1
EXHIBIT 10.1
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
___________, 199__, between ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Delaware corporation
("the Company"), and _____________________ ("Indemnitee").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Indemnitee performs a valuable service for the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted Bylaws (the
"Bylaws") providing for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the
Company to the maximum extent authorized by Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as amended ("Law"); and
WHEREAS, the Bylaws and the Law, by their nonexclusive nature, permit
contracts between the Company and the officers or directors of the Company with
respect to indemnification of such officers or directors; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the authorization as provided by the Law,
the Company may purchase and maintain a policy or policies of directors' and
officers' liability insurance ("D & O Insurance"), covering certain liabilities
which may be incurred by its officers or directors in the performance of their
obligations to the Company; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of past services and in order to induce
Indemnitee to continue to serve as an officer or director of the Company, the
Company has determined and agreed to enter into this contract with Indemnitee;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee's service as an officer
or director after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless
and indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent authorized or permitted by the
provisions of the Law, as such may be amended from time to time, and Article VII
of the Bylaws, as such may be amended. In furtherance of the foregoing
indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the
Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided
in this Section l(a) if, by reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter
defined), he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any
Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right
of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified
against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his
behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein,
if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the
2
Company and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be
entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by
reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to
or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company.
Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all
Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
with such Proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided,
however, that, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such
Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such
Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly
Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent
that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be
indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law against all Expenses actually
and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If
Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the
merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or
matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all
Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this
Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in
such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be
a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any
limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1, the Company shall
and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses,
judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate
Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any
Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company),
including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or
active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist
upon the Company's obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the
Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally
determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in
Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful under Delaware law.
3. Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1
and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding in which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee
(or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), Company shall pay,
in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such
action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such
2
3
payment and Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it
may have against Indemnitee. Company shall not enter into any settlement of any
action, suit or proceeding in which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee
(or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such
settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against
Indemnitee.
(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the
Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee
shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or
settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in
which Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such
action, suit or proceeding), Company shall contribute to the amount of expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion
to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or
employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with
Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the
one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which
such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion
determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to
conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of
Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than
Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such
action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand,
in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines
or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the
law may require to be considered. The relative fault of Company and all
officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are
jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or
proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their
actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the
degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which
their conduct is active or passive.
(c) Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee
harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers,
directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly
liable with Indemnitee.
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his
Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a
party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of
Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee's Corporate
Status within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or
statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to
time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such
statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by
Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by
or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately
be determined that
3
4
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances
and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and
interest free. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of the Company to
advance Expenses pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the condition
that, if, when and to the extent that the Company determines that Indemnitee
would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall
be entitled to be reimbursed, within thirty (30) days of such determination, by
Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts
theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or
thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to
secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable
law, any determination made by the Company that Indemnitee would not be
permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and
Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advance of
Expenses until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as
to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to
Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee
rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the law and
public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the
following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question
as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification (including, but not limited to,
the advancement of Expenses and contribution by the Company) under this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including
therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably
available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to
what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the
Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification,
advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested
indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification
pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if
required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee's entitlement thereto
shall be made in the specific case by one of the following three methods, which
shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (1) by a majority vote of the
disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to
be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent
Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent
Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that
such selection be made by the Board of Directors). Indemnitee or the Company, as
the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection
shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may
be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such
objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so
selected does not meet the requirements of "Independent Counsel" as defined in
Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with
particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper
4
5
and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel.
If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel
selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is
withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If,
within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for
indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall
have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may
petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of
competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been
made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other's selection of Independent
Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected
by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the
person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so
appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The
Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent
Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant
to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and
expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the
manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to
indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such
determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under
this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in
accordance with Section 6(a) of this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this
presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by
clear and convincing evidence.
(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if
Indemnitee's action is based on the records or books of account of the
Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to
Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or
on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records
given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public
accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by
the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of
any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed
to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under
this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are
satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this
presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by
clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under
Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall
not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the
Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to
indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be
entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a
material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee's
statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for
indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable
law; provided, however, that such 30 day period may be extended for a reasonable
time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person,
5
6
persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to
indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or
evaluating documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided,
further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(g) shall not apply if
the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the
stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within
fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such
determination the Board of Directors or the Disinterested Directors, if
appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their
consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy five (75)
days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special
meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt
for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such
purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such
determination is made thereat.
(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or
entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee's entitlement to
indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon
reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not
privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably
available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any
Independent Counsel, member of the Board of Directors, or stockholder of the
Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under
the Agreement of the Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification. Any costs or
expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in
so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination
shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to
Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies
and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other
disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to
avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that
any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in
any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without
limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without
payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or
proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of
proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to
Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant
to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to
indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement
within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification,
(iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within
ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v)
payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a
determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or
such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this
6
7
Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate
court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction,
of his entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such
proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180 days following the date on which
Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this
Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee's right to seek any such
adjudication.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made
pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7
shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits and
Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination under
Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section
6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the
Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding
commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent a prohibition of such
indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7,
seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for
breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors' and officers'
liability insurance policies maintained by the Company the Company shall pay on
his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the
definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee
ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of
expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any
judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and
presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall
stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of
this Agreement.
8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any
time be entitled under applicable law, the certificate of incorporation of the
Company, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of
directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or
of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under
this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in
his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the
extent that a change in the Law, whether by statute or judicial decision,
permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the
Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that
Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by
such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of
any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative
and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
7
8
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy
or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or
agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such
person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such
policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent
of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent
under such policy or policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all
action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as
are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make
any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent
that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance
policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee, or
any claim therein, unless (a) the bringing of such Proceeding or making of such
claim shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or (b)
such Proceeding is being brought by the Indemnitee to assert, interpret or
enforce his rights under this Agreement.
10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company
contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or
director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as
Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under
Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting
or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred
for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect
successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses,
heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall
continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an
officer or director of the Company or any other Enterprise at the Company's
request.
11. Security. To the extent requested by the Indemnitee and approved by
the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company may at any time and from time
to time provide security to the Indemnitee for the Company's obligations
hereunder through an irrevocable bank
8
9
line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once
provided to the Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior
written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has
entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in
order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company,
and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in
serving as an officer or director of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Corporate Status" describes the status of a person who is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent or fiduciary of the Company or of
any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the express written
request of the Company.
(b) "Disinterested Director" means a director of the Company who
is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification
is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) "Enterprise" shall mean the Company and any other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request
of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d) "Expenses" shall include all reasonable attorneys' fees,
retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel
expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges,
postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the
types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing
to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to
be a witness in a Proceeding.
(e) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm, or a member of a law
firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently
is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company
or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with
respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other
indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party
to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include
any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company
or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights
9
10
under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the
Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel
against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
(f) "Proceeding" includes any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism,
investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened
or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or
otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which
Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the
fact that Indemnitee is or was a director of the Company, by reason of any
action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or
director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at
the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise; in each case
whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any
liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under
this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement;
and excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this
Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, illegal or
otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including
without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any
such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself
invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; and
(b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including,
without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any
such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself
invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to
the intent manifested thereby.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof
(whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the
Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena,
complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding
or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure
to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which
it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only
to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i)
delivered by
10
11
hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication
shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with
postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so
mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth below Indemnitee
signature hereto.
(b) If to the Company, to:
00 X. Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xx., #0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company
or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an
original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is
sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this
Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Delaware without application of the conflict of laws principles
thereof.
21. Gender. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include
usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
11
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
and as of the day and year first above written.
ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:______________________________
_______________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Address:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
