EXHIBIT 10.8
CONSULTING AND ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), made effective as of the 19th
day of January 2005, is entered into by and between Xsunx, Inc., a Colorado
corporation ("Company"), and Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, an individual
("Consultant"). The Company and Consultant are sometimes herein referred to
individually as a "party" and collectively as the "parties".
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, Consultant has developed an expertise in the areas of chemical
engineering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and enhanced CVD techniques for
thin film synthesis, chemical reactor engineering analysis of physical and
chemical vapor deposition processes, photovoltaics and electronic materials, and
thin-film amorphous silicon structures and other technology related to amorphous
silicon and related alloys which is of interest to the Company;
WHEREAS, Consultant is a research professor at the Hawaii Natural
Energy Institute School of Ocean And Earth Science And Technology, University of
Hawaii at Manoa ("HNEI") and is engaged in research in other related fields and
shall also continue to be employed as the Director of HNEI; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to obtain the services of Consultant and
Consultant desires to provide the Company with consultancy and advisory services
as contemplated pursuant to the terms and conditions contained herein; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned parties desire to formalize such consultancy
relationship;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this
Agreement agree as follows:
1. Definitions
1.1 "XsunX Field of Use" means the business of developing,
commercializing and licensing processes for the manufacture of semi-transparent
(greater than 5% transparency) solar cells or photovoltaic glazing technologies.
1.2 "Business of XsunX" means the business of developing,
commercializing and licensing processes for the manufacture of semi-transparent
photovoltaic glazing technologies. The Company intends that its current and
future processes for the manufacture of semi-transparent solar cells and
photovoltaic glazing technologies will have marketable opportunities for
applications on transparent and semi-transparent substrates for use in the
architectural, industrial and residential building industries, and, in the
transportation and manufacturing industries for use in such areas as automotive
and building materials integrated photovoltaics.
2. Engagement of Services. The Company hereby engages Consultant as an
independent contractor to provide consulting and advisory services as set forth
herein. All such consulting and services shall be performed in accordance with
the terms and conditions contained herein. Consultant shall report to the
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, or in his absence, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. Consultant hereby accepts such engagement in
accordance with such terms and conditions.
3. Services of Consultant. Consultant shall, in its sole discretion,
provide consultancy and advisory services as a member of the XsunX Scientific
Advisory Board under the title of Scientific Advisor. Notwithstanding the
foregoing title Consultant shall remain an independent contractor. Consultant
shall provide such services incident thereto as may be necessary from time to
time which services shall include, without limitation, providing the Company
with his best efforts and technical expertise in advising the Company in the
areas of research & development, process development, planning, third party
technical and resource requirements, analysis of research and development data,
and the management of developing intellectual assets pertaining to the Business
of XsunX and the XsunX Field of Use. Consultant is not a corporate officer or
director of XsunX and will not be represented as such.
3.1. Consultant shall provide such other related services as may be
requested of Consultant by the Company and as are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Agreement. Consultant agrees to devote Consultant's best
efforts, skills, and technical expertise to the business of the Company, to do
Consultant's utmost to further enhance and develop the interests and welfare of
the Company, and to devote necessary time and attention to the business of the
Company, while recognizing Consultant's duties to HNEI.
3.2. Consultant shall truthfully and accurately make, maintain and
preserve all records and reports that the Company may, from time to time,
request or require, and shall fully account for all money, records, equipment,
materials or other property belonging to the Company of which Consultant may
have custody and shall pay over and deliver same promptly whenever and however
Consultant may be directed to do so.
3.3. Consultant shall make available to the Company any and all
information of which Consultant has knowledge that is relevant to the Company's
business, but is not otherwise prohibited from disclosing, and make all
suggestions and recommendations which Consultant believes will be of benefit to
the Company.
3.4. Consultant shall, at his own cost, prepare for and attend such
meetings as may be reasonably requested by the Company, provided, however, that
the Company shall pay for the reasonable travel and lodging costs incurred by
Consultant in regard to the foregoing. The Company may request at least one
meeting per calendar quarter for the purpose of discussion of the development
matters referenced hereinabove, and the conformance or variance of the foregoing
to or with the Business of XsunX.
4. Duty to HNEI. The parties recognize that Consultant is and shall
remain employed by HNEI and that as an employee of HNEI, Consultant shall devote
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time and effort to the business of HNEI. Notwithstanding the same, Consultant
shall conform Consultants' conduct to the fiduciary duties of confidentiality
and loyalty owed to the Company. In that regard, Consultant shall inform the
Company at the earliest opportunity at such time as Consultant may perceive a
potential conflict of interest with regard to Consultant's duties to HNEI and
Consultant's duties to the Company. Consultant shall not make any unauthorized
disclosure of the confidential information of HNEI to the Company. Consultant
shall not make any unauthorized disclosure of the confidential information of
the Company to HNEI (or any other party not permitted to receive such
information).
5. Compensation. For and in consideration of the performance by Consultant
of the services, terms, conditions, covenants and promises herein recited, the
Company agrees and promises to pay to Consultant at the times and in the manner
herein stated and as set forth below:
5.1. As the principal consideration of the services to be performed by
Consultant hereunder during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall receive
from the Company a grant of a Consultancy and Advisory Warrant for the purchase
of up to Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (250,000) shares of common voting stock
of the Company. Such warrant will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions
set for within an appropriate warrant agreement ("Warrant Instrument"). Except
as otherwise set forth herein, the warrant shall constitute the sole
compensation of Consultant hereunder. Such compensation may sometimes be herein
referred to as Consultant's "Base Compensation".
5.2. The Company shall reimburse Consultant, from time to time, upon
Consultant's submission of expense account and supporting documents as required
by the Internal Revenue Service, for all reasonable out of town travel,
entertainment, and other ordinary, reasonable and necessary business expenses
incurred by Consultant as part of and in connection with the direct performance
of duties specified herein.
6. Relationship of the Parties
6.1 Legal Status. Consultant shall be an independent contractor of the
Company in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2750.5 and 3353 of the
California Labor Code, or any other corresponding provision of the Colorado or
Hawaii Revised Statutes, and not an employee, agent, or partner. It is expressly
declared that such independent contractor status is bona fide and not a
subterfuge to avoid employee status. This Agreement shall not create an
employer-employee relationship and shall not constitute a hiring of such nature
by either party.
6.2. Items Furnished to Consultant. Unless expressly agreed in writing
otherwise by the parties, the Company shall not provide any telephone equipment
or services, office equipment, stationery, secretarial or office support
services or other items or services for the benefit of Consultant. Consultant
shall, at its own expense, provide and make arrangement for all equipment,
stationery, secretarial and office support services.
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6.3. Consent of Company. Consultant shall have no right or authority
at any time to make any contract or binding promise of any nature on behalf of
the Company, whether oral or written, without the express prior written consent
of the Company.
6.4. Manner of Performing Services. Consultant shall retain all
discretion and judgment in regard to the manner and means of carrying out its
duties hereunder subject, however, to the reasonable requests of the Company.
Consultant shall have the right to control and discretion as to the manner of
performance of its services hereunder in that the result of the work and not the
means by which it is accomplished shall be the primary factor for which the
parties have bargained hereunder in accordance with Sections 2750.5 and 3353 of
the California Labor Code or any corresponding provision in the Colorado or
Hawaii Revised Statutes. Consultant's obligations for performance of services
hereunder shall be limited to the completion of the consultation and services
described above in accordance with the Business of XsunX and the XsunX Field of
Use. Consultant shall have no obligation to work any particular hours or days or
any particular number of hours or days. The Company shall have no right to
control or direct the details, manner or means by which Consultant accomplishes
the results of the services performed hereunder.
6.5. Payment of Taxes. Consultant shall be responsible for and pay
Consultant's own self-employment taxes, estimated tax liabilities, business
equipment or personal property taxes and other similar obligations, whether
federal, state or local. The Company shall not pay or withhold any FICA, SDI,
federal or state income tax or unemployment insurance or tax or any other
amounts because the relationship of the parties hereto is not that of
employer-employee, but that of independent contractor. Consultant shall be
solely responsible for the payment of all taxes, withholdings and other amounts
due in regard to Consultant's own employees.
6.6. Employees of Consultant. Consultant may subcontract with and/or employ
such parties upon such terms and conditions as it may deem proper or necessary.
7. Warranties and Indemnification
7.1. Warranties. Consultant warrants and represents that the services
of Consultant's subcontractors or employees shall be performed in full
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and, that all
services performed hereunder shall be performed in accordance with all federal,
state and local laws, rules or regulations.
7.2. Indemnification by Consultant. Consultant shall indemnify, defend
and hold the Company and the property of the Company, free and harmless from any
and all claims, losses, damages, injuries, and liabilities, including the
Company's reasonable attorney fees and costs (the Company may choose its own
counsel when defended hereunder), arising from or in any way connected with the
performance of services under this Agreement or any other act or omission by
Consultant, its agents, subcontractors, or employees.
7.3. Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify,
defend and hold Consultant and the property of Consultant, free and harmless
from any and all claims, losses, damages, injuries, and liabilities, including
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Consultant's reasonable attorney fees and costs, arising from or in any way
connected with any act or omission on the part of the Company, its constituent
partners, agents, subcontractors, or employees.
8. Term. Consultant's engagement pursuant to this Agreement shall be
for a period of two (2) years and shall commence upon the date of execution
hereof (the "Commencement Date") and shall continue to and including January
19th, 2007 (the "Termination Date") unless earlier terminated in accordance with
the provisions of Paragraph 8 of this Agreement; provided further that the term
of this Agreement may be extended by the mutual agreement of the parties hereto.
9. Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, either party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon
ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other. This Agreement may also be
terminated by the Company, at its option, at any time during the term of this
Agreement without notice, for good cause. Termination for good cause shall
include, but not be limited to, any of the following:
9.1. The commission by Consultant of an act of fraud or other act
materially evidencing bad faith or dishonesty;
9.2. The misappropriation by Consultant of any funds or property or other
rights of the Company;
9.3. The suspension or removal or termination of Consultant by or at the
request or requirement of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over
the Company;
9.4. The breach by Consultant of any material terms of this Agreement or
any other agreement between Consultant on the one hand and the Company, or any
affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, including, but not limited to, the
Technology Agreement;
9.5. Upon the death of the Consultant.
10. Confidentiality. All information derived or provided to Consultant
under the terms and specific to the performance of this Agreement, including
lists and databases, and any part of such lists, databases, or information,
pertaining to customers, merchants, salespersons, financial records, computer
software programs, strategic plans, contracts, agreements, literature, manuals,
brochures, books, records, correspondence, computer programs, software, source
codes, computations, data files, algorithms, techniques, processes, designs,
specifications, drawings, charts, plans, schematics, computer disks, magnetic
tapes, books, files, records, reports, documents, Instruments, agreements,
contracts, correspondence, letters, memoranda, financial, accounting, sales,
purchase and consultant data, capital structure information, corporate
organizational information, identities, names and address of, and any
information pertaining to, shareholders, directors, officers, consultants,
contractors, vendors, suppliers, customers, clients, lenders, financing and
business participants, and all persons associated with the Company, information
pertaining to business models, business plans, projections, assumptions and
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analyses, particular projects, and all other data and information and similar
items relating to the business of the Company and all other data and information
and similar items relating to the Company of whatever kind or nature and whether
or not prepared or compiled by the Company and all other materials furnished or
made available to Consultant by the Company or any of its affiliates (as
hereinafter defined) relating to the business conducted by the Company
("Confidential Information"), is and are proprietary and confidential and are
and shall remain the sole property of the Company. Affiliate as used in this
section shall mean the Company, any entity in which Company owns a majority
ownership (directly or indirectly), or any entity which owns a majority
ownership of Company (directly or indirectly). Consultant acknowledges that the
Confidential Information derives independent economic value, actual or
potential, from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who
can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use and that this
confidentiality provision constitutes efforts that are reasonable under the
circumstances to maintain the secrecy thereof. Consultant further acknowledges
that the Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets pursuant to
California Civil Code ss.3426.1. Consultant shall not, directly or indirectly,
at any time during or after termination of consultant use or reveal, divulge,
disclose, disseminate, distribute, license, sell, transfer, assign or otherwise
make known, directly or indirectly, the Confidential Information to any person
or entity not expressly authorized by the Company to receive such Confidential
Information.
10.1 Consultant shall exercise the highest degree of care and
discretion in accordance with the duty of Consultant hereunder to prevent
improper use or disclosure of the Confidential Information and will retain all
such Confidential Information in trust in a fiduciary capacity unless: (i) such
use or disclosure has been authorized in writing by the Company through an
officer or director, or (ii) is required to be disclosed by law, a court of
competent jurisdiction or a governmental or regulatory agency. Further,
Consultant shall return and deliver all such materials, including all copies,
remnants, or derivatives thereof to the Company upon the termination of
consultant with the Company or at any other time upon request by the Company.
11. Patents and Inventions. Any interest in patents, patent
applications, inventions, technological innovations, copyrights, copyrightable
works, developments, discoveries, designs, and processes ("Inventions") which
Consultant hereafter during the period Consultant is retained by the Company
under this Agreement or otherwise and for three (3) years thereafter may own,
conceive of, or develop shall belong to the Company to the extent that the same:
(1) relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention
to the Company's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or
development of the Company; (2) result from any work performed by Consultant for
the Company; or (3) have otherwise been developed by Consultant using the
Company's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information. As soon
as Consultant owns, conceives of, or develops any such Invention, Consultant
agrees immediately to communicate such fact in writing to the Secretary of the
Company, and without further compensation, but at the Company's expense,
immediately upon request of the Company, Consultant shall execute all such
assignments and other documents (including applications for patents, copyrights,
trademarks, and assignments thereof) and perform any and all acts as the Company
may reasonably request in order (a) to vest in the Company all Consultant's
right, title, and interest in and to such Inventions, free and clear of liens,
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mortgages, security interests, pledges, charges, and encumbrances arising from
the acts of Consultant and (b), if patentable or copyrightable, to obtain
patents or copyrights (including extensions and renewals) therefore in any and
all countries in such name as the Company shall determine. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, pursuant to Section 2872 of the California Labor Code, this Agreement
shall not apply to any Invention which qualifies fully under the provisions of
Section 2870 of the California Labor Code. Consultant acknowledges receipt of a
copy of 2870 of the California Labor Code.
11.1 Derivative Works. All derivative works of the parties resulting
from research or work funded by, or Confidential Information provided by, the
Company associated with any subsequent research by any party, development, or
combination of technologies of the parties after the Commencement Date, which
are useful or specific to the XsunX Field of Use or the Business of XsunX, shall
become the property of the Company.
12. Assignment. The obligations of Consultant under this Agreement are
unique and may not be assigned.
13. Securities Compliance. No Offer or Sale. This Agreement is not
intended to be an offer for the sale or issuance of securities, whether
pertaining to stock, options, or otherwise, unless the same is exempt from
registration and qualification pursuant to an applicable exemption. The issuance
of stock and warrants is expressly subject to compliance with all state and
federal securities laws, rules and regulations by the parties. While the Company
does not consider this Agreement itself to be a securities or offer of any
securities, whether pertaining to stock, warrants, or otherwise, in the event
that this letter is construed to be an offer, the parties acknowledge the
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following disclosure in accordance with Section 25102(a) of the California
Corporations Code:
The sale of the securities which are the subject of this
agreement has not been qualified with the Commissioner of
Corporation of the State of California and the issuance of
such securities or the payment or receipt of any part of the
consideration therefore prior to such qualification is
unlawful, unless the sale of securities is exempt from the
qualification by Section 25100, 25102, or 25105 of the
California Corporations Code. The rights of all parties to
this agreement are expressly conditions upon such
qualification being obtained unless the sale is so exempt.
13.1 General Securities Compliance. Notwithstanding anything contained
in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement, and the stock warrants
discussed herein, shall be, and are, expressly subject to all SEC and
securities, laws, rules, regulations and reporting and disclosure requirements,
to the extent applicable to the Company as a reporting company, the shares,
and\or any party hereto, including, but not limited to, shareholder voting and
proxy solicitation rules. All issuances, sales, transfers, or other dispositions
of shares of the Company shall be made in compliance with all applicable
securities laws, rules and regulations, and pursuant to registration of
securities under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") (and qualification under
General Corporation Law of California) or pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Act (and qualification under General Corporation Law of
California). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall
obligate the Company to seek registration or qualification of any of its shares,
and, to the extent that any obligation hereunder cannot be performed without
registration or qualification of any of its shares, such obligation shall be
excused on the part of the Company to the extent that the Company provides other
adequate consideration therefore.
14. Rule 144. Consultant acknowledges that the shares of the Company
may be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Rule 144 of the
Rules promulgated under the Act. Any and all offers, sales, transfer or other
dispositions of shares of the Company shall be made only in compliance with Rule
144. Consultant agrees to comply with all policies and procedures established by
the Company with regard to Rule 144 matters. Consultant acknowledges that the
Company or its attorneys or transfer agent may require a restrictive legend on
the certificate or certificates representing the shares pursuant to the
restrictions on transfer of the shares imposed by Rule 144.
15. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only in writing executed by
Consultant and Company and approved in writing by the majority vote of the Board
of Directors of the Company.
16. Effect of Headings. The subject headings of the paragraphs and
subparagraphs of this Agreement are included for purposes of convenience only,
and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any of its
provisions.
17. Parties in Interest. Nothing in this Agreement, whether express or
implied, is intended to confer any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement on any persons other than the parties to it and their respective
successors and assigns, nor is anything in this Agreement intended to relieve or
discharge the obligation or liability of any third persons to any party to this
Contract, nor shall any provision give any third person any right of subrogation
or action over against any party to this Agreement.
18. Recovery of Litigation Costs. If any legal action or any
arbitration or other proceeding is brought 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,
the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover as an
element of their damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in
that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which they may be
entitled.
19. Gender; Number. Whenever the context of this Contract requires, the
masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter gender, and the singular number
includes the plural.
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20. Time of Essence. Time shall be of the essence in all things pertaining
to the performance of this Agreement unless waived in writing by the undersigned
parties.
21. Authority. The parties to this Agreement warrant and represent that
they have the power and authority to enter into this Agreement in the names,
titles and capacitates herein stated and on behalf of any entities, persons or
firms represented or purported to be represented by each respective party.
22. Waiver. A Waiver by either party of any of the terms and conditions
of this Agreement in any instance shall not be deemed or construed to a waiver
of such terms of condition for the future, or of any subsequent breach thereof,
or of any other term and condition of this Agreement. All waivers must be made
in writing executed by the waiving party.
23. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof, and there are no
representations, warranties, agreements or commitments between the parties
hereto except as set forth herein; provided that the terms of any Option or
Award may be set forth in a Grant Instrument, which shall be read in conjunction
with this Agreement. This Agreement shall control over any and all provisions or
guidelines contained in any Consultant Manual, Consultant Handbook, Company
Policy Manual or other similar document. Consultant expressly acknowledges that
no Consultant Manual, Consultant Handbook, Company Policy Manual or other
similar document is or shall become a contract between the Company and
Consultant.
24. Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be
duly given when personally delivered to an Consultant officer of the Company or
to Consultant, as the case may be, or when deposited in the United States mail,
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, at
the respective addresses of the Company and Consultant as shown on the signature
page hereto. Either party may change by notice the address to which notices are
to be sent.
25. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason,
be held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from the contract. The
invalidity of such specific provision, however, shall not affect the
enforceability of any other provision herein, and the remaining provision shall
remain in full force and effect.
26. Choice of Law and Venue. This Agreement shall, to the fullest
extent allowed by law, be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with
the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to or application of conflict
of law rules, and the venue in regard to any disputes arising hereunder shall,
to the fullest extent allowed by law, be in Orange County, California.
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27. Press Releases. Any press release, company disclosures and
advertisement made by the Company relating to Consultant shall be subject to the
approval of Consultant prior to public release. Consultant will not unreasonably
withhold such approval and agrees to respond to such requests for approval
within two (2) business days.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is made effective by Consultant and the
Company on the date set first forth above.
COMPANY: CONSULTANT:
Xsunx, Inc., Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
a Colorado corporation
By:_________________________ By: ____________________________
Xxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, as CEO Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, as Consultant
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