PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT
This
license Agreement (Agreement) dated as of June 1, 2009 (the Effective Date) is
made between Xxxxxxx Xxx Design, LLC (“SKD”), having a mailing address of 0000
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 and AquaBlue International, Inc.
(Licensee), having a mailing address of 0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, X.X. Xxx 0000, Xxxxx’x
Falls, Ontario, Canada, KTA 4T8. SKD and Licensee shall be collectively referred
to herein as “the parties.”
On the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, SKD and Licensee hereby agree as
follows:
1.
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INTRODUCTION
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SKD is
the owner of certain proprietary rights to inventions as described in Appendix A. SKD
desires to license certain rights in the invention to Licensee on an exclusive
basis, subject to certain restrictions, which are more fully set forth
herein.
2.
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DEFINITIONS
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2.01
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“Licensed Technology”
means all United States patent applications and issued patents covering
any invention relating to any an all continuations, continuations-in-part,
amendments, divisions, reissues, and re-examinations of such applications
or based thereon and equivalents thereof and any and all modifications or
improvements thereof hereafter obtained, developed, conceived or reduced
to practice by SKD during the term of this Agreement relating to Licensed
Products, and any and all unpatented knowledge, technology, know-how and
technical information owned by SKD and related to any of the foregoing
including, without limitation, those listed in Appendix
A.
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2.02
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“Licensed Product” means
any product made, in whole or in part, marketed sold, or distributed by
Licensee in any and all channels of distribution with use of
the Licensed Technology including, without limitation, spin labels for
carbonated and non carbonated beverage containers as well as spin labels
for bottled water containers.
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2.03
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“Territory” means
worldwide
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2.04
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“net Sales Revenue”
means the actual invoiced receipts (sales quantity multiplied by
Licensee’s selling price) from customers for Licensed Products sold and
payment therefore received by Licensee, less Allowable Deductions. Net
Sales Revenues do not include charges for transportation of Licensed
Products or sales taxes, or any applicable goods and services tax or other
value added or similar tax.
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2.05
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“Allowable Deductions”
means:
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(i)
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customer
returns,
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(ii)
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customer
xxxx-backs or adjustments
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(iii)
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defective
goods
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(iv)
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third
party commissions
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(v)
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cash
discounts or
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(vi)
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volume
discounts (i.e. a lower initial selling price given solely in exchange for
the purchase of Licensed Products over a specified volume
level).
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3.
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GRANT
OF RIGHTS
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(i)
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SKD
grants to Licensee an exclusive license to manufacture and have
manufactured, to market and have marketed, to sell and have sold, and to
distribute the Licensed Technology and any Licensed Product in the
Territory, with right of assignment or sublicense to a third party upon
written approval of SKD, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The exclusive rights are limited based on prior commitments and
contracts that SKD has entered into; therefore certain other parties will
have rights to use the Licensed Technology on similar Licensed Products as
does the Licensee. The additional parties previously granted rights to use
the Licensed Technology are limited exclusively to those detailed in
Appendix B.
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(ii)
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SKD
retains the right to approve clients of the Licensed Products, which
approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
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4.
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TERM
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The Term
of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall terminate
December 31, 2014 (five years and seven months from the Effective Date).
Contract may be extended on a year to year basis based on Licensee meeting or
exceeding the prior year minimum guarantee.
5.
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ROYALTIES
/ GUARANTEES / PAYMENTS
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(i)
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Licensee
agrees to pay SKD a Royalty of five (5%) percent of Net Sales Revenue on
all Licensed Product it manufactures, sells and distributes. Licensee
agrees to pay this royalty on all Licensed Products sold in the Territory,
including those sold where patent protection does not
exist.
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(ii)
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Licensee
agrees to pay SKD a royalty of fifty (50%) percent of all
revenue generated from sublicenses.
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(iii)
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Licensee
agrees to pay SKD ten (10%) percent of all revenue generated by the sale
of advertising, sponsorships, games, and promotions to be used on the
Licensed Product.
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(iv)
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Licensee
agrees to pay SKD minimum guarantee each year of the contract period as
follows:
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June
1, 2009
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$50,000
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Year
1
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$100,000
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Year
2
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$150,000
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Year
3
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$200,000
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Year
4
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$250,000
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Year
5
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$350,000
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Payment
of the Year 1 guarantee will take place no later than January 31, 2010.
Following year guarantees shall be payable in four quarterly installments. All
guarantees are recoupable against royalties earned during the year.
(v)
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Royalties
are due and payable within 30 days of the end of each
quarter.
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(vi)
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All
payments to be made in U.S.
Dollars.
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6.
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BUYOUT
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The
parties understand and agree that the Licensed Product may draw the interest of
a major leader in the beverage industry. In the event that such a company is
interested in a buyout of the Licensed Technology, Licensee shall be entitled to
25% of revenue generated by the sale of the Licensed Technology.
7.
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VENDOR
APPROVAL
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SKD and
Licensee will jointly develop and approved vendor list which is not limited to,
but may include label suppliers, adhesive manufacturers and equipment suppliers.
SKD has final approval on all vendors. Any contracts entered into b y Licensee
and sub licensees must specify that only approved vendors may be used for the
Licensed Technology.
8.
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MEDIA
APPROVAL
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Licensee
may use press releases, promotional announcements, advertising, media blasts and
other media strategies to announce this Agreement or to advertise Licensed
products. SKD reserves the right to approve any and all such media prior to its
distribution; such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
9.
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AUDIT
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Licensee
shall keep accurate books of account and records covering all transactions
relating to the license granted in this Agreement. SKD or its duly authorized
representatives shall have the right, upon five days prior written notice and
during normal business hours, to inspect and audit Licensee’s records relating
to the Licensed Products and Licensed Technology Licensed under this Agreement.
SKD shall bear the cost of such inspection and audit, unless the results
indicate an underpayment greater than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for any
quarterly period. In that case, Licensee shall promptly reimburse SKD for all
costs of the audit along with the amount due with interest on such
sums.
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10.
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SKD
WARRANTIES.
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SKD
represents and warrants that:
(i)
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it
has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and has no
knowledge as to any third party claims regarding the proprietary rights in
the Licensed Products or Licensed Technology which would interfere with
the rights granted under this
Agreement;
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(ii)
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It
has the right to license any and all rights to the Licensed Technology and
the Licensed Products under this
Agreement;
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(iii)
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It
is the owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Licensed
Technology and it will take all appropriate steps to maintain such rights
granted to Licensee hereunder, and it has not made and will not make any
commitments to others inconsistent with such
rights;
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(iv)
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It
is granting the rights licensed to Licensee hereunder, free and
clear of any liens or encumbrances;
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(v)
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As
of the date of this Agreement, it has not received any notice from a third
party claiming any ownership interest in any of the rights licensed
hereunder nor has it received any notice from a third party claiming that
the use of such rights infringes the rights of others;
and
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(vi)
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As
of the date of this Agreement, no reissue, reexamination, interference,
opposition or equivalent proceeding has been commenced with respect to any
of the Licensed Technology.
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11.
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INDEMNIFICATION
BY SKD
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SKD shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Licensee from any damages and liabilities
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) arising from (a) any breach of
SKD’s representations, warranties and covenants unless this Agreement and (b)
any claim that the Licensed Technology infringes the patent or intellectual
property rights of any third party.
12.
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LICENSEE
WARRANTIES
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(i)
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Licensee
represents and warrants that it will use its reasonable commercial efforts
to manufacture, market, sell, and distribute the Licensed Product and that
its manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of the Licensed Product
shall be in conformance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
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(ii)
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Licensee
further represents and warrants that all labeled and bottled beverages
manufactured by either Licensee or any sublicense will meet applicable
government regulations and quality assurance standards. Licensee shall
maintain at all times suitable product liability insurance covering all
labeled beverage bottles manufactured and sold by Licensee hereunder in an
amount of not less than $10,000,000 per occurrence, naming SKD as an
additional insured party. Licensee shall provide SKD with copies of
certificates evidencing the foregoing insurance
coverage.
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13.
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INDEMNIFICATION
BY LICENSEE.
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Licensee
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless SKD from any damages and liabilities
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) arising from (a) any breach of
Licensee’s representations, warranties and covenants under this Agreement, and
9b) any claims arising out of Licensee’s advertising or marketing of the
Licensed Technology or the Licensed Products, except to the extent based on
information provided to Licensee by SKD.
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14.
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OWNERSHIP/INFRINGEMENT
AGAINSTS THIRD PARTIES
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(i)
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The
Licensed Technology as well as any Improvements (including improvements
made, developed, or conceived of by the Licensee after the Effective Date)
and all intellectual property rights relating to the Licensed Technology
shall be owned and shall be the exclusive property of
SKD.
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(ii)
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Licensee
agrees to notify SKD of any improvements or possible patent filings
related to the Licensed Technology. SKD will have the right to file for
patent protection on any Improvements or Intellectual Property developed;
Licensee will pay for all costs associated with such actions. Licensee
will have rights to use any Improvements, patents, or patents pending for
the duration of the contract.
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(iii)
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In
the event that either party learns of limitations or infringements of the
Licensed Technology or the Licensed Products, the party shall promptly
notify the other party in writing of the infringements or limitations. SKD
shall have the right to commence lawsuits against third persons arising
from infringement of the Licensed Technology or the Licensed Products. In
the event that SKD does not commence a lawsuit against an alleged
infringer within sixty days of notification by Licensee, Licensee may
commence a lawsuit against the third party. Before filing suit, Licensee
shall obtain the written consent of SKD to do so and such consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld. SKD will cooperate fully and in good faith
with Licensee for the purpose of securing and preserving Licensee’s rights
to the Licensed Technology and the Licensed Products. Any recovery
(including, but not limited to a judgment, settlement or licensing
agreement included as resolution of an infringement dispute) shall be
divided equally between the parties after deduction and payment of
reasonable attorney’s fees to the party bringing the
lawsuit.
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15.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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The
parties acknowledge that each party may be furnished or have access to
confidential information that relates to each other’s business (the
“Confidential Information”). In the event that Confidential information is in
written form, the disclosing party shall label or stamp the materials with the
word :Confidential” or some similar warning. In the event that Confidential
Information is transmitted orally, the disclosing party shall promptly provide a
writing indicating that such oral communication constitutes Confidential
Information. The parties agree to maintain the Confidential Information in
strictest confidence for the sole and exclusive benefit of the other party and
to restrict access to such Confidential Information to persons bound by this
Agreement, only on a need-to-know basis. Neither party, without prior written
approval of the other, shall use or otherwise disclose to others, or permit the
use by others of , the Confidential Information.
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16.
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SKD’S
RIGHT TO TERMINATE
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SKD shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement, upon thirty (30) days prior written
notice to Licensee to cure, for the following reasons:
(a)
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Licensee
fails to pay Royalties when due or fails to accurately report Net Sales
Revenue, under this Agreement or fails to comply with any other material
obligation of Licensee set forth in this Agreement, and such failure is
not cured within thirty days after written notice from SKD;
or
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(b)
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Licensee
fails to maintain confidentiality regarding SKD’s Confidential
Information.
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17.
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EFFECT
OF TERMINATION
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Promptly
after termination of this Agreement, all Royalty obligations as established in
the Payments Section shall immediately become due. Promptly after the
termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to Licensee under this
Agreement shall terminate and revert to SKD, and Licensee will refrain from
further marketing, manufacturing, distribution, or use of any Licensed
Technology or Licensed Product.
18.
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SURVIVAL
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The
obligations of Section 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, and 16 through and including 25
shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
19.
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DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
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If a
dispute arises and cannot be resolved by the parties, either party may make a
written demand for formal resolution of the dispute. The written request will
specify the scope of the dispute. Within 30 days after such written notice, the
parties agree to meet, for one day, with an impartial mediator and consider
dispute resolution alternatives other than litigation. If an alternative method
of dispute resolution is not agreed upon within 30 days of the one-day
mediation, either side may start litigation proceedings.
20.
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GOVERNING
LAW AND JURISDICTION
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This
Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of
California.
21.
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WAIVER
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The
failure to exercise any right provided in this Agreement shall not be a waiver
of prior or subsequent rights.
22.
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SEVERABILITY
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If any
provision of this Agreement is invalid under applicable statute or rule of law,
it is to be considered omitted and the remaining provision of this Agreement
shall in no way be affected.
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23.
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ENTIRE
UNDERSTADING
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This
Agreement expresses the complete understanding of the parties and supersedes all
prior representations, agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.
This Agreement may no t be altered expect by a written document signed by both
parties.
24.
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ATTCHMENTS
AND EXHIBITS
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The
parties agree and acknowledge that all attachments, exhibits and schedules
referred to in this Agreement are incorporated in this Agreement by
reference.
25.
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NOTICES
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Any
notice or communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement
shall be sufficiently given when received by certified mail, or sent by
facsimile transmission or overnight courier or, with evidence of receipt, sent
by electronic mail.
26.
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NO
JOINT VENTURE OR AGENCY
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Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed to place the parties in the
relationship of agent, employee, franchisee, officer, partners or joint
ventures. Neither party may create or assume any obligation on behalf of the
other .
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27.
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ASSIGNABILITY
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This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors
and assigns of the parties hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any right,
interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned, pledged or otherwise
transferred by any party, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the
prior consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
Each
party has signed this Agreement through its authorized representative. Each
party, having read this Agreement, indicates its consent to the terms and
conditions by its signature below.
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