Technology Usage and Contribution Agreement
Exhibit 10.4
Technology Usage and Contribution Agreement
Among
SUZHOU THVOW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
And
INNOVATIVE COAL CHEMICAL DESIGN INSTITUTE (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
And
SES ASIA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Related to the Joint Venture Contract as Appendix IV among
Suzhou Thvow Technology Co., Ltd., Innovative Coal Chemical Design Institute (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and SES Asia Technologies Limited.
Amended on August 18, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 1 | Definitions | 3 |
| 2 | SESHK’s Contribution to the Registered Capital of the Company | 5 |
| 3 | Contribution Schedule and Handover | 6 |
| 4 | SESHK’s Guarantee | 6 |
| 5 | Exclusivity | 7 |
| 6 | Improvements | 8 |
| 7 | Operation of the Company | 9 |
| 8 | Marks | 11 |
| 9. | SESHK Additional Services and Technology Implementation | 13 |
| 10 | Protection of Intellectual Property Rights | 14 |
| 11 | Assignment | 15 |
| 12 | Default and Termination | 15 |
| 13 | Indemnification | 16 |
| 14 | Notice | 17 |
| 15 | Confidentiality | 18 |
| 16 | Miscellaneous | 19 |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
Technology Usage and Contribution Agreement
THIS TECHNOLOGY USAGE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and among SES Asia Technologies Limited (“SESHK”), Suzhou Thvow Technology Co., Ltd. (“THVOW”) and Innovative Coal Chemical Design Institute (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“ICCDI”) in relation to the restructuring of Jiangsu Tianwo-SES Clean Energy Technologies Co., Ltd. (the “Company”). SESHK, THVOW and ICCDI are each herein referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, Synthesis Energy Systems Technologies LLC. (“SEST”) is the party to a license agreement with the Gas Technology Institute (the “GTI Agreement”) to license and sub-license the GTI U-Gas® technology;
WHEREAS, the U-Gas® technology has been further improved and modified by SEST and its Affiliates and SEST owns 100% of the SES Intellectual Property for these improvements and modifications and such improvements and modifications have been achieved by SEST and its Affiliates through (i)development, investment in and implementation of two commercial projects in China;(ii) numerous technical engineering studies and additional Know-How; and (iii) extensive global customer development for potential project licenses. Before the Establishment Date, SESHK has 100% proprietary rights and authorization of the SGT to be contributed to the Company by it;
WHEREAS, SESHK and THVOW entered into a Sino-foreign equity joint venture contract to establish the Company on February 14, 2014 (the “Contract”), with the goal of establishing the SGT as the leading gasification technology in China. The Contract was amended in August 18, 2017;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such goal, through this Agreement, SESHK is providing the Company with certain exclusive manufacturing and operation rights relating to the SGT in the Territory under the Contract as its contribution to the registered capital of the Company as agreed by the Parties;
WHEREAS, the Parties intend to introduce ICCDI and restructure the Company, by SESHK transferring to ICCDI ownership in the Company equal to 25% of the Company’s current paid-in registered capital and by reducing the registered capital of the Company to RMB107,600,000, such that the ownership interest of the Parties after the restructuring shall be: ICCDI 25%, SESHK 25% and THVOW 50%.
NOW, THEREFORE in view of the foregoing premises and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows.
| 1. | Definitions |
The following words and phrases will have the meanings set forth below where used herein with initial capital letters. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Contract.
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 1.1 | “Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth under the Contract. |
| 1.2 | “Effective Date” has the meaning as set out in the Contract. |
| 1.3 | “License Fee” means a royalty based on the daily capacity of Syngas for which a Project is to be designed under a PSA. |
| 1.4 | “Marks” means the marks listed in Annex B as well as any other trademark or service xxxx owned by, created by, or licensed to SESHK and/or ICCDI and/or THVOW or their Affiliates and/or the Company. |
| 1.5 | “Project” means a third party project that is, in whole or in part, intended to use or utilize the SGT for the production of SGT related chemicals through the purchase of a valid and binding PSA. |
| 1.6 | “Project Sublicense Agreement” or “PSA” means an agreement that includes the necessary technology sublicenses from the Company that are necessary for the operation of a Project in the Territory, under which the Company is the sub-licensor. The PSA will be subject to amendment per the customer’s requirements. The sample PSA attached as Annex 3 of the Contract shall serve as reference and may be subject to amendments as per the requirements of the client in practices provided that the SGT is protected and will be upheld during the implementation of the Project. |
| 1.7 | “Proprietary Information” includes, without limitation, any and all drawings, plans, designs, material specifications, dimensions, tolerances, processes, prototypes, assembly procedures, quality control procedures, and other technical information, data and know-how. |
| 1.8 | “SES Intellectual Property” means the patents and patent applications listed in Annex A as well as any other patent, patent application, copyright, copyrightable work, registered design, invention, Improvement, trade secret, know-how, Proprietary Information, or other intellectual property rights owned by, created by, or licensed to SESHK and related to the SGT, which includes, inter alia, the SGT and the Know-How. These intellectual properties shall be listed in Annex A on the effective date of this Agreement. |
| 1.9 | “SGT” shall include the collection of SES Intellectual Property, Know-How, trade secrets and methods developed by SESHK’s Affiliates for its advanced fluidized bed gasification technology. The SGT has been extensively developed since 2004 and was initially based upon the U-Gas® technology licensed by SESHK and its Affiliates from GTI, and which has been further developed through additional improvements, Know-How and patents developed by SESHK’s Affiliates through industry experience of SESHK’s Affiliates from developing, designing and operating projects in China and from designs by or for SESHK and its Affiliates in their development of projects globally. The SGT is one of the most advanced gasification technologies, which has been commercialized through the construction and operation of industrial projects to be reliable, environmentally-friendly, economically feasible, sustainable and in conformity with China’s energy independence policy and energy strategies. SGT is a part of the equity contribution of SESHK as described in the Agreement. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
Before the Establishment date SESHK has 100% proprietary rights and authorization of the SGT to be contributed to the Company. And any improvement after the Company is established and developed by the Company belong to the Company, as described in this Agreement.
| 1.10 | “SGT Feedstock” shall mean low quality coal (a coal with a heating value of less than4,000 kcal/kg or in excess of 20% ash or in excess of 20% total moisture), coal waste materials, renewable fuels such as biomass, refuse derived fuels, and municipal waste, or any mixture of the above (coal shall not be less than 60%), or other carbonaceous materials as mutually agreed which may be converted into Syngas via the SGT. |
| 1.11 | “Sub-license Royalty To GTI” shall mean ***% of the license fee subtracted from any license fee received by the Company under any licensed project for payment to be paid to GTI, pursuant to the legally effective agreement between SEST and GTI, after the Company obtains the exclusive SGT rights in the Territory. |
| 1.12 | “Synthesis Gas” or “Syngas” means a mixture of CO, H2,
CH4 and CO2 produced using the SGT process. Syngas capacity from the SGT may be licensed as a defined daily
quantity of CO + H2 or CO + H2 + CH |
| 1.13 | “Restructuring Agreement” shall mean the agreement entered into by and between the Parties in August 18, 2017 for the restructuring of the Company. |
| 1.14 | “Share Transfer Agreement” shall mean the agreement entered into by and between the Parties in August 18, 2017 for the transfer of certain equity ownership in the Company from SESHK to ICCDI. |
| 2. | SESHK’s Contribution to the Registered Capital of the Company |
| 2.1 | Subject to the terms set out by the Contract and for the purpose of the Company to achieve its business objective and obtain exclusive authorization of the SGT within the Territory, SESHK undertakes, as its contribution to the registered capital of the Company, to fully authorize and grant to the Company the full access to and authorization for the SGT as follows: |
| (a) | grant site specific PSAs to third parties for the purpose of enabling such third parties to operate their Project(s) to supply a defined capacity of Syngas that is produced using the SGT; |
| (b) | use the SES Marks for the SGT Proprietary Equipment and Services that utilize SES Intellectual Property including the SGT and in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement; |
| (c) | engineer and/or design processes that utilize SES Intellectual Property including the SGT and provide such process designs exclusively through PDPs for Projects holding a valid, binding PSA pursuant to this Agreement; |
*** This information has been omitted in reliance upon Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| (d) | provide Services for Projects holding a valid and binding PSA pursuant to this Agreement; |
| (e) | take over the development of Projects in the Territory that have previously been developed by SESHK and its Affiliates as shown in Annex C, which may use the SGT, and for which SESHK and its Affiliates shall, upon the Effective Date, forgo the relevant sales activities according to the terms agreed by the Parties. |
| 2.2 | Subject to the terms of the Contract, the above granting by SESHK of the relevant exclusive rights to the SGT within the Territory, and others as may be mutually agreed, shall be equivalent to RMB 53,800,000 (in Words: Renminbi fifty-three million eight hundred thousand), according to an appraisal by a legally formed appraisal company in accordance with the relevant appraisal regulations in the PRC. SESHK completed its contribution of SGT Technology valued at RMB53,800,000 to the Company. SESHK, through the execution of Share Transfer Agreement and Restructuring Agreement between SESHK, ICCDI and THVOW, shall sell 25% of the actual paid-in capital of the Company to ICCDI for RMB11,150,000. After the restructuring, SESHK shall hold 25% of the actual paid-in capital in the Company. |
| 3. | Contribution Schedule and Handover |
| 3.1 | SESHK shall make the above contributions to the registered capital of the Company within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the business license of the Company. |
| 3.2 | The Company shall confirm the completion of the contribution of SESHK following due completion of the activities set forth above in Section 3.1 by issuing a written certificate of contribution to SESHK. |
| 3.3 | SESHK shall assist the Company for the filing and registration of related technology (including copies of patents) |
| 4. | SES HK’s Guarantee |
| 4.1 | SESHK warrants that the Company shall be the exclusive operational entity for businesses relating to the SGT within the Territory during the term of this Agreement and no other entities and/or individuals, including SESHK and its Affiliates, shall conduct any SGT related operational business relating to sub-licensing, PDP, SGT Proprietary Equipment and services (excluding the existing ZZ Plant and Yima Plant as well as projects developed for equity investments by SESHK or its Affiliates in the Territory, provided, however, that such projects shall meet the conditions of the relevant terms of this Agreement and the Restructuring Agreement) within the Territory. During the Joint Venture Term, if the Company loses the exclusivity of the SGT usage rights due to reasons attributable to a breach by SESHK of its warranties under the Contract, in addition to compensation of any losses to THVOW and ICCDI pursuant to the relevant legal requirement, the actual profits of the Projects undertaken by SESHK in violation of such exclusivity shall be paid unconditionally to THVOW and ICCDI by SESHK. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 4.2 | SESHK warrants that the exclusive usage rights of the SGT which it has granted to the Company are legitimate and continuously existing. During the Term of the Company, all legal disputes arising due to the license between SESHK and its Affiliates and GTI shall have nothing to do with ICCDI, THVOW or the Company and shall be handled by and be the responsibility of SESHK. |
| 4.3 | SESHK shall be responsible for the completeness and reliability of the SGT contributed to the Company for projects similar to the ZZ Plant and Yima Plant. SESHK shall guarantee that the SGT has the ability to meet the performance and operational needs of actual Project in an economic and environmentally sound manner. For the PDP design for Projects similar to the ZZ Plant and Yima Plant, the Company will not be required to pay any expenses and fees to SESHK except that SESHK will fully support the 40 bar PDP and such support will be paid by the Company to SESHK. |
| 4.4 | SESHK undertakes to provide the Company with all the SGT Know-How and technical data as described under Annex 2 to the Contract. For 0.2MPa and 1.0PMPa Projects similar to the ZZ Plant and/or Yima Plant (new technology excluded), SESHK shall be responsible for the various guaranteed technology performance parameters under the PSA for the Project. SESHK shall guarantee the Company’s capability to produce complete designs and guaranteed performance for the SGT (similar to ZZ Plant and/or Yima Plant), and SESHK will bear the costs of support and assistance by SESHK and its Affiliates and/or its partners if needed. After the Company has completed two Projects (similar to ZZ Plant and/or Yima Plant) and once these Projects have achieved their required guaranteed technology performance parameters, SESHK shall not be required to continue providing such guarantees or support or assistance thereafter as the Company shall be deemed to be fully capable. |
| 4.5 | SESHK shall be responsible for training any technical personnel of the Company free of charge (excluding process training for Projects not similar to ZZ Plant and Yima Plant) until (i) the employees of the Company are capable of independently performing the relevant technical work; or (ii) the conclusion of the first two (2) years of the Company’s operation. |
| 4.6 | SESHK shall provide written documents listing all the SGT related proprietary technology, Know-How and technical data (as set forth under Annex 2 to the Contract) currently owned by it upon the effective date of this Agreement. With regard to any improvement made by the Company after its establishment including patent and proprietary technology, etc., it is agreed as follows: the ownership of the items listed under the Annex 2 to the Contract shall belong to SESHK, while all technical Improvements independently developed by the Company after the establishment of the Company shall be owned by the Company. |
| 5. | Exclusivity |
| 5.1 | The exclusive rights contributed by SESHK to the Company under this Agreement and the exclusive cooperation among the Parties via the establishment and the operation of the Company shall be subject to the rights and obligations set out in this Agreement. During the Joint Venture Term, any SGT related market development activities within the Territory shall be executed by the Company (excluding equity investment projects independently developed by SESHK or its Affiliates, provided, however, that such projects shall meet the relevant terms in the Restructuring Agreement). |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 5.2 | The Company shall set up a project reporting mechanism within one (1) month of its establishment, by which, any Projects of the Company will be reported to SESHK, and thereafter SESHK shall report such information to GTI according to the agreement executed between SESHK and GTI. |
| 5.3 | Within the term of the Company, the Company shall be the exclusive legal entity in the Territory for the development and implementation of gasification technology that uses SGT Feedstock. THVOW, ICCDI or the Company, alone or together, shall not engage in any market activities for any SGT projects outside the Territory, nor establish joint ventures or other entities. If THVOW, ICCDI or the Company receives formal quotation requests in writing from outside the Territory for any similar SGT project, it shall notify SESHK in writing immediately, and SESHK may agree to develop such project together with the Company. After the early termination of the Company, if THVOW or ICCDI desires to engage in similar SGT development, it must obtain SESHK’s written consent under mutually agreeable terms. After the expiration of the Company, the Parties shall proceed as unanimously agreed. |
| 5.4 | The Parties agree as follows with respect to the right of exclusivity as granted to the Company within the Territory: |
| (a) | SESHK and its Affiliate shall transfer its sales and development effort for Projects carried on by it in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mongolia and Malaysia as provided in Annex D hereto before the establishment of the Company and transfer such Projects to the Company within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date. All pre-transaction costs for the above Project development will be settled by negotiation between the Company and SESHK; |
| (b) | Within the first five (5) years of the establishment of the Company, if no SGT Project has been substantially developed in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mongolia, or Malaysia, the Parties shall negotiate the cancellation of the exclusivity to the Company in these countries. |
| (c) | SESHK has the right, in its sole discretion, to provide SGT license,
PDP, SGT equipment and service to the projects in the Territory in which SESHK or its Affiliates holds shares or will make shareholding
investment. And the following conditions should be met: , i. SESHK and its Affiliates are not in competition with the Company for its investment in such projects; ii. SESHK and its Affiliates shall share with the Company any SGT technology related to such project according to the Contract; iii. for SGT equipment provided to such project, the Company/THVOW will be a priority bidder under the same condition |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 6. | Improvements |
| 6.1 | If any Party, the Company, or its Affiliates should make, or acquire, any Improvements, whether patentable or not, relating to the SGT then such Party or the Company hereby grants to the other Parties or the Company for the term of this Agreement, an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use or license such Improvements. Each Party and the Company hereby agrees to disclose to the other Party or the Company any Improvements and the nature and manner of applying and utilizing such Improvements within three (3) months of discovery of the Improvement. All such Improvements disclosed shall become and thereafter be a part of the SGT and the Parties and the Company shall have the same rights, licenses and obligations with respect to the Improvement. THVOW/ICCDI’s use of the Improvements is limited to the manufacturing of the SGT Proprietary Equipment and is not extended to any other business unrelated to the SGT Proprietary Equipment. |
| 6.2 | During the Term of the Contract, the Company shall secure patents for any Improvements within the Territory. SESHK or Affiliates shall secure patent for Company Improvements outside the Territory for their protection. Before patents are granted for such Improvements, the Parties shall ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of the relating technical information and data. |
| 7. | Operation of the Company |
| 7.1 | Pursuant to Section 2.1 above, the Company grants SGT sublicenses to Projects. The Company will grant site specific PSAs, sell SGT Proprietary Equipment, and provide Services to third parties in the Territory for the purpose of enabling such third parties to use the SGT for Projects. |
| 7.2 | Each PSA for a Project will include a License Fee which is royalty based according to the daily capacity of Syngas for which the Project is to be designed. The Company will use all reasonable commercial efforts to maximize the License Fee for each PSA. License Fees will be based on Syngas capacity and will utilize the following calculation method where *** = *** per ***; *** = *** and *** = ***: |
License Fee = ***
| 7.3 | The Company management will determine the maximum SGT license fee achievable for each Project based on the market application, country, competition and SGT technology differentiation and advantages. |
| 7.4 | The Company will pay to SESHK, *** of the License Fees received for each PSA for the purpose of enabling SEST to fulfill its obligation of paying GTI the Sub-license Royalty. Payments of the License Fees whether in its entirety or in installments set forth in the PSA will be directly paid within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the License Fees by the Company to SESHK and through SESHK to GTI pursuant to the GTI Agreement. Within fifteen (15) days after the Company has made such payments, SESHK shall provide the Company proof of payment to GTI. |
*** This information has been omitted in reliance upon Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 7.5 | All amounts payable related to the Sublicense Royalty to GTI under a project, after such amounts have been examined and verified by the Company, and after paying the withholding taxes and other relevant expenses in accordance with applicable legal requirements and deducted therefrom by the Company, shall be paid by the Company to SESHK. Any amounts not timely paid shall be subject to an interest charge of the average of the daily prime rate of Citibank (New York) at the close of each day’s business, plus two percent (2%) per annum beginning on the day when such payment has become due and continuing until the day when such payment is made. Notwithstanding this Paragraph, failure to make any payment on or before its due date shall be a default by the Company for purposes of Section 12hereof. |
| 7.6 | All amounts specified in this Agreement related to a PSA are in U.S. Dollars and shall be paid in U.S. Dollars and be remitted, preferably by wire transfer, to SESHK upon ten (10) days prior written notice thereof to the Company. |
| 7.7 | Each PSA will require that a Project have a PDP and must purchase its SGT Proprietary Equipment and Technical Services from the Company for which the price and terms will be defined in separate agreements for PDP, equipment sales and technical services or as a part of an overall packaged offering. |
| 7.8 | For the avoidance of doubt, no project, customer or any third party may be sold a PDP, SGT Proprietary Equipment or Services by the Company without a valid, binding PSA in place first with such third party, except in the instance of providing preliminary technical proposals to customers for market development purposes. |
| 7.9 | A list of potential Projects under development by the Company must be maintained and submitted to SESHK quarterly for inclusion in SESHK’s quarterly submittal to GTI, and SES HK’s and GTI’s consent for such Projects shall not be unreasonably rejected. |
| 7.10 | PSA must substantially follow the standard form of License Agreement provided in Annex 5 of the Contract. Any material modifications to the standard form of License Agreement must be unanimously agreed by the Parties. Each PSA must include (i) terms requiring the automatic assignment of the PSA to SESHK upon termination of this Agreement, and (ii) confidentiality terms at least as restrictive as those in this Agreement. The terms and conditions for the above assignment will be negotiated and agreed separately. |
| 7.11 | A copy of an executed PSA must be provided to SESHK in English and Chinese. SESHK will provide copies of this information to GTI per the terms of the GTI Agreement. |
| 7.12 | The engineering works (including but not limited to PDPs, basis for design, CDPs, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), Proprietary Equipment data sheets, control and safety system logic, start-up and operating procedures and material selection guide) prepared by the Company must be submitted to SESHK for examination and approval for conformity to SESHK standards before being delivered to customers and applied to projects. The Company will submit all engineering works at least three weeks prior to the date that approval is needed. Notification of the expected submission dated for documents needing review will be submitted to SESHK upon execution of a PSA and/or PDP agreement by the Company. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
Alternatively the Company and SESHK may establish reviews of works in progress based on mutually agreeable terms in order to facilitate speedy completion of deliverables while maintaining quality standards. If SESHK determines the relevant engineering works do not meet expectations, SESHK shall identify the issues for modification by the Company.
| 7.13 | Copies of all technology works in progress, patents and patent disclosures, studies, feasibility study reports, and PDPs of the Company shall be transmitted to SESHK upon completion of the relevant work or Project. Meanwhile, copies of all technology works in progress, patents and patent disclosures, studies, feasibility study reports and PDPs of SESHK and its Affiliates outside the Territory, shall be transmitted to the Company upon completion of the relevant work or Project. |
| 1. |
| 7.14 | Should the Company decline to provide SGT Technology to a customer or become financially insolvent then SESHK or its Affiliate has the right to provide SGT Technology to the customer. |
| 7.15 | Where customers or companies directly contact SESHK or its Affiliate for technical support of a potential SGT gasification project in the Territory and where SESHK provides this support and brings the developed opportunity to the Company and the Company subsequently benefits by entering into a SGT license agreement, then SESHK or its Affiliate will receive a fair finder’s fee to be mutually agreed with the Company on a case by case basis. Conversely, where the Company brings a SGT opportunity outside the Territory to SESHK or its Affiliate and where SESHK or its Affiliate ultimately enter into a SGT license agreement then the Company will receive a fair finder’s fee to be mutually agreed on a case by case basis. |
| 8. | Marks |
| 8.1 | The Company’s marks shall be unanimously approved by the Board after the Company’s establishment, which could be “SESHK xxxx and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI xxxx and/or other xxxx”. The Company shall be entitled to apply for registration of any trademarks of the Company in both Chinese and English for the use of such trademarks on any goods, products, equipment, advertising and promotional items within the Territory. |
| 8.2 | SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI will provide the Company with the SGT and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI related trademarks for the development of the business of the Company. SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI will retain all ownership of their respective trademarks and grant the Company a royalty free license for those trademarks as long as and to the extent necessary for the Company to fulfill its operation purposes under this Agreement. |
| 8.3 | All SGT and SGT Proprietary Equipment to be marketed by the Company shall bear the SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI brand(s) for the SGT and SGT proprietary equipment. The Company may have another SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI -related brand if so unanimously approved by the Board. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 8.4 | The Company acknowledges the validity of the Marks and the relevant Party’s sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to the Marks, including the right to register or to have registered the Marks, and such relevant Party’s own and control all of the goodwill associated with their respective Marks and such goodwill shall remain at all times the sole and exclusive property of the relevant Party. Apart from its rights under this Agreement, the Company will not acquire any right, title or interest in the Marks during or after the Term. The Company recognizes the great value of the publicity and goodwill associated with the Marks and acknowledges that such goodwill exclusively belongs to the relevant Party and that the Company's use of the Marks will inure solely for the benefit of the Company. |
| 8.5 | The Company acknowledges that the maintenance of SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI’s quality standards for services and products which bear the Marks are material conditions of this Agreement and that SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI is relying upon the Company's representation and warranty that they will use the Marks only in a manner approved by SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI and consistent with such quality standards. Without limitation on the foregoing, The Company agrees that it shall comply with each of the following (collectively, “SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI Standards”): |
| (a) | The Company agrees that it will use reasonable efforts to comply with all conditions set forth in writing from time-to-time by SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI with respect to the style, appearance and manner of use of the Marks. In addition, upon SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI 's request, the Company shall place all notices reasonably acceptable to SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI on any Xxxx usage and any marketing, advertising, or promotional materials bearing the Marks to identify the licensed use under this Agreement and the proprietary rights of SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI in such Marks; |
| (b) | All marketing, advertising and promotional material shall be subject to review from time to time by SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI with respect to, but not limited to, content, style, appearance, and composition; |
| (c) | The Company will use and display the Marks only in a form and style which does not defame, disparage, dilute, place in a bad light, or otherwise injure SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI, any Affiliate of SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI, or any owner, officer, or director of SES or any of their respective Affiliates; |
| (d) | The Company will not represent in any manner that it has any ownership interest in the SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI Marks or any goodwill associated therein. The Company will not represent in any manner that it has any rights in or to the Marks other than as set forth in this Agreement; |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| (e) | The Company further agrees that it will not apply for nor seek to obtain trademarks, service marks, registrations or any other property rights in the Marks; |
| (f) | The Company agrees that if the Company receives knowledge of any usage or exploitation of the Marks, or of other confusingly similar xxxx, by any person or entity other than the Company or SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI, and if the Company has a belief that such use is not approved by SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI, then the Company will promptly notify SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI in writing and shall assist SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI in any enforcement action SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI may elect to bring in its sole and absolute discretion; and |
| (g) | The Company shall undertake any corrective actions requested by SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI in order to comply with SESHK-THVOW-ICCDI’s Quality Standards in a timely and professional manner and shall provide SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI with such evidence of compliance as SESHK and/or THVOW and/or ICCDI may reasonably request. |
| 8.6 | The Company agrees that: |
| (a) | During the Term and thereafter, The Company will not attack any of the Marks, trade names, domain names or other intellectual property rights pertaining to the Marks in the Territory or anywhere in the world, and will not aid or assist any third person or entity in doing so; |
| (b) | The Company will not harm, misuse or bring into dispute the Marks; |
| (c) | The Company will use and exploit the Marks only in accordance with the terms and intentions of this Agreement; |
| (d) | The Company will comply with all laws and regulations relating or pertaining to the use or exploitation of the Marks and shall maintain SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI’s Quality Standards for the goods and services provided by the Company which bear, are related to or are otherwise in connection with the Marks, and shall further comply with any regulatory agencies which have jurisdiction over the Marks; and |
| (e) | The Company’s use of the Marks of SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI will be subject to SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI approval and be in accordance to SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI Standards. |
| 8.7 | As of the establishment date of the Company, the Parties have 100% ownership to the Marks as listed in Annex B. After the establishment of the Company, the marks developed by the Company shall be 100% owned by the Company. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 9. | SESHK Additional Services and Technology Implementation |
| 9.1 | Subject to the terms and conditions as set forth under the Contract and this Agreement, SESHK will provide design and engineering reviews for the benefit of the Company and SESHK will supply technical services to the Company to enable the Company to deliver PDPs to Qualified Projects that license the SGT from the Company. |
| 9.2 | SESHK will provide timely review of PDPs and equipment designs to assure they meet SGT quality standards and will perform as required. |
| 9.3 | SESHK will provide to the Company engineers who are experienced in and capable of preparation of PDPs as its employees and will be responsible for the PDP design work. SESHK shall second one senior technical expatriate engineer with significant experience with the SGT to the Company through the first anniversary of the Effective Date to serve as the Company’s chief technology officer (“Company CTO”). The Company shall pay the salaries of the above Seconded Personnel. |
| 9.4 | SESHK will provide necessary support and training to the Company’s employees in accordance with the plan as developed and implemented by SESHK and the Company on a mutually agreed basis, to enable the Company to complete the PDPs in accordance with Section 2.1, Section 7.7 and Section 7.12. The Company will pay SESHK its actual costs for such support and training, except for projects similar to ZZ Plant and Yima Plant which will be provided free of charge by SESHK. |
| 9.5 | SESHK will provide the Critical Design Parameters free of charge for every Project which implements the SGT. |
| 9.6 | SESHK will provide technical support, as reasonably requested by the Company, in connection with preparation of PDPs, start-up and commissioning for Projects. The Company will pay SESHK its actual costs for such support, except for projects similar to ZZ Plant and Yima Plant which will be provided free of charge by SESHK. |
| 9.7 | SESHK will assist the Company to obtain access to the GTI and other third party testing facilities, with costs fully reimbursed by the Company, if applicable. |
| 9.8 | The Company intends to build a 40 Bar Demonstration Plant (the “40 Bar Demo”) with work beginning within 12 months from the date of this Company restructuring. Per the terms of this Agreement, SESHK will fully support the 40 bar PDP and such support will be paid by the Company to SESHK. SESHK along with the Company and other relevant parties such as the EPC contractor will mutually agree on the required guarantees for the 40 Bar Demo. SESHK will guarantee its provided PDP as is customary based on China market practices. |
| 10. | Protection of Intellectual Property Rights |
| 10.1 | The Parties will establish a joint Intellectual Property Committee with two (2) members from the Company and two (2) members from SESHK. This committee shall review all Improvements and intellectual property protection measures annually to develop recommended patent disclosure measures to protect all types of SGT and Improvements and shall make such recommendation to the Company Board on an annual basis. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 10.2 | The Parties shall inform each other immediately of any infringements, misuse, or misappropriations of any portion of the SGT in the Territory. |
| 10.3 | SESHK and the Company shall both be entitled to take action against infringers either separately or jointly in the enforcement of rights related to the SGT, Know-How and Improvements in the Territory. Any enforcement conducted by the Company or SESHK shall be at their own expense. If action is taken jointly then the costs shall be shared equally or as otherwise agreed by the Parties. The Parties shall assist each other with reasonable efforts in such actions. In the event of an enforcement action taken by the Parties jointly, SESHK and the Company may enter into a separate agreement related to the allocation of the reimbursement based on their respective losses suffered. |
| 10.4 | The Company/SESHK shall protect the SES Intellectual Property/SGT, the Know-How and Improvements/Company Improvements in any form, including calculations, methodologies, software, spreadsheets, computer programs and mathematical algorithms which generally fall into the category of trade secrets and/or Confidential Information and shall never publish or patent such information without the written joint consent of the Company and SESHK. Such SES Intellectual Property/SGT, the Know-How and Improvements/Company Improvements shall be protected and secured as sensitive Confidential Information of the Company and SESHK. The Company/SESHK must take all efforts to limit such trade secrets to only those Working Personnel and Management Personnel who must use the information to conduct the business of the Company. The Company/SESHK must restrict all access or ability to photocopy or make electronic copies of such trade secrets and/or Confidential Information. The Parties agree that any violation of the aforesaid shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and therefore lead to its termination. |
| 11. | Assignment |
| 11.1 | This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and the successors to substantially the entire assets and business of the respective Parties hereto. This Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided, however, this Agreement shall be assignable by either Party to a successor to substantially all of the assets and business of such Party, provided such successor is not a competitor of SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI. Any and all assignments of this Agreement or of any interests therein not made in accordance with this section shall be void. |
| 11.2 | The Parties acknowledge that the damage or loss that would be caused by a breach of this Agreement would be difficult, if not impossible, to quantify, and accordingly, notwithstanding Section 16.2, each Party and its Affiliates shall be entitled to specific performance to compel compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 12. | Default and Termination |
| 12.1 | Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date of the Company and shall continue for twenty (20) years or until any such time the Contract is terminated or liquidation procedures for the Company are commenced pursuant to the Contract, or there is any other termination in accordance with this section. This Agreement can be renewed or terminated upon mutual written consent of the Parties. |
| 12.2 | Suspension. In the event of a dispute among the Parties, the Parties shall continue the performance of this Agreement in all aspects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such dispute poses significant adverse impact on the performance of this Agreement in all aspects, either Party may suspend the performance of this Agreement. |
| 12.3 | Termination Following Breach. If either Party shall be in default of, or otherwise breaches, any obligation hereunder, resulting in a failure to achieve the purpose of the Contract or this Agreement by the other Party, then the other Party may give written notice to the defaulting Party specifying the claimed particulars of such default and in the event the defaulting Party shall not have remedied such default within ten (10) days in the case of a monetary default, and thirty (30) days for a non-monetary default, after the date of such notice (or such a longer period of time to be approved in the sole discretion of, and in writing by, the non-defaulting Party, if such failure is capable of being cured and the defaulting Party is proceeding diligently to cure such default), the non-defaulting Party shall have the right thereafter to immediately terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the defaulting Party to that effect. |
| 12.4 | Termination Following Insolvency or Bankruptcy. This Agreement shall terminate immediately and automatically upon the act of the Company admitting in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, filing a petition in bankruptcy or under any other insolvency act, making an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or upon a petition in bankruptcy, or for the appointment of a receiver being filed against it, failing to have the petition or appointment dismissed or vacated within sixty (60) days from the date thereof. |
| 12.5 | Implications of Termination. Except as otherwise expressly provided, any termination of this Agreement shall not release a Party from any claim of the other Party accrued hereunder prior to the effective date of such termination. |
| 12.6 | Survival. The obligations of the Parties pursuant to Section8 and Sections 10 through 15 of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement. |
| 13. | Indemnification |
The Company agrees to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify its managerial staff, directors, employees, agents, Affiliates, shareholders and their Affiliates, successors and assigns (the “Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, causes of action, losses, costs, injuries or deaths, liabilities, damages and any and all expenses, including and without limitation to reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred by Indemnified Parties, or the expenses and fees arising out of or relating to any of the follows (except for faults of the Indemnified Parties):
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| (a) | any misrepresentation or false warranty made by the Company in this Agreement; |
| (b) | any use or misuse of the SGT; and |
| (c) | any infringement or claimed infringement of any aspect of the SGT upon the intellectual property rights of any third party. Such indemnification obligation shall be effective throughout the Term of this Agreement, and shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. |
| 14. | Notice |
| 14.1 | Addresses. The addresses of the Parties hereto are as follows, but either Party may change its address for the purpose of this Agreement by notice in writing to the other Party: |
THVOW:
Xx. 0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, 000000, PRC
Attention:
Telephone No:0000-0000-0000
Facsimile No.: 0000-0000-0000
ICCDI:
Xxxxx 0, Xx.000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 200233, PRC
Attention: LIAO, Bing
Telephone No: 000-00000000
Facsimile No.: 021-34289091
SESHK:
7/F., Bonham Centre 00-00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxx, Xxxxxxxx
Attention: XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX
Telephone No: 000-(000) 000-0000
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 14.2 | In the event notices, statements, payments received under this Agreement by a Party hereto are sent by certified or registered mail to the Party entitled thereto at the address provided for in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so mailed, and if sent by wire then as of the date transferred. |
| 15. | Confidentiality |
| 15.1 | Except as hereinafter provided, the provisions of this Agreement and all information or documents which come into the possession of the Company, or its Affiliates, in connection with the performance hereof, and any other Confidential Information, may not be communicated to third parties without mutual written consent by the Parties. However, the Company shall have the right to disclose such provisions, information or document without unanimous written consent: |
| (a) | to Affiliates of the Company or their employees, provided such disclosure is solely to assist such person in performing the functions for which they were engaged in connection with any Project, and such persons undertake to keep such information or documents under terms of confidentiality equivalent to this Section 15, and provided further that a list of such persons receiving information pursuant to this section is provided to the Parties and is updated at least every thirty (30) days; |
| (b) | to legal counsel, accountants, financial advisers, lenders, other professional consultants, and insurance underwriters for a Party, provided such disclosure is solely to assist such person in performing the functions for which they were engaged in connection with any Project, and such persons undertake to keep such information or documents under terms of confidentiality equivalent to this Section 15; |
| (c) | if required by any court of law or any law, rule, or regulation having jurisdiction over a Party, or if requested or required by an agency of any government having or asserting jurisdiction over a Party, and having or asserting authority to require such disclosure in accordance with that authority or pursuant to the rules of any recognized stock exchange or agency established in connection therewith, provided, that a Party making such a required disclosure shall make good faith efforts to advise the other Party of the same as soon as reasonably practicable, and shall make reasonable efforts to secure protective treatment for the disclosed information and with respect to any disclosure requirements of any recognized stock exchange, shall cooperate with the non-disclosing Party regarding the information to be disclosed; |
| (d) | to the extent any such information or document has (i) been independently developed by the Company, (ii) has been acquired from a third party who has no obligation of confidentiality or non-use in regards to the SGT, or (iii) entered the public domain other than through the fault or negligence of any Party hereto (for this purpose any disclosure by a person contemplated by Section 15.1(a) shall be deemed to be the fault or negligence of such Party); and |
| (e) | to an arbitration tribunal in connection with resolution of a dispute under this Agreement. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 15.2 | The confidentiality obligations of third parties who receive any information pursuant to Section 15.1 shall be set forth in a non-disclosure agreement between the Company and such third party substantially similar to the standard non-disclosure agreement attached as Annex D hereto. The confidentiality obligations set forth in such non-disclosure agreement shall expressly survive the termination or expiration of the agreement. A fully executed of such non-disclosure agreement shall be provided to SESHK by the Company. |
| 15.3 | The Parties acknowledge and agree the Parties have entered into the Agreement under the condition that the SGT, the Know-How and all other relevant intellectual property will be protected by the Parties and the Company, and that the Parties and the Company shall protect all Confidential Information related to the SGT, Improvements and Know-How, and any Confidential Information of the Parties, and ensure that all such information is not transmitted to third parties and all SGT Confidential Information is returned to SESHK at the end of the Term, and all THVOW/ICCDI Confidential Information is returned to SESHK/THVOW/ICCDI at the end of the Term or upon liquidation of the Company and is not used by THVOW/ICCDI or the Company except as specifically authorized under this Agreement. The Parties agree that the default on confidential obligation may constitute material breach of this Agreement, and thus result in termination of this Agreement, except, however, SGT related Confidential Information obtained by any third party not by reason attribute to a breach by the Company or a Party. |
| 16. | Miscellaneous |
| 16.1Each | party represents and warrants to the other Parties that: |
| (a) | it is an entity duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing and has all requisite power and authority to make, execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein; |
| (b) | the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly approved and authorized by all necessary corporate actions on its behalf; |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| (c) | neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it nor the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, will constitute a violation of, or be in conflict with: (i) any judgment, decree, order, regulation or rule of any governmental authority; (ii) any law, regulation or order of any governmental authority; or (iii) any agreement entered into with a third party; and |
| (d) | it has the full right to grant the rights, assignments and licenses granted by it in this Agreement. |
| 16.2 | All disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be settled in accordance to Article 27 of the Contract. |
| 16.3 | The validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the legal relations of the Parties to it shall be governed by the published and publicly available laws, rules and regulations of China. If there are no published or publicly available Chinese laws, rules and regulations or international treaties or conventions governing a particular matter, the then current general business practices in China shall apply, to the extent that they are in conformity with generally accepted international business practices and principles. |
| 16.4 | Severability; Compliance with Law. If one or more provisions of this Agreement should be held invalid for any reason whatsoever by any court, administrative agency, or arbitration board, such provision or provisions shall be severed from this Agreement and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in effect. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed so as to require the commission of any act contrary to law, and wherever there is any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any material statute, law or ordinance, the latter shall prevail; but in such event the provision of this Agreement affected shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the legal requirements and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in effect without modification. Each Party agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations as well as appropriate business standards when conducting activities under this Agreement. This obligation shall apply to the activities of employees of such Party in their relations with employees of the other Party, including, but not be limited to, establishing precautions to prevent its employees from making, receiving, providing or offering any substantial gifts, extravagant entertainment, payments, loans or other considerations. Without limitation to the foregoing, each Party agrees that it shall not furnish, deliver, or release the technology, services, software, or commodities made available to it hereunder to any individual, entity, or destination, or for any use, except in full accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements of home countries (or districts) with respect to export control and trade sanctions. Each Party will comply with all prohibitions on transactions with or transfers to the nations or governments where the parties located in or operated from, subject to comprehensive economic sanctions of all home countries (or districts), and prohibitions on transactions with or transfers to entities or individuals identified on the government’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (relevant Bureau) and Denied Persons List and Entity List (relevant Bureau) of the home countries (districts). Each Party agrees and understands it shall be responsible for ongoing compliance with all such applicable laws, regulations, and requirements. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 16.5 | Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all schedules and attachments, which are a part hereof), and the Contract, embody the entire understanding between SESHK, THVOW and ICCDI and any prior or contemporaneous representations, warranties or arrangements between the Parties relating hereto, either oral or written, are hereby superseded. |
| 16.6 | Publicity. Neither Party will make any announcement of any kind, oral or written, public or private, to any external party, including the media, governments or financial institutions, regarding this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, except to the extent required by any court of law or any law, rule, or regulation having jurisdiction over a Party, or if requested or required by an agency of any government having or asserting jurisdiction over a Party, and having or asserting authority to require such disclosure in accordance with that authority or pursuant to the rules of any recognized stock exchange or agency established in connection there with. In the event that the Company mentions the U-GAS Process that is the subject matter of this Agreement in writing in any press release or other promotional documentation, the Company shall include the phrase “Licensed from Gas Technology Institute and Synthesis Entergy Systems, Inc.” in said release or promotional documentation. |
| 16.7 | Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for informational purposes and should not be construed as altering the terms of the Agreement. |
| 16.8 | Independent Status of Parties. The Parties enter into this Agreement solely on their own behalf and not on behalf of any other person or entity. No party is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement. Each party shall act as an independent contractor and shall not bind nor attempt to bind the other party to any contract, or any performance of obligations outside of this Agreement. Nothing contained or done under this Agreement shall be interpreted as constituting either party the agent of the other in any sense of the term whatsoever. |
| 16.9 | Interpretation. The Chinese and English versions of this Agreement shall be equally valid. The choice of words used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be wording chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent and agreement. Each Party acknowledges that it has had adequate opportunity and bargaining strength to review, negotiate, and revise this Agreement. |
| 16.10 | Waiver. No waiver of any right or rights under this Agreement shall be of any effect or binding upon either Party unless such waiver is in writing and is signed by an authorized representative of the Party so waiving such right or rights. Further, no waiver of any right or rights under this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of, acquiescence in or consent to any other breach or default occurring at any time. |
| 16.11 | Modification. No changes, alteration or amendment of this Agreement shall be of any force or effect unless it is in writing, executed by authorized representatives of the Parties and such writing expressly states that it is to be an alteration or amendment of this Agreement. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
| 16.12 | No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended nor shall it be construed to give any person, other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions hereof. |
| 16.13 | Remedies. The Parties acknowledges that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for the damages of a Party arising from the breach of this Agreement by the other Party. Therefore, the Parties agree that either Party shall be entitled to other remedies, including injunction and specific performance, in the event of any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the other Party. |
Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in limitation of, other rights and remedies under this Agreement or available at law, and the exercise, or non-exercise of one right or remedy will not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy.
| 16.14 | Force Majeure. Time and diligence of the Parties are of the essence to this Agreement, it being understood that in the event of any act of God, war, insurrection, strike or wildcat labor disturbance, or act or occurrence solely outside the direction or control of the Parties, which occasions some delay, the time periods set forth hereunder shall be extended for the duration of such act or occurrence. |
| 16.15 | After obtaining the revised business license of the Company, the Parties agree hereby that the legal representative of the Company shall sign and stamp hereunder on the signature page, so to confirm that SESHK has completed its contribution to the Company, and the Company is bound by this Agreement. |
| 16.16 | This Agreement is an appendix to the Contract and is a necessary supplement to the Contract. This Agreement and the Contract shall have the same legal effect. |
| 16.17 | Any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be settled in accordance with the Contract. |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first set forth above.
Suzhou Thvow Technology Co., Ltd.
| By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxx | |
| Name: | Xxxx Xxxx | |
| Title: | Authorized Representative | |
| Date: | August 18, 2017 |
Innovative Coal Chemical Design Institute (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
| By: | /s/ Xxxx Ma | |
| Name: | Xxxx Ma | |
| Title: | Authorized Representative | |
| Date: | August 18, 2017 |
SES ASIA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
| Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
| Title: | Authorized Representative | |
| Date: | August 18, 2017 |
JIANGSU TIANWO-SES CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
| By: | /s/ Illegible | |
| Name: | Illegible | |
| Title: | Illegible | |
| Date: | August 18, 2017 |
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TUCA executed on August 18, 2017
Annex A
SES Intellectual Property
X-0
Xxxxx X
Xxxxx
X-0
Annex C
Project Pipeline of SESHK and/or Its Affiliates
(before the Effective Date and within the Territory)
C-1
Annex D
Form of Technical Non-disclosure Agreement
D-1
