LIFEN, INC.
August 14, 2002
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
00 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxx:
We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Lifen,
Inc. (the "Company") has authorized an employment package for you which will
provide certain assurances concerning the terms and conditions of your continued
employment with the Company and will allow you to participate in a program of
severance benefit payments should your employment terminate. The purpose of
this letter agreement (the "Agreement") is to document the terms of your
employment package by providing you with a formal employment contract.
The Company considers it essential to the continuing operation of the Company
and in the best interests of its stockholders to assure the continuous
dedication of key management personnel. It is recognized in the context of
public ownership that a termination of an employee's employment without cause
may be sought and that such circumstances could prove distracting to key
executives and detrimental to the ongoing management and administration of the
Company. Such distraction is not in the best interest of the stockholders of
the Company. Accordingly, the Board has determined to discourage the inevitable
distraction to you in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances inherent
in any uncertainty regarding your employment status. This Agreement is intended
to secure and encourage your ongoing retention by providing separation benefits
in the event that your employment is altered as hereinafter described. In order
to induce you to remain in the employ of the Company, and in consideration of
your agreement set forth in Sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 of Part Two hereof, the
Company agrees to pay the severance payments and benefits set forth in this
Agreement, under the circumstances described herein.
Part One of this Agreement sets forth certain definitional provisions to be in
effect for purposes of determining your benefit entitlements. Part Two
specifies the terms and conditions which will apply to your continued employment
with the Company, including the severance payments and benefits to which you
will become entitled in the event your employment should be terminated. Part
Three concludes this Agreement with a series of general terms and conditions
applicable to your employment benefits.
PART ONE -- DEFINITIONS
Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, including in particular the
severance payments and benefits to which Employee may become entitled under Part
Two, the following definitions will be in effect:
"Change in Control" means:
(i) a merger or acquisition in which the Company is not the surviving
entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the
State of the Company's incorporation;
(ii) a stockholder approved sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(iii) a transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
pursuant to a partnership or joint venture agreement or similar arrangement
where the Company's resulting interest is less than fifty percent (50%);
(iv) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in
which fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting stock is
transferred to holders different from those who held the stock immediately prior
to such merger;
(v) on or after the date hereof, a change in ownership of the Company
through an action or series of transactions, such that any person is or becomes
the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the securities of the combined
voting power of the Company's outstanding securities; or
(vi) a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-
month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a
majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of such appointment of
election.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
"Employee" means Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
"Employee Benefit Plan" shall have the meaning given the term under Section 3
of ERISA.
"Employment Period" means the period of Employee's employment with the Company
governed by the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in
effect from time to time.
"Involuntary Termination" means the termination of Employee's employment with
the Company:
(i) involuntarily upon Employee's discharge, dismissal or the Company's
failure to renew this Agreement pursuant to Section 3 of Part Two, whether or
not in connection with a Change in Control; or
(ii) voluntarily or involuntarily, provided such termination occurs in
connection with (a) a change in Employee's position with the Company or any
successor which materially reduces Employee's level of responsibility or changes
Employee's title from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as such
responsibility and title apply to the ultimate parent entity or similar entity
in control of the Company (both before and after any Change in Control), (b) a
reduction in Employee's level of compensation (including base salary, fringe
benefits and any non-discretionary bonuses or other incentive payments earned
pursuant to objective standards or criteria), (c) a relocation of Employee's
principal place of employment by more than forty-five (45) miles and such
change, reduction or relocation is effected without Employee's written
concurrence, (d) failure of the Company to qualify for trading on the over-the-
counter bulletin board ("OTCBB") within ninety (90) days of the date of this
Agreement or to continuously be listed for trading on the OTCBB or another
national securities exchange at all times thereafter, or (e) the commencement of
any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit
(whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal) brought,
conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers or any other
federal or state governmental body or any court or other tribunal or arbitrator
which has a material adverse effect on the price at which the Company's
securities trade and is not principally attributable to the actions or omissions
of Employee.
"Option" means any option or share purchase right granted to Employee under the
Stock Option Plan which is outstanding at the time of a Change in Control or
Employee's Involuntary Termination.
"Stock Option Plan" means the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (including the
predecessor 1994 Stock Option Plan), as amended through the date hereof.
"Termination for Cause" will mean an Involuntary Termination of Employee's
employment for one or more alleged acts of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation
of proprietary information, misappropriation of the Company's trade secrets or
other confidential information, a verifiable breach of Employee's fiduciary
duties to the Company or any other verifiable misconduct adversely affecting the
business reputation of the Company in a material manner.
PART TWO -- TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The following terms and conditions will govern Employee's employment with the
Company throughout the Employment Period and will also, to the extent indicated
below, remain in effect following Employee's termination date.
1. Employment and Duties. The Company will continue to employ Employee as
an executive officer in the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Employee agrees to continue in such employment for the duration of the
Employment Period and to perform in good faith and to the best of Employee's
ability all services which may be required of Employee in his executive position
and to be available to render such services at all reasonable times and places
in accordance with reasonable directives and assignments issued by the Board.
Employee shall not be required to devote his full time to the business and
affairs of the Company. Employee's principal place of operations will be at the
Company's corporate offices in Richmond, California.
2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date
hereof. The term of this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two
(2) years from the effective date hereof, subject to the provisions of this Part
Two, unless sooner terminated by the parties in accordance with the provisions
hereof. No termination or expiration of this Agreement shall affect any rights,
obligations or liabilities of Employee or the Company that shall have accrued on
or prior to the date of termination or expiration.
3. Automatic Extension. Commencing on the second anniversary of the
effective date hereof, and on each succeeding anniversary of such date, the term
of this Agreement shall be automatically be extended for one (1) additional year
unless, not later than three (3) months preceding such anniversary date, either
party to this Agreement shall have given written notice to the other party
pursuant to Section 6 of Part Three that such party will not extend the term of
this Agreement.
4. Compensation.
A. For service in the 2002 calendar year, Employee's base salary will be
paid at the annual rate of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000). Employee's
annual rate of base salary may be subject to adjustment each calendar year by
the Board.
B. Employee's base salary will be paid at periodic intervals in
accordance with the Company's payroll practices for salaried employees.
C. Employee will be entitled to such bonuses (if any) for service
rendered during the Employment Period as the Board may determine in its sole
discretion and based upon the recommendation of the Company's Compensation
Committee and such additional factors as the Board deems appropriate, including
Employee's individual performance and the Company's financial results. Employee
will be eligible to participate in all bonus plans applicable to the Company's
executives.
D. The Company will deduct and withhold, from the compensation payable
to Employee hereunder, any and all applicable federal, state and local income
and employment withholding taxes and any other amounts required to be deducted
or withheld by the Company under applicable statute or regulation.
5. Expense Reimbursement. Employee will be entitled to reimbursement from
the Company for all customary, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred
by Employee in the performance of his duties hereunder, provided Employee
furnishes the Company with vouchers, receipts and other substantiation of such
expenses in accordance with Company policies.
6. Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, Employee will be
eligible to participate in any group life insurance plan, group medical and/or
dental insurance plan, accidental death and dismemberment plan, short-term
disability program and other employee benefit plans, including profit sharing
plans, cafeteria benefit programs and stock purchase and option plans, which are
made available to executives and for which Employee qualifies.
7. Vacation. Employee will accrue four (4) weeks of paid vacation benefits
during each calendar year of the Employment Period in accordance with the
Company policy in effect for executive officers.
8. Death or Disability.
A. Upon Employee's death or disability during the Employment Period, the
employment relationship created pursuant to this Agreement will immediately
terminate, and no further compensation will become payable to Employee pursuant
to Part Two, Section 4. In connection with such termination by reason of death,
the Company will only be required to pay Employee (or his estate) any unpaid
compensation earned under Part Two, Section 4 for services rendered through the
date of Employee's death, together with a special termination payment equal to
the additional amount of base salary Employee would have earned hereunder had
his employment continued for an additional thirty (30) days. In connection with
such termination by reason of disability, the Company will be required to pay to
Employee any unpaid compensation earned under Part Two, Section 4 for services
rendered through the date of his disability, together with the severance
benefits set forth in Section 9 below. However, the Company's obligation to
provide such severance benefits shall be reduced and offset, dollar-for-dollar,
by any income continuation payments provided Employee under any disability
income/insurance programs funded by the Company on Employee's behalf.
B. Employee will be deemed disabled if he is so characterized pursuant
to the terms of the Company's disability insurance policies applicable to
Employee from time to time or, if no such policy is applicable, if Employee is
unable to perform the essential functions of his duties for physical or mental
reasons for one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days, or one hundred eighty
(180) days during any twelve (12) month period.
C. Upon death or disability the terms of the Stock Option Plan will
apply.
9. Severance Benefits. Employee will be entitled to receive only the
severance benefits specified below in the event there should occur a termination
of Employee's employment by reason of disability or an Involuntary Termination
of Employee's employment (other than a Termination for Cause):
X. Xxxxxxxxx Benefit. The Company will make a severance payment to
Employee, in one lump sum within thirty (30) days of the date of his Involuntary
Termination, in an aggregate amount equal to two (2) times Employee's then-
current rate of base salary. Employee may elect, in his sole discretion, to
have the severance benefit payable pursuant to this Section 9.A. in monthly
installments over a one year period following the date of his Involuntary
Termination.
B. Welfare Benefits. For a period of twenty-four (24) months, Employee
(and his dependents, as applicable) shall be provided by the Company with the
same life, health and disability plan participation, benefits and other
coverages to which he was entitled as an employee immediately before the
disability or the Involuntary Termination. In the event that under applicable
law or the terms of the relevant Employee Benefit Plans such participation,
benefits and/or coverage cannot be provided to Employee following his
Involuntary Termination, such coverage and/or benefits shall be provided
directly by the Company pursuant to this Agreement on a comparable basis. In
its sole discretion, the Company may obtain such coverage and benefits for
Employee through private insurance acquired at the Company's expense. Amounts
paid or payable to or on behalf of Employee pursuant to any "employee welfare
benefit plan," as defined in ERISA, providing health and/or disability benefits,
that is sponsored by the Company or an affiliate of the Company, shall be
credited against amounts due under this Section 9.B. To the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits provided under this Section 9.B. shall
be in discharge of any obligations of the Company or any rights of Employee
under the benefit continuation provisions under Section 4980A of the Code and
Part VI of Title I of ERISA ("COBRA") or any other legislation of similar
import.
C. Option Acceleration. Solely in connection with the Involuntary
Termination of Employee's employment (other than Termination for Cause), whether
before or after a Change in Control transaction, each of Employee's Options
under the Stock Option Plan and all restricted or unvested stock granted by the
Company will (to the extent not then otherwise exercisable or vested)
automatically accelerate and vest and any repurchase rights with respect thereto
will terminate so that each such Option or share of restricted or unvested
Common Stock will become immediately exercisable and fully exercisable or vested
as of the date of termination. Each such accelerated Option, together with all
of Employee's other vested Options, will remain exercisable following Employee's
Involuntary Termination and may be exercised for any or all of the option
shares, including the accelerated shares, in accordance with the exercise
provisions of the Option agreement evidencing the grant during the full term of
such Option agreement.
D. Release of Company. Receipt of severance benefits pursuant to this
Section 9 shall be in lieu of all other amounts payable by the Company to
Employee and in settlement and complete release of all claims Employee may have
against the Company other than those arising out of the severance benefits due
and payable under Sections 9 and 17 of Part Two of this Agreement and Employee's
rights under Part Three of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees
that execution of a mutual general release of claims setting forth the terms of
this Section 9.D. and otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Company and
Employee shall be a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to pay
severance benefits hereunder.
10. Option/Vesting Acceleration upon Change in Control.
A. To the extent the acquiring company in any Change in Control
transaction does not assume or otherwise continue in full force and effect the
Employee's outstanding Options under the Stock Option Plan, those Options shall
automatically accelerate and vest so that each such Option will, immediately
prior to the Change in Control, become fully exercisable for all the option
shares and shall terminate immediately after the Change in Control transaction.
B. The following provisions shall govern any Options which are to be
assumed or otherwise continued in effect in the Change in Control and any
restricted or unvested shares of Common Stock held by the Employee at the time
of the Change in Control.
The Options shall accelerate and vest at the time of the Change in Control
so that each Option will become exercisable for all of the Option shares
immediately prior to the Change in Control transaction, except to the extent the
Option parachute payment attributable to such accelerated vesting would
otherwise result in an excess parachute payment under Code Section 280G. Any
Option which does not accelerate and vest at the time of the Change in Control
by reason of the foregoing limitation shall continue to become exercisable and
vest in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to that Option
immediately prior to the Change in Control.
Any restricted or unvested shares of Common Stock held by the Employee at
the time of the Change in Control shall immediately vest at that time and the
Company's repurchase rights with respect to those shares shall terminate, except
to the extent the parachute payment attributable to such accelerated vesting,
when added to the parachute payment attributable to the acceleration of the
Employee's outstanding Options, would result in an excess parachute payment
under Code Section 280G. The Company's repurchase rights with respect to any
restricted or unvested shares which do not vest at the time of the Change in
Control by reason of the foregoing limitation shall continue in effect and shall
be assigned to any successor entity in the Change in Control transaction, and
Employee shall continue to vest in those shares in accordance with the vesting
schedule in effect for the shares immediately prior to the Change in Control.
Any Option which does not accelerate, and any restricted or unvested shares
of Common Stock which do not vest at the time of the Change in Control by reason
of the foregoing limitations shall immediately vest in full pursuant to the
provisions of Section 9.C. upon any Involuntary Termination of Employee's
employment following the Change in Control (other than a Termination for Cause).
Each such accelerated Option, together with each of the Employee's other vested
Options shall remain exercisable and outstanding for the full term of the Option
agreement evidencing such Option and may be exercised for any or all of the
Option shares, including the accelerated shares, in accordance with the
provisions of such Option agreement.
All determinations concerning the application of the parachute payment
provisions of Code Section 280G to the accelerated vesting of Options and shares
pursuant to this Section 11 shall be made in accordance with the procedures set
forth in Section 17.B.
Each Option which is assumed or otherwise continued in effect will be
appropriately adjusted to apply to the number and class of securities which
would have been issued to Employee in the consummation of the Change in Control
transaction had the Option been exercised immediately prior to such transaction,
and appropriate adjustments will be made to the Option exercise price payable
per share, provided the aggregate exercise price will remain the same.
11. Restrictive Covenant. During the Employment Period, Employee will not
directly or indirectly, whether for Employee's own account or as an employee,
consultant or advisor, provide services to any business enterprise other than
the Company, unless otherwise authorized by the Company in writing.
12. Non-Solicitation and Non-Disparagement. During any period for which
Employee is receiving compensation payments pursuant to Part Two, Section 4 and
one (1) year thereafter, Employee will not directly or indirectly (i) solicit
any Company employee, independent contractor or consultant to leave the
Company's employ or otherwise terminate such person's relationship with the
company for any reason or interfere in any other manner with the employment or
other relationships at the time existing between the Company and its current
employees, independent contractors or consultants, (ii) solicit any of the
Company's customers for products or services substantially similar to those
offered by the Company, or (iii) disparage the Company or any of its
stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents.
13. Confidentiality.
A. Employee hereby acknowledges that the Company may, from time to time
during the Employment Period, disclose to Employee confidential information
pertaining to the Company's business and affairs and client base, including
(without limitation) customer lists and accounts, other similar items indicating
the source of the Company's income and information pertaining to the salaries,
duties and performance levels of the Company's employees. Employee will not, at
any time during or after such Employment Period, disclose to any third party or
directly or indirectly make use of any such confidential information, including
(without limitation) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Company's
customers, other than in connection with, and in furtherance of, the Company's
business and affairs. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to
prevent Employee from disclosing the amount of his salary.
B. All documents and data (whether written, printed or otherwise
reproduced or recorded) containing or relating to any such proprietary
information of the Company which come into Employee's possession during the
Employment Period will be returned by Employee to the Company immediately upon
the termination of the Employment Period or upon any earlier request by the
Company, and Employee will not retain any copies, notes or excerpts thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be entitled to retain his file or
Rolodex containing names, addresses and telephone numbers and personal diaries
and calendars; provided, however, that Employee shall continue to be bound by
the terms of Section 14.A. above to the extent such retained materials
constitute confidential information.
C. Employee's obligations under this Section 14 will continue in effect
after the termination of his employment with the Company, whatever the reason or
reasons for such termination, and the Company will have the right to communicate
with any of Employee's future or prospective employers concerning his continuing
obligations under this Section 14.
14. Ownership Rights.
A. All materials, ideas, discoveries and inventions pertaining to the
Company's business or clients, including (without limitation) all patents and
copyrights, patent applications, patent renewals and extensions and the names,
addresses and telephone numbers of customers, will belong solely to the Company.
B. All materials, ideas, discoveries and inventions which Employee may
devise, conceive, develop or reduce to practice (whether individually or jointly
with others) during the Employment Period will be the sole property of the
Company and are hereby assigned by Employee to the Company, except for any idea,
discovery or invention (i) for which no Company equipment, supplies, facility or
trade secret information is used, (ii) which is developed entirely on Employee's
own time and (iii) which neither (a) relates at the time of conception or
reduction to practice, to the Company's business or any actual or demonstrably-
anticipated research or development program of the Company nor (b) results from
any work performed by Employee for the Company. The foregoing exception
corresponds to the assignment of inventions precluded by California Labor Code
Section 2870, attached as Exhibit A.
C. Employee will, at all times whether during or after the Employment
Period, assist the Company, at the Company's sole expense, in obtaining,
maintaining, defending and enforcing all legal rights and remedies of the
Company, including, without limitation, patents, copyrights and other
proprietary rights of the Company. Such assistance will include (without
limitation) the execution of documents and assistance and cooperation in legal
proceedings.
D. Employee will continue to be bound by all the terms and provisions of
Employee's existing Proprietary Information Agreement with the Company, and
nothing in this document will be deemed to modify or affect Employee's duties
and obligations under those other agreements.
15. Termination of Employment.
A. The Company (or any successor entity resulting from a Change in
Control) may terminate Employee's employment under this Agreement at any time
for any reason, with or without cause, by providing Employee with at least seven
(7) days prior written notice. However, such notice requirement will not apply
in the event there is a Termination for Cause under subsection D below.
B. In the event there is a termination of Employee's employment by
reason of disability or an Involuntary Termination of his employment with the
Company (other than Termination for Cause) during the Employment Period,
Employee will become entitled to the benefits specified in Part Two, Section 9
in addition to any unpaid compensation earned by Employee under Part Two,
Section 4 for services rendered prior to such termination. However, in the
event of such disability, the Company's obligation to provide benefits under
Part Two, Section 9 shall be reduced and offset, dollar-for-dollar, by any
income continuation payments provided Employee under any disability income/
insurance program funded by the Company on Employee's behalf.
C. Should Employee's employment with the Company terminate by reason of
his death during the Employment Period, no severance benefits will be payable to
Employee under Part Two, Section 9, and only the limited death benefits provided
under Part Two, Section 8 will be payable.
D. The Company may at any time, upon written notice, terminate
Employee's employment hereunder for any act qualifying as a Termination for
Cause. Such termination will be effective immediately upon such notice.
E. Upon such Termination for Cause, the Company will only be required to
pay Employee any unpaid compensation earned by Employee pursuant to Part Two,
Section 4 for services rendered through the date of such termination, and no
termination or severance benefits will be payable to Employee under Part Two,
Section 9.
16. Tax Effect of Payments.
X. Xxxxx-Up Payment. In the event that it is determined that any
payment or distribution of any type to or for Employee's benefit made by the
Company, by any of its affiliates, by any person who acquires ownership or
effective control of the Company or ownership of a substantial portion of the
Company's assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the
regulations thereunder) or by any affiliate of such person, whether paid or
payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise (the "Total Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such
excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest or penalties, are
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Employee shall be entitled
to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by Employee of all taxes imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment,
including any Excise Tax, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment
equal to the Excise Tax imposed on the Total Payments.
B. Determination by Accountant. All mathematical determinations and all
determinations of whether any of the Total Payments are "parachute payments"
(within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) that are required to be made
under this Section 17, including all determinations of whether a Gross-Up
Payment is required, of the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and of amounts
relevant to the last sentence of this Section 17, shall be made by an
independent accounting firm selected by Employee and reasonably acceptable to
the Company from among the largest five (5) accounting firms in the United
States (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide its determination, together
with detailed supporting calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up
Payment and any other relevant matters (the "Determination"), both to the
Company and to Employee within five (5) business days of Employee's termination
date, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company or by
Employee (if Employee reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be
subject to the Excise Tax). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise
Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written statement
that such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (including
the reasons therefor) and that Employee has substantial authority not to report
any Excise Tax on Employee's federal income tax return. If a Gross-Up Payment
is determined to be payable, it shall be paid to Employee within five (5)
business days after the Determination is delivered to the Company or to
Employee. Any Determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and Employee, absent manifest error. All of the costs and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company.
C. Underpayments and Overpayments. As a result of uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made
by the Company should have been made ("Underpayments") or that Gross-Up Payments
will have been made by the Company which should not have been made
("Overpayments"). In either event, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the case of an
Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment shall promptly be paid by the
Company to or for Employee's benefit. In the case of an Overpayment, Employee
shall, at the direction and expense of the Company, take such steps as are
reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and claims for refund),
follow reasonable instructions from, and procedures established by, the Company
and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to correct such Overpayment;
provided, however, that (i) Employee shall in no event be obligated to return to
the Company an amount greater than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment
that Employee has retained or has received as a refund from the applicable
taxing authorities and (ii) this provision shall be interpreted in a manner
consistent with the intent of this Section 17, which is to make Employee whole,
on an after-tax basis, for the application of the Excise Tax, it being
understood that the correction of an Overpayment may result in Employee's
repaying to the Company an amount which is less than the Overpayment.
PART THREE -- MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1. Mitigation. Employee shall not be required to mitigate damages or the
amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other
employment or otherwise and no future income earned by Employee from employment
or otherwise shall in any way reduce or offset any payments due to Employee
hereunder. The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for
hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way
diminish Employee's existing rights which would accrue solely as a result of the
passage of time, under any Company Employee Benefit Plan, "Payroll practice"
(as defined in ERISA), compensation arrangement, incentive plan, stock option or
other stock-related plan.
2. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and any successor of the Company, including, without
limitation, any corporation or corporations acquiring directly or indirectly all
or substantially all of the stock, business or assets of the Company whether by
merger, consolidation, division, sale or otherwise (and such successor shall
thereafter be deemed "the Company" for the purposes of this Agreement). The
Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Employee, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such
assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall
be a breach of this Agreement entitling Employee to the benefits hereunder, as
though Employee was subject to Involuntary Termination. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his successors, assigns,
executors, administrators or beneficiaries.
3. Indemnification. The indemnification provisions for officers and
directors under the Company's Bylaws and any applicable indemnification
agreement between Employee and the Company will (to the maximum extent permitted
by law) be extended to Employee, during the period following Employee's
Involuntary Termination, with respect to any and all matters, events or
transactions occurring or effected during Employee's Employment Period.
4. Miscellaneous. The provisions of this Agreement will be construed and
interpreted under the laws of the State of California. This Agreement
incorporates the entire Agreement between Employee and the Company relating to
the terms of his employment and the subject of severance benefits and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings with respect to such subject matter.
This Agreement may only be amended by written instrument signed by Employee and
an authorized officer of the Company.
5. Arbitration. Any controversy which may arise between Employee and the
Company with respect to the construction, interpretation or application of any
of the terms, provisions, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or any claim
arising from or relating to this Agreement will be submitted to final and
binding arbitration in San Francisco, California in accordance with the rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect.
6. Notices. Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be
deemed sufficient, if in writing, and sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, via overnight courier, or hand delivered to the Company at its last
known address, and to Employee at his most recent address reflected in the
permanent Company records. Copies of each such notice delivered by either the
Company or Employee shall be provided to each current member of the Board at
each such director's current address as listed in the Company's records.
7. Legal Costs. If any legal action or other proceeding is brought by
Employee for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged
dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any of the
provisions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorneys fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in
addition to any other relief to which Employee may be entitled, in the event and
to the extent that Employee prevails in such action or other proceeding.
Notwithstanding anything herein above to the contrary, as between Employee and
the Company, the Company shall bear all legal costs and expenses of defending
the validity of this Agreement against any third party. The Company shall bear
all legal costs and expenses incurred in the event the Company should contest or
dispute the characterization of any amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement as
being nondeductible under Section 280G of the Code or subject to imposition of
an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing provisions of this
Agreement by signing the enclosed copy of this Agreement and returning it to
the Company.
Very truly yours,
Lifen, Inc.
By: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Title: President
-----------------------------------------
ACCEPTED BY AND AGREED TO:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Dated: August 14, 2002
EXHIBIT A
Section 2870. APPLICATION OF PROVISION PROVIDING THAT EMPLOYEE WILL
ASSIGN OR OFFER TO ASSIGN RIGHTS IN INVENTION TO EMPLOYER.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an
employee will assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an
invention to his or her employer will 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 his employer.
(b) 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.
