EXHIBIT 10.17
DATED 2000
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
AND
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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LICENCE AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DEFINITIONS.............................................................1
2. TERM....................................................................6
2.1. Effective Date...................................................6
2.2. Indefinite Term..................................................6
3. APPOINTMENT.............................................................6
3.1. Appointment of ADVC..............................................6
3.2. Exclusive Appointment in the Territory...........................6
3.3. Licence..........................................................6
4. LICENCE OF SOFTWARE.....................................................7
4.1. ACT to Licence...................................................7
4.2. ACT may Permit ADVC to Sub-Licence...............................7
5. PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND ORDERING OF PRODUCT...........................7
5.1. Promotional Materials............................................7
5.2. Order only from ACT or Authorised Replicator.....................7
6. Obligations of ADVC.....................................................7
6.1. Promotion of Product.............................................7
6.2. No Export........................................................8
6.3. Minimum Sales Requirements.......................................8
7. NO MODIFICATION OR BUNDLING.............................................9
7.1. No Modifications.................................................9
7.2. ADVC's Name and Logo.............................................9
7.3. No Bundling......................................................9
7.4. Licence Terms....................................................9
8. PAYMENTS................................................................9
8.1. Entitlement......................................................9
8.2. ACT to Remit.....................................................9
8.3. ADVC to Remit....................................................9
8.4. Minimum Guarantee Amount........................................10
8.5. Reports.........................................................10
8.6. ADVC to Account to ACT after Termination........................10
8.7. Taxes...........................................................10
9. ACCOUNTS, AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS.......................................10
9.1. ADVC to Keep Records............................................10
9.2. ACT's Right to Inspect Records..................................11
9.3. ACT's Right to Inspect for 7 Years..............................11
9.4. Payment of any Difference Revealed by Inspection................11
9.5. If Reports not Delivered........................................11
9.6. Inspection of ADVC's Facilities.................................12
10. WARRANTIES.............................................................12
10.1. General Warranties..............................................12
10.2. Warranties by ACT...............................................12
10.3. ACT does not Warrant............................................12
10.4. Warranties by ADVC..............................................12
10.5. Amendment.......................................................13
10.6. Intellectual Property Rights of Alteration......................13
10.7. Acknowledgement.................................................13
11. SCOPE OF LIABILITY.....................................................13
11.1. ACT's Indemnity.................................................13
11.2. ADVC's Indemnity................................................14
11.3. Exclusion of Liability..........................................14
11.4. Liability Limit.................................................15
11.5. Notification of Claims..........................................15
11.6. Keep ACT Informed...............................................15
11.7. ACT to Conduct Litigation.......................................15
11.8. Conduct of Litigation...........................................15
11.9. Payment of Judgment against ADVC................................16
11.10. Consent to Settlement..........................................16
11.11. Consent to Settlement..........................................16
11.12. Payment of Sums under Indemnity................................16
12. MARKETING AND PROMOTION................................................17
12.1. Marketing Plan..................................................17
12.2. ACT to Approve all Marketing Material...........................17
12.3. ACT's Approval..................................................17
13. WITHDRAWAL OF PRODUCT..................................................17
13.1. Suspension of Distribution......................................17
13.2. ADVC to Notify..................................................17
13.3. If ACT is Unable to Rectify the Product.........................18
13.4. If ACT is able to Rectify the Product...........................18
14. SUB-DISTRIBUTORS.......................................................18
14.1. ADVC may Appoint Sub-distributors...............................18
14.2. ADVC Liable for Sub-distributors................................18
14.3. Payments to Sub-distributors....................................18
15. CONFIDENTIALITY........................................................18
15.1. Confidential Information........................................18
15.2. No Disclosure...................................................19
15.3. No Unauthorised Copying.........................................19
15.4. Return of Materials.............................................19
15.5. Responsibility for Employees, Agents etc........................19
15.6. Publicity.......................................................19
16. WITHDRAWAL OF EXCLUSIVITY..............................................20
16.1. Application of Rule.............................................20
16.2. Withdrawal of Exclusivity.......................................20
17. TERMINATION............................................................20
17.1. Termination for Breach..........................................20
17.2. Immediate Termination...........................................20
17.3. Accrued Rights..................................................21
18. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES............................................21
18.1. No Partnership..................................................21
18.2. No Representations of Authority.................................21
19. GENERAL................................................................21
19.1. Amendment.......................................................21
19.2. Entire Understanding............................................21
19.3. Further Assurance...............................................21
19.4. Legal Costs and Expenses........................................21
19.5. Stamp Duty......................................................21
19.6. Waiver and Exercise of Rights...................................22
19.7. Assignment......................................................22
19.8. Time of the Essence.............................................23
19.9. No Relationship.................................................23
19.10. Survival of Indemnities........................................23
19.11. Rule of Construction...........................................23
20. NOTICES................................................................23
20.1. Service of Notice...............................................23
20.2. Particulars for Service.........................................23
20.3. Particulars for Service.........................................24
20.4. Time of Service.................................................24
21. INTERPRETATION.........................................................24
21.1. Governing Law and Jurisdiction..................................24
21.2. Persons.........................................................24
21.3. Joint and Several...............................................25
21.4. Legislation.....................................................25
21.5. This Agreement, clauses and Headings............................25
21.6. Severance.......................................................25
21.7. Counterparts....................................................25
21.8. Currency........................................................25
21.9. Business Day....................................................26
21.10. ACT Right of Setoff............................................26
21.11. Number and Gender..............................................26
ANNEXURE A............................................................27
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THIS LICENCE AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made on 2000
BETWEEN
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD ACN 086856 617
of Xxxxx 00, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 0000, Xxxxxxxxx
("ACT")
AND
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
a corporation incorporated in Florida, United States of America with its
registered address at 00000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX
00000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America
("ADVC")
RECITALS
A. ACT has developed the Product.
B. ACT wishes to appoint ADVC to distribute the Product in the Territory.
C. ADVC has agreed to accept the appointment on the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, and to distribute the Product in the Territory.
THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. DEFINITIONS
In this document unless a contrary intention appears:
ALTER means alter, modify, adapt, disassemble, reverse engineer or amend,
and ALTERATION has a corresponding meaning.
AUTHORISED REPLICATOR means a person authorized and notified by ACT to
ADVC in writing to undertake manufacture of the Product for the purposes
of this Document.
BANKRUPTCY CODE means the bankruptcy statutes of the United States,
designated as Title 11 of the United States Code.
BUSINESS DAY means a day on which the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is
open for business in Victoria, Australia.
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BUSINESS HOURS means from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on a Business Day.
CALENDAR QUARTER means successive periods of three months ending 31 March,
30 June, 30 September and 31 December and any part thereof.
CHANGE CONTROL EVENT means, in relation to a party, any event where a
person having Control of that party on the date of this document, ceases
to have such Control.
COMMISSION means an amount to be agreed between the parties, having regard
to industry standards after the final pricing for the Product is
established.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION means all trade secrets, ideas, know-how,
concepts and information whether in writing or otherwise relating in any
way:
(a) to either party's sub-licensees, employees or End users;
(b) the Product;
(c) Intellectual Property Rights, Promotional Materials or the Marketing
Plan;
(d) Commission payable under this document;
(e) a party's affairs or businesses, sales, marketing or promotional
information;
(f) the terms of this document,
but that does not include information that:
(g) is, or becomes part of, the public domain otherwise than by breach
of this document by either party;
(h) is lawfully obtained by either party from another person without any
restriction as to use and disclosure; or
(i) was in either party's possession prior to disclosure to it by the
other party.
CONTROL means, in relation to a party, a person:
(a) controlling the composition of that party's board; or
(b) being in a position to case, or control the casting of, more than
one-half of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a
general meeting of that party; or
(c) holding more than on-half of the issued share capital of that party
(excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no
right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of
either profits or capital).
CORPORATIONS LAW means the Corporations Law of Victoria, Australia.
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DEFAULTING PARTY means a party who has breached a rule in this Agreement.
EFFECTIVE DATE means 6 April 1999.
END USERS means any persons who purchases the Products for end use.
EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY means the United States of America, the North American
and South American continents.
FORCE MAJEURE means events or occurrences beyond the reasonable control of
a party, such as:
(a) war, revolution, insurrection, riot or invasion;
(b) earthquake, aircraft damage, fire, cyclones, lightning, winds or
other acts of God:
(c) industrial relations problems and strikes affecting the party; or
(d) airport closure, airline strikes or airline industrial problems,
tourist restrictions, or grounding of types of aircraft used to
transport passengers domestically.
GROSS RECEIPTS means the total of all sums paid to, or payable to, or
other financial benefit received, or to be received, by either ACT or ADVC
from the distribution of the Product within the Territory and which arises
from or as a result of this document.
INEFFECTIVE means void, illegal or unenforceable.
INSOLVENCY EVENT means, in relation to a party, any of the following
events:
(a) the party assigns any of its property for the benefit of creditors
or any class of them;
(b) the party's interest in or under this document or in the subject
matter of this document becomes attached or taken in execution or
under any legal process;
(c) an encumbrance takes any step towards taking possession or takes
possession of any assets of the party or exercises any power of
sale;
(d) the party ceases, suspends or threatens to case or suspend the
conduct of a majority of its business, or disposes of or threatens
to dispose of its assets, except for the purposes of a solvent
reconstruction or amalgamation previously approved by the other
party;
(e) any security interest becomes enforceable or is enforced against the
party;
(f) a distress, attachment or other execution is levied or enforced
against the party in excess of $1,000.00;
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(g) the party takes any step to obtain protection or is granted
protection from its creditors under any applicable legislation;
(h) a resolution is passed by the party to appoint an administrator or
an administrator of the party is appointed;
(i) an order is made that the party be wound up;
(j) an order is made appointing a liquidator or a provisions liquidator
of the party;
(k) the party resolves to wind itself up or otherwise dissolve itself,
or gives notice of its intention to do so, except for the purposes
of a solvent reconstruction or amalgamation previously approved by
the other party, or is otherwise wound up or dissolved:
(l) an order is made or a resolution is passed for the party to enter
into any arrangement, compromise or composition with or assignment
for the benefit of its creditors or any class of them, except for
the purposes of a solvent reconstruction or amalgamation previously
approved by the other party;
(m) the party is, or states that it is, or under applicable legislation
is taken to be, unable to pay its debts (other than as a result of a
failure to pay a debt or claim the subject of a dispute in good
faith) or stops or suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment
of all or a class of its debts;
(n) a receiver, receiver and manager, administrator, controller or
similar officer of any of the assets or the whole or any part of the
undertaking of the party is appointed:
(o) the party is or makes a statement from which it may be reasonably
deduced by the other party that the party is the subject of an event
described in section 459C(2) of the Corporations Law;
(p) the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings against the party under
the Bankruptcy Code; or
(p) any event that is analogous or having a substantially similar effect
to any of the events specified in this definition, whether under the
laws of Australia or any other country.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS means all intellectual property and
proprietary rights (whether registered or unregistered) wherever
subsisting used in or forming party of the Product including, without
limitation:
(a) the name "SPECTRUCELL" and any other names under which the Products
are distributed;
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(b) all confidential Information, trade secrets, know-how, scientific,
technical, product and marketing information used in or forming part
of the Product; and
(c) all copyright, computer programs, logos, patents, designs, design
rights, trademarks, drawings, discoveries, inventions, improvements
and similar industrial or intellectual property rights used in or
forming part of the Product.
LICENSE TERMS means the licence terms set out in Annexure A, or such other
licence terms as may be determined by ACT from time to time by notice in
writing to ADVC.
MARKETING PLAN means the marketing plan specifying the publicity,
advertising and marketing strategies of the Product in the Territory
together with associated costs set out in Annexure B, or such other plan
as may be agreed between the parties from time to time.
MINIMUM GUARANTEE AMOUNT means, in respect of each Calendar Quarter, an
amount to be agreed between the parties, having regard to industry
standards after the final pricing for the Product is established.
NON-DEFAULTING PARTY means a party who is not a Defaulting Party.
NON-EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY means the territory to be agreed in writing
between the parties, being a territory other than the Exclusive Territory.
PRODUCT means the wireless or terrestrial, multi-protocols communication
network technology known as SPECTRUCELL, incorporating the Software and
related hardware forming part of the base station controller which
processes and transits mobile communications protocols such as AMPS, CDMA,
TDMA, GSM, W-CDMA, UMTS, 3G and Voice IP.
PROMOTION MATERIALS means the materials about the Products that will be
delivered to ADVC to assist ADVC in the distribution of the Products,
which may be delivered to ADVC electronically in an electronic medium.
SOFTWARE means the software forming an integral part of the Product which
enables the Product to perform to its specifications, consisting of a set
of instructions or statements in machine readable medium, and any
enhancement, modification of that software.
SUSPENSION PERIOD means a period of up to 90 days.
RECORDS means all proper books, records and accounts relating to the
distribution of the Product.
REPORT means the report described in clause 8.5.
TERRITORY means the Exclusive Territory and the Non-Exclusive Territory.
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TERM means the term of this Agreement as set out in clause 2.
TERMINATION EVENT means:
(a) an Insolvency Event; or
(b) a warranty in clause 10 made by the other party proving to have been
false, incorrect or misleading when made; or
(c) an event specified in clauses 10.5, 13.3 or 16.2.2; or
(d) a Force Majeure Event which continues for more than 28 business
Days; or
(e) a Change Control Event.
WHOLESALE UNIT PRICE means the price for which ADVC sells the Product.
2. TERM
2.1. EFFECTIVE DATE
The agreement recorded in this document takes effect from the
Effective Date.
2.2. INDEFINITE TERM
The agreement recorded in this document continues indefinitely until
it is terminated under the terms of this document.
The agreement recorded in this document continues indefinitely until
it is terminated under the terms of this document.
3. APPOINTMENT
3.1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVC
ACT appoints ADVC to distribute the Product throughout the Territory
for the Term on the terms and conditions set out in this document.
ADVC accepts such appointment.
3.2. EXCLUSIVE APPOINTMENT IN THE TERRITORY
Subject to clause 16, ACT agrees not to appoint any other person to
distribute the Product in the Exclusive Territory during the Term,
without the prior written consent of ADVC.
3.3. LICENCE
For the purposes of the appointment referred to in clause 3.1, ACT
grants to ADVC a license for the Territory during the Term:
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3.3.1. to reproduce, advertise and publicise the names,
photographs, and likeness of any authors, producers,
creators or other persons associated with the development or
production of the Product, but only in the manner as
directed by ACT; and
3.3.2. to display the Product to prospective End Users in the
course of reasonable promotion and marketing of the Product.
4. LICENCE OF SOFTWARE
4.1. ACT TO LICENCE
At ADVC's request, ACT must grant a licence to an End User to use
the Software in conjunction with the Product, on the Licence Terms.
4.2. ACT MAY PERMIT ADVC TO SUB-LICENCE
ACT may, during the Term, grant a licence to ADVC to:
4.2.1. use the Software; and
4.2.2. sub-licence the use of the Software to an End User, and
4.2.3. reproduce the Software for the purpose of sub-licensing the
use of the Software to an End user.
in conjunction with the Product, on the Licence Terms.
5. PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND ORDERING OF PRODUCT
5.1. PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
ACT may from time to time, but is not required t, deliver the
Promotional Materials to ADVC
5.2. ORDER ONLY FROM ACT OR AUTHORISED REPLICATOR
ADVC must only purchase the Product from:
5.2.1. ACT; or
5.2.2. the Authorised Replicator in accordance with the
replicator's standard terms and conditions.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF ADVC
6.1. PROMOTION OF PRODUCT
6.1.1. to promote and market the Product in accordance with the
Marketing Plan;
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6.1.2. to distribute the Product in the Territory;
6.1.3. to be competent and knowledgeable in and conversant with all
aspects of the Product;
6.1.4. to ensure that any notices relating to Intellectual Property
Rights appearing on the Product or literature relating to
the Product or pack again of the Product are not Altered or
removed;
6.1.5. to inform Act of any matter which may affect or assist the
promotion and marketing of the Product in the Territory;
6.1.6. to act in good faith at all times towards ACT and provide
assistance and cooperation as practicable on request by ACT;
6.1.7. to furnish to ACT, within seven business days of ACT's
request, any information sought by ACT regarding the
promotion and distribution of the Product in the Territory;
6.1.8. to fulfil all orders for the Product within 14 days of
receipt of such
6.1.9. to consult on an ongoing basis with ACT with respect to
significant aspects of the distribution of the Product;
6.1.10. to not make any representations or claims inconsistent with
the Marketing Plan; and
6.1.11. to not make any false, misleading or deceptive statements
with respect to the Product.
6.2. NO EXPORT
ADVC must not, without the prior written consent of ACT:
6.2.1. directly or indirectly, export the Product from the
Territory;
6.2.2. directly or indirectly, distribute the Product to any person
outside the Territory; or
6.2.3. directly or indirectly, distribute the Product to any person
in the Territory whom ADVC knows or should reasonable know
intends to distribute such copies outside the Territory or
export such copies from the Territory.
6.3. MINIMUM SALES REQUIREMENTS
ADVC must:
6.3.1. commercially distribute the Product in the Territory; and
9
6.3.2. meet or exceed the Minimum Guarantee Amount in respect of
each Calendar Quarter during the Term.
7. NO MODIFICATION OR BUNDLING
7.1. NO MODIFICATIONS
ADVC must not, without the prior written consent of ACT, Alter the
Product or any of the Promotional Materials in any way.
7.2. ADVC'S NAME AND LOGO
ADVC may, with the prior written approval of ACT, affix ADVC's name
and logo on the Product in the manner approved by ACT.
7.3. NO BUNDLING
ADVC must not bundle, package or otherwise distribute the Product
with or as part of, any other product or collection of products
without the prior written approval of ACT.
7.4. LICENCE TERMS
ADVC must not remove the Licence Terms from the Product or otherwise
amend or modify the Licence Terms embodied in the Product or
otherwise attached to the Product.
8. PAYMENTS
8.1. ENTITLEMENT
ADVC may at the request of ACT collect and to retain the Commission,
8.2. ACT TO REMIT
If, during a Calendar Quarter, ACT receives money form or on behalf
of an End User on account of a Gross Receipt, then within 30 days
after the end of the Calendar Quarter, Act must remit to ADVC, the
Gross Receipt less an amount equal to the Commission payable upon
the Gross Receipt received by ACT.
8.3. ADVC TO REMIT
If, during the Calendar Quarter, ADVC receive money form or on
behalf of an End User on account of a Gross Receipt, then within 30
days after the end of that Calendar Quarter, ADVC must remit to ACT,
an amount equal to the Commission payable upon the Gross Receipt
received by ADVC.
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8.4. MINIMUM GUARANTEE AMOUNT
8.4.1. If, during the Calendar Quarter, the total Gross Receipt
provides less than the Minimum Guarantee Amount to ACT, then
despite clauses 8.2 and 8.3, ADVC must pay to ACT an amount
equal to the Minimum Guarantee Amount.
8.4.2. If, during the Calendar Quarter, the total Gross Receipt is
equal to or more than six times the Minimum Guarantee
Amount, then the rule in clause 8.4.1 will not apply for the
three consecutive Calendar Quarters immediately following
that Calendar Quarter.
8.5. REPORTS
Within 30 days of the end of each Calendar Quarter during the Term,
ADVC must furnish to ACT a report detailing:
8.5.1. the number and Wholesale Unit Price of the Products
distributed by ADVC during the preceding Calendar Quarter;
8.5.2. the Gross Receipts for that Calendar Quarter;
8.5.3. a computation of the Commission payable by ACT; and
8.5.4. if requested by ACT, copies of all invoices and other
documents necessary to enable ACT to verify ADVC's statement
of Gross Receipts.
8.6. ADVC TO ACCOUNT TO ACT AFTER TERMINATION
Subject to the termination of this document, however, caused, ADVC
must continue to account to ACT in accordance with the provisions of
this clause 8 for as long as ACT continues to receive Gross Receipts
in respect of the distribution of the Product during the Term.
8.7. TAXES
ADVC is responsible for obtaining all of the necessary government or
other official permission for the release of any amounts payable
under this Agreement to ACT.
9. ACCOUNTS, AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS
9.1. ADVC TO KEEP RECORDS
ADVC must keep the Records, and must retain such Records for a
period of seven years after the termination of this document.
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9.2. ACT'S RIGHT TO INSPECT RECORDS
9.2.1. ACT is entitled, on five Business Days' prior notice in
writing to ADVC, to attend (or appoint an independent
accountant to attend) ADVC's premises and inspect such of
ADVC's Records as may be reasonably necessary to verify the
information contained in any Report delivered by ADVC under
clause 8.5.
9.2.2. ADVC must use all of its reasonable endeavours to elicit ACT
(or its agents) to carry out such inspection.
9.3. ACT'S RIGHT TO INSPECT FOR 7 YEARS
ADVC may exercise the right of inspection in accordance with this
clause 9 at any time up to seven years after termination of this
document
9.4. PAYMENT OF ANY DIFFERENCE REVEALED BY INSPECTION
9.4.1. If an inspection under clause 9.2 reveals that the total
amount payable to ACT in respect of any Calendar Quarter is
a sum greater than the amount specified in the relevant
Report or Reports, then ADVC must pay to ACT the difference
within 14 days of demand in writing by ACT which demand must
be accompanied by a copy of any accountant's report.
9.4.2. If the amount payable to ACT under this clause 9.4 exceeds
the amount specified in the relevant Report or Reports by 5%
or more, then ADVC:
9.4.2.1. must pay the costs and expenses of that
inspection; and
9.4.2.2. must pay interest on the moneys paid at the rate
charged or chargeable by ACT bankers on an
overdraft facility of $100,000.00
and ACT may terminate this Agreement.
9.5. IF REPORTS NOT DELIVERED
9.5.1. If ADVC fails to deliver a Report or Reports within the time
required by clause 8.5, ACT may appoint an independent
accountant to examine the Records of ADVC for the purpose of
ascertaining the amount payable to ADVC for the relevant
Calendar Quarter.
9.5.2. ADVC must permit that accountant to inspect ADVC's Records.
9.5.3. The amount certified by the accountant to be payable in
respect of any Calendar Quarter together with the costs and
expenses of that inspection are payable by ADVC within 14
days of demand by ACT for that amount, such demand to be in
writing and accompanied by a copy of the accountant's
report.
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9.5.4. A failure by ADVC to deliver a Report within the time
required by clause 8.5 will not be considered a breach of
this document unless;
9.5.4.1. ACT has given a written notice to ADVC requiring
ADVC to deliver such Report within 30 days; and
9.5.4.2. ADVC fails to deliver such Report during that time
9.6. INSPECTION OF ADVC'S FACILITIES
In addition to the foregoing rights of inspection, ACT may during
regular business hours on not less than 5 Business Days' prior
written notice inspection ADVC's premises and facilities in order to
verify ADVC's compliance with any terms of this document.
10. WARRANTIES
10.1. GENERAL WARRANTIES
Each party warrants that:
10.1.1. it has authority to enter and to perform its obligations
under this document; and
10.1.2. it has the ability to perform its obligation under this
document.
10.2. WARRANTIES BY ACT
ACT represents and warrants to ADVC that the use of the Product in
accordance with this document will not infringe the rights,
including the Intellectual Property Rights, of any person.
10.3. ACT DOES NOT WARRANT
ACT does not represent and does not warrant to ADVC that:
10.3.1. the Product is error free or virus free;
10.3.2. the use of the Product will be uninterrupted; or
10.3.3. the Product will provide any function not designated in any
Product specification.
10.4. WARRANTIES BY ADVC
ADVC represents and warrants to ACT that:
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10.4.1. subject to clause 10.5, it is authorized by all necessary
government and other agencies and authorities to distribute
the Product in the Territory, and will continue to be so
authorized throughout the Term;
10.4.2. it will not Alter the Product without the prior approval of
ACT, which approval may be withheld by ACT in its absolute
discretion; and
10.4.3. the information provided to ACT in relation to the subject
matter of this document before its entry into this document
is true and correct.
10.5. AMENDMENT
Subject to anything to the contrary, if compliance with the warranty
specification in clause 10.4 or any other term of this document
would require an amendment, variation or modification to the
Product, then no such amendments, variations or modifications are to
be made without the prior approval of ACT, which approval may be
withheld in its absolute discretion. If such approval is withheld,
such an event will constitute a Termination Event.
10.6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF ALTERATION
In respect of any Alteration made to the Product or the Promotional
Material (whether in accordance with this document or in breach of
it) ADVC acknowledges that it holds all Intellectual Property Right
in the altered Product or Promotional Materials on trust on behalf
of ACT and must at the direction of ACT forthwith transfer or assign
all such rights to ACT.
10.7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ADVC acknowledges and accepts that it does not, as a result of
entering into this document, acquire any Intellectual Property
Rights in the Product or the Promotional Materials or in any of
their copies.
11. SCOPE OF LIABILITY
11.1. ACT'S INDEMNITY
ACT must at all times indemnify and keep indemnified ADVC and its
sub-distributors and both their respective officers, employees and
agents (in this clause 11.1 referred to as "those indemnified") from
and against any loss (including reasonable legal costs and expenses)
or liability incurred by any of those indemnified arising from any
claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding by any person against any
of those indemnified where such loss or liability arose out of:
11.1.1. any breach of this document by ACT, excluding any breach of
the warranties referred to in clause 10.2:
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11.1.2. any breach of the warranties referred to in clause 10.2; and
11.1.3. any infringement or alleged infringement of the rights,
including the Intellectual Property Rights of any person
occurring by the use of the Product in accordance with this
document.
11.2. ADVC'S INDEMNITY
ADVC must at all times indemnity and keep indemnified ACT its
officers, employees and agents (in this clause 11.2 referred to as
"those indemnified") from an against any loss (including reasonable
legal costs and expenses) or liability incurred by any of those
indemnified arising from any claim, demand, suit, action or
proceeding by any person against any of those indemnified where such
loss or liability arose out of:
11.2.1. any use of the Product by ADVC and the sub-distributors
otherwise than in accordance with this document; and
11.2.2. any other breach of this document by ADVC.
11.3. EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY
11.3.1. ACT acknowledges and accept that, to the extent permitted by
law, ADVC will be under no liability to ACT whosoever,
whether in:
11.3.1.1. contract or tort (including, without limitation,
negligence);
11.3.1.2. breach of statute; or
11.3.1.3. any other legal or equitable obligation
in respect of any loss or damage referred to in clause
11.3.2.
11.3.2. The loss or damage referred to in clause 11.3.1 is loss or
damage (including loss of profit or savings) howsoever
caused, which may be:
11.3.2.1. suffered or incurred or which may arise directly
or indirectly in respect of any infringement by
any End User or other person of the Intellectual
Property Rights of ACT or any other right of ACT
in or in relation to the Product; or
11.3.2.2. which may be caused directly or indirectly by any
act or omission of any End User or any other
person who may access the Product,
except to the extent that ADVC has knowledge of, authorized
or otherwise permitted such infringement, act or omission.
15
11.4. LIABILITY LIMIT
Except as provided in clauses 11.1.1 and 11.1.2 the total liability
of each party arising out of any particular breach of this document
for damages regardless of the cause of action, whether contract,
tort (including, without limitation, negligence) or breach of
statute or any other legal or equitable obligation is limited to
four times the Minimum Guarantee Amount.
11.5. NOTIFICATION OF CLAIMS
ADVC must notify ACT in writing as soon as practicable and in any
event within 2 Business Days of any claim or demand made, or action,
suit or proceeding threatened or brought, against ADVC arising from
any breach of the warranties referred to in clause 11.1.1 or from
the infringement or alleged infringement referred to in clause
11.1.2.
11.6. KEEP ACT INFORMED
After notice has been given under clause 11.5 and upon ACT admitting
its obligations under the indemnity in clause 11.1.1 or 11.1.2 and,
where requested by ADVC, lodging security in a reasonable amount
with ADVC, ADVC must:
11.6.1. continue to keep ACT informed of all developments; and
11.6.2. to the extent permitted by law, act in accordance with the
reasonable directions of ACT in respect of those
developments including in relation to application for leave
to withdraw from the litigation and in relation to the
settlement of claims or demands that do not result in
litigation.
11.7. ACT TO CONDUCT LITIGATION
Where litigation is commenced against ADVC in respect of any matter
involving any breach of the warranties referred to in clause 11.1.1
or any infringement or alleged infringement referred to in clause
11.1.2, ADVC must, on leave being granted, withdraw from the
litigation and ACT must, in its own name and its own expense,
conduct the litigation.
11.8. CONDUCT OF LITIGATION
11.8.1. Where leave is not granted to ADVC to withdraw from the
litigation and for ACT to conduct litigation in its own
name, ADVC must:
11.8.1.1. upon ACT admitting its obligations under the
indemnity in clause 11.1.1 or 11.1.2; and
11.8.1.2. to the extent that it is permitted by law,
16
defend, arbitrate, appeal, settle or otherwise conduct the
litigation as ACT may from time to time reasonable direct.
11.8.2. For the purpose of clause 11.8.1 ACT, must lodge security in
a reasonable amount with ADVC to offset ADVC's cost of
conducting the litigation at ACT's direction.
11.8.3. For the purpose of clause 11.8.1 ACT must lodge security in
a reasonable amount with ADVC to offset ADVC's cost of
conducting the litigation at ACT's direction.
11.9. PAYMENT OF JUDGMENT AGAINST ADVC
If a final judgment or aware is made against ADVC in the litigation
referred to in clause 11.8, or if a settlement is reached with the
Plaintiff, which has been approved by ACT, (In a situation where ACT
is providing an indemnity under clause 11.1.1 or 11.1.2), ACT must:
11.9.1. not less than 5 business days before the date on which ADVC
must pay the amount referred to in the judgment, award or
settlement; or
11.9.2. if no date for payment is fixed by that judgment, award or
settlement, within 5 business days of receipt of a notice in
writing from ADVC that it intends to pay the amount referred
to in that judgment, award or settlement, pay to ADVC by
bank cheque a sum equal to the sum that ADVC is required to
pay.
11.10. CONSENT TO SETTLEMENT
ACT's approval to the settlement referred to in clause 11.9 must not
be unreasonably withheld.
11.11. CONSENT TO SETTLEMENT
ACT's approval to the settlement referred to in clause 11.9 must no
be unreasonably withheld.
11.12. PAYMENT OF SUMS UNDER INDEMNITY
ACT must pay to ADVC all other sums required to be paid under the
indemnity provided under clause 11.1 within 5 business days of
receipt by ACT of a notice from ADVC requiring payment of those
sums.
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12. MARKETING AND PROMOTION
12.1. MARKETING PLAN
12.1.1. ADVC must comply with the Marketing Plan in relation to the
publicity, advertising and marketing strategies of the
Product in the Territory.
12.1.2. Any variations to the Marketing Plan must be agreed in
writing by the parties.
12.2. ACT TO APPROVE ALL MARKETING MATERIAL
ADVC must submit all advertising, sales promotion and public
relations material used from time to time by ADVC and relating to
the Product for ACT's prior written approval. Subject to clause
23.3, no such material may be used in conjunction with the promotion
of the Production without ACT's express approval.
12.3. ACT'S APPROVAL
12.3.1. ACT must notify ADVC within 20 business days following
receipt of the material referred to in clause 12.2 whether
it approves, disapproves or requires any Alteration.
12.3.2. If no notification is received within the said period, ACT
will be deemed to have given its approval.
12.3.3. ACT must not unreasonably exercise its rights to disapprove
or require Alterations.
13. WITHDRAWAL OF PRODUCT
13.1. SUSPENSION OF DISTRIBUTION
ACT may direct ADVC in writing to suspend the distribution of the
Product (and ADVC must comply with that direction) for the
Suspension Period if:
13.1.1. the Product is defective; or
13.1.2. if ACT is advised by its legal advisers that the Product
infringes or may infringe the Intellectual Property Rights
of any person.
13.2. ADVC TO NOTIFY
13.2.1. If ADVC becomes aware of any of the matters described in
clauses 13.1.1 or 13.1.2, ADVC must immediately notify ACT
in writing and request ACT to issue a direction under clause
13.1.
13.2.2. ACT will not be obliged to issue any such direction.
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13.3. IF ACT IS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PRODUCT
If ACT is unable to rectify the Product within the Suspension
Period, such an event will constitute a Termination Event.
13.4. IF ACT IS ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PRODUCT
If ACT is able to rectify the Product within the Suspension Period
(or any extension thereof agreed by the Parties), ADVC must resume
distribution of the Product.
14. SUB-DISTRIBUTORS
14.1. ADVC MAY APPOINT SUB-DISTRIBUTORS
14.1.1. ADVC may appoint such sub-distributors as agreed in writing
by ACT to distribute the Product throughout the Territory,
but only under a written agreement approved in writing by
ACT.
14.1.2. ADVC must provide a copy of any such propose agreement to
ACT before execution and must allow ACT at least 3 business
days in order to approve such agreement. If ACT approves the
agreement, ADVC may proceed to execute it (but only the
approved form) and must provide ACT with a copy of the
executed agreement within 3 business days of execution.
14.2. ADVC LIABLE FOR SUB-DISTRIBUTORS
14.2.1. ADVC must ensure that each sub-Distributor complies with its
sub-distribution agreement.
14.2.2. Subject to the appointment any sub-Distributor and ACT's
consent to such appointment, ADVC is liable, and will remain
liable, for the performance of all of ADVC's obligations
under this document.
14.3. PAYMENTS TO SUB-DISTRIBUTORS
Any commissions payable to sub-distributors of ADVC must be payable
by ADVC from the Commission.
15. CONFIDENTIALITY
15.1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
ADVC acknowledges that ADVC, its employees or agents, may be given
access to Confidential Information of ACT in the course of
negotiating or performing this document.
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15.2. NO DISCLOSURE
ADVC must keep the Confidential Information confidential and must
not disclose it to any third party or use it otherwise than:
15.2.1. for the purposes of this document;
15.2.2. as authorized in writing by ACT;
15.2.3. as required by any law, judicial body or government agency;
or
15.2.4. by way of disclosure to that party's professional advisers
who have agreed to keep the Confidential Information
confidential.
15.3. NO UNAUTHORISED COPYING
ADVC must not copy any document containing Confidential Information
except as necessary to perform this document.
15.4. RETURN OF MATERIALS
On termination of this document, ADVC must return all documents or
copies of documents containing information which is, at the date of
termination, Confidential Information to ACT.
15.5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES, AGENTS ETC.
ADVC must ensure that its employees, agents, contracts and other
Persons within its control comply with this clause 15.
15.6. PUBLICITY
The parties must not make any public announcement or make any
representation to any media representative about:
15.6.1. this document;
15.6.2. the performance of this document by any party;
15.6.3. any matter related to this document; or
15.6.4. any other party,
without the prior written consent of each of the other parties to
this document.
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16. WITHDRAWAL OF EXCLUSIVITY
16.1. APPLICATION OF RULE
The rule in this clause 16 applies if the moneys paid by ADVC to ACT
would but for clause 8.4.1, be less then the Minimum Guarantee
Amount for two successive Calendar Quarters.
16.2. WITHDRAWAL OF EXCLUSIVITY
If the circumstance set out in clause 16.1 applies, then Act may at
its option:
16.2.1. notify ADVC in writing that the exclusivity given to ADVC
under clause 3.2 be withdrawn, and that all references in
this document to the `Exclusive Territory' will be regarded
as references to `Non-Exclusive Territory'; or
16.2.2. treat the circumstance as a Termination Event.
17. TERMINATION
17.1. TERMINATION FOR BREACH
17.1.1. If a party is in breach of this Agreement, the
Non-Defaulting Party may give a notice to the Defaulting
Party:
17.1.1.1. specifying the breach;
17.1.1.2. requiring the Defaulting Party to rectify the
breach;
17.1.1.2.1. where it is a financial breach, within 30
days; or
17.1.1.2.2. otherwise where it is capable of remedy
within a period specified by ACT as being
reasonable (such date not to exceed 180
Business Days of the date the Defaulting
Party received the notice).
17.1.2. The Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement if
after the expiry of the notice, the Defaulting Party has not
rectified the breach specified in the notice.
17.2. IMMEDIATE TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated by a party immediately by notice to
the other party if a Termination Event occurs.
21
17.3. ACCRUED RIGHTS
The termination of this Agreement is without prejudice to any rights
which have accrued to a party before the date of termination.
18. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
18.1. NO PARTNERSHIP
This Agreement does not create any partnership, joint venture or
agency relationship between the parties.
18.2. NO REPRESENTATIONS OF AUTHORITY
ADVC may not enter into any agreements or incur any liabilities on
behalf of ACT without ACT's prior written consent and may not
represent to any person that it has any authority to do so.
19. GENERAL
19.1. AMENDMENT
This Agreement may only be varied or replaced by a Agreement duly
executed by the parties.
19.2. ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties
as to the subject matter contained in it. All previous agreements,
representations, warranties, explanations and commitments, expressed
or implied, affecting this subject matter are superseded by this
Agreement and have no effect.
19.3. FURTHER ASSURANCE
Each party must promptly execute and deliver all Agreements and take
all other action necessary or desirable to effect, perfect or
complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
19.4. LEGAL COSTS AND EXPENSES
Each party must pay its own legal costs and expenses in relation to
the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and
other Agreements referred to in it, unless expressly stated
otherwise.
19.5. STAMP DUTY
ADVC must pay all stamp duty (including all fines and penalties
except those arising from the default of another party) on this
Agreement and any Agreement executed under it.
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19.6. WAIVER AND EXERCISE OF RIGHTS
19.6.1. A single or partial exercise or waiver of a right relating
to this Agreement does not prevent any other exercise of
that right or the exercise of any other right.
19.6.2. No party will be liable for any loss or expenses incurred by
another party caused or contributed to by the waiver,
exercise, attempted exercise, failure to exercise or delay
in the exercise of a right.
19.7. ASSIGNMENT
19.7.1. A party must not:
19.7.1.1. sell, transfer, delegate, assign, licence; or
19.7.1.2. mortgage, charge or otherwise encumber
any right or obligation under this Agreement to any person
("Proposed Assignee"), without the prior written consent of
the other parties to this Agreement ("Other Parties").
19.7.2. The Other Parties must not unreasonably withhold consent
under this clause.
19.7.3. The assigning party must pay all fees and expenses
(including legal fees on a solicitor/own client basis)
incurred by the Other Parties in connection with the
proposed assignment and the investigation of the Proposed
Assignee, whether or not consent is granted.
19.7.4. The assigning party must deliver to the Other Parties:
19.7.4.1. the name, address and occupation of the Proposed
Assignee;
19.7.4.2. two written references as to financial
circumstances of the Proposed Assignee;
19.7.4.3. an agreement in a form approved by the Other
Parties, executed by the Proposed Assignee, in
which the Proposed Assignee agrees to perform the
obligations of the assigning party under this
Agreement; and
19.7.4.4. if required by the Other Parties, a guarantee in a
form approved by the Other Parties executed by
persons approved by the Other Parties,
guaranteeing the performance of the Proposed
Assignee's obligations.
23
19.8. TIME OF THE ESSENCE
Time is of the essence as regards all dates, periods of time and
times specified in this Agreement.
19.9. NO RELATIONSHIP
No party to this Agreement has the power to obligate or bind any
other party. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed or deemed
to constitute a partnership, joint venture or employee, employer or
representative relationship between any of the parties. Nothing in
this Agreement will be deemed to authorize or empower any of the
parties to act as agent for or with any other party.
19.10. SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES
Each indemnity in this Agreement is a continuing obligation,
separate and independent from the other obligations of the parties
and survives termination of this Agreement.
19.11. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION
In the interpretation of this Agreement, no rule of construction
applies to the disadvantage of the party preparing this Agreement on
the basis that it put forward this Agreement or any part of it.
20. NOTICES
20.1. SERVICE OF NOTICE
A notice or other communication required or permitted, under this
Agreement, to be served on a person must be in writing and may be
served:
20.1.1. personally on the person;
20.1.2. by leaving it at the person's current address for service;
20.1.3. by posting it by prepaid post addressed to that person at
the person's current address for service; or
20.1.4. by facsimile to the person's current number for service.
20.2. PARTICULARS FOR SERVICE
20.2.1. Any party may change the address or facsimile number for
service by giving notice to the other parties.
20.2.2. If the person to be served is a company, the notice or other
communication may be served on it at the company's
registered office.
24
20.3. PARTICULARS FOR SERVICE
20.3.1. Any party may change the address or facsimile number for
service by giving notice to the other parties.
20.3.2. If the person to be served is a company, the notice or other
communication may be served on it at the company's
registered office.
20.4. TIME OF SERVICE
A notice or other communication is deemed served:
20.4.1. if served personally or left at the person's address, upon
service;
20.4.2. if posted within Australia to an Australian address, two
Business Days after posting and in any other case, seven
Business Days after posting;
20.4.3. if served by facsimile, subject to the next sub-clause, at
the time indicated on the transmission report produced by
the sender's facsimile machine indicating that the facsimile
was sent in its entirety to the addressee's facsimile;
20.4.4. if received after 6.00pm in the place of receipt or on a day
which is not a Business Day, at 9.00am on the next Business
Day.
21. INTERPRETATION
21.1. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement is governed by and is to be construed in accordance
with the laws of Victoria. Each party irrevocably and
unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of Victoria and waives any right to object to proceedings
being brought in those courts.
21.2. PERSONS
In this Agreement, a reference to:
21.2.1. a person includes a firm, partnership, joint venture,
association, corporation or other corporate body;
21.2.2. a person includes the legal personal representatives,
successors and permitted assigns of that person; and
21.2.3. any body which no longer exists or has been reconstituted,
renamed, replaced or whose powers or functions have been
removed or transferred to another body or agency, is a
reference to the body which most closely serves the purposes
or objects of the first-mentioned body.
25
21.3. JOINT AND SEVERAL
If a party consists of more than one person, this Agreement binds
them jointly and each of them severally.
21.4. LEGISLATION
In this Agreement, a reference to a statute includes regulations
under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or
replacements of any of them.
21.5. THIS AGREEMENT, CLAUSES AND HEADINGS
In this Agreement:
21.5.1. a reference to this or other Agreement includes the
Agreement as varied or replaced regardless of any change in
the identity of the parties;
21.5.2. a reference to a clause, schedule, appendix or annexure is a
reference to a clause, schedule, appendix or annexure in or
to this Agreement all of which are deemed part of this
Agreement;
21.5.3. a reference to writing includes all modes of representing or
reproducing words in a legible, permanent and visible form;
and
21.5.4. headings and sub-headings are inserted for erase of
reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.
21.6. SEVERANCE
21.6.1. If a provision in this Agreement is held to be illegal,
invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable, that provision
must be read down to the extent necessary to ensure that it
is not illegal, invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable.
21.6.2. If it is not possible to read down a provision as required
in this clause, that provision is severable without
affecting the validity or enforceability of the remaining
part of that provision or the other provisions in this
Agreement.
21.7. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts all of
which taken together constitute one instrument.
21.8. CURRENCY
In this Agreement, a reference to "$" or "dollars" is a reference to
Australian dollars.
26
21.9. BUSINESS DAY
If a payment or other act is required by this agreement to be made
or done on a day which is not a Business Day, the payment or act
must be made or done on the next following Business Day.
21.10. ACT RIGHT OF SETOFF
ACT may, without any demand or notice, setoff and apply any and all
indebtedness at any time owing by ACT to ADVC against any and all
other monies or indebtedness which is immediately due and payable.
21.11. NUMBER AND GENDER
In this Agreement, a reference to:
21.11.1. the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
21.11.2. a gender includes the other genders.
27
EXECUTED by the parties as an agreement.
EXECUTED by ADVANCED COM- )
MUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES )
(AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD CAN 086 856 )
617 by being signed by those persons who )
are authorised to sign for the company: )
/s/ GRABME XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Director
------------------------------------------
/s/ GRABME XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Full name
------------------------------------------
/s/ 0 Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxx. 3121 Usual address
------------------------------------------
Australia
------------------------------------------
/s/ Exec VP - Director Director (or Company Secretary)
------------------------------------------
Full name
------------------------------------------
Usual address
------------------------------------------
EXECUTED by ADVANCED COM- )
MUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, )
INC. by being signed by those persons )
who are authorized to sign for the )
company: )
/s/ XXXXX X. MAY Director[/s/ \ CEO]
------------------------------------------
/s/ XXXXX X. MAY.. Full name
------------------------------------------
/s/ 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxx #407 Usual address
------------------------------------------
/s/ Chairman/CEO Director (or Company Secretary)
------------------------------------------
Full name
------------------------------------------
Usual address
------------------------------------------
28
ANNEXURE A
LICENCE TERMS
LICENCE: The SpectruCell Software (comprising software, data and documentation)
is provided to you on the basis of a non-exclusive and no-transferable licence
for your own personal use only on a single computer accessible by only one user
at a time. The licence commences on payment of the licence fee and continues
perpetually unless terminated by notice from ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGIES (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD CAN 000 000 000 (OWNER) if you breach these
Licence Terms or become subject to any form of insolvency administration.
LICENCE RESTRICTIONS: You will not sell, loan, rent, transfer or sublicence the
SpectruCell Software or your rights under these Licence Terms without the prior
written consent of the Owner. You will not use the SpectruCell for any third
party's benefit by way of a service bureau of otherwise. You will not allow
access to the SpectruCell by multiple users at any one time through networking
arrangements or otherwise. You will not allow access to the SpectruCell by
multiple users at any one time through networking arrangements or otherwise. You
will not use the SpectruCell Software other than for your own personal use.
To protect the Owner's intellectual property rights in the SpectruCell Software
you will not, and will not allow or cause a third party, to decompile,
dissemble, reverse engineer, copy or modify the SpectruCell Software or use the
whole or any part of the SpectruCell Software to assist in the development of a
similar or competitive product or otherwise use the SpectruCell Software except
as provided in these Licence Terms.
You may make one copy of the SpectruCell Software for backup or archival
purposes. You will take appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized use or
access to the SpectruCell Software.
LIABILITY: To the extent permitted by law, the Owner excludes all warranties and
representations relating to the SpectruCell Software. Nothing in these Licence
Terms will exclude, restrict or modify any condition, warranty, right or remedy
implied or imposed by any statute or regulation to the extent that it cannot be
lawfully excluded, restricted or modified. If any condition or warranty is
implied into this licence under a statute or regulation and cannot be excluded,
the liability of the Owner for a breach of the condition or warranty will be
limited to the replacement of the product or the supply of the services again.
Except to that extent, the Owner will not be liable in contract or in tort
(including negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage (including indirect
or consequential loss or damage) however caused, which may be suffered, or
incurred or which may arise directly or indirectly in respect of the use of, or
inability to use, the SpectruCell Software.
29
ANNEXURE B
MARKETING PLAN
(To be agreed in writing between the parties)