPLOYMENT EXCLUSIVE. In consideration of the payments to be made
hereunder, Executive agrees during the Term to serve the Company to
the best of his abilities and to devote his business time and
attention to the performance of his duties hereunder. For purposes of
this Agreement the preceding sentence means that Executive shall not,
during the Term, directly or indirectly (whether for compensation or
otherwise), alone or as an agent, principal, partner, officer,
employee, trustee, director, shareholder or in any other capacity,
own, manage, operate, join control or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of or furnish any capital to or be
connected in any manner with or provide any services as a consultant
for, any business which competes with the business of the Company or
its subsidiaries or affiliates as it may be conducted from time to
time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be deemed to precluded Executive from owning not more
than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded capital stock of any
entity in competition with the business of the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates.
6. MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1 NOTICE. Notices authorized or required to be sent pursuant to
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered given
upon personal delivery or three (3) days after deposit in the
U.S. Mail, by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, to the parties at the following addresses: If to the
Executive, to him at his current residence address as reflected
in the records of the Company; if to the Company, at 0000X Xxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention: CEO.
6.2 RIGHT OF OFFSET. Any amounts payable by the Executive to the
Company may be used by the Company, at its sole option and to the
extent permitted by law, as an offset against any of the
Company's payment obligations under this Agreement.
6.3 LIFE INSURANCE. The Company shall have the right to take out life
insurance or other insurance on the life of the Executive at its
sole cost and expense and for its sole benefit, and the Executive
acknowledges that he shall have no right in or to such insurance
or the proceeds thereof. The Executive agrees to cooperate with
the Company in obtaining such insurance and to submit, at his
reasonable convenience, to the usual medical and other
examinations required in connection therewith.
6.4 CONSTRUCTION AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement and the performance
hereof shall be governed, interpreted, construed and regulated by
the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely in California. This Agreement shall
not be assignable by the Executive or the Company; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Company may assign this Agreement to its
Proposed Parent and FURTHER PROVIDED, upon the transfer of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, this Agreement may be
assigned to the Company's successor. The terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
any successor to the business of the Company. In the event this
Agreement is assigned to the Proposed Parent, and at any time
thereafter during the Term, the Executive is given relief from
his dual capacity as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company
and Chief Administrative Officer of the Proposed Parent
respectively, then the parties agree that Executive's sole duties
and responsibilities as between the Company and Proposed Parent
shall be as Chief Administrative Officer of the Proposed Parent.
In that event there shall be no change of Executive's
compensation, benefits, and perquisites as set forth in this
Agreement, except Executive's Base Salary shall then be paid by
the Proposed Parent, and except as specifically set forth in
paragraph 4 of Schedule 2.4.
6.5 WAIVER. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver
of any subsequent breach of this Agreement.
6.6 SEVERABILITY. If any terms, covenant, condition or provision of
this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance, shall at any time or to any extent be invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the
application or such term or provision to persons or circumstances
other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby and each term, covenant, condition
and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
6.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement
and understanding of the parties with respect to the transaction
contemplated herein, and supersedes all prior agreements,
arrangements, policies and understandings related to the subject
matter thereof. No representation, promise, inducement or
statement of intention has been made by any of the parties not
embodied in this Agreement or in the documents referred to
herein, and no party shall be bound by or liable for any alleged
representation, promise, inducement, or statements of intention
not set forth or referred to herein.
6.8 ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event of any suit, arbitration or other
proceeding between the parties hereto with respect to any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or the subject matter hereof,
the prevailing party as determined by the court shall, in
addition to such other relief as the court or arbitrator(s) may
award, be entitled to recover from the other party its attorney's
fees and expenses actually incurred in such suit, arbitration or
other proceeding.
6.9 HEADINGS. The headings of the sections and paragraphs of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be
deemed to constitute a part of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
ETRAXX CORPORATION EXECUTIVE
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX /s/ XXXXXX XXXX
---------------------------- -------------------------------------
Title: CEO
-------------------------
SCHEDULE 2.4
EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:
1. eTraxx Group Health and Dental Plan paid by the Company.
2. Extended long-term disability benefit policy provided through Provident
Life and Accident in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of Base
Salary paid by the Company.
3. Policy of life insurance in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000)
issued by Sovereign Life Insurance Company of California, or to any
equivalent rated insurance company for the same amount to such personal
beneficiaries as designated by Executive and paid by the Company.
4. (a) Executive shall be entitled to purchase 320,000 shares the Company's
founders stock ("eTraxx Shares") at a price of $.00001 per share with
vesting of said shares taking place pro rata over a period of 24 months or
13,333 eTraxx Shares per month commencing April 1, 2000.
(b) There would be a 100% acceleration in the vesting of all non-vested
eTraxx Shares should there be (i) a change in control of the Company, (ii)
an initial public offering, (iii) Executive's business segment of the
Company for which he is organizationally responsible or is assigned to for
personnel, administrative or business reasons is transferred by sale,
merger or any other method to an entity other than the Proposed Parent, or
(iv) Executive is terminated under paragraph 3.2(a)(1) from the employment
of either the Company or its Proposed Parent for any reason, other than
"cause".
(c) Relief from Dual Capacity: In the event that under paragraph 6.4 of
this Agreement Executive's management responsibility shall no longer
include the dual position and responsibilities both of Chief Operating
Officer of the Company and Chief Administrative Officer of the Proposed
Parent (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Relief from Dual
Capacity"), then in lieu of the terms for vesting of the eTraxx Shares as
set forth in (a) above, Executive shall receive the following vesting
schedule in substitution:
(i) 6 months of fully vested shares or 80,000 eTraxx Shares, if
Relief from Dual Capacity occurs at any time during the first six months of
this Agreement.
(ii) If Relief from Dual Capacity occurs at any time after the first
six months of this Agreement, Executive shall receive a minimum of 6 months
of fully vested eTraxx Shares or 80,000 shares, plus an additional month of
fully vested eTraxx Shares for each full month thereafter, plus the
rounding up to another full month of fully vested eTraxx Shares for any
partial month of service by Executive in his dual officer capacity, plus an
additional three months or 40,000 fully vested eTraxx Shares. For example,
if Executive is in a dual capacity for 7 1/2 months and Executive is
relieved from his dual capacity obligation, Executive shall be entitled to
receive 11 months vesting of eTraxx Shares (7 1/2 months rounded up to 8
plus an additional 3 months = 146,663 shares).
(iii) Any eTraxx Shares remaining unvested from the initial
320,000-share purchase after Relief from Dual Capacity may be repurchased
by the Company at $.00001 per share. For those shares repurchased by the
Company, Executive shall be granted options, share grants, warrants or
other equity in the Proposed Parent of an equivalent economic value as
shall be mutually agreed by the parties.
(iv) Executive shall be entitled to registration rights for all eTraxx
Shares in like manner and time as any eTraxx Shares owned by any executive
of the Company and/or the Proposed Parent.
5. Executive shall be entitled to a signing bonus to purchase 75,000 eTraxx
Shares of the Company's founders stock at a price of $.00001 per share.
These shares shall be convertible on a 3:1 basis into 25,000 new shares
(post 16:1 reverse stock split) of the Proposed Parent's common stock
("Parent Shares") upon the approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the
Proposed Parent's plan of reorganization and the Proposed Parent/Company
stock purchase and acquisition agreement. Upon conversion 50% or 12,500 of
the 25,000 Parent Shares shall be immediately vested. The remaining 12,500
Parent Shares shall vest monthly on a pro rata basis over a 24 month period
commencing August 1, 2000 at 625 shares per month. There would be a 100%
acceleration in the vesting of all non-
vested Parent Shares should there be (i) a change in control of the
Company, (ii) an initial public offering of the Company, (iii) Executive's
business segment of the Company for which he is organizationally
responsible or is assigned to for personnel, administrative or business
reasons is transferred by sale, merger or any other method to an entity
other than the Proposed Parent, or (iv) Executive is terminated under
paragraph 3.2(a)(1) from the employment of either the Company or its Parent
for any reason, other than "cause". Executive shall be entitled to
registration rights for all Parent Shares in like manner and time as any
Parent Shares owned by any executive of Company and/or Parent.
6. A car allowance of $750/month as approved for senior executives of the
Board of Directors of the Parent company.
ATTACHMENT A TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
ETRAXX CORPORATION
EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND
INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
As a condition of my employment with eTraxx Corporation, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, successors or assigns (together the "Company"), and in consideration
of my employment with the Company and my receipt of the compensation now and
hereafter paid to me by Company, I agree to the following:
1. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
MAY BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE OR FOR ANY OR NO
CAUSE, AT THE OPTION EITHER OF THE COMPANY OR MYSELF, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE,
PROVIDED THAT IN THE EVENT THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED BY THE
COMPANY FOR OTHER THAN CAUSE AS DEFINED IN MY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, I SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH 3.2 OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AND SUCH OTHER ENTITLEMENTS AS SET FORTH THEREIN.
2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
(a) COMPANY INFORMATION. I agree at all times during the term of my
employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use,
except for the benefit of the Company, or to disclose to any person, firm or
corporation without written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, any Confidential Information of the Company. I understand that
"Confidential Information" means any Company proprietary information, technical
data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research,
product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers (including, but
not limited to, customers of the Company on whom I called or with whom I became
acquainted during the term of my employment), markets, software, developments,
inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering,
hardware configuration information, marketing, finances or other business
information disclosed to me by the Company either directly or indirectly in
writing, orally or by drawings or observation of parts or equipment. I further
understand that Confidential Information does not include any of the foregoing
items which has become publicly known and made generally available through no
wrongful act of mine or of others who were under confidentiality obligations as
to the item or items involved.
(b) FORMER EMPLOYER INFORMATION. I agree that I will not, during my
employment with the Company, improperly use or disclose any proprietary
information or trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer or other
person or entity and that I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any
unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer,
person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or
entity.
(c) THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION. I recognize that the Company has
received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or
proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited
purposes. I agree to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in
the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or
corporation or to use it except as necessary in carrying out my work for the
Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party.
3. INVENTIONS.
(a) INVENTIONS RETAINED AND LICENSED. I have attached hereto, as
EXHIBIT A, a list describing all inventions, original works of authorship,
developments, improvements, and trade secrets which were made by me prior to my
employment with the Company (collectively referred to as "Prior Inventions"),
which belong to me, which relate to the Company's proposed business, products or
research and development, and which are not assigned to the Company hereunder;
or, if no such list is attached, I represent that there are no such Prior
Inventions. If in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate
into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by me or in
which I have an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a
nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to make,
have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in connection
with such product, process or machine.
(b) ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. I agree that I will promptly make full
written disclosure to the Company, will hold in trust for the sole right and
benefit of the Company, and hereby assign to the Company, or its designee, all
my right, title, and interest in and to any and all inventions, original works
of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements or trade secrets, whether or
not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which I may
solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be
conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the period of time I am in
the employ of the Company (collectively referred to as "Inventions"), except as
provided in Section 3(f) below. I further acknowledge that all original works of
authorship which are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope
of and during the period of my employment with the Company and which are
protectable by copyright are "works made for hire," as that term is defined in
the United States Copyright Act.
(c) INVENTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE UNITED STATES. I agree to assign to
the United States government all my right, title, and interest in and to any and
all Inventions whenever such full title is required to be in the United States
by a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies.
(d) MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and
current written records of all Inventions made by me (solely or jointly with
others) during the term of my employment with the Company. The records will be
in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be
specified by the Company. The records will be available to and remain the sole
property of the Company at all times.
(e) PATENT AND COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS. I agree to assist the
Company, or its designee, at the Company's expense, in every proper way to
secure the Company's rights in the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask
work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and
all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent
information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications,
specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments which the Company
shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order
to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and nominees the
sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any
copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights
relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute or cause to be
executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall
continue after the termination of this Agreement. If the Company is unable
because of my mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to secure my
signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or
foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works
of authorship assigned to the Company as above, then I hereby irrevocably
designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as
my agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute
and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to
further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent or copyright
registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me.
(f) EXCEPTION TO ASSIGNMENTS. I understand that the provisions of
this Agreement requiring assignment of Inventions to the Company do not apply to
any invention which qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor
Code Section 2870 (attached hereto as EXHIBIT B). I will advise the Company
promptly in writing of any inventions that I believe meet the criteria in
California Labor Code Section 2870 and not otherwise disclosed on EXHIBIT A.
4. CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT. I agree that, during the term of my employment
with the Company, I will not engage in any other employment, occupation,
consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which
the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of my
employment, nor will I engage in any other activities that conflict with my
obligations to the Company.
5. RETURNING COMPANY DOCUMENTS. I agree that, at the time of leaving the
employ of the Company, I will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my
possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else) any and all devices, records,
data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings
blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or
reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by me pursuant to my
employment with the Company or otherwise belonging to the Company, its
successors or assigns. In the event of the termination of my employment, I agree
to sign and deliver the "Termination Certification" attached hereto as EXHIBIT
C.
6. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that I leave the employ of
the Company, I hereby grant consent to notification by the Company to my new
employer about my rights and obligations under this Agreement.
7. SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. I agree that for a period of twelve (12)
months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company
for any reason, whether with or without cause, I shall not either directly or
indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees
to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit,
induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Company, either for
myself or for any other person or entity.
8. CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES. I agree to diligently adhere to the
Conflict of Interest Guidelines attached as EXHIBIT D hereto.
9. REPRESENTATIONS. I agree to execute any proper oath or verify any
proper document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. I represent
that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any
agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in
confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered
into, and I agree I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in
conflict herewith.
10. DISPUTES. Disputes between the parties shall be handled in accordance
with the terms set forth in Paragraph 6.8 of the Employment Agreement.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION. This Agreement
will be governed by the laws of the State of California. The parties hereby
expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts
located in California for any lawsuit filed there against the other arising from
or relating to this Agreement.
(b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject matter
herein and merges all prior discussions between us. No modification of or
amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this agreement,
will be effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged. Any
subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation will not
affect the validity or scope of this Agreement. Any contradiction between the
terms of this Attachment and the Employment Agreement shall be controlled by the
terms of the Employment Agreement.
(c) SEVERABILITY. If one or more of the provisions in this Agreement
are deemed void by law, then the remaining provisions will continue in full
force and effect.
(d) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement will be binding upon my
heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for
the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.
Date: APRIL 1, 2000
----------------------------
/s/ XXXXXX XXXX
-----------------------------------
Signature
XXXXXX XXXX
-----------------------------------
Name of Employee (typed or printed)
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS
AND ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP
Identifying Number
Title Date or Brief Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Information redacted from this Form 10-KSB as being confidential)
No inventions or improvements
---------
Signature of Employee: /s/ XXXXXX XXXX
------------------------------------------------
Print Name of Employee: Xxxxxx Xxxx
-----------------------------------------------
Date: APRIL 1, 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT B
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS;
ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS
"(b) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an
employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an
invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the
employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's
equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those
inventions that either:
(1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the
invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development of the employer.
(2) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(c) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to
require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being
required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the
public policy of this state and is unenforceable."
EXHIBIT C
ETRAXX CORPORATION
TERMINATION CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed
to return, any devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists,
correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials,
equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned
items belonging to eTraxx Corporation, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors
or assigns (together, the "Company").
I further certify that I have complied with all the terms of the Company's
Employment Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement signed by
me, including the reporting of any inventions and original works of authorship
(as defined therein), conceived or made by me (solely or jointly with others)
covered by that agreement.
I further agree that, in compliance with the Employment, Confidential
Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, I will preserve as confidential
all trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or other proprietary information
relating to products, processes, know-how, designs, formulas, developmental or
experimental work, computer programs, data bases, other original works of
authorship, customer lists, business plans, financial information or other
subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company or any of its
employees, clients, consultants or licensees.
I further agree that for twelve (12) months from this date, I will not hire
any employees of the Company and I will not solicit, induce, recruit or
encourage any of the Company's employees to leave their employment.
Date:
----------------------------
-----------------------------------
(Employee's Signature)
-----------------------------------
(Type/Print Employee's Name)
EXHIBIT D
ETRAXX CORPORATION
CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES
It is the policy of eTraxx Corporation to conduct its affairs in strict
compliance with the letter and spirit of the law and to adhere to the highest
principles of business ethics. Accordingly, all officers, employees and
independent contractors must avoid activities which are in conflict, or give the
appearance of being in conflict, with these principles and with the interests of
the Company. The following are potentially compromising situations which must be
avoided. Any exceptions must be reported to the President and written approval
for continuation must be obtained.
1. Revealing confidential information to outsiders or misusing
confidential information. Unauthorized divulging of information is a violation
of this policy whether or not for personal gain and whether or not harm to the
Company is intended. (The Employment, Confidential Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement elaborates on this principle and is a binding agreement.)
2. Accepting or offering substantial gifts, excessive entertainment,
favors or payments which may be deemed to constitute undue influence or
otherwise be improper or embarrassing to the Company.
3. Participating in civic or professional organizations that might
involve divulging confidential information of the Company.
4. Initiating or approving personnel actions affecting reward or
punishment of employees or applicants where there is a family relationship or is
or appears to be a personal or social involvement.
5. Initiating or approving any form of personal or social harassment of
employees.
6. Investing or holding outside directorship in suppliers, customers, or
competing companies, including financial speculations, where such investment or
directorship might influence in any manner a decision or course of action of the
Company.
7. Borrowing from or lending to employees, customers or suppliers.
8. Acquiring real estate of interest to the Company.
9. Improperly using or disclosing to the Company any proprietary
information or trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer or other
person or entity with whom obligations of confidentiality exist.
10. Unlawfully discussing prices, costs, customers, sales or markets with
competing companies or their employees.
11. Making any unlawful agreement with distributors with respect to
prices.
12. Improperly using or authorizing the use of any inventions which are
the subject of patent claims of any other person or entity.
Each officer, employee and independent contractor must take every necessary
action to ensure compliance with these guidelines and to bring problem areas to
the attention of higher management for review. Violations of this conflict of
interest policy may result in discharge without warning.
