Exhibit 10.47
AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made and entered into as of December 1, 1997, (the
"Effective Date") by and between ACTV, Inc., having its principal place of
business at 1270 Avenue of the Americas, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("ACTV"), and EarthWeb Inc., an assignee of EarthWeb LLC,
having its principal place of business at 0 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("EarthWeb").
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the parties, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Definitions.
1.1 "Patent Applications" mean United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) patent applications entitled Integrated Interactive Video and
Internet System, identified in the USPTO by serial numbers 08/615,143, and
08/622,474, filed March 14, 1996, and March 25, 1996, respectively, and all
amendments thereto, and all reissue applications, all divisional applications,
all continuation applications (to the extent that such continuation applications
claim inventions that are disclosed in the two previously identified patent
applications), all continuation-in-part applications (to the extent such
continuation-in-part applications claim inventions that are disclosed in the two
previously identified patent applications), and all corresponding foreign
applications.
1.2 "HyperTV Software" means that certain software jointly developed
by ACTV and EarthWeb LLC, including all derivative works thereto, under that
certain Joint Venture Agreement dated December 1, 1995.
1.3 "eSchool(TM) Product" means that Integrated Interactive Video
and Internet System product which is claimed in the Patent Applications, in
object code form, developed and marketed by ACTV, and all upgrades and new
revisions thereof developed and offered to ACTV's customers, including all
documentation corresponding thereto.
1.4 "EarthWebModerator(TM) Product" means that certain real time
discussion software product, which has not been claimed in the Patent
Applications, in object code form, developed and marketed by EarthWeb, and all
upgrades and new revisions thereof developed and offered to EarthWeb's
customers, including all documentation corresponding thereto.
2. Ownership and Assignment.
2.1 Inventions: EarthWeb hereby assigns all of its right, title
and interest in and to the inventions described and disclosed in the Patent
Applications, and in and to the Patent Applications and to any Letters Patents,
both foreign and domestic, and all reissue, divisional and continuation
applications, which may issue thereon, by execution of the Assignment attached
as Attachment A. Concurrently with this Assignment, ACTV grants to EarthWeb a
worldwide, nonexclusive, nontransferable (except as expressly provided herein),
irrevocable license to practice the Patents issuing from the Patent Applications
as more fully described in Section 4.1
2.2 Other Intellectual Property Rights: EarthWeb hereby assigns
to ACTV all of its right, title and interest in and to the copyrights and other
intellectual property rights in the HyperTV Software, together with all rights
arising from copyright ownership, and ACTV shall have the right to register such
copyrights and other intellectual property rights in its own name. EarthWeb also
assigns to ACTV all of the right, title and interest in and to the HyperTV
trademarks, including all of the goodwill associated therewith. Concurrently
with this Assignment, ACTV grants to EarthWeb a worldwide, nonexclusive,
nontransferable (except as expressly provided herein), irrevocable license under
the copyrights and other intellectual property rights in the HyperTV Software as
more fully described in Section 4.2
2.3 EarthWeb LLC: As a condition precedent to this Agreement,
EarthWeb will provide to ACTV, at or prior to the time of execution of this
Agreement, original assignment documents suitable and acceptable for recording
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and such other evidence as is
needed which is sufficient to establish, to the satisfaction of ACTV's counsel,
the assignment by EarthWeb LLC to EarthWeb Inc. of EarthWeb LLC's right, title
and interest in the Patent Applications and the HyperTV Software and the
copyrights and other intellectual property rights in the HyperTV Software,
together with all rights arising from copyright ownership.
2.4 Obligation: ACTV agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to pay for and prosecute the patent applications entitled Integrated
Interactive Video and Internet System, identified in the USPTO by serial numbers
08/615,143, and 08/622,474, filed March 14, 1996, and March 25, 1996,
respectively. If, prior to the issuance of a USPTO Final Action including a
"final rejection" of all pending claims in an application, ACTV decides not to
continue the prosecution of any of the patent applications, it shall promptly
provide notice to EarthWeb of its decision and, if EarthWeb so requests, ACTV
shall assign such application(s) to EarthWeb, provided that EarthWeb shall
return to ACTV a pro rata portion of the monies actually paid by ACTV to
EarthWeb pursuant to this Agreement (i.e., one-half if EarthWeb requests
assignation of one patent application, and the entire amount if EarthWeb request
assignation of both patent applications).
3. Payment: ACTV shall pay Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) to
EarthWeb in four quarterly installments of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) per
quarter. ACTV shall pay the first quarterly installment of Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($50,000) upon execution of the Agreement. Upon issuance of any Letters
Patent to ACTV or its assignee(s), based upon any of the Patent Applications
from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, ACTV shall, within thirty
(30) days from the date of issuance of the first such patent, pay in full to
EarthWeb an additional Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000). ACTV shall
provide EarthWeb with prompt written notice of the issuance of any such Letters
Patent.
4. Grant of Licenses.
4.1 ACTV hereby grants EarthWeb, and EarthWeb hereby accepts, a
worldwide, nonexclusive, nontransferable (except as expressly provided herein),
irrevocable license to (i) make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale and export
any invention claimed in the Patent Applications and/or in any Letters Patents
which issue from the Patent Applications; (ii) to grant to EarthWeb's
distributors the rights to use, sell, offer for sale and export any products
made by or for EarthWeb which are covered by the Patent Applications and/or any
Letters Patents issuing thereon and (iii) to grant to EarthWeb's or its
distributor's customers the rights to use any such products.
4.2 ACTV also hereby authorizes EarthWeb and grants to EarthWeb, and
EarthWeb hereby accepts, a worldwide, non-exclusive, nontransferable (except as
expressly provided herein), irrevocable license to (i) adapt, reproduce,
distribute, and/or transmit, any copyrighted material or other material
protected by intellectual property laws covered by the Hyper TV Software
copyrights and intellectual property rights assigned to ACTV in Section 2.2
above and to generally practice any and all of the rights listed in Section 106
of the Copyright Law of the United States of America, including such rights as
are necessary to use the products, to advertise or promote the products publicly
and to make available such products on the Internet; (ii) to grant to EarthWeb's
distributors the rights to reproduce, distribute and transmit any products made
by or for and sold or licensed by EarthWeb which are covered by any copyrights
or other intellectual property rights in the HyperTV Software and to generally
practice any and all of the rights listed in Section 106 of the Copyright Law of
the United States of America, including such rights as are necessary to use the
products, to advertise or promote the products publicly and to make available
such products on the Internet; and (iii) to grant to EarthWeb's and its
distributors' customers the rights to use any products made by or for and sold
or licensed by EarthWeb which are covered by the copyrights or other
intellectual property rights in the HyperTV Software.
4.3 Except as provided herein, EarthWeb shall not have the right to
grant any license or sublicense to any third party relating to the rights
granted to EarthWeb by ACTV pursuant to this Agreement.
4.4 EarthWeb agrees that, upon receiving notice from ACTV that any
Letters Patent on the Patent Applications has issued, EarthWeb shall use best
efforts to xxxx any products utilizing the patented technology thereafter sold
or otherwise distributed by EarthWeb under the licenses granted in this
Agreement with the word "Patent(s)" and the number(s) of the Patent(s)
applicable thereto.
4.5 ACTV does not grant EarthWeb any license to the HyperTV
trademarks. All rights not granted to EarthWeb in this provision are reserved
and retained by ACTV.
5. Distributorship Negotiations: Upon EarthWeb's establishment of a
distribution partner program for its EarthWebModerator(TM) Product, and if
requested by ACTV, the parties agree to discuss the possibility of a
distributorship agreement between EarthWeb and ACTV pursuant to which ACTV would
be appointed by EarthWeb as a nonexclusive distributor of the
EarthWebModerator(TM) Product. If no agreement is reached within thirty days
following the request by ACTV, neither party shall be required to continue the
discussions. Upon ACTV's establishment of a distribution program for its
eSchool(TM) Product, and if requested by EarthWeb, the parties agree to discuss
the possibility of a distributorship agreement between ACTV and EarthWeb
pursuant to which EarthWeb would be appointed by ACTV as a nonexclusive
distributor of the eSchool(TM) Product. If no agreement is reached within thirty
days following the request by EarthWeb, neither party shall be required to
continue the discussions.
6. Termination: If either ACTV or EarthWeb breaches or defaults in the
performance or observance of any of the material provisions of this Agreement,
and such breach or default is not cured within thirty (30) days after the giving
of written notice by the non-defaulting party specifying such breach or default,
the non-defaulting party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by
written notice, effective upon the receipt of such notice by the defaulting
party.
7. Confidentiality: EarthWeb acknowledges that unless and until the
Patent Applications are granted and U.S. Letters Patent are issued to ACTV, the
Patent Applications constitute ACTV Confidential Information. ACTV Confidential
Information shall expressly include any and all information derived from the
forgoing ACTV Confidential Information. ACTV Confidential Information shall not
include any information that (a) is now or later becomes available to the public
through means not involving the breach of a duty or obligation owed to ACTV by
EarthWeb hereunder; (b) is disclosed to the public by ACTV or its authorized
representatives; or (c) becomes rightfully known to EarthWeb from a third party
not subject to a confidential or proprietary restriction. EarthWeb shall keep
the ACTV Confidential Information in strict confidence and shall not disclose it
to any person, firm or corporation, nor use the ACTV Confidential Information
for any purpose other than for the specific purposes of this Agreement as
described herein without the prior written consent of ACTV. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, EarthWeb shall be entitled to develop, market and sell or license
products and services pursuant to the licenses granted by ACTV to EarthWeb
pursuant to Section 4 above, and may distribute such products and services,
including information regarding such products and services, to the public. Any
confidentiality
obligations imposed on EarthWeb under this Section 7 shall expire to the extent
the ACTV Confidential Information is disclosed by issuance of any Letter Patents
based on the Patent Applications or four (4) years following the Effective Date,
whichever is earlier.
8. General Provisions.
8.1 This Agreement, including Attachment A, which is incorporated by
reference herein, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, discussions, representations or understandings between them.
8.2 EarthWeb acknowledges that ACTV owns all property and
intellectual property rights in the eSchool(TM) Product (including but not
limited to any enhancements, upgrades, new releases, and modifications).
8.3 ACTV acknowledges that EarthWeb owns all property and
intellectual property rights in the EarthWebModerator(TM) Product (including but
not limited to any enhancements, upgrades, new releases, and modifications).
8.4 Neither party shall solicit or interview for employment or as a
consultant or independent contractor, or hire, contract with or employ any
individuals (a) who are employees of the other party or (b) who have been
employed by the other party during the twelve (12) months prior to the possible
employment, contract or retention date. This Section 8.4 shall apply to
EarthWeb's possible employment of Xxx Xxxxx.
8.5 In the event that either party is prevented from the performance
of its obligations hereunder due to events beyond its control (such as, without
limitation, strikes, fire, war, rebellion, accident, acts of God, embargoes,
governmental orders or other such restrictions), this Agreement shall be
suspended during such interruption.
8.6 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A., exclusive of its choice of law
principles. Any controversy or claim arising out of or related to this
Agreement, or any breach thereof (a "Dispute"), shall be settled by binding
arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA"), conducted by a single arbitrator familiar with
software-related disputes selected by the parties from a list supplied by the
AAA, with the forum being in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State
of New York, USA. The arbitrator shall undertake reasonable efforts to minimize
the cost of the arbitration to the parties. In no event shall the arbitrator be
authorized to award punitive or enhanced damages. The parties hereby submit
exclusively, unconditionally and irrevocably to the jurisdiction of the Courts
of the State of New York in the event it is necessary to enforce the
arbitrator's award.
8.7 The relationship of ACTV and EarthWeb established by this
Agreement is that of independent contractors, and nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be construed to constitute or imply that the parties are related
as employer-employee, agent-principal, partners, joint venturers, co-owners, or
otherwise as participants in a joint or common undertaking. Neither party has
power or authority to represent, act for, bind, or otherwise create or assume
any obligation on behalf of the other party for any purpose whatsoever.
8.8 No modification, change or amendment to this Agreement, nor any
waiver of any rights in respect hereto, shall be binding unless confirmed by a
written instrument signed by an authorized officer of each party. The waiver of
any breach or default hereunder shall not constitute the waiver of any
subsequent breach or default.
8.9 All notices hereunder required to be given to ACTV shall be sent
to ACTV at 1270 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2401, Rockefeller Center, New
York, New York, Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, and all notices to EarthWeb shall be
sent to EarthWeb at 0 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx.
8.10 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on
each of the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns
and representatives. Either party may assign its rights and obligations under
this Agreement to a third party upon the prior written consent of the other
party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided that
the fact that a potential assignee is a competitor of the party from whom
consent must be obtained shall be a reasonable basis for withholding consent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party shall have the right to assign this
Agreement and all rights and obligations herein to any majority owned subsidiary
or affiliate or to any person or entity acquiring substantially all of that
portion of the assigning party's business relating to the subject matter of the
Patent Applications. In the event that a party assigns his or her rights and
obligations hereunder to a person or entity acquiring substantially all of that
portion of the assigning party's business related to the subject matter of the
Patent Applications, the assigning party agrees to provide the other party with
notice of such assignment within thirty (30) days following the assignment.
8.11 If one or more of the provisions contained herein shall be
deemed to be null and void by law, then the remaining provisions shall continue
in full force and effect.
8.12 The provisions of paragraphs 4, 7 and 8 shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.
ACTV, INC. EARTHWEB INC.
("ACTV") ("EarthWeb")
By: By:
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Title: Title:
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Date: Date:
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ATTACHMENT A
ASSIGNMENT
WHEREAS, by Assignment recorded in the United States Patent and
Trademark Xxxxxx xx Xxxx 0000, Xxxxx 0000, XXXX, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, and having a business
address at 1270 Avenue of the Americas, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, and EarthWeb Inc., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the state of Delaware, and having a business address at 0 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, jointly own the entire right,
title and interest in and to (1) INTEGRATED INTERACTIVE VIDEO AND INTERNET
SYSTEM, for which an application for Letters Patent of the United States was
filed on March 14, 1996, and which may be identified in the United States Patent
and Trademark Office by Serial No. 08/615,143; and (2) INTEGRATED INTERACTIVE
VIDEO AND INTERNET SYSTEM, for which an application for Letters Patent of the
United States was filed on March 25, 1996, and which may be identified in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office by Serial No. 08/622,474.
WHEREAS, EarthWeb Inc. has been assigned all the rights interest, title
and privileges of EarthWeb LLC in and to said applications and all reissue,
divisional and continuation applications and to any Letters Patent, both foreign
and domestic, that may or shall issue from such applications, including all of
its entire rights under the International Convention and all inventions
disclosed and discussed therein.
WHEREAS, ACTV, Inc., is desirous of acquiring the entire right, title
and interest in and to said inventions, said applications and in, to and under
any and all Letters Patent, foreign and domestic, to be obtained therefor.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by, as follows:
For good and valuable consideration, including a separate agreement
between the parties, the sufficiency and adequacy of which is expressly
acknowledged, EarthWeb Inc. has sold, assigned and transferred, and by these
presents does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto said ACTV, Inc., its
successors and assigns, its entire right, title and interest in and to said
applications and all reissue, divisional and continuation applications and the
Letters Patent, both foreign and domestic, that may or shall issue, including
all of its entire rights under the International Convention and all inventions
disclosed and discussed therein.
Upon Said Consideration, EarthWeb Inc., its successor and assigns, does
hereby covenant and agree with the said Assignee, its successors and assigns,
that EarthWeb Inc., its successor and assigns, will not execute any writing or
do any act whatsoever conflicting with these presents and that EarthWeb Inc.,
its successor and assigns, will at any time upon request, without further
consideration, but at the expense of
said Assignees, their successors or assigns, execute such additional writings
and do such additional acts as said Assignees, their successors or assigns, may
deem necessary or desirable to perfect the Assignee's enjoyment of this grant,
and render all necessary assistance in making application for and obtaining
original, divisional, continuation, reissued or extended Letters Patent of the
United States, or of any and all foreign countries on said invention, and in
enforcing any rights occurring as a result of such applications or patents, by
giving testimony in any proceedings or transactions involving such applications
or patents.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer of EarthWeb
Inc. has signed this Agreement on the date set forth below, and wherein this
Assignment becomes effective on the date set forth below.
EarthWeb Inc.
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Date Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Chief Executive Office (CEO)
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) ss.
CITY OF NEW YORK )
On this _____ day of _________, 1997, before me a Notary Public,
personally appeared Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, known to me to be the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of EarthWeb Inc., who is authorized to act on behalf of EarthWeb
Inc., and further known to me to be the person who executed the foregoing
Assignment an acknowledged that he executed the same as his free act and deed.
SEAL
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Notary Public
