Exhibit 10.9
SERVICES AGREEMENT
SERVICES AGREEMENT dated as of March 31, 2006 between Infogrames
Entertainment SA, at 0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, 00000 Xxxx cedex 00, Xxxxxx acting on
behalf of itself and of its affiliates listed on the signature page hereto
(together "IESA") and Atari, Inc. ("ATARI"), at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX
00000 (this "Agreement").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, IESA and Atari are affiliated entities that are active in the
field of digital entertainment and interactive games.
WHEREAS, Atari has agreed to provide services to IESA and certain of its
subsidiaries in North America (as set forth on the signature page hereto),
including accounting, financial, legal and human resources services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED
1.01. Performance of SERVICES.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and on
Schedule I hereto, as may be amended from time to time ("Schedule I"), Atari or
its affiliates, as applicable, shall provide IESA with the services set forth on
Schedule I (the "SERVICES"). The SERVICES shall consist of the categories of
services listed on Schedule I and with respect to Humongous, Inc., shall not
commence pursuant to the terms hereof until June 1, 2006. Atari or IESA may at
any time amend Schedule I with the prior written consent of the other party. The
SERVICES will be provided to IESA to the extent that the conduct of its business
during the Term undergoes no significant change that would materially expand
Atari's obligations hereunder as they exist at the beginning of the Term.
(b) Except as specifically provided in Schedule I, Atari or its
subsidiaries, as applicable, shall provide each of the SERVICES listed in
Schedule I for a term commencing on the date hereof and ending on March 31,
2011, unless earlier terminated by IESA and/or Atari in accordance with Section
2.01 hereof (collectively, the "SERVICES Period" or "Term.")
(c) Atari or its subsidiaries, as applicable, shall provide the
SERVICES promptly with that degree of skill, attention and care that Atari
exercises and has heretofore exercised with respect to furnishing comparable
services to itself and its affiliates.
(d) Representatives of Atari and IESA, or IESA's designee, shall
meet, at least, on a semi-annual basis to review the performance of the
SERVICES.
(e) Unless otherwise specified in Schedule I, all employees and
representatives of Atari or its subsidiaries (other than Xxxxx Xxxxxxx), as
applicable, providing the SERVICES hereunder to IESA during the Term
(collectively, the "SERVICES Employees") shall be deemed for all purposes
(including compensation and employee benefits) to be employees or
representatives solely of Atari and not to be employees or representatives of
IESA or to be independent contractors thereof. In performing their respective
duties hereunder, all such employees and representatives of Atari shall be under
the direction, control and supervision of Atari and Atari shall have the sole
right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including
termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such employees and
representatives, subject to compliance with the terms and provisions contained
in this Agreement including, without limitation, the provision of the SERVICES.
1.02. Billing and Payment for the SERVICES.
(a) Annual fees for the SERVICES shall be US $3,000,000 as set forth
on Schedule I (the "Annual Fees") or as otherwise agreed upon by Atari and IESA.
The Parties agree that the effective date of this Agreement shall be July 1,
2005. The parties shall review in good faith the services provided and the
Annual Fees on an annual basis and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
agree to any change in such services and/or fees by no later than the last day
of the fiscal year during which such review takes place.
(b) Atari shall, on a quarterly basis, submit to IESA its billing
invoice in US Dollars (the "SERVICES Invoice") setting out detailed itemized
costs in connection with each category of SERVICES. Additional itemization and
further explanation and substantiation of charges shall be supplied to IESA upon
request. Payment by IESA in respect of any such invoice shall be made within 30
days after the date of IESA's receipt of the SERVICES Invoice.
(c) Atari acknowledges that IESA currently provides, and is expected
to provide management and services to Atari upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the management and services agreement of even date hereof (the
"Management and Services Agreement"). IESA and Atari expressly agree that each
party and its respective affiliates shall have the right throughout the term of
this Agreement to offset such payments as are owed under this Agreement against
payments due under the Management and Services Agreement and/or the production
services agreement between Atari and IESA dated as of the date hereof.
(d) SERVICES do not include, and IESA shall not be charged under
this agreement with, any service or expense which (i) is already the topic of
any arrangement, separate employment agreement or other agreement for services
between Atari and IESA or any of IESA's subsidiaries or affiliates or any
officer, director, employee or contractor thereof, or (ii) any category of
services not requested or authorized by IESA.
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ARTICLE II
MISCELLANEOUS
2.01. Termination.
(a) Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to
the other party at least 90 days prior to the end of each fiscal year during the
Term.
(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice in
the event of a material breach by the other party of the terms of this Agreement
and such breach is not cured within thirty days of notice thereof.
(c) Either party may terminate this Agreement, in its sole and
absolute discretion, upon 90days written notice to the other party in the event
that Infogrames Entertainment SA and its subsidiaries hold less than 25% of the
voting stock of Atari.
(d) This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of
Atari and Infogrames Entertainment SA.
2.02. Warranties and Indemnification.
(a) Atari covenants, represents and warrants that (i) it will render
the SERVICES in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and such
services and the provision thereof will not violate any rights of any third
parties; and (ii) it, or its subsidiaries, shall provide the SERVICES promptly,
diligently and with at least that degree of skill, attention and care that Atari
exercises and has heretofore exercised with respect to furnishing comparable
services to its own business and assets and those of its subsidiaries.
(b) IESA covenants, represents and warrants that the rendition of
the SERVICES will not require Atari to violate the laws or rights of any third
parties.
(c) IESA hereby releases, indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless,
Atari and its subsidiaries from and against any and all losses which arise out
of the SERVICES, other than such losses which arise out of Atari's and/or its
subsidiaries' gross negligence or willful misconduct.
2.03. Certain Agreements and Indemnities to Survive Termination of
Agreement. The obligations of the parties under Sections 2.02, 2.04 and 2.08
hereof shall survive any termination of this Agreement as shall IESA's payment
obligation with respect to Services rendered prior to the termination date. All
other obligations hereunder shall terminate as of the date of termination of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.01.
2.04. Governing Law. Jurisdiction This Agreement shall be interpreted
under the laws of the state of New York, and the parties submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the
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state and federal courts located within New York, New York without regard to its
choice-of-law rules.
2.05 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT,
TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO
REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK
TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER
PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
2.06. No Third Party Beneficiaries. No provision of this Agreement shall
create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity, including any
employee or former employee of the parties or any affiliate or associate thereof
(including any beneficiary or dependent thereof).
2.07. Relationship of Parties. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed or
construed by IESA or Atari or for any other party as creating the relationship
of principal and agent or of partnership, joint employers or joint venture by
the parties hereto.
2.08. Remedies; Specific Performance. Without prejudice to any rights or
remedies otherwise available to any party hereto, IESA and Atari hereby
acknowledge that damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach of the
provisions of this Agreement by IESA or Atari and agree that the obligations of
IESA or Atari, as the case may be, shall be specifically enforceable.
2.09. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim
or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given (a) if personally
delivered, when so delivered, (b) if mailed, five business days after having
been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below, (c) if given
by telex or telecopier, once such notice or other communication is transmitted
to the telex or telecopier number specified below and the appropriate answer
back or telephonic confirmation is received, provided that such notice or other
communication is promptly thereafter mailed in accordance with the provisions of
clause (b) above or (d) if sent through an overnight delivery service in
circumstances to which such service guarantees next day delivery, the day
following being so sent:
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if to IESA, to:
Infogrames Entertainment SA
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx 00000 Xxxx Cedex 09
France
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
Telephone: (x00) 0 00 00 00 00
Telecopy: (x00) 0 00 00 00 00
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (x00) 0 00 00 00 00
Telecopy: (x00) 0 00 00 00 00
if to Atari, to:
Atari, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Any party hereto may give any notice, request, demand, claim or other
communication hereunder using any other means (including ordinary mail or
electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other
communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it
actually is received by the individual for whom it is intended. Any party hereto
may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other
communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other parties notice
in the manner herein set forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have caused it to be
duly executed by their respective authorized representatives on the day and year
first above written.
INFOGRAMES ENTERTAINMENT SA
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: DGD
ATARI, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: CEO
Acknowledged and agreed by:
CALIFORNIA US HOLDINGS, INC. PARADIGM ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
ATARI INTERACTIVE, INC. HUMONGOUS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Name:
--------------------------------- Title:
Name:
Title:
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SERVICES AGREEMENT]
SCHEDULE I
SERVICES
1. Legal Services (except for matters which present a conflict)
- contract preparation and review
- intellectual property (including trademark) protection and management
- related party and employee matters
2. HR Services
- benefits administration
- 401(K) administration
- stock plans
3. Financial Services
- AP management and processing
- accounting
- payroll
- treasury
- royalties accounting
- inventory planning and management
- taxes
- project costing
4. MIS/IT Systems Services
- support all databases, including Oracle
5. Facilities Management Services
6. Public Relations and Corporate Communications Services
