EXHIBIT 10.8
XXXXX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
XXXXX INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
-----------------------------------------------
This agreement, made on this _____ day of ______________________ 19__, by and
between Xxxxx International, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, having its principal
place of business in Washington, DC, (hereinafter referred to as "Xxxxx
International"), and ______________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Member)
a ____________________________________________ of ____________________________,
having its principal place of business in ____________________________________
(hereinafter referred to as the "Member");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Xxxxx International owns the proprietary rights to and operates a
world-wide system (hereinafter referred to as the "Xxxxx International System")
for conducting the business of operating and providing for the availability of
chauffeur-driven car-for-hire services (hereinafter referred to as the
"Chauffeur Car-for-Hire Business");
WHEREAS, it is mutually desirable that the Member be authorized by Xxxxx
International to participate in and use the Xxxxx International System in the
conduct of a Chauffeur Care-For-Hire Business in the territory hereinafter
specified; and
WHEREAS, by membership in and promotion of the Xxxxx International System
on the part of the Member, by promotion of the Xxxxx International System
worldwide on the part of Xxxxx International, by the strength of their combined
reputations, and by referrals among members in the Xxxxx International System,
both the Member and Xxxxx International will enjoy increased opportunities in
the Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and premises
herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,
it is hereby understood and agreed by and between the parties that:
I. Membership in the Xxxxx International System
--------------------------------------------
(A) Subject to all the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Xxxxx
International grants to the Member the privilege to be a member in the
Xxxxx International System (hereinafter referred to as "Membership")
and to use the Xxxxx International System exclusively in the conduct of
a Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business in and only in the following
territory:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) The Member hereby agrees to the following:
(1) To place and to pay for the placement of advertisements in both the
directory listings and the business or commercial sections, equivalent
to the United States Yellow Pages section, of the telephone directory,
which present the name Xxxxx Limousine, only as it is set forth in
form, content, and size in the sample illustration number one (1)
attached hereto as Exhibit A, and the local telephone number;
(2) To advertise the use of the Xxxxx name and logotype in all of the
Members' advertising and promotional material, including, but not
limited to, stationary, yellow pages, promotional advertisements, and
brochures. Such use of the Xxxxx name and logotype shall be in the
form and content as set forth in the Xxxxx Limousine Standards Manual,
a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B; and
(3) To distribute annually, during the term of this Agreement, to Xxxxx
International a copy of the advertisements to be placed in the
directory listings and the business and commercial sections,
equivalent to the United States Yellow Page section, of the telephone
directory and a copy of the Member's contract with the telephone
company, which stipulates the date that the advertisements will appear
or will be distributed.
(C) From the date hereof and during the term of this Agreement and any renewal
hereof, the Member hereby agrees to pay to Xxxxx International as
Membership Fees, payable monthly on or before the last day of each calendar
month, twenty percent (20%) of that portion of the prior calendar month's
gross revenue, less tips, tolls, taxes, and incidental driver expenses,
derived from the Xxxxx International System. Each such monthly payment
shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the gross revenue, less
tips, tolls, taxes, and incidental driver expenses derived from the Xxxxx
International System Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business, which statement shall
be signed by the Member and shall contain such detail as Xxxxx
International may from time to time require.
In the event the Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business results in a billing to
Xxxxx International by the Member, the Member shall deduct the gross
billing amounts from the aforementioned twenty percent (20%) monthly
payment.
(D) For purposes of Paragraph C of Article I, Chauffeur Car-For Hire Business
derived from the Xxxxx International System shall mean business arising
from reservations, referrals, and any other business derived directly or
indirectly from association with Xxxxx International, including but not
limited to additional business arising from reservations or referrals.
-2-
II. Proprietarv Rights
------------------
(A) The Member agrees, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter,
to acknowledge and to protect Xxxxx International's exclusive right:
(1) to the Xxxxx International System and to all parts thereof,
including without limitation, all bulletins, procedures, supplements,
forms, advertising matter, devices, marks, service marks, trademarks,
insignia, trade names, and slogans from time to time used as a part
of, in connection with, or applicable to said Xxxxx International
System; (2) to all copyrights, trademarks, trademark registrations,
service marks, service xxxx registrations, trade names, and patents
now or hereafter applied for or granted in connection herewith; (3) to
use and grant the right to others to use the name "Xxxxx" in
connection with the Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business or in connection
with any other type of Business.
(B) The Member further agrees that all use of the Xxxxx International
System and of all parts thereof by the Member will inure to the
benefit of and be on behalf of Xxxxx International and agrees, during
the term of this Agreement and thereafter, not to dispute or contest,
directly or indirectly, the right of Xxxxx International to the Xxxxx
International System or any part thereof.
(C) Xxxxx International reserve the unconditional right from time to time
to change the Xxxxx International System or any part thereof,
including without limitation, any forms, bulletins, or procedures, and
the Xxxxx International System as so changed or amended from time to
time shall for all purposes be deemed to be the Xxxxx International
System referred to in this Agreement. Any and all improvements in the
Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business or in the Xxxxx International System
developed during the life of this Agreement shall be and become the
sole and absolute property of Xxxxx International, which may
incorporate the same, or any part thereof, in the Xxxxx System. Xxxxx
International shall have the sole and exclusive right to copyright,
register, and patent such improvements in its own name.
III. The Member's Operations
-----------------------
The Member hereby accepts the privilege of Membership and agrees to
conduct said Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business in accordance with the
procedures, provisions, methods, rules and regulations of said Xxxxx
International System as now constituted and as the same may from time to
time be changed or amended by Xxxxx International (the right to so change
or amend the same being hereby reserved by Xxxxx International), and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Member agrees:
(A) To start active operation of a Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business
hereunder not later than sixty (60) days from the date of this
Agreement and, thereafter, continuously to conduct active Chauffeur
Car-For-Hire Business hereunder, unless
-3-
otherwise agreed to in advance and in writing by Xxxxx International. In
the event of the Member's failure to comply with this provision, this
Agreement shall automatically terminate and the Member shall forfeit any
and all sums theretofore paid hereunder as fees or otherwise.
(B) To feature prominently, at all times and in conjunction with the Member's
established trade name, the words "Xxxxx Member," "Xxxxx System Member",
Xxxxx International Chauffeur-Driven System Member", or such other form of
words featuring the name Xxxxx International, as Xxxxx International shall
approve in advance and in writing, in all of the member's advertising and
sales promotion material, and to abide by all instructions issued by Xxxxx
International, from time to time, to all Xxxxx International members with
respect to listing and advertising, if any, in commercial and other, if
any, telephone directories. The Member's privilege of using such name or
names, as provided herein, is subject to the condition that the Member will
not use, cause to be used, or attempt to use the same as a corporate or
other enterprise name or as any part of a corporate or other enterprise
name, nor purchase, license, or register vehicles under a name that
includes the name "Xxxxx" in any manner whatsoever, nor use or permit the
use of the name "Xxxxx," alone or in combination with other words, in any
manner whatsoever, except as expressly provided hereby.
(C) To use every reasonable means actively, honestly, and aggressively to
encourage the use of the Xxxxx International System Chauffeur Car-For-Hire
Business worldwide; to solicit and process, without commission to the
Member, except as otherwise provided for the Xxxxx International System
Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business in all cities worldwide; and to service any
referrals or reservations, from Xxxxx or another member, with at least the
same diligence as any other of the Member's clients.
(D) To conduct said Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business in an orderly and
businesslike manner; to maintain the premises used in operating as a Xxxxx
International System member in a clean, safe, and orderly manner so as, at
all times, to present a neat and businesslike appearance; and to keep and
maintain all chauffeur-driven vehicles in excellent mechanical and running
order and in safe, efficient, clean, and presentable condition.
(E) Not to use any rates or engage in any practices that tend to mislead the
public regarding the total charges in proportion to the period of service
and the miles traveled by the chauffeur-driven vehicle or that tend to
mislead the public in any other way and to furnish Carey International a
complete schedule of the Member's charges and rates and to notify Xxxxx
International promptly of any changes thereto.
-4-
(F) To maintain for the account of its customers and itself all such
insurance as may, from time to time, be deemed necessary and desirable
to adequately protect its customers and itself against third party
liability claims, such insurance to include Xxxxx International as a
named insured; and to provide Xxxxx International with a certificate or
certificates of insurance that will reflect such endorsement and proof
of payment therefor. In all cases, policies of insurance so maintained
by the Member will provide that Xxxxx International must be given
thirty (30) days prior notice by the Member's insurance company of any
cancellation of such insurance coverage. All policies shall be renewed
and evidence of renewal delivered to Xxxxx International prior to the
expiration dates thereof.
(G) That the Member, its shareholders, subsidiaries, and affiliated
companies shall not initiate any action to become affiliated with any
other company system, or other entity in the chauffeur-driven service
business without the prior written consent of Xxxxx International.
(H) To conduct said Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business in compliance with all
local, state, federal, or national laws and all orders, rules, and
regulations issued pursuant thereto. The Member represents and warrants
that this Agreement is lawful and binding pursuant to the applicable
laws, rules, and regulations in the Territory and the Member will
assure compliance with such laws, rules, and regulations and will
notify Xxxxx International of any relevant changes thereto.
(I) The Member shall pay any other member (hereinafter referred to as the
"Referring Member") a commission of twenty percent (20%) of all
revenue, less tips, tolls, taxes, and incidental driver expenses,
generated from each referral client referred from the Referring Member
to the Member; provided that the Referring Member has submitted a
report to the Member identifying all such referral clients and such
other reasonable identifying information as the Members request.
(J) As long as Xxxxx International is a member of the International
Limousine Association, the Member shall also maintain membership in the
International Limousine Association.
IV. Xxxxx International's Operations
--------------------------------
(A) Xxxxx International agrees to use every reasonable means to encourage
the use of the Xxxxx International System worldwide, including entering
into referral agreements with volume sources of Chauffeur Car-For-Hire
Business such as quality hotel association, and when deemed appropriate
by Xxxxx International, to issue for distribution among Xxxxx
International System members, travel agents, and other volume sources
of Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business, a Xxxxx International System
directory listing members, their addresses, telephone
-5-
numbers, and information with respect to rates, equipment, and
conditions under which chauffeur-driven vehicles will be supplied.
(B) Xxxxx International authorized the Member, during the life of this
Agreement, to use, in conjunction with the Member's Chauffeur Car-For-
Hire Business and in conjunction with the Member's established trade
name, the name "Xxxxx Member," "Xxxxx System Member," "Xxxxx
International Chauffeur-Driven System Member," or such other form of
words featuring the name "Xxxxx" as Xxxxx International may from time
to time prescribe or approve in advance and in writing, and to use such
name or names in advertising the Member's Chauffeur Car-For-Hire
Business.
(C) Xxxxx shall pay the Member a commission of twenty percent (20% of all
revenues, less tips, tolls, taxes, and incidental driver expenses,
generated from each referral client referred from the Member to Xxxxx
International; provided that the Member has submitted a monthly or
quarterly report to Xxxxx International identifying all such referral
clients and such other reasonable identifying information as Xxxxx
International requests.
V. Limitation of Liability
-----------------------
(A) This Agreement and the membership hereunder shall not be so construed
as to constitute the member, the partner, agent, subsidiary, or legal
representative of Xxxxx International for any purpose whatsoever, and
the Member agrees that the member has no authority to assume or to
incur any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on
behalf of or in the name of Xxxxx International, or to bind, or attempt
to bind Xxxxx International in any manner or thing whatsoever.
(B) In no event xxxx Xxxxx International be liable for any damages caused
by the Member's failure to perform the Member's responsibilities or for
any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages, howsoever
arising (including but not limited to loss of anticipated profits) in
connection with or arising out of the Member's use of the Xxxxx
International System. Member is responsible for all loss or damage and
contractual liabilities to third persons originating in or in
connection with the Member's use of the Xxxxx International System and
for all claims or demands for damages to property or for injury,
illness, or death of persons, directly or indirectly, resulting
therefrom and Member agrees to defend, indemnify, and save Xxxxx
International harmless of, from, and with respect to any such claims,
loss or damage.
(C) The Member shall be responsible for securing all licenses, permits, or
other consents required for the operation and maintenance of Chauffeur
Car-For-Hire Business pursuant to this Agreement. The member shall pay
all costs for such
-6-
licenses, permits, or other consents, in addition to all taxes and
assessments levied against the Member and all other business expenses.
Xxxxx International shall bear absolutely no responsibilities for the
licenses, taxes, and expenses of the Member.
VI. Transferability
---------------
(A) This Agreement is personal to the Member and none of the Member's
interest herein nor rights thereunder may be transferred, conveyed, or
assigned by the Member, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
(B) This Agreement and all rights hereunder may be assigned or transferred
by Xxxxx International, and shall inure to the benefit of Xxxxx
International's successors and assigns.
VII. Term and Termination
--------------------
(A) This Agreement and the Membership hereunder are effective on the date
of the execution hereof and shall remain in force for two (2) years,
to be renewed automatically from year to year thereafter, unless
either party provides written notice of intent to terminate this
Agreement or any renewal hereof not less than ninety (90) days prior
to the date of expiration of this Agreement or of any renewal
thereof, such termination to be effective upon the date of the
expiration of this Agreement or of any renewal hereof.
(B) This Agreement shall not be terminated by either party during its
term or any renewal thereof, except under the terms of Paragraph A of
Article VII and the following circumstances:
1. In the event that the Member shall fail to pay when due any
obligations incurred hereunder or incurred in the operation of
the Chauffeur Car-For-Hire Business hereunder, Xxxxx
International, may, at its option, terminate this Agreement upon
not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice, which notice
shall specify the date on which such termination shall become
effective, unless the Member pays such obligations during said
thirty (30) day period;
2. In the event of any attempt by the Member to transfer, convey, or
assign any right under, or interest in, this Agreement, or of the
insolvency, incapacity, appointment of a receiver or Trustee for
the business of the Member, or the filing of a voluntary or
involuntary petition of bankruptcy by or against the Member, in
which event this Agreement shall automatically terminate together
with all right and interest of the Member hereunder.
-7-
3. Xxxxx International and the Member shall both have the right to
terminate for cause, provided that the party asserting cause
shall provide written notice of intent to terminate not less
than thirty (30) days before the date specified therein as the
date of termination and that the other party shall have thirty
(30) days in which to cure any cause.
(C) In the event of termination of this Agreement, all rights of the
Member hereunder shall thereupon terminate, and the Member shall
immediately thereafter cease to use, by advertising or otherwise,
the Xxxxx International System or any part thereof, to include, but
not limited to, any forms, systems, slogans, signs, marks, symbols,
or devices used in connection with the Xxxxx International System,
and including among other things, any name or names set forth in
paragraph B of Article III hereof or containing the name "Xxxxx" or
any combination of words similar thereto in any manner whatsoever.
The Member shall have no interest in or rights with respect to any
funds collected by Xxxxx International such as system or membership
fees, or for any advertising or sales promotion program, or other
special activities, whether expended or not by Xxxxx International
at the time of such termination or with respect to any commissions
for referrals. Termination of this Agreement shall be in addition to
any other remedies which either party may have under this Agreement
or otherwise.
(D) In the event that termination is initiated by the Member, the Member
agrees that neither it, its subsidiaries, nor affiliates will become
part of any other Chauffeur Car-For-Hire System in the territory
specified in Paragraph A or Article I for a period of one (1) year
following the effective date of termination.
VIII. Miscellaneous
-------------
(A) Any notice required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing, by telex, telegram, or mail,
(certified or registered, return receipt requested), and, if such
notice be sent by mail, it shall be conclusively deemed to have been
received by the party to whom such notice is addressed, as herein
provided, when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid. All written
communications and notices shall be sent to the respective addresses
set forth below or such other address as may hereinafter be
designated by notice in accordance herewith:
-8-
7.1. Request for Payment. In the event that Xxxxx shall claim
-------------------
indemnification under Section 6 of the Merger Agreement or Section 6 of the
Stock Purchase Agreement for Damages (as such term is defined therein), Xxxxx
shall give notice (a "Request for Payment") thereof to the Escrow Agent and the
Seller Representative, setting forth (a) a brief description of the nature of
and basis for such claim, (b) whether such Damages are consequent to a Third-
Party Claim (as such term is defined in Section 6.3 of the Merger Agreement and
Section 6.3 of the Stock Purchase Agreement) and if so, identifying such Third-
Party Claim, (c) the amount of the Damages, (d) any applicable reduction of the
indemnification payable with respect to such Damages pursuant to the provisions
of Section 6 of the Merger Agreement or Section 6 of the Stock Purchase
Agreement (if such reduction is known to Xxxxx at the time of the Request for
Payment) and (e) the net amount (the "Net Claim") for which indemnification is
claimed (if different than the amount of the Damages) and identifying whether
the claim is made under the Merger Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement or
both. No payment to Xxxxx under this Escrow Agreement shall be made with respect
to any Request for Payment received after the second anniversary of the Closing
Date unless such Request for Payment states that the Damages for which
indemnification is claimed is consequent to a Third-Party Claim and that Xxxxx
delivered timely initial written notice of such Third-Party Claim to the Seller
Representative pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.2(a) and
9
Xxxxx International, Inc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTN: Membership Department
0000 00xx Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telex: 64318
Member -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telex
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) All payments required to be made hereunder shall be made in the local
currency of the recipient, except as otherwise provided herein. Unless
otherwise directed in advance and in writing all payments will be remitted
to the same addresses to which all notices hereunder must be sent. In the
event that the Member is prevented by governmental regulations or
intervention from making any payments in the manner or currency required
hereunder, the Member shall deposit such payments in a bank account in such
location as shall be designated by Xxxxx International. Furthermore in
such event, Xxxxx International shall remit any payments due to the Member
in either United States dollars, currency in which the bank account is
kept, or any currency mutually agreed upon by the parties.
(C) No delay, waiver, omission, or forebearance on the part of either party to
exercise any right or power arising out of any branch or default by the
other party of any of the terms, provisions, or covenants hereof, shall
constitute a waiver of any right hereunder or the right to declare any
subsequent breach of default.
(D) The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall
not affect the interpretation or meaning of this Agreement.
(E) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and negotiations, verbal
or written. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be
binding unless written and signed by authorized representatives of both
Xxxxx and the Member.
(F) This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of New York.
-9-
6.3 of the Merger Agreement or Section 6.2(a) and 6.3 of the Stock Purchase
Agreement. Xxxxx may amend a Request for Payment so as to increase or decrease
the amount of the Net Claim but unless such Request for Payment is for Damages
consequent to a Third-Party Claim, any such amendment must be delivered by Xxxxx
to the Escrow Agent and the Seller Representative prior to the second
anniversary at the Closing Date.
7.2. Payment of Claims. The Escrow Agent will transfer to Xxxxx out
-----------------
of the principal of the Escrow Deposit the amount of the Net Claim stated in any
Request for Payment (or, in the case of a Net Claim stated in an amended Request
for Payment, the amount of the Net Claim less any amount previously transferred
to Xxxxx with respect thereto) 10 business days after delivery thereof unless
the Seller Representative shall have delivered a notice of objection (a "Notice
of Objection") to Xxxxx and the Escrow Agent, stating the amount, if any, of the
Net Claim that the Sellers do not contest; provided, however, that the Escrow
-------- -------
Agent shall pay Xxxxx any amount of the Net Claim which the Seller
Representative does not contest in its Notice of Objection. Upon receipt of a
Notice of Objection to a Request for Payment or amended Request for Payment, the
Escrow Agent will make no distribution to Xxxxx with respect to the contested
amount of the Net Claim until it has received either (i) a certificate executed
by Xxxxx and the Seller Representative setting forth the amount of the Net Claim
as agreed to by Xxxxx
10
