MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
EXHIBIT
10.1
BETWEEN
(1)
|
Sona Mobile Holdings
Corp. (EIN 20 – 0375677), whose registered offices are at 39th
Floor, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 ("Sona”)
Tel: +
0 000 000 0000
Fax: +
1 000 000 0000
Email: xxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
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AND
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(2)
|
eBet Limited (ABN 59 059
210 774) (“eBet”),
and eBet Services Pty.
Ltd. (ACN 000 000 000) (“ESPL”) whose registered
offices are at Xxxx 00, 000-000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, XXX 0000
Xxxxxxxxx (collectively, the “eBet
Group”)
Tel:
+ 00 0 0000 0000
Fax:
+ 61 2 8817 4770
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
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||
The
Parties hereby enter into this Agreement
|
Signed,
sealed and delivered by Sona Mobile Holdings Corp.
|
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/s/ XXX
XXXXX
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|||
Date:
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August
25, 2008
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Authorised
Signatory
|
|
Signed,
sealed and delivered by eBet Limited
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/s/
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
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||
Director
|
|||
Date:
|
August
25, 2008
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/s/
XXX XXXXX
|
|
Director
|
|||
Signed,
sealed and delivered by eBet Services Pty. Ltd.
|
/s/
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
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||
Director
|
|||
Date:
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August
25, 2008
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/s/ XXX
XXXXX
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|
Director
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INDEX
1.
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Definitions
and Interpretation
|
1
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2.
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Appointment
of Service Provider
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3
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3.
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Advisory
Services
|
4
|
4.
|
Software
Development Services
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4
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5.
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Software
Maintenance Services
|
5
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6.
|
ESPL
Labour Costs
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6
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7.
|
Sona
Chief Executive Officer Appointment
|
6
|
8.
|
Employment
of Sona Technical Employees
|
7
|
9.
|
Sona
Board Changes and Appointment
|
7
|
10
|
Equipment
Lease Reimbursement
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7
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11
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Work
Made For Hire and Assignment
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7
|
12
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Licence
Grant
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8
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13
|
Term
|
8
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14
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Documents
and Information
|
9
|
15
|
Force
Majeure
|
9
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16
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Fees
and Expenses
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9
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17
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Indemnities
and Limitation of Liability
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10
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18
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Representations
and Warranties
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11
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19
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Termination
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13
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20
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Effects
Of Termination
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14
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21
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Confidential
Information
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14
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22
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Fairness
and Good Faith
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15
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23
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Dispute
resolution
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15
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24
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Assignment
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15
|
25
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Notices
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16
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26
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General
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16
|
27
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Governing
Law and Jurisdiction
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16
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28
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Regulatory
Compliance
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17
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Schedule
1 - Form of Statement of Work
|
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Schedule
2 - Equipment Leases
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INTRODUCTION
A.
|
eBet
has provided initial suggestions to Sona in respect of its future
operations.
|
B.
|
Sona
has requested ESPL to provide ongoing advisory, development and software
maintenance services to Sona.
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C.
|
eBet
has agreed to ensure that ESPL performs its obligations under this
Agreement.
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D.
|
This
Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which ESPL will provide
those services.
|
Definitions
and Interpretation
|
In this
Agreement:
Unless
the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the
following meanings:
|
“Advisory
Services”
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as
defined in clause 3.1;
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“CEO”
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as
defined in clause 7.1;
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“CEO
Salary”
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as
defined in clause 7.4;
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“Closing
Date”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Compliance
Plan”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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"Confidential
Information"
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
|
“Deliverables”
|
any
software or other outcome (including in the case of software, development
of Programs, products, software (in Object Code and Source Code format),
applications, documentation, data, reports, specifications, or other
Intellectual Property Rights) required to be developed or provided under a
Statement of Work executed by the
Parties;
|
“Development
Services”
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as
defined in clause 4.1;
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“Development
Services Fee”
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as
defined in clause 6.1;
|
“eBet
Developed Software”
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
|
“eBet
Group Nominees”
|
as
defined in clause 9.1;
|
“EGS”
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“End-User”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“ESPL
Labour Costs”
|
the
hourly rates and/or salary amounts for each ESPL employee, multiplied by
the time actually expended by him or her in the provision of the
Development Services and Software Maintenance
Services;
|
“Financial
Year”
|
each
calendar year;
|
1
“Force
Majeure Event”
|
acts
of God, war, rebellion, civil commotions, insurrections, political
disturbances, epidemics, quarantine, riots, strikes, lockouts (whether
partial or general), fires, floods, fog, frost, snow or ice, bad weather,
intervention of customs and other government authorities, and any other
cause not within the reasonable control of ESPL or which by the exercise
of reasonable diligence it is unable to prevent, whether of the class or
causes enumerated above or not;
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“Gaming
Government Agency”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Indirect
Taxes”
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
|
“Industry
Regulatory Approval”
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
|
"Intellectual
Property Rights"
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Licence
Agreement”
|
the
Licence and Distribution Agreement between Sona Mobile, Inc, Sona
Innovations, Inc. and eBet, EGS and eBet Systems Pty. Ltd. executed on 17
August, 2008;
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“Licence”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Net
Income Before Income Taxes”
|
the
gross revenues of Sona (but excluding those earnings in the state of
Nevada) (i) less cost of goods sold, Indirect Taxes, all selling, general
and administrative expenses, interest expense (net of interest income),
depreciation and amortisation, and extraordinary losses, and (ii) plus
extraordinary gains, and (iii) but before all federal, state and local
income taxes;
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“Object
Code”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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"Parties"
|
Sona
and the eBet Group, and "Party" shall be
construed accordingly;
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“Program”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Services”
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Advisory
Services, Development Services and Software Maintenance
Services;
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“Software
Maintenance Services”
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as
defined in clause 5.1;
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“Sona
Board”
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the
Board of Directors of Sona;
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"Sona
Software"
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Source
Code”
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as
defined in the Licence Agreement;
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“Statement of
Work”
|
an
agreement between ESPL and Sona to provide Deliverables substantially in
the form of Schedule 1;
|
2
“Sub-Licence”
|
as
defined in the Licence Agreement.
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1.2
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Words
importing the singular shall include the plural and vice
versa. Words importing a gender shall include all genders, and
words importing persons shall include bodies corporate, unincorporated
associations and partnerships.
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1.3
|
References
to clauses and Schedules are references to clauses of, and Schedules to,
this Agreement.
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1.4
|
The
Schedules form part of this Agreement and have full force and effect as if
expressly set out in the body of this Agreement, and any reference to this
Agreement shall include the
Schedules.
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1.5
|
Headings
are included for ease of reference only and do not affect the
interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.
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1.6
|
Examples
and use of the word “including” and similar expressions, do not limit what
else may be included.
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1.7
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A
reference to any thing (including software) is a reference to the whole
and each part of it.
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1.8
|
References
to the “eBet
Group” means eBet and ESPL jointly, and each of them
separately.
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1.9
|
This
Agreement will be read together with each Statement of Work, but in the
event of a conflict, the terms of this Agreement will prevail unless the
Statement of Work expressly and unambiguously states that the Parties have
agreed otherwise.
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2.
|
Appointment
of Service Provider
|
2.1
|
Sona
hereby appoints ESPL (and ESPL accepts its appointment) as an independent
contractor to provide the Services. ESPL will exercise its
functions diligently and in the best interests of Sona’s shareholders, and
use commercially reasonable efforts to render the Services in a timely and
professional manner.
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2.2
|
The
Parties intend that an independent contractor relationship will be created
by this Agreement. None of the eBet Group employees involved in
the provision of Services (including the eBet designee serving as CEO)
will be entitled to receive from Sona any salary, bonus, compensation,
vacation pay, sick leave, retirement, pension or social security benefits,
workers compensation, disability, unemployment insurance benefits or any
other Sona employee benefits. ESPL will be responsible for any employment,
withholding, income and other taxes incurred in connection with the
operation and conduct of its business, including those related to the eBet
Group employees involved in the provision of the
Services.
|
2.3
|
Sona
will respond promptly to issues identified by ESPL (and notified to Sona)
in the course of providing Services, and will provide such other
assistance as ESPL may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties
and responsibilities under this Agreement in a timely
manner.
|
3
2.4
|
Sona
reserves the right to employ third party consultants to provide other
services, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sona Board. Those
consultants will be subject to the overall control and direction of either
the Sona Board and/or the CEO.
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3.
|
Advisory
Services
|
3.1
|
ESPL
agrees to provide the following advisory services (“Advisory Services”) to
Sona for the term of this Agreement, and such other services as are
reasonably incidental to them:
|
(a)
|
preparation
of draft business plans, budgets and cash flow
statements;
|
(b)
|
preparation
of product and market analyses; and
|
(c)
|
commercialisation,
marketing and implementation
services.
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3.2
|
ESPL
will update the items referred to in clause 3.1 (a) and (b) on a regular
basis and submit them to the Sona Board for approval. In particular, ESPL
will present to the Sona Board for
approval:
|
(a)
|
a
revised business plan; and
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(b)
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a
draft budget and cash flow
statement,
|
|
for Sona for each Financial
Year, no later than 30 days before the commencement of the relevant
Financial Year, subject to Sona providing the information specified in
clause 14 in a timely
manner.
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4.
|
Software
Development Services
|
4.1
|
ESPL
agrees to provide software development and related services (“Development Services”)
to Sona for the term of this Agreement. When Sona requires the
provision of Development Services it must submit a written request to ESPL
in the form of a Statement of Work, which includes an overview of the
nature of the Development Services requested and the Deliverables to be
delivered. Absent the execution of a Statement of Work by ESPL
and Sona, ESPL shall not be required to provide Development Services to
Sona.
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4.2
|
ESPL
agrees to perform those obligations assigned to it in each Statement of
Work and to deliver the Deliverables described in each Statement of Work
in Source Code and Object Code format to Sona. Subject to this
Agreement, ESPL shall deliver to Sona all works in progress and pending
Deliverables, including all Programs, products, software (in Object Code
and Source Code format), applications, documentation, data, reports,
specifications or other Intellectual Property Rights in development for
Sona, pursuant to the “Project Schedule” set forth in the Statement of
Work.
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4.3
|
The
first Statement of Work to be agreed between Sona and ESPL (as soon as
practicable after the date of this Agreement) will relate to the
completion of development of each item of Sona Software to the
commissioning stage.
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4.4
|
Unless
otherwise stated in a Statement of Work, during the sixty (60) day period
following the delivery of a Deliverable (the “Evaluation Period”),
Sona shall have the right to evaluate and test the Deliverable in order to
determine if it conforms with the functional and technical specifications
and other acceptance criteria set forth in the Statement of Work for such
Deliverable. In the event that the Deliverable does
not
|
4
conform
to such specifications (as reasonably determined by Sona), Sona shall
provide written notice to ESPL describing the non-conforming
work. ESPL agrees to correct all such non-conforming work at
its sole cost and expense and to redeliver the corrected Deliverable to
Sona for re-evaluation and re-testing as provided in this
clause.
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4.5
|
If
Sona does not report a non-conformity during the Evaluation Period, Sona
shall be deemed to have accepted the Deliverable (or the corrected version
of the Deliverable) as a conforming
Deliverable. Notwithstanding this clause 4.5, Sona’s acceptance
of the Deliverables is without prejudice to Sona’s indemnification rights
under clause 17.
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4.6
|
If
ESPL breaches a material condition of a Scope of Work specified in a
Statement of Work that is not remedied within 60 days after Sona has given
written notice of the material breach,
including:
|
(a)
|
failure
to provide a Deliverable pursuant to the “Project
Schedule”;
|
(b)
|
failure
to correct a non-conforming Deliverable pursuant to clause 4.4;
or
|
(c)
|
failure
to provide timely interim or full releases of the Source Code or Object
Code or other items required pursuant to clause
4.2;
|
then,
Sona is entitled to a refund of any monies paid to date under clause 6.1
which are reasonably attributable to the work (or lack thereof) which
resulted in the material
breach.
|
5.
|
Software
Maintenance Services
|
5.1
|
During
the term of this Agreement, ESPL agrees to provide software maintenance
and related services (“Software Maintenance Services”)
to Sona with respect to the Sona Software. When Sona requires
the provision of Software Maintenance Services, it must submit a written
request to ESPL in the form of a Statement of Work which includes an
overview of the nature of the Software Maintenance Services requested and
the Deliverables to be delivered.
|
5.2
|
The
Software Maintenance Services shall be limited to commercially reasonable
and customary services that are necessary to ensure the applicable
Deliverable:
|
(a)
|
meets
the functionality specifications agreed by Sona and the relevant End-User,
and the applicable Statement of Work,
and
|
(b)
|
if
applicable, interfaces properly with Sona’s proprietary
products.
|
5.3
|
As
soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a written notification
from Sona requesting Software Maintenance Services and specifically
describing any defect, failure, malfunction or virus that prevents the
Deliverable from functioning in accordance with its functionality
specifications (an “Error”), ESPL shall
acknowledge receipt of such request, identify resources to correct such
Error(s) and provide a preliminary assessment of such Error(s) based upon
the information then available. Upon correction of any
Error(s), ESPL shall make available to Sona the updated software in
electronic Source Code and Object Code format with release
notes.
|
5.4
|
ESPL
acknowledges and agrees that Software Maintenance Services do not include
the modification of the Sona Software to comply with (or qualify for an
exemption
|
5
from)
any Industry Regulatory Approval, gaming licenses or other local, state,
federal or other applicable regulatory requirements. These additional
services if any will be available from ESPL at no
cost.
|
6.
|
ESPL
Labour Costs
|
6.1
|
In
consideration of ESPL’s agreement to provide the Development Services
(particularly under the Statement of Work specified in clause 4.3) and
Software Maintenance Services, Sona agrees to pay to ESPL, on a quarterly
basis, the ESPL Labour Costs incurred by ESPL pursuant to each Statement
of Work, up to a maximum of US$500,000, not to exceed US$125,000 per
fiscal quarter (“Development Services
Fee”). While the ESPL Labour Costs shall begin to accrue
as they are incurred in each fiscal quarter by ESPL, Sona shall commence
payment of the Development Services Fee beginning Sona’s second fiscal
quarter of 2009, whether or not an equivalent amount of ESPL Labour Costs
have been accrued. Beginning 30 June, 2009, the Development Fee shall be
payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter up to a maximum of
US$125,000 per fiscal quarter, and shall cease once ESPL has received a
total of US$500,000.
|
7.
|
Sona
Chief Executive Officer Appointment
|
7.1
|
ESPL
will provide the services of an eBet Group designee to serve as the chief
executive officer ("CEO") of Sona, reporting
directly to the Sona Board.
|
7.2
|
The
appointment of the CEO shall be subject to the CEO’s full submission of a
gaming application to all requisite gaming regulatory agencies within 30
days after the commencement of his or her appointment. The
appointment is further conditioned upon the CEO subsequently receiving all
requisite gaming regulatory approvals to act in the capacity of
CEO.
|
7.3
|
The
CEO will have all the rights and powers typically devolved upon a CEO, and
will enjoy the same full and free access to the Sona Board and its
committees as other members of the senior management of
Sona. The CEO shall be considered to stand within the
attorney/client privilege among or between Sona and its counsel, and shall
be covered under Sona’s errors and omissions insurance for Sona’s
directors and officers. The eBet Group waives any obligations
of confidentiality owed to it by the CEO insofar as such obligations
relate to the performance by the CEO of his or her duties as
CEO.
|
7.4
|
Subject
to clause 2.2, the CEO will be paid compensation of US$250,000 per annum
(or part thereof) payable quarterly in advance (commencing on 1 October,
2008) by equal instalments on the first working day of each calendar
quarter (“CEO
Compensation”).
|
7.5
|
The
CEO Compensation shall be paid in fully paid shares in the common stock of
Sona or, after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, in cash at the
option of those directors of Sona who are not eBet Group Nominees. For
payments in Sona shares, the number of shares to be issued to the CEO will
be determined on the basis of the volume weighted average closing price
for Sona shares over the 30 trading days preceding the date on which each
instalment of the CEO Compensation is due for payment. The CEO shall be
entitled to no further compensation beyond what is specifically provided
in this clause 7.
|
6
8.
|
Employment
of Sona Technical Employees
|
8.1
|
Within
30 days after the Closing Date, the eBet Group shall have the right (but
not the obligation) to offer employment as eBet Group employees (or as
employees of eBet Online Inc. of Canada) to the software engineers,
developers, and technical staff of Sona (“Sona Technical Staff”)
on terms and conditions reasonably comparable to those in effect on the
Closing Date. The determination of which specific Sona
Technical Staff to whom the eBet Group or eBet Online Inc. will offer
employment pursuant to this clause 8.1 will be at the sole and absolute
discretion of the eBet Group. Sona’s responsibility for the
salary and benefits of the Sona Technical Staff employed by the eBet Group
or eBet Online Inc. shall cease upon their respective dates of
employment. Subject to clause 6.1, Sona shall have no
responsibility for any on-going costs associated with the employment of
the Sona Technical Staff, including relocation costs, if
any.
|
9.
|
Sona
Board Changes and Appointment
|
9.1
|
At
the first meeting of the Sona Board to be held on a date to be agreed,
Sona agrees to appoint those individuals nominated by the eBet Group
(“eBet Group
Nominees”) to the Sona Board, for the purposes of increasing the
total number of directors of the Sona Board so that the eBet Group has 50%
of the directors on the Sona Board. For the avoidance of doubt
and by way of example, if the current number of directors on the Sona
Board is three, then the eBet Group is entitled to nominate three eBet
Group Nominees pursuant to this clause 9.1. The eBet Group
Nominees shall serve in such capacity subject to the bylaws of Sona and
gaming regulatory approvals, and shall be covered under Sona’s errors and
omissions insurance for Sona’s directors and
officers.
|
9.2
|
Notwithstanding
their appointment and the powers associated with the office of director
pursuant to the bylaws of Sona, the eBet Group Nominees shall not have any
voting rights or authority affecting issues arising under this Agreement
or the Licence Agreement, nor any other matters or disputes arising
between Sona and the eBet Group. The eBet Group waives any
obligations of confidentiality owed to it by the eBet Group Nominees
insofar as such obligations relate to the performance by the eBet Group
Nominees of their duties and responsibilities as a member of the Sona
Board.
|
10.
|
Equipment
Lease Reimbursement
|
10.1
|
As
of the Closing Date, ESPL shall reimburse Sona for the monthly lease
payments and charges to be incurred for the balance of the term of those
equipment leases set forth in Schedule 2 (“Equipment
Leases”). ESPL shall indemnify and hold Sona
harmless for any costs, claims, demands, litigation, suits and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising under or out of the
Equipment Leases for such monthly lease payments and charges that
are made after the Closing
Date.
|
11.
|
Work
Made For Hire and Assignment
|
11.1
|
Each
Deliverable shall be the sole and exclusive property of Sona unless stated
otherwise in the relevant Statement of Work. Sona and ESPL
agree that, to the extent allowed by this Agreement and applicable law,
all Deliverables shall be
|
7
considered
“work-made-for-hire” within the meaning and purview of Section 101 of the
Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. Section 101, and ownership of the entire
right, title and interest in all Deliverables (including any and all
copyrights therein) shall reside in Sona unless stated otherwise in the
relevant Statement of Work.
|
11.2
|
ESPL
hereby irrevocably transfers, assigns and conveys to Sona the entire
right, title and interest in all Deliverables (including the exclusive
copyright ownership of them, the right to register and renew the
copyrights throughout the world, rights under the Universal Copyright
Convention and the Berne Convention - throughout the world and for the
entire duration of the copyright) and all other Intellectual Property
Rights relating to the Deliverables, including all patent rights. In the
event that Sona is unable, after reasonable effort, to obtain ESPL’s
signature on any letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection
related to any Deliverables for any reason whatsoever, ESPL hereby
irrevocably designates and appoints Sona through its duly authorized
president as ESPL’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in ESPL’s
behalf and stead solely to execute and file any
application(s) and do all other lawfully permitted acts to
further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or other
analogous intellectual property protection related to the Deliverables
with the same legal force and effect as if executed by
ESPL.
|
12.
|
Licence
Grant
|
12.1
|
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Licence Agreement, Sona hereby grants
to ESPL during the term of this Agreement a royalty-free, non-exclusive
licence to the Sona Software on the identical terms (including as to the
restrictions and approval rights) applicable to the licence to the Sona
Software granted to EGS in the Licence Agreement, to enable ESPL to
discharge its duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement.
|
13.
|
Term
|
13.1
|
Subject
to its other provisions, this Agreement commences on the Closing Date and
remains in full force and effect for five (5) years. It will be renewed
for successive five (5) year terms in perpetuity upon the date of expiry
of the previous term.
|
13.2
|
ESPL
may terminate this Agreement at any time (with or without cause) by giving
not less than 60 days prior notice of termination to
Sona.
|
13.3
|
Sona
is not entitled to terminate this Agreement for any reason unless
specifically provided in this Agreement. If Sona terminates in breach of
this clause, then the unpaid portion of the Development Services Fee shall
immediately become due and payable to ESPL, and Sona shall also pay to
eBet, by way of liquidated damages, the sum representing the net present
value of the NIBT Payment (defined in clause 16.1), assuming an annual
NIBT Payment of US$2.5 million for each fiscal year of Sona over the next
20 years after the date of termination, and a discount rate of 2% per
annum on quarterly rests. The Parties will agree to a schedule
of termination values as soon as practical after the Closing
Date.
|
8
14.
|
Documents
and Information
|
14.1
|
As
soon as practicable after the Closing Date, Sona shall provide ESPL with
access to all current documents relating to the matters described in
clause 3.1, and such other documents and information (including financial
models) as are necessary for ESPL to discharge its duties and
responsibilities under this
Agreement.
|
14.2
|
The
obligations of Sona under clause 14.1 are ongoing and continue throughout
the term of this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Force
Majeure
|
15.1
|
If
ESPL (or an approved sub-contractor) is rendered unable wholly or in part
by a Force Majeure Event to provide services under this Agreement, ESPL
must give prompt notice to the Sona Board, together with reasonably
detailed particulars (so far as known at the time) of the extent to which
it will be unable to perform or will be delayed in performing such
obligations. Thereafter, the affected obligations of ESPL shall be
suspended so far as affected by that Force Majeure Event during (but no
longer than) its continuance. ESPL shall use all reasonable efforts to
remove such Force Majeure Event as quickly as practicable in the
circumstances.
|
15.2
|
The
requirement that any Force Majeure Event shall be remedied with all
reasonable effort does not require the settlement of strikes, lockouts,
boycotts or other labour difficulties on terms contrary to the wishes of
ESPL or its approved
sub-contractor.
|
16.
|
Fees
and Expenses
|
16.1
|
In
recognition of the suggestions and assistance provided by eBet to date,
and in consideration of eBet procuring the provision of ongoing services
by ESPL, Sona agrees to pay to eBet, 50% of Sona’s annual or partial
annual Net Income Before Income Taxes during the term of this Agreement
(“NIBT
Payment”). The NIBT Payment shall start accruing
immediately after Sona has enough cash on hand, in excess of the cash
required for working capital to continue the operations of Sona as
determined by the Sona Board (“Cash Condition”), and to
pay down Sona’s outstanding interest bearing debt facilities when such
facilities come due (“Debt
Condition”). For each fiscal year in which the Cash
Condition and the Debt Condition are satisfied and the NIBT Payment is
earned (in whole or part), Sona shall make the relevant payment within
fifteen days after the date of completion of the fiscal year
audit. If Sona does not have sufficient cash to make the NIBT
Payment in full when such payment is due, then the NIBT Payment will be
accrued and become payable upon the availability of such
cash. Where the NIBT Payment requires the eBet Group to first
receive Gaming Government Agency approval prior to receiving such payment,
the Parties agrees to negotiate the payment of a fair and reasonable
monthly flat fee in such jurisdiction until the Gaming Government Agency
grants the necessary approvals.
|
16.2
|
In
addition, Sona will pay all ESPL’s direct expenses which are reasonable
and customary out of pocket costs, including airfare, hotel and ground
transportation costs and other charges directly incurred or arising out of
the Services, or accrued or paid by ESPL under an approved budget or
otherwise in accordance with this Agreement. Sona shall pay all
undisputed charges within thirty (30) days after the invoice
date.
|
9
16.3
|
The
eBet Group shall not be entitled to any other fees or compensation other
than what is specifically provided in clauses 6, 13 and
16.
|
17.
|
Indemnities
and Limitation of Liability
|
17.1
|
ESPL
agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Sona from and against any
liability incurred by Sona in respect of damage to property, death or
personal injury arising from any fault or defect in the materials or
workmanship of the Deliverables, and all costs, claims, demands and
expenses arising out of or in connection with that liability ("Relevant Claim"), except
to the extent that the liability arises as a result of the wilful
misconduct or gross negligence of Sona, or an inherent defect in any
relevant Sona Software which existed prior to the Closing
date. For the avoidance of doubt, it is not necessary for Sona
to expend moneys before becoming entitled to the benefit of this
indemnity.
|
17.2
|
ESPL
must provide Sona with evidence to its reasonable satisfaction, confirming
that it has insurance coverage from a first class insurer in respect of
its indemnity obligations under clause 17.1, and that (where possible)
Sona is a named additional insured. This insurance coverage
must be maintained in full force and effect at all times during the term
of this Agreement.
|
17.3
|
Sona
must, as soon as practicable after it becomes aware of a matter which may
result in a Relevant Claim:
|
(a)
|
give
written notice to ESPL of the
matter;
|
(b)
|
give
to ESPL all information and assistance which it may reasonably require to
defend or settle the Relevant
Claim;
|
(c)
|
allow
ESPL the exclusive conduct of any proceedings and take whatever action it
reasonably directs to defend or resist the matter, including the use of
professional advisers nominated by Sona;
and
|
(d)
|
not
admit liability or settle the matter without the written consent of
ESPL.
|
17.4
|
Notwithstanding
clause 17.1, except for sub-clause (b)
below:
|
(a)
|
in
the absence of fraud or wilful misconduct on the part of the eBet Group,
the total cumulative liability of the eBet Group to Sona under this
Agreement is limited to the greater of the sum of US$500,000 or the amount
which the eBet Group and/or Sona is able to recover under any insurance
policy covering the Relevant Claim;
|
(b)
|
sub-clause
(a) above does not:
|
(i)
|
prevent
Sona from obtaining an order to restrain a breach of this Agreement by a
member of the eBet Group, or declaratory relief as to the extent of the
eBet Group’s liability under this Agreement;
or
|
(ii)
|
affect
the liability of the eBet Group arising because a representation or
warranty from it under clause 18 is found to be incorrect or misleading in
a material respect when made.
|
10
17.5
|
Sona
agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend ESPL against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, penalties, judgments, awards,
amounts paid in settlement, reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees, expenses
and disbursements (as and when incurred) of investigating, preparing or
defending any action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether or not in
connection with proceedings or litigation in which ESPL is a party),
directly or indirectly caused by, relating to, based upon, arising out of
or in connection with, any Services rendered by ESPL pursuant to this
Agreement. However, Sona will not be responsible for payment of
indemnification amounts hereunder (and any indemnified person shall
reimburse Sona for indemnification amounts already paid) that are
determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to
have resulted from an indemnified person’s bad faith, self dealing, gross
negligence or wilful misconduct. The benefit of these
indemnification provisions also extends to the CEO and the eBet Group
Nominees and shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
|
17.6
|
Sona
agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain
its Directors and Officers insurance and that such insurance will include
and cover the CEO under Sona’s policies for directors’ and officers’
insurance. Sona’s obligation as reflected herein shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.
|
18.
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
18.1
|
Each
Party hereby represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement and
covenants to the other Party that:
|
(a)
|
it
has the power and authority and the legal right to enter into this
Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder, and that it has taken all
necessary action on its part required to authorize the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations
hereunder;
|
(b)
|
this
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party and is
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effects of bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application
affecting the enforcement of creditor rights and judicial principles
affecting the availability of specific performance and general principles
of equity, whether enforceability is considered a proceeding at law or
equity;
|
(c)
|
all
necessary consents, approvals and authorizations of any applicable
government agency and other parties required to be obtained by such Party
in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
performance of its obligations hereunder have been
obtained;
|
(d)
|
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of such
Party’s obligations hereunder (i) do not conflict with or violate any
requirement of applicable law or any provision of the articles of
incorporation, by-laws, constitution or any similar instrument of such
Party, as applicable, in any material way, and (ii) do not conflict with,
violate, or breach or constitute a default or require any consent not
already obtained under, any contractual obligation or court or
administrative order by which such Party is
bound;
|
(e)
|
it
has and will have enforceable written agreements with all of its employees
who receive Confidential Information under this Agreement assigning to
such
Party
ownership of all Intellectual Property Rights created in the course of
their employment.
|
11
18.2
|
Sona
warrants that:
|
(a)
|
the
execution, delivery and performance by Sona of this Agreement does not or
will not (with or without the lapse of time, the giving of notice or both)
contravene, conflict with or result in a breach of, or default
under:
|
(i)
|
a
provision of Sona’s by-laws or articles of incorporation;
or
|
(ii)
|
a
material term or provision of any loan or security arrangement,
undertaking agreement or deed to which Sona is a party;
or
|
(iii)
|
a
writ, order or injunction, judgement, law, rule or regulation to which
Sona is a party or is subject, or by which it is bound;
or
|
(iv)
|
any
agreement, arrangement or understanding to which it is a party, except
that Sona does not make such warranty as to its relationship, agreement,
arrangement or understanding with its current CEO and Chairman of the
Board, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx.
|
(b)
|
it
has disclosed to ESPL all information which could reasonably be regarded
as relevant to its decision to accept its appointment to provide the
Services; and
|
(c)
|
none
of the representations and warranties made by Sona herein contains (or
will contain) any untrue statement of a material fact, nor omit to state
any material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
|
18.3
|
The
eBet Group warrants that:
|
(a)
|
the
execution, delivery and performance by the eBet Group of this Agreement
does not or will not (with or without the lapse of time, the giving of
notice or both) contravene, conflict with or result in a breach of, or
default under:
|
(i)
|
a
provision of the eBet Group’s constitutions;
or
|
(ii)
|
a
material term or provision of any loan or security arrangement,
undertaking agreement or deed to which the eBet Group is a party;
or
|
(iii)
|
a
writ, order or injunction, judgement, law, rule or regulation to which the
eBet Group is a party or is subject, or by which it is
bound;
|
(b)
|
subject
to clause 18.2(b), the eBet Group is entering into this Agreement
voluntarily based on its own due diligence. The eBet Group
further acknowledges that it has read and understands all of the documents
and instruments reviewed by it and has had the opportunity to have such
information reviewed by its financial advisors, including, its accountant
and attorney(s);
|
(c)
|
none
of the representations and warranties made by the eBet Group herein
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, nor omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
|
12
18.4
|
Sona
acknowledges and confirms that there is no agreement, arrangement or
understanding in place for eBet (or any member of the eBet group of
companies) to provide additional funds to Sona (or any member of the Sona
group of companies) beyond what is specifically provided in clauses 10 and
17 of this Agreement and the fees to be paid to Sona Mobile, Inc under the
License Agreement.
|
19.
|
Termination
|
19.1
|
This
Agreement shall commence on the Closing Date and remain in full force and
effect until terminated by ESPL under clause 13.2, or by a Party pursuant
to this clause 19, or clause 28.4.
|
19.2
|
Sona
may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect where one or more eBet
Group Nominees and the CEO are simultaneously removed (within thirty (30)
days of each other) by the Sona Board under clause 28 or for their
commission of an act of fraud, , breach of fiduciary duty, dishonesty, or
gross or wilful misconduct upon Sona
..
|
19.3
|
The
eBet Group may terminate this Agreement where Sona fails to pay any
compensation or expenses due under clauses 6, 7 or 16 and such failure to
pay is not remedied within thirty (30) days after the eBet Group has given
written notice of the failure to pay to Sona, requiring
payment.
|
19.4
|
Notwithstanding
any other term in this Agreement apart from clause 13.2, either
Sona or the eBet Group (“Terminating Party”) may
terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by giving notice of such
termination to the other of them (“Other Party”) on or at
any time after the occurrence of any of the following
events:
|
(a)
|
a
receiver, liquidator, administrator or similar official is
appointed to one of the Other Parties, or the Other Party passes a
resolution for the appointment of a liquidator (other than, in any such
case, a voluntary winding-up of a solvent company for the purposes of
amalgamation or reconstruction);
|
(b)
|
an
order is made for the appointment of an administrator to manage the
affairs, business and property of one of the Other Parties, or notice of
intention to appoint an administrator is given by one of the Other Parties
or its directors;
|
(c)
|
one
of the Other Parties takes steps to enter into a company voluntary
arrangement (including under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code of the
USA), a scheme of arrangement or any analogous compromise or arrangement
(whether formal or informal) with any of its creditors (other than, in any
such case, a voluntary winding-up of a solvent company for the purposes of
amalgamation or reconstruction);
|
(d)
|
one
of the Other Parties is unable or admits in writing its inability to pay
its debts as they fall due; or
|
(e)
|
one
of the Other Parties suffers or takes any similar or analogous action in
any jurisdiction in consequence of
debt.
|
13
20.
|
Effects
Of Termination
|
20.1
|
Termination
of this Agreement (however caused) shall be without prejudice to any
rights or liabilities accrued at the date of termination (“Effective Termination
Date”).
|
20.2
|
Upon
the Effective Termination Date, the following events shall
occur;
|
(a)
|
all
fees earned as of the Effective Termination Date shall be paid within
thirty days of invoice;
|
(b)
|
all
continuing fees and payments accruing under this Agreement after the
Effective Termination Date shall
cease;
|
(c)
|
the
CEO and the eBet Group Nominees shall resign from their respective offices
and positions held with Sona and the Sona
Board;
|
(d)
|
ESPL
shall deliver to Sona all works in progress and pending Deliverables
(including all Programs, products, software in Object Code and Source Code
format), applications, documentation, data, reports, specifications, or
other Intellectual Property Rights in development for Sona pursuant to a
Statement of Work.
|
21.
|
Confidential
Information
|
21.1
|
Save
to the extent required by either Sona or ESPL to comply with their
respective obligations under this Agreement, Sona and the eBet Group shall
hold in confidence all Confidential Information obtained from the other of
them.
|
21.2
|
For
the duration of this Agreement and for two years thereafter, neither Sona
nor the eBet Group shall disclose to any third party outside its corporate
group (without the prior express written permission of the other of them),
any Confidential Information obtained from the other of them, save that a
Party may disclose any Confidential Information obtained from the other of
them:
|
(a)
|
to
those of its officers, employees or contractors (or the officers,
employees or contractors of any company in its corporate group) as may be
reasonably necessary for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations under
this Agreement, provided that before making any such disclosure the
effected Party makes such officers, employees and contractors aware of its
obligations of confidentiality under this Agreement and procures
compliance by those persons with them;
and
|
(b)
|
where
such disclosure is required by any law, court order, regulatory or other
authority.
|
21.3
|
The
provisions of clauses 21.1 and 21.2 do not apply to any information
which:
|
(a)
|
is
or becomes public knowledge other than by breach of this
clause;
|
(b)
|
is
already in the possession of either Sona or the eBet Group without
restriction in relation to disclosure, before the date of its receipt from
the other of them; or
|
(c)
|
is
received from a third party who lawfully acquired or developed it and who
is under no obligation restricting its
disclosure.
|
14
22.
|
Fairness
and Good Faith
|
22.1
|
In
entering into this Agreement, each of Sona and the eBet Group recognise
that it is impracticable to make provision for every contingency which may
arise. They declare it to be their intention that this
Agreement and each other agreement to which it refers shall operate
between them with fairness. Sona and the eBet Group agree and
declare that they will at all times act in good faith and in a timely
manner in relation to the other of them with respect to all matters
relating to this Agreement.
|
23.
|
Dispute
resolution
|
23.1
|
Each
Party agrees that it will not terminate this Agreement or a Statement of
Work unless required to do so in order to comply with deadlines
under the law, nor file an action or institute legal proceedings with
respect to any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of, relating to,
or in connection with, this Agreement,
until:
|
(a)
|
it
has given the other Party written notice of the
matter;
|
(b)
|
the
other Party has failed to provide an effective remedy within thirty (30)
days after receipt of such notice;
|
(c)
|
it
has requested that senior executives for both Parties meet and discuss the
matter in order to consider informal and amicable means of resolution;
and
|
(d)
|
either
such meeting failed to occur within thirty (30) days after such request,
or the meeting did not produce a mutually satisfactory resolution of the
matter.
|
24.
|
Assignment
|
24.1
|
ESPL
may sub-contract its obligations in respect of the provision of
wagering-related Services to eBet Online Inc. of Canada, subject to the
approval of the final contract terms by the non-eBet Group Nominees on the
Sona Board.
|
24.2
|
Otherwise,
neither Sona nor the eBet Group may assign, sub-contract or otherwise deal
with any of their respective rights or obligations under this Agreement in
a manner not expressly provided for in this Agreement, without the prior
written consent of the other of them, which may not be unreasonably
withheld.
|
24.3
|
Notwithstanding
clause 24.2, the eBet Group may, without the prior consent of Sona, assign
or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations under this
Agreement:
|
(a)
|
in
connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of substantially all of its
assets or stock, financing, reorganization, or similar
transaction. Should any of the foregoing events occur, all
references to the eBet Group in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to
such assignee;
|
(b)
|
to
a wholly owned subsidiary of eBet.
|
24.4
|
Sona
agrees that it will not enter into a merger, consolidation, sale of
substantially all of its assets or stock, exchange of stock, exchange of
assets, or similar transactions without the prior written consent of the
eBet Group, not to be unreasonably
withheld
|
15
where
the proposed transaction will not interfere with the eBet Group’s
contractual rights under this
Agreement.
|
25.
|
Notices
|
25.1
|
Unless
specified otherwise in this agreement, any notice required to be gives
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and be given by delivering
the notice by hand at, or by sending the same by prepaid first class post
(airmail if to an address outside the country of posting) or facsimile or
email to, the address of the relevant Party as set out in this Agreement,
or to such other address as a Party notifies to the others from time to
time. Any notice given at the time of delivery (if delivered by hand) and
when received (if sent by post, facsimile or
email).
|
26.
|
General
|
26.1
|
This
Agreement and any document referred to in this Agreement constitutes the
entire understanding between the Parties with respect to its subject
matter, and supersedes all prior agreements, negotiations and discussions
between the Parties relating to it.
|
26.2
|
Save
as expressly provided in this Agreement, no amendment or variation it is
effective unless in writing and signed by a duly authorised representative
of the Parties.
|
26.3
|
Sona
hereby consents to this Agreement being subject to any security required
to be given by the eBet Group to its
financiers.
|
26.4
|
No
forbearance, delay or indulgence by any Party in enforcing the provisions
of this Agreement shall prejudice or restrict the rights of that Party nor
be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any of that Party's rights, and
no waiver of any breach shall operate as a waiver of any subsequent or
continuing breach.
|
26.5
|
If
any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable
for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction, such provision
shall be severed and the remainder of the provisions hereof shall continue
in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with the
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions
eliminated.
|
26.6
|
Except
for the CEO, a person who is not a party to this Agreement shall not have
any rights under or in connection with it by virtue of any applicable
legislation.
|
26.7
|
Nothing
in this Agreement is intended to, nor shall be deemed to, establish any
partnership or joint venture between the Parties, constitute any Party the
agent of another Party, nor authorise any Party to make or enter into any
commitments for or on behalf of the other
Party.
|
26.8
|
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and
the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page of this Agreement or any document or instrument delivered
in connection herewith by telecopy or electronic portable document format
(delivered by electronic mail) shall be as effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other document or
instrument as applicable. The electronic copies so signed will constitute
originally signed copies of the same consent requiring no further
execution.
|
27.
|
Governing
Law and Jurisdiction
|
27.1
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the state of New York, without regard to any principles that would
cause the application of the law of any other
jurisdiction.
|
16
27.2
|
The
courts of New York and courts of appeal from them have exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and determine any action or proceeding and to settle
any dispute that arises out or in connection with this
Agreement.
|
27.3
|
The
eBet Group appoints Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP, 00
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000, as its agent to
accept service of process under this Agreement. If, for any
reason, the eBet Group’s appointee as agent for service of process ceases
to be able to act as such, the eBet Group must forthwith appoint another
resident within the United States to accept service of
process. In the meantime, Sona is entitled to treat the
previous appointee as the eBet Group’s agent for service of
process.
|
28.
|
Regulatory
Compliance
|
28.1
|
Sona
and the eBet Group specifically acknowledge that the other of them is
subject to the gaming and/or wagering, and licensing requirements of
various jurisdictions and is obliged to take diligent efforts to determine
the suitability of its business
associates.
|
28.2
|
Sona
and the eBet Group agree to cooperate fully with the other of them in
providing any information which the requesting Party deems necessary or
appropriate in assuring itself that the requisitioned Party possesses the
good character, honesty, integrity, and reputation applicable to those
engaged in the gaming and/or wagering
industries.
|
28.3
|
Sona
and the eBet Group agree to be bound by and to comply with the terms and
conditions of, each other’s Compliance
Plan.
|
28.4
|
Subject
to clause 28.5, either Sona or the eBet Group (the “First Party”) may
terminate this Agreement where, as a result of a notification from, or
discussions with, a Gaming Government Agency, it holds the reasonable
opinion that the other such Party has taken such action (or has failed to
take such action) that will be detrimental to a material gaming industry
licence, permit or approval that the First Party or a related body
corporate holds (or seeks to hold) to conduct business within that Gaming
Government Agency’s jurisdiction.
|
28.5
|
The
First Party must notify in writing the other Party of the
matters referred to in clause 28.4 (the “Regulatory Notice”),
setting out all relevant details and include all potential remedial
actions that the other such Party could take, where possible, to avoid
termination under clause 28.4. The First Party may then, 10
days after issuing the Regulatory Notice, issue a further notice (the
“Regulatory Termination
Notice”) providing the other such Party a further 10 days (or such
longer period nominated by the First Party acting reasonably). During this
notice period, representatives of the Parties shall discuss the remedial
action which could be taken and, where reasonably practicable, the First
Party shall seek to arrange a meeting or conference telephone call with
representatives of the Gaming Government Agency to enable the other such
Party to understand the reasons for the notification and the remedial
action required. At the end of this notice period (totalling a minimum of
20 days) and provided that the other such Party has not rectified the
issue to the satisfaction of the Gaming Government Agency in question,
then (at the First Party's option) this Agreement will terminate on the
last day of the period set out in the Regulatory Termination Notice,
unless otherwise notified by the First Party in writing to the other such
Party.
|
17
Schedule
1 - Form of Statement of Work
STATEMENT
OF WORK (Example of format)
Title of
Project
Section
1:
|
General
scope and nature of this Statement of
Work:
|
Section
2:
|
Deliverables;
Functional Specifications:
|
Section
3:
|
Performance
Warranty for Deliverables (if different than as provided for in the
Licence Agreement):
|
Section
4:
|
Payment
Amount and Payment Terms:
|
Section
5:
|
Annual
Software Maintenance Fees (if any):
|
Section
6:
|
Project
Schedule and Delivery Dates:
|
Section
7:
|
Ownership
of Intellectual Property Rights (if different than as provided for in the
Licence Agreement):
|
Section
8:
|
Project
Managers:
|
NOTE: This
Statement of Work is governed by the terms of that certain Master Services
Agreement in effect between Sona, and ESPL and eBet Limited. In the
event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Statement of Work and
the Master Services Agreement, the provisions of the Master Services Agreement
shall govern, unless this Statement of Work expressly and unambiguously states
that the parties have agreed otherwise.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Statement of Work as of [insert
date].
EBET
SERVICES PTY. LTD.
|
||
By:
|
By:
|
|
Name:
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Date
|
Date
|
|
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
||
Date
|
Schedule
2 - Equipment Leases
11119999
11120054
11120055
11120214
11120427