Exhibit 10.7.14
EMPLOYMENT, NON-COMPETITION AND NON- SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT, NON-COMPETITION, AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
(the "Agreement") is entered into as of 28th November, 2000 by and between "724
Solutions, Inc.", TANTAU Software, Inc. ("Employer") and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, an
individual ("Employee").
WHEREAS this Agreement is entered into in connection with the
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of November 29,
2000 and entered into by and among 724 Solutions, Inc., Saturn Merger Sub, Inc.
and TANTAU Software, Inc. pursuant to which Saturn Merger Sub, Inc. shall be
merged with and into TANTAU Software, Inc. ("Merger") and TANTAU Software, Inc.
thereby will become a wholly owned subsidiary of 724 Solutions, Inc..
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
AND WHEREAS 724 Solutions, Inc. and Employer and Employee wish to
enter into an employment relationship on the terms and conditions contained in
this Agreement.
AND WHEREAS 724 Solutions, Inc. has spent significant time, effort,
and money to develop certain Proprietary Information (as defined below), which
724 Solutions, Inc. considers vital to their business and goodwill. The
Proprietary Information will necessarily be communicated to or acquired by
Employee in the course of his employment with 724 Solutions, Inc. or one or more
of its affiliates, and wishes to employ Employee only if, in doing so, it can
protect its Proprietary Information and goodwill.
AND WHEREAS 724 Solutions, Inc. and Employer anticipates that
certain Inventions/Ideas (as defined below) will be conceived, developed, or
reduced to practice by Employee during the course of his employment by Employer
or one or more of its affiliates. Employer wishes to employ Employee only if, in
doing so, it can provide for the disclosure, assignment, and protection of these
Inventions/Ideas as provided in this Agreement.
AND WHEREAS in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, during Employee's tenure as a shareholder and employee of
TANTAU Software, Inc. prior to Closing, and during Employee's tenure as an
employee of 724 Solutions, Inc. or one or more of its affiliates after Closing,
Employee has had and will continue to have access to, receive, learn, develop
and/or conceive Proprietary Information, Confidential Information and knowledge
and Invention/Ideas of TANTAU Software, Inc. and/or 724 Solutions, Inc. and
their affiliates. 724 Solutions, Inc. or one or more of its affiliates wishes to
hire Employee only if, in doing so, it can protect such information, whether
acquired by Employee prior to or after Closing of the Merger Agreement.
AND WHEREAS Employee is a founder and/or executive/key employee of
TANTAU Software, Inc. and has been actively involved in the development and
marketing of TANTAU Software, Inc.'s business. 724 Solutions, Inc. and Employer
intend to continue the business of TANTAU Software, Inc. after the Merger as a
going concern. To preserve and protect the assets of TANTAU Software, Inc. and
Purchaser, including TANTAU Software,
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Inc.'s and 724 Solutions, Inc.'s goodwill and customers of which Employee has
knowledge or information as a result of previous employment with TANTAU
Software, Inc. or its subsidiaries, and will have, in his role as an employee of
Employer, and to preserve and protect 724 Solutions, Inc.'s goodwill and
business interests going forward, Employee has agreed to enter into this
Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the employment of Employee by 724
Solutions, Inc., the above premises and mutual covenants and agreements in this
Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound,
the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
SECTION 1.01 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. (1) Upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Employer will employ Employee
to render services to Employer in the position of Chief Technology Officer of
the 724 Solutions, Inc. business, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, for
the period ("Period of Employment") commencing on the Effective Time and ending
in accordance with Article 5.
(2) During the term of Employee's employment hereunder, Employee shall
devote his full working time and efforts to the performance of his duties and
the furtherance of the interests of Employer and shall not be otherwise
employed. Notwithstanding the above, Employee may serve as a director or trustee
of other organizations, or engage in charitable, civic, and/or governmental
activities provided that such service and activities do not prevent Employee
from performing the duties required of Employee under this Agreement and further
provided that Employee obtains written consent for all such activities from
Employer, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Employee may engage
in personal activities, including, without limitation, personal investments
(subject to the provisions of Section 4.02), provided that such activities do
not interfere with Employee's performance of duties hereunder and/or the
provisions of Employee's written agreements with Employer and its affiliates.
SECTION 1.02 Application. The provisions of this Agreement shall
also apply to any Ideas/Inventions, Proprietary Information, Confidential
Information, Intellectual Property (as such terms are defined below), including,
without limitation, technical or business information, any drawings, concepts,
works, plans, ideas, software, inventions, industrial designs or trademarks that
are in any way related, in whole or in part, to the employment held by Employee
with TANTAU Software, Inc. and/or 724 Solutions, Inc. prior to the execution of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
COMPENSATION
SECTION 2.01 COMPENSATION. (1) As compensation for all services to
be rendered pursuant to this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee, during the
Period of
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Employment, a salary at an initial rate specified in Exhibit "A" hereto, and at
a rate not less than such initial rate for each subsequent year for the first
full year of the Period of Employment ("Annual Salary"), payable in accordance
with the payroll policies of Employer then in effect, less deductions required
to be withheld by applicable law.
(2) Employee shall be permitted during the Period of Employment, if and
to the extent eligible, to participate in any group life, accident, dental,
prescription, sickness and medical and long term disability insurance plan or
similar benefit plan which is from time to time available to employees
substantially on the same terms as apply to other employees of 724 Solutions,
Inc. and its affiliates at a position comparable to Employee's position, and at
a level no less than the level of insurance and/or benefits which Employee was
provided at TANTAU Software, Inc. immediately prior to the Closing Date. During
the Period of Employment, Employee shall be offered reasonable vacation time
pursuant to the vacation policies fixed by Employer as provided in Exhibit "A"
hereto.
ARTICLE 3
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEES
SECTION 3.01 DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEE. (1) So long as
Employee is employed by Employer, Employee will:
(a) devote his full time and energy to the business and affairs of
724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates, well and faithfully
serve Employer, take whatever lawful steps and actions that
are necessary and use his best efforts, skills and abilities
to promote the interests of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates, and agrees to perform such other tasks and duties
related to the foregoing as may from time to time be
determined by 724 Solutions, Inc. and Employer management; and
(b) abide by any of Employer's and 724 Solutions, Inc.'s lawful
policies that the Board of Directors of 724 Solutions, Inc.
may establish or amend having general application to 724
Solutions, Inc.'s staff and management.
(2) Employee acknowledges that:
(a) Employer's management reserves the right during the course of
Employee's employment to enhance or modify Employee's duties
and responsibilities as its deems necessary and appropriate
from time to time provided that such duties and
responsibilities, as so modified, are commensurate with the
position held by Employee and are not a reduction in the
duties, status and responsibilities contemplated in Section
1.01; and
(b) the hours of work involved will vary and be irregular and are
those hours required to meet the objectives of Employer, and
acknowledge that this paragraph constitutes an agreement to
work such hours where such agreement is required by applicable
legislation. The regular working hours shall be 40 hours per
week, the distribution and assignment of these
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working hours shall be determined by the Employer. It is
understood and agreed that the Employee shall work overtime as
far as permitted by law if this is necessary for operational
reasons. No additional remuneration shall be paid therefore as
such overtime is compensated by the salary agreed upon
pursuant to Article 2 herein, which constitutes a lump sum
remuneration.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS OF EMPLOYEE
SECTION 4.01 COVENANTS. The Employee acknowledges that in the course
of performing his duties he will have access to certain confidential information
of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates, in which 724 Solutions, Inc. has
proprietary rights and which is not in the public domain, that 724 Solutions,
Inc. has a significant and material interest in the business to which Employee's
duties relate, that the Employee's duties in this section are an essential
condition and obligation of this Agreement and that any material breach of this
section by the Employee would cause irreparable harm to 724 Solutions, Inc. or
any of its affiliates. In consideration for 724 Solutions, Inc. and Saturn
Merger Sub, Inc. entering into and performing under the Purchase Agreement and
to induce Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, Employee agrees that,
during the Period of Employment and for twelve (12) months following the date of
Employee's termination for any reason (and whether or not for Cause, as defined
below), Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in the conduct set
forth in sections 4.02 and 4.03 of this Article 4.
SECTION 4.02 COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE. (1) Unless prior written
consent is provided by 724 Solutions, Inc., Employee agrees, so long as he is
directly or indirectly an employee of 724 Solutions, Inc. and following
termination for any reason (and whether for cause or not), to refrain, directly
or indirectly and whether alone or jointly with any other person, corporation,
organization, association or entity (a "Person") and whether as an owner,
shareholder, agent, employee, director, officer, partner, consultant, lender or
in any other capacity from operating, being involved or having an interest in,
owning, managing, financing, controlling or participating in the ownership,
management, operations or control of, any Person that engages in the business of
developing, marketing, selling technology or products in such countries as 724
Solutions, Inc. or TANTAU Software, Inc. or any of their affiliates have
previously made sales or licenses or in which 724 Solutions, Inc. or TANTAU
Software, Inc. or any of their affiliates are then conducting consulting,
demonstration or other technical services (whether or not for fee or cost
recovery) with a view to potential sales or licenses, that are substantially
similar to or competitive with those provided by 724 Solutions, Inc. or its
affiliates.
(2) Notwithstanding section 4.02(1), Employee may own, directly or
indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any enterprise that provides
a service or product functionally similar to that offered by 724 Solutions, Inc.
or its affiliates or operates a business competitive with 724 Solutions, Inc. or
its affiliates (but without otherwise participating in the activities,
ownership, management or operations whether as an employee, director, consultant
or advisor of such enterprise), if Employee (i) is not a controlling person of,
or a member of a group
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which controls, such enterprise and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own
more than 2% of any class of securities of such enterprise.
SECTION 4.03 COVENANT NOT TO SOLICIT. Employee shall not, either for
himself or for any other Person, unless prior written consent of 724 Solutions,
Inc. is obtained:
(a) induce or attempt to induce any employee or "independent consultant"
providing services akin to those of an employee of 724 Solutions,
Inc. or any entity under the control of 724 Solutions, Inc. to leave
the employ of 724 Solutions, Inc. or such other entity;
(b) in any way interfere with the relationship between 724 Solutions,
Inc. (or any entity under 724 Solutions, Inc.'s control) and any
employee or consultant of 724 Solutions, Inc. (or such entity), and
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will not hire (in
the broadest sense) or cause to be hired any employee or consultant
of 724 Solutions, Inc.;
(c) induce, or attempt to induce, any person or entity that Employee
knows or reasonably ought to know is a customer, supplier, licensee
or business relation of 724 Solutions, Inc. or any entity under the
control of 724 Solutions, Inc. to cease doing business with 724
Solutions, Inc. or any entity under the control of 724 Solutions,
Inc., as the case may be, or in any way knowingly interfere with the
relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or
business relation of 724 Solutions, Inc. or TANTAU Software, Inc. or
such entity; or
(d) enter into any form of business arrangement functionally similar to
or competitive with the business of 724 Solutions, Inc. or TANTAU
Software, Inc. with any Person who then is or is proposed to be a
client, supplier or business partner of 724 Solutions, Inc. or
TANTAU Software, Inc. (and its subsidiaries, related corporations,
partnerships and joint ventures);
except to the extent any such actions in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above are
undertaken during the Period of Employment in the performance of Employee's
duties hereunder as contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.04 COVENANT RE: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee agrees,
both for the duration of this Agreement and at all times after the termination
thereof:
(a) except as required by law, to keep secret and not disclose to any
person, firm or corporation Confidential Information (as such term
is defined in Section 7.01 hereof); and
(b) not make use, directly or indirectly, of any such Confidential
Information for his ends or for any purpose other than the
performance of his duties with 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates.
SECTION 4.05 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RE: RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. Employee
acknowledges that the covenants contained in this Article 4 are reasonable and
valid and that
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they are essential for the adequate protection of 724 Solutions, Inc.'s
legitimate proprietary and business interests in view of the Employee's access
to 724 Solutions, Inc.'s valuable and proprietary technology and/or Confidential
Information.
SECTION 4.06 MODIFICATION AND SEVERABILITY. (1) While each of the
parties acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Article 4 are
reasonable in view of the circumstances, it is recognized that restrictions of
the nature in question may fail for technical reasons unforeseen and
accordingly, it is hereby agreed and declared that if any of such restrictions
shall be adjudged to be void as going beyond what is reasonable in all the
circumstances for the protection of the interests of 724 Solutions, Inc., but
would be valid if part of the wording thereof were deleted or the periods
thereof reduced or the range of activities or area dealt with thereby reduced in
scope, the said restriction shall apply with such modifications as may be
necessary to make it valid and effective.
(2) Each and every covenant under this Article shall be treated as a separate
covenant and shall be severally enforceable as such. In the event of any
covenant or covenants being or becoming unenforceable in whole or in part, such
part or parts as are unenforceable shall be deleted from this Article and any
such deletion shall not affect the enforceability of all such parts of this
Article as remain not so deleted.
ARTICLE 5
TERMINATION
SECTION 5.01 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (1) Neither 724 Solutions,
Inc., Employer nor Employee makes any representation to the other that
employment will continue for a set period of time or that employment will be
terminated only under particular circumstances. Both Employer and Employee may
terminate the employment of Employee at any time or for any reason, subject to
the provisions of this Agreement and subject to the minimum statutory provisions
of German law.
SECTION 5.02 TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS. Employee agrees as follows:
(i) All property, including, without limitation, all equipment,
tangible proprietary information (including Confidential
Information), documents, books, records, reports, notes,
contracts, lists, computer disks (and other computer-generated
files and data), and copies thereof, created on any medium and
furnished to, obtained by, or prepared by Employee in the
course of or incident to his employment, belongs to 724
Solutions, Inc. or its affiliates and shall be returned
promptly to 724 Solutions, Inc. upon termination of Employee's
employment by either Employer, for any reason (and whether for
Cause or not), or Employee.
(ii) All benefits to which Employee is otherwise entitled shall
cease upon Employee's termination for any reason (and whether
for Cause or not), unless explicitly continued either under
this Agreement, under any specific written policy or benefit
plan of 724 Solutions, Inc. or its affiliates, or as may be
required by statute.
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(iii) Upon termination of employment for any reason (and whether for
Cause or not) under this Agreement, Employee shall be deemed
to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held
with 724 Solutions, Inc. or any subsidiary. The Employee shall
sign any document or do such things that are reasonably
required by 724 Solutions, Inc. to give effect to any such
resignation. Should the Employee fail to do so, any director
of 724 Solutions, Inc. is hereby irrevocably authorized in the
Employee's name and on his behalf to sign any document or do
any thing which is required to give effect thereto.
(iv) The covenants contained in ARTICLES 4, 6 AND 7 and Employee's
obligations under this Section 5.02 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the termination of
employment for any reason (and whether for Cause or not).
(v) Following any voluntary termination of employment or
termination for Good Reason by Employee, Employee shall, where
reasonably requested by 724 Solutions, Inc., reasonably
cooperate with 724 Solutions, Inc. for a reasonable period of
time after such termination of employment in the orderly
transition of duties and work assignments to other employees
of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates, provided that 724
Solutions, Inc. continues to pay Employee compensation on a
per diem basis, at a rate equal to Employee's base salary in
effect at Employee's date of termination, during any such
reasonable period of time that Employee's cooperation is
requested. Employee shall also reasonably cooperate, at 724
Solutions, Inc.'s expense, in the defense of any action
brought by any third party against 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates that relates in any way to Employee's acts or
omissions while employed by 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates.
SECTION 5.03 TERMINATION UPON DEATH. If Employee dies during the
Period of Employment, the Period of Employment and this Agreement shall
automatically terminate.
SECTION 5.04 TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. SUBJECT TO THE STATUTORY
PROVISIONS OF GERMAN LAW, if during the Period of Employment, Employee shall
become physically or mentally incapacitated, either as an occupational
disability or a total disability, and as a result thereof he is unable to
perform the essential functions of his position with or without a reasonable
accommodation, for a continuous period of more than 120 days then 724 Solutions,
Inc., Employer and Employee specifically agree that this Agreement has been
frustrated, and therefore Employer is entitled to terminate Employee's
employment on one month's notice.
SECTION 5.05 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT TERM WITHOUT CAUSE.
Employer reserves the right, subject to minimum statutory notice entitlements
pursuant to German law, to terminate the Period of Employment without Cause
at any time upon paying to the Employee a lump sum payment of an amount equal
to twelve (12) months of On-Target Earnings (as defined in Schedule A), less
statutory deductions and withholdings (the "Severance Amount"). Employee
agrees to release 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates from any action,
cause of action, claim or
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demand against 724 Solutions, Inc. or any other person, which may arise as a
consequence of such termination and to sign a waiver and release to this effect
in a form satisfactory to 724 Solutions, Inc. as a condition to receiving
payment under this Section. In the event the Employee initiates proceedings
challenging the validity of a termination under this Section, then theEmployee
specifically agrees that he is only entitled to receive the severance payment
described in this section 5.05 only after it is determined in any such
proceedings that the termination is or was valid, and no payments shall be made
before such determination.
SECTION 5.06 TERMINATION FOR GOOD REASON. Employee may terminate the
Period of Employment for Good Reason at any time. Upon such termination for Good
Reason, Employer shall pay Employee the Severance Amount. Employee agrees to
release 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates from any action, cause of action,
claim or demand against 724 Solutions, Inc. or any other person, which may arise
as a consequence of such termination and to sign a waiver and release to this
effect in a form satisfactory to 724 Solutions, Inc. as a condition to receiving
payment under this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" will
exist at any time following the occurrence of one or more of the following
events without the Employee's written consent:
(i) the assignment to Employee of any duties materially
inconsistent with Employee's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement or any other
action by the Employer that results in a material diminution
in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities;
(ii) a reduction in Employee's compensation and benefits below that
set forth in Section 2.01 and Exhibit "A"; or
(iii) relocation, without Employee's consent of Employee's place of
employment by more than fifty (50) miles;
provided however, that Employee shall not terminate his employment hereunder
unless Employee first gives notice of his intention to terminate and the grounds
for such termination, and Employer has not, within thirty (30) days following
receipt of such notice, cured such Good Reason.
SECTION 5.07 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT TERM FOR CAUSE. Employer may
at any time and without notice immediately terminate the Period of Employment
for Cause and Employee shall have no right to receive any compensation or
benefit hereunder (with the exception of compensation earned but unpaid as of
the termination date). For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" will exist at any
time following the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
(i) any willful act of personal dishonesty, fraud or
misrepresentation taken by Employee in connection with his
responsibilities as an employee which was intended to result
in Employee's substantial gain or personal enrichment at the
expense of TANTAU Software, Inc. or 724 Solutions, Inc.;
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(ii) the conviction of Employee of a felony (other than
driving-related offenses), or the equivalent in a jurisdiction
other than the United States, on account of any act which was
materially injurious to Employer or any of its affiliates, or
the reputation of Employer or any of its affiliates, as
reasonably determined by the Board of Directors of 724
Solutions, Inc.;
(iii) Employee's willful and continued failure to substantially
perform his principal duties and obligations of employment
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness;
provided, that for purposes of this Section 5.07, no act or failure to act shall
be considered "willful" unless done or omitted to be done by Employee in bad
faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission was in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Employer; provided, further, that Employer
shall not terminate Employee's employment under clause (iii) of this Section
5.07 unless Employer first gives notice of its intention to terminate and the
grounds for such termination, and Employee has not, within thirty (30) days
following receipt of such notice, cured such failure.
SECTION 5.08 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION PERIOD. Subject to the minimum
statutory notice requirements pursuant to German law, Employee may terminate
this Agreement upon giving of 12 weeks' prior notice to Employer (or such lesser
period of time as the parties may agree upon), in which case this Agreement
shall terminate at the expiration of such 12 week period without any other
notice or any payment of salary or benefit plan contributions subsequent to the
termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.09 REPAYMENT OF BONUSES AND OTHER ADVANCES. Employee
agrees to permit 724 Solutions, Inc. or its affiliates to deduct the amount
of any advanced bonuses or other monies advanced to Employee during the
Period of Employment and so designated as advanced amounts, from any
compensation due Employee under this Article 5.
SECTION 5.10 TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND OTHER
SECURITIES. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, upon any
termination of Employee for any reason and whether for Cause or not, any
options, restricted stock or other securities held by Employee but subject to
vesting which is contingent upon continued employment with 724 Solutions, Inc.
or its affiliates shall be governed by the provisions of the applicable stock
plans and repurchase and award agreements including that certain side letter
between TANTAU Software, Inc., 724 Solutions, Inc. and Employee, dated the date
hereof (the "Side Letter") (it being understood that the treatment of
outstanding options to purchase TANTAU Software, Inc. common stock that are
converted into options to purchase 724 Solutions, Inc. common stock pursuant to
the Merger Agreement shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the TANTAU
Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Plan and award agreements thereunder, as amended by
the Side Letter).
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ARTICLE 6
INVENTIONS AND IDEAS
SECTION 6.01 INVENTIONS AND IDEAS. The term "Invention/Idea" means
any and all ideas, processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology,
computer hardware or software, original works of authorship, designs, layout
designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, products, and all
improvements, know-how, rights, and claims related to the foregoing that are
conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by Employee, alone or with others,
either (i) during the Period of Employment (subject to earlier termination under
Article 5 above) and in the course of the Employee's employment with 724
Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates (for the avoidance of doubt, including any of
the foregoing that relates to the business of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates or to any other business that 724 Solutions, Inc. or its affiliates
intends to pursue or (ii) by using equipment, supplies, facilities, company
time, or other resources of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates, or ideas,
processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology, computer hardware
or software, original works of authorship, designs, layout designs, formulas,
discoveries, patents, copyrights, products or improvements, know-how, rights,
and claims of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates related to the foregoing.
Any inventions made by the Employee during the course of his employment shall be
subject to German statutory provisions. If such provisions do not contain any
rules concerning suggestions for improvements, any claims in this respect shall
be deemed compensated by the salary paid to the Employee pursuant to Article
2.01 herein.
SECTION 6.02 DISCLOSURE. Employee shall maintain adequate and
current written records, in the forms prescribed by 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates from time to time, on the development of all Inventions/Ideas and
shall disclose promptly to 724 Solutions, Inc. all Inventions/Ideas and relevant
records, which records will remain the sole property of 724 Solutions, Inc. and
its affiliates. Employee agrees that all information and records pertaining to
any idea, process, trademark, service xxxx, invention, technology, computer
hardware or software, original work of authorship, design, layout designs,
formula, discovery, patent, copyright, product, and all improvements, know-how,
rights, and claims related to the foregoing ("Intellectual Property"), but that
is conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by Employee (alone or with
others) during the Period of Employment (or during the post-employment period
set forth in Article 4.01 above), shall be disclosed promptly to 724 Solutions,
Inc. (such disclosure to be received in confidence). 724 Solutions, Inc. shall,
if it considers advisable and in any event without prejudice to 724 Solutions,
Inc.'s rights to claim ownership at a subsequent time, examine such information
to determine if in fact the Intellectual Property is an Invention/Idea subject
to this Agreement, but shall hold such information in the strictest confidence
and shall not use or disclose such information in any manner if it is determined
that the same is not an Invention/Idea subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 6.03 Duties and Obligations of Employee re: Invention/Ideas.
Employee hereby agrees:
(i) not to disclose to any Person, unless expressly authorized by
724 Solutions, Inc. in writing, any technical, commercial, or
any confidential information relating to any said
Invention/Idea which is owned by or in
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the possession of 724 Solutions, Inc., TANTAU Software, Inc.
or any of their related corporations except as required by
this Agreement; and
(ii) not to use said information for any personal purposes
whatsoever unless expressly authorized by 724 Solutions, Inc.
in writing.
SECTION 6.04 ASSIGNMENT. Employee agrees to, and hereby does, assign
to 724 Solutions, Inc. his entire right, title, and interest, free and clear of
all liens and encumbrances (other than those created by or applicable to 724
Solutions, Inc.), in and to each Invention/Idea, which shall be the sole
property of 724 Solutions, Inc., TANTAU Software, Inc. or any of their related
corporations, whether or not patentable. In the event any Invention/Idea is
deemed by 724 Solutions, Inc. to be patentable or otherwise registrable,
Employee shall assist 724 Solutions, Inc. (at its expense) in obtaining letters
patent or other applicable registrations thereon and shall execute all documents
and do all other things necessary or proper thereto (including testifying at 724
Solutions, Inc.'s expense) to vest 724 Solutions, Inc. or any Person specified
by 724 Solutions, Inc., with full and perfect title thereto or interest therein.
Employee shall also take any action necessary or advisable in connection with
any continuations, renewals, or reissues thereof or in any related proceedings
or litigation. Should 724 Solutions, Inc. be unable to secure Employee's
signature on any document necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce
any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any
Invention/Idea, whether due to Employee's mental or physical incapacity or any
other cause, Employee irrevocably designates and appoints 724 Solutions, Inc.
and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee's agent and
attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Employee's behalf and stead and to execute
and file any such document, and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to
further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of such patents, copyrights,
or other rights or protections with the same force and effect as if executed,
delivered, and/or done by Employee.
SECTION 6.05 EXCLUSIONS. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.05,
Employee represents that there are no Inventions/Ideas that he desires to
exclude from the operation of this Agreement. To the best of Employee's
knowledge, there is no existing contract in conflict with this Agreement and
there is no contract to assign any Intellectual Property that is now in
existence between Employee and any Person other than TANTAU Software, Inc..
SECTION 6.06 MORAL RIGHTS. Employee expressly waives all moral
rights that he has or may have in connection with any Invention/Ideas or any
other work related to the projects covered by this Agreement in favour of 724
Solutions, Inc. or any related corporation.
ARTICLE 7
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
SECTION 7.01 DEFINED. "Proprietary Information" means all
information and any idea in whatever form, tangible or intangible, pertaining in
any manner to the business of either 724 Solutions, Inc., TANTAU Software, Inc.
or any of their related corporations, or its employees, clients, consultants, or
business associates, which was produced by any employee of 724 Solutions, Inc.,
TANTAU Software, Inc. or any of their affiliates in the course of his employment
or otherwise produced or acquired by or on behalf of 724 Solutions, Inc. or its
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affiliates. All Proprietary Information not generally known outside of 724
Solutions, Inc.'s organization, and all Proprietary Information so known only
through improper means, shall be deemed "Confidential Information". Proprietary
Information and Confidential Information shall not include information which
becomes generally known by or available to the public, except to the extent such
information becomes so known or available as (i) a result of a breach of this
Agreement by Employee or (ii) a breach of statutory, fiduciary or contractual
obligations owed to 724 Solutions, Inc. or TANTAU Software, Inc. or any of their
affiliates by any other person, provided that 724 Solutions, Inc., TANTAU
Software, Inc. or any of its affiliates is actively asserting, through public
action or through means specifically know to the Employee, the protection of its
interest in such information. Without limiting the foregoing definition,
Proprietary and Confidential Information shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) formulas, teaching and development techniques, processes, trade secrets,
computer programs, electronic codes, inventions, improvements, and research
projects; (ii) information about costs, profits, markets, sales, and lists of
customers or clients; (iii) business, marketing, and strategic plans; and (iv)
employee personnel files and compensation information. Employee should consult
any 724 Solutions, Inc. procedures instituted to identify and protect certain
types of Confidential Information, which are considered by 724 Solutions, Inc.
to be safeguards in addition to the protection provided by this Agreement.
Nothing contained in those procedures or in this Agreement is intended to limit
the effect of the other.
SECTION 7.02 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON USE. During the Period of
Employment, Employee shall use Proprietary Information, and shall disclose
Confidential Information, only for the benefit of 724 Solutions, Inc. and as is
necessary to carry out his responsibilities under this Agreement. Following
termination, Employee shall neither, directly or indirectly, use any Proprietary
Information nor disclose any Confidential Information, except as expressly and
specifically authorized in writing by 724 Solutions, Inc. or as required by the
order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The publication of any Proprietary
Information through literature or speeches must be approved in advance in
writing by 724 Solutions, Inc..
SECTION 7.03 LOCATION AND REPRODUCTION. Employee shall maintain at
his work station and/or any other place under his control only such Confidential
Information as he has a current "need to know". Employee shall return to the
appropriate person or location or otherwise properly dispose of Confidential
Information once that need to know no longer exists. Employee shall not make
copies of or otherwise reproduce Confidential Information unless there is a
legitimate business need for reproduction.
SECTION 7.04 PRIOR ACTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE. Employee represents and
warrants that from June 13, 2000, he has held in strict confidence all
Confidential Information (for purposes of this Section 7.04, "Confidential
Information" shall have the definition set forth in that certain Mutual
Non-Disclosure Agreement between TANTAU Software, Inc. and 724 Solutions, Inc.
dated June 13, 2000) and has not disclosed any Confidential Information,
directly or indirectly, to anyone outside of 724 Solutions, Inc. and its
affiliates (with the exception of TANTAU Software, Inc. and its respective
legal, accounting and financial advisors), or used, copied, published, or
summarized any Confidential Information, except to the extent otherwise
permitted in this Agreement and as may have been disclosed to legal, accounting
and financial advisers during negotiations of the Merger Agreement.
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SECTION 7.05 THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION. Employee acknowledges that 724
Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates have received and in the future will receive
from third parties their confidential information subject to a duty on 724
Solutions, Inc.'s part to maintain the confidentiality of this information and
to use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees that he owes 724
Solutions, Inc. and these third parties, during the Period of Employment and
thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential information in the strictest
confidence and not to disclose or use it, except as necessary to perform his
obligations hereunder and as is consistent with 724 Solutions, Inc.'s agreement
with such third parties.
SECTION 7.06 CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS. Employee represents and
warrants that his execution of this Agreement, his employment with Employer, and
the performance of his proposed duties under this Agreement will not violate any
obligations he may have to any former employer (or other person or entity),
including any obligations with respect to proprietary or confidential
information of any other person or entity; provided however, that Employee's
continued employment by TANTAU Software, Inc. between the date of this Agreement
and the Closing Date shall not violate this Section 7.06.
ARTICLE 8
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON BREACH
SECTION 8.01 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. If Employee breaches any of the
covenants contained in Article 4 on Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation,
Article 6 on Inventions and Ideas or Article 7 on Proprietary Information, or
any other covenants contained herein (collectively, the "Restrictive
Covenants"), the parties acknowledge and agree that the damage or imminent
damage to 724 Solutions, Inc.'s (or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates and
related entities) business or their goodwill would be irreparable and extremely
difficult to estimate, making any remedy at law or in damages inadequate. Both
parties further acknowledge that 724 Solutions, Inc. considers the services of
Employee to be provided under this Agreement to be unique, extraordinary, and/or
of intellectual character. Accordingly, 724 Solutions, Inc. shall have the
following rights and remedies, in addition to any other relief (including
damages) available to 724 Solutions, Inc. under this Agreement or under law each
of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the other and severally
enforceable, and all of which rights and remedies shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any other rights and remedies available to 724 Solutions, Inc.
under law or equity:
(a) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. 724 Solutions, Inc. shall be entitled to
injunctive relief against Employee in the event of any breach or
threatened breach of the above provisions by Employee.
(b) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The right and remedy to have Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity
jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach
or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to 724 Solutions,
Inc. and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to
724 Solutions, Inc..
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(c) ACCOUNTING. 724 Solutions, Inc. shall have the right and remedy to
require Employee to account for and pay over to 724 Solutions, Inc.
all compensation, profits, monies, accruals, increments or other
benefits (collectively, "Benefits") derived or received by Employee
as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of any of
the Restrictive Covenants.
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication under this
Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective upon delivery by hand or
upon facsimile transmission to a party (but only upon receipt by such party of a
written confirmation of receipt), or three (3) business days after deposit in
the national mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered, and addressed to
724 Solutions, Inc. or to Employee at the corresponding address or fax number
(if any) below. Employee shall be obligated to notify 724 Solutions, Inc. in
writing of any change in his address. Notice of change of address shall be
effective only when done in accordance with this Section.
SECTION 9.02 INVALIDITY AND SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this
Agreement, or its application to any person, place, or circumstance, is held by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, such
provision shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law, and the
remainder of this Agreement and such provision as applied to other persons,
places, and circumstances shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 9.03 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Employee agrees (at 724 Solutions,
Inc.'s expense) to do such acts and execute such further documents, conveyances,
deeds, assignments, transfers and the like, and will cause the doing of such
acts and will cause the execution of such further documents as are within
Employee's power as 724 Solutions, Inc. may in writing at any time and from time
to time reasonably request be done and or executed, in order to give full effect
to the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.04 WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Any waiver of, or consent to depart
from, the requirements of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective
only if it is in writing and signed by the party giving it, and only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it has been given. No
failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of such right. No single or
partial exercise of any such right shall preclude any other or further exercise
of such right or the exercise of any other right.
SECTION 9.05 AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS. This Agreement may not be amended
except by an instrument in writing, signed by Employee and the Chairman of 724
Solutions, Inc. or his designated representative. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power under this Agreement shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right, remedy, or power under this Agreement preclude any other or further
exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided
herein or by law or in equity.
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SECTION 9.06 ASSIGNMENT. Employee acknowledges that 724 Solutions,
Inc. and Employer may assign this Agreement and the benefits of Employee's
covenants and obligations under this Agreement to any Person who purchases all
or substantially all of the assets of the 724 Solutions, Inc. or Employer. In
addition, this Agreement and the rights and obligations of 724 Solutions, Inc.
and Employer may be assigned at any time by 724 Solutions, Inc. or Employer to a
related corporation of 724 Solutions, Inc.. Subject to the foregoing, neither
this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by
any party without the prior written consent of the other party and any such
purported assignment shall be void. Subject thereto, this Agreement shall enure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, legal personal representatives, successors (including
any successor by reason of amalgamation or statutory arrangement of any party)
and permitted assigns.
SECTION 9.07 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement, its construction,
and the determination of any rights, duties or remedies of the parties arising
out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
SECTION 9.08 ENFORCEABILITY IN JURISDICTION. The parties intend to
and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants upon the
courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of the Restrictive
Covenants. If the court of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the
Restrictive Covenants wholly unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such
scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties that such determination
not bar or in any way affect 724 Solutions, Inc.'s right to the relief provided
above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographical scope of
the Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of the Restrictive Covenants in such
other respective jurisdictions, the Restrictive Covenants as they relate to each
jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent
covenants.
SECTION 9.09 EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Employee acknowledges that he
has had the opportunity to consult legal counsel in regard to this Agreement,
that he has read and understands this Agreement, that he agrees that the
Restrictive Covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary,
that he is fully aware of his legal effect, and that he has entered into it
freely and voluntarily and based on his own judgment and not on any
representations or promises other than those contained in this Agreement.
SECTION 9.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the schedules
hereto, the TANTAU Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Plan, the Side Letter, the
Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement and the Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement constitute the entire Agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements,
negotiations, discussions and understandings, written or oral, between them,
provided that this Agreement shall supercede the provisions of the
Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement and the Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement solely to the extent inconsistent therewith.
SECTION 9.11 DATE OF AGREEMENT. The parties have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
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SECTION 9.12 HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.13 COUNTERPART EXECUTION; FACSIMILE DELIVERY. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and delivered by facsimile
with original signatures to follow, all of which shall be considered one and the
same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have
been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being
understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
SECTION 9.14 SURVIVAL. The terms of Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
724 SOLUTIONS, INC.
Per: /s/ [Authorized Signing Officer]
--------------------------------
Authorized Signing Officer
SCHEDULE A
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
XXXXXX XXXXXX
1. ANNUAL COMPENSATION. Your base salary will be DM 414,700 per annum. There
will be a performance related bonus, which be put in place after the
necessary review and approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors of 724 Solutions, Inc. For purposes of this Agreement,
"On-Target Earnings" as of any date means the Employee's then current base
salary and target bonus.
VACATION. The Employee will be entitled to 30 days vacation in any
calendar year, the scheduling of which will be subject to the approval
of the Employee's supervisor.
2. TERMINATION DATE. This statement of Compensation and Benefits supersedes
all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether
written or oral, express or implied pertaining in any manner to your
compensation, benefit, and term of employment and it may not be
contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or
agreements; provided however, that this statement of Compensation and
Benefits does not supersede your TANTAU Software, Inc.
1999 Stock Plan or the Side Letter.
