Exhibit (e)(23)
CONTRACT NO. [15872]
INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of the 1st day of August 2003.
BETWEEN: |
Net2Phone, Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware USA, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000, XXX; and |
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AND: |
IDT Corporation (the “Service
Provider”) a corporation existing under the laws of the State
of Delaware USA, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000, XXX; and |
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WHEREAS: |
The Customer and the Service Provider
have agreed that the Service Provider will provide the Customer with certain
corporate support and administration services to assist the development
and growth of the Customer’s internet telephony services business, |
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IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
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In this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings: |
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“Customer” means Net2Phone, Inc. and each of its consolidated subsidiaries, including but not limited to Net2Phone Global Services, LLC and Net2Phone Cable Telephony, LLC: |
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“Effective Date” means the first day of August 2003; |
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“Services” means the services as set out in Schedule One; and |
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“Service Fee” means the fees that the Service Provider receives from the Customer for providing the Services as set out in Schedule Two. |
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1.2 |
Construction of Certain References |
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In this Agreement where the context admits: |
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(a) references to “this Agreement” or to any other agreement or document referred to in this Agreement mean this agreement or such other agreement or document as amended, varied, supplemented, modified or novated from time to time, and include the schedules; |
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(b) references to clause(s) and schedule(s) are references to clause(s) and schedule(s) of and to this Agreement, references to paragraphs are, unless otherwise stated, references to paragraphs of the schedule in which the reference appears; and |
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(c) any reference to “writing” shall include typewriting, printing, lithography, photography, telex, facsimile and the printed out version of a communication by electronic mail and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a legible form. |
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The headings and sub-headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement. |
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Each of the schedules shall have effect as if set out in this Agreement. |
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2. |
Commencement and Duration |
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2.1 |
This Agreement shall be valid, unless or until terminated by either party in accordance with clause 5 below, for a period of one year commencing on the Effective Date and shall be extended automatically for periods of one year on an annual basis, unless either party shall give notice of non-renewal at least 3 months prior to the automatic renewal date. |
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3.1 |
In consideration of the payment of the Service Fee, the Service Provider shall for the duration of this Agreement provide the Services to the Customer in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
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3.2 |
The Service Provider shall, and where appropriate shall ensure that any officer, employee, agent or sub-contractor providing the Services shall use reasonable care, skill and diligence in providing the Services. |
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3.3 |
Service Provider shall maintain accurate records and accounts of all transactions relating to the Services performed by it pursuant to this Agreement. Such records and accounts shall be maintained separately from Service Provider’s own records and accounts and shall reflect such information as would normally be examined by an internal auditor using the standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. Customer shall have the right to inspect and copy, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable intervals during Service Provider’s regular office hours, the separate records and accounts maintained by Service Provider relating to the Services. |
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3.4 |
(a) Service Provider agrees to hold in confidence, and to use reasonable efforts to cause its employees and representatives to hold in confidence (at least to the extent that Service Provider keeps its own confidential information in confidence, but in no event less than commercially reasonable given the nature of the confidential information), all confidential information concerning Customer furnished to or obtained by Service Provider in the course of providing the Services (except to the extent that such information has been (a) in the public domain through no fault of Service Provider or (b) lawfully acquired by Service Provider from sources other than Customer); and Service Provider shall not disclose or release any such confidential information to any
person, except its employees, representatives and agents who have a need to know such information in connection with Service Provider’s performance under this Agreement, unless (i) such disclosure or release is compelled by the judicial or administrative process, or (ii) in the opinion of counsel to Service Provider, such disclosure or release is necessary pursuant to requirements of law or the requirements of any governmental entity including, without limitation, disclosure requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in each case as amended. |
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(b) Service Provider shall supervise its personnel and establish systems to assure that Customer information is made available to Service Provider’s employees on an “as needed” basis only. Service Provider shall use such information only for purposes of providing the Services and for no other purpose. In particular, the department of Service Provider providing the Services to Customer shall in no way make any information concerning Customer available to any other management or operational department or division of Service Provider or to personnel associated with such divisions or departments except to the extent approved in writing by Customer. |
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3.5 |
(a) Service Provider shall have no liability whatsoever to Customer for any error, act or omission in connection with the Services to be rendered by Service Provider to Customer hereunder unless any such error, act or omission derives from the wilful misconduct or gross negligence of Service Provider. Service Provider shall indemnify and save Customer harmless from any and all claims, costs, judgments, penalties, losses, damages, liabilities, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) (collectively “Claims”) incurred or suffered by Customer or imposed upon Customer to the extent the same arise out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Service Provider in providing its Services hereunder. Customer shall indemnify and
save Service Provider harmless from any and all Claims brought by third parties that are incurred or suffered by Service Provider or imposed upon Service Provider to the extent the same (i) relate to the Services provided hereunder and would not have been brought by such third party but for Service Provider providing the Services to Customer and (ii) do not arise out of the gross negligence of wilful misconduct of Service Provider. IN NO EVENT SHALL SERVICE PROVIDER BE LIABLE TO CUSTOMER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUES OR DATA), WHETHER BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER OR NOT SERVICE PROVIDER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. THE LIABILITY OF
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR DAMAGES OR ALLEGED DAMAGES HEREUNDER, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, IS LIMITED TO, AND WILL NOT EXCEED, NET2PHONE’S DIRECT DAMAGES. |
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(b) Service Provider
is an independent contractor and when its employees act under the terms
of this Agreement, they shall be deemed at all times to be under the supervision
and responsibility of Service Provider; and, notwithstanding any reimbursement
of labor costs as provided herein or otherwise, no person employed by Service
Provider and acting under the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to
be acting as agent or employee of Customer or any customer of Customer
for any purpose whatsoever. |
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3.6 |
Service Provider shall act in the best interest of Customer. If, in the course of providing services hereunder, Service Provider identifies a conflict of interest which would lead a reasonable person to conclude that Service Provider cannot act in the best of interest of Customer while also acting in the best interest of Service Provider, such conflict shall immediately be reported to Customer so that it may be addressed without prejudice to either Customer or Service Provider. |
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3.7 |
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of Service Provider’s directors, officers or employees to engage in any other business or devote their time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature, or to limit or restrict the right of Service Provider to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any corporation, firm, individual, trust or association; provided, however, that the foregoing shall in no way modify or limit Service Provider’s agreement not to compete with Net2Phone as set forth in Section 6.3 of the Separation Agreement between IDT and Net2Phone, dated May 7, 1999, and Service Provider hereby confirms its agreement to be bound by
the terms thereof. |
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3.8 |
Customer shall use its best efforts to hire a head of internal audit, who shall be Customer’s employee. Customer shall pay all salary, benefits and other expenses related to this employee. The employee shall report to Customer’s CEO and Audit Committee, and will take direction from Service Provider’s Senior Vice President of Internal Audit to ensure that Customer’s and Service Provider’s internal audit functions work efficiently and effectively together. |
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4.1 |
The Customer shall pay for the Services (and any Additional Services) performed during each month in arrears within 45 days of receipt of an invoice (the “Payment Date”). Service Provider and Customer acknowledge that they have developed customary practices for the payments of funds between them related to the many service, lease and other business arrangements between Service Provider and Customer, and it is understood that the payment of fees and other monies pursuant to this Agreement will most likely become a part of that reconciliation process, so long as payments are still made within the time periods set forth in this Agreement. |
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4.2 |
Payment of the Service Fee by the Customer to the Service Provider is subject to the Service Provider performing its obligations under the terms of this Agreement. |
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4.3 |
Failure by the Customer to make a payment by the Payment Date of any amount due and owing to Service Provider shall result in the amount then owing being increased to include four percent interest, compounded daily, on such sum from the Payment Date until the date of actual payment. |
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5.1 |
Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving at least three month’s prior written notice to the other party. |
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5.2 |
Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately by giving written notice to the other party if such other party: |
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(a) becomes insolvent, is adjudicated bankrupt or compounds with or makes any arrangement with or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; |
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(b) compulsorily or voluntarily enters into liquidation, except for the purposes of a bona fide reorganization and with the prior written approval of the other party; |
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(c) has a receiver, manager or trustee appointed over the whole or a substantial part of its business or assets; |
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(d) suffers any analogous process, as those listed in (a), (b) and (c) above, under any foreign law; or |
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(e) commits any material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement and fails to remedy that breach (if capable of remedy) within one month after written notice from the other party giving full particulars of the breach and requiring it to be remedied. |
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5.3 |
In the event of termination, all outstanding sums due to the Service Provider shall be paid by the Customer immediately after the date of termination and any rights or obligations to which any of the parties to this Agreement may be entitled or be subject before its termination shall remain in full force and effect. |
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5.4 |
In the event of termination, Service Provider shall, upon payment by Customer of all outstanding invoices, deliver to Customer, or a recipient designated by Customer, all books, records, correspondence, memoranda, forms and any other materials in any form or medium in its possession relating to the Services -past, present or anticipated in the future. In addition, Service Provider shall complete and file all pending filings and otherwise cooperate fully in the transition back to Customer or its designee of any and all matters pending on the date of termination to the end that Customer shall not be prejudiced by the termination of this agreement. Notwithstanding the termination of the Agreement, for any reason, Service Provider shall remain engaged in those
matters in which there would be a reasonably likelihood of material damage to Customer’s position if Service Provider were to cease taking an active role. Customer shall pay to Service Provider a reasonable hourly fee determined by Service Provider for such continuing services. |
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This Agreement shall not be assigned or novated by either party without the prior written consent of the other party to this Agreement. |
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Except as otherwise set forth herein, this Agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguishes any prior drafts, agreements, representations, warranties and arrangements of any nature, whether in writing or oral, relating to the subject matter herein and only the subject matter herein. Any amendments or alterations to this Agreement shall be made only in writing agreed and signed by both parties hereto. |
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No failure to exercise nor any delay in exercising by any party to this Agreement of any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Agreement shall impair or operate as a waiver thereof in whole or in part. |
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6.4 |
No Partnership or Authority |
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Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed to constitute a partnership between the parties nor shall it constitute, or be deemed to constitute, any party the agent of any other party for any purpose. |
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No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by each of the parties. |
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If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, void, invalid or unenforceable under the laws of any jurisdiction, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction shall not be affected, and the legality, validity and enforceability of the whole of this Agreement shall not be affected in any other jurisdiction. |
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Any notices required to be given under this Agreement or in connection with the matters contemplated by it shall, except where otherwise specifically provided, be in writing personally delivered, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery at the relevant address, or sent by first class pre-paid post, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given two days after the date of posting, or sent by facsimile, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given when dispatched, subject to confirmation of uninterrupted transmission by a transmission report to the General Counsel of either Service Provider or Customer, as the case may be. |
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This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, New Jersey Law and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the New Jersey courts. |
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The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement are for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and successors and assigns, and they shall not be construed as conferring any rights on any other persons. |
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Service Provider and Customer agree that any disputes that arise with respect to this Agreement shall be resolved by the Dispute Resolution provisions set forth in Article 8 of the Separation Agreement, dated May 7, 1999, between IDT Corporation and Net2Phone, Inc. |
In Witness Whereof, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
IDT Corporation |
Net2Phone, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx |
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Name: |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Title: |
CEO |
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SCHEDULE 1
Services to be provided by the Service Provider to the Customer
1. |
Service Provider shall provide or arrange for the provision of direct and indirect internal audit services to Customer. |
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Service Provider shall assist the Customer with Customer’s internal audit functions. |
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3. |
Service Provider’s Senior Vice President of Internal Audit shall report to Net2Phone’s Chief Executive Officer and Audit Committee on all matters relating to services performed under this Agreement, and such reports shall include attending Audit Committee meetings as may be appropriate to report on the progress achieved and conclusions reached with respect to the services provided hereunder. |
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Service Provider’s duties shall parallel those described in the Internal Audit Charter for IDT attached hereto as Schedule I-A. |
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Service Provider, in consultation with Customer, agrees to hire additional resources, over and above the resources budgeted for IDT’s internal audit function, to ensure that Customer projects receive appropriate priority given the materiality of Customer’s projects to Customer (rather than the materiality of Customer’s projects to Service Provider). |
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Service Provider shall provide assistance in any other reasonable commercial, corporate or finance request related to or incidental to the services provided hereunder. |
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Service Provider shall assist Customer with the preparation of an internal audit report assessing the effectiveness of Customer’s internal controls and shall alert Customer to any issues in the report to which they take exception for purposes of Customer complying with the provisions of Section 404 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002. |
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Service Provider shall coordinate as required with the Customer’s external auditors or other third party providers hired by Customer in assessing and implementing internal control processes and procedures. |
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In providing the Services, Service Provider shall not obligate Customer to any obligation, financial or otherwise, or make any factual representations or concessions, or waive any rights (e.g. statute of limitations) or execute any documents or filings on behalf of Customer without the prior approval of a duly authorized representative of Customer. |
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SCHEDULE I-A
IDT INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT CHARTER
INTRODUCTION
The Board of Directors established the Internal Audit Department through the Audit Committee’s oversight function. The Senior Vice President of Internal Audit reports to the Chief Executive Officer and to the Audit Committee (the “Committee”).
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective and efficient systems of internal control. Internal Audit’s (IA) role is to be an independent, objective, assurance and consulting function that adds value and improves operations at IDT Corporation and its related family of companies (including Union Telecard Alliance and Net2Phone, and collectively referred to as “the Company”). It helps the Company improve its internal control systems and mitigate its risks (including financial, accounting, operational, legal, regulatory, reputational, technological, and governance) by systematically evaluating and suggesting improvements in the Company’s policies and procedures. In coordination with Management
and/or the Committee, IA will also undertake special projects that are consultative in nature when either the project is internal control focused or when IA is best suited to the project.
Internal Audit is granted free and unrestricted access to all relevant Company records, physical properties and personnel.
AUDIT DEPARTMENT WORK
The audit work schedule is developed by prioritizing the audit universe by risk. IA reports its plans, work completed, significant issues, and staffing capabilities in accordance with the Committee’s schedule, or as needed.
Each audit’s results and the action plans agreed to by Management are provided in a written report to the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, other appropriate parties and are available to the Committee. Management is responsible for implementing agreed upon action plans. IA will periodically verify that action plans have been implemented.
SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH NET2PHONE
IDT has agreed to perform internal audit services for Net2Phone subject to a service agreement between the parties. The Senior Vice President of IA will report to Net2Phone’s Chief Executive Officer and Audit Committee on all matters relating to services performed under this agreement. The roles of IA, Net2Phone Management and the Net2Phone Audit Committee will parallel those described in this Charter for IDT. To ensure that N2P projects receive appropriate priority and that independence and privilege are maintained, Net2Phone will hire a head of internal audit who will report to Net2Phone’s CEO and Audit Committee. To ensure that the IA functions of IDT and Net2Phone work in a coordinated, effective and efficient manner the
Net2Phone head of internal audit will take direction from the Senior Vice President of Internal Audit of IDT on a day-to-day basis.
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SCHEDULE 2
Service Fee
The Customer shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, pay the Service Provider a Service Fee. The amount of the Service Fee shall be equal to any reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Service Provider in providing the Services. Such Service Fee shall be presented to Customer on a monthly basis and shall be based upon a reasonably derived estimate of Customer’s use of IDT Internal Audit Department personnel adjusted for Service Provider’s use, if any, of Internal Audit Department personnel dedicated and directly paid for by Customer. The charges will be calculated as a percentage of relevant compensation expense. The monthly Service Fee is subject to Customer’s approval, not to be unreasonably
withheld. Any costs and expenses for travel, third party fees or other expenses that are estimated to exceed $5,000 must be preapproved by the Customer, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.