Exhibit 10.7
Certain portions of
this Exhibit have
been omitted and
filed separately
pursuant to a request
for confidential
treatment. The Symbol
"****" has been
inserted in place of
the portions so
omitted.
Between MAUSER-WERKE GMBH
SCHILDGESSTR. 71-163
50321 BRUHL
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
- hereinafter referred to as "MAUSER"
and XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX CORPORATION
000 XXXX XXXX XXXX
XXX XXXX, XXX XXXXXX 00000
XXXXXX XXXXXX OF AMERICA
hereinafter referred to as "XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX"
the following
KNOW HOW AND PATENT
LICENSING AGREEMENT
With this new Agreement all previous Agreements relating to the subject matter
of the new Agreement, and including the KNOW HOW and Patent License Agreement
dated January 1, 1985 between the parties, letters, etc. are superseded hereby.
PREAMBLE
MAUSER possesses several years of experience and knowledge in the manufacture
and marketing of blown plastic containers made of thermoplastic synthetic
materials. MAUSER has developed its own machines, appliances and molds for the
production of such containers.
The experience for the manufacture of blown plastic containers, as developed by
MAUSER, relates in particular to:
- the processing of plastic materials
- the industrial design of blown plastic containers
- the design of production plants and equipment
- selling and marketing, i.e. the special points relating to this market
for plastic packagings, the relevant selection of suitable plastic
containers for particular products, information on previously used and
new fields of application and also publicity to this market as
developed by MAUSER
- the design of plastic containers which comply with the requirements
called for under international transport and packing regulations
(especially concerning dangerous products)
- testing procedures for the operation of plastic containers
- quality control
- possibilities of exchange of experience on the occasion of MAUSER KNOW
HOW Conferences
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX intends to manufacture and market in the United States of
America LICENSED ARTICLES according to the MAUSER PATENT RIGHTS and the MAUSER
KNOW HOW, all as defined in Article I hereof.
Therefore, the contracting parties agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1
LICENSED ARTICLES, PATENT RIGHTS AND KNOW HOW
LICENSED ARTICLES means blow molded one piece closed head plastic containers
according to 1H1 of the "Recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of
the United Nations" (Orange book, 8th edition, page 202, Art. 9.6.7) with
L-Ring, i.e. closed head bung type drums with top handling ring, the bung
opening with an internal thread not exceeding 100 mm in diameter, embraced
within the scope of a valid, unexpired claim of a patent included within the
PATENT RIGHTS and/or produced in accordance with the KNOW HOW made available by
MAUSER under this Agreement for the LICENSED ARTICLES.
PATENT RIGHTS are the following patents owned by MAUSER as well as any reissue,
continuation, continuation-in-part or divisional patent arising therefrom
relating to LICENSED ARTICLES.
PATENT NO. DATE TITLE
4,228,122 14.10.1980 Method of manufacturing of roller chimes for
closed head drums
4,674,648 23.06.1987 Bung keg
295,108 05.04.1988 Bunged drum or the like
5,033,639 23.07.1991 Bunged vessel
319,133 13.08.1991 Bunged drum or the like
319,134 13.08.1991 Bunged drum or the like
PATENT RIGHTS also include all future United States Patents relating to
improvements on the design of and the processes for producing L-Rings shaped top
handling rings, limited to the LICENSED ARTICLES.
PATENT RIGHTS are limited to the LICENSED ARTICLES because some special features
of these patents are also utilized with other drum designs, such as but not
limited to open top drums/lid type drums.
KNOW HOW means all of the KNOW HOW in the possession of MAUSER relating to the
LICENSED ARTICLES, and in particular, but not limited to, technical data,
drawings, photographs, engineering and/or market test reports, models, specimen,
samples and/or other information relating to the LICENSED ARTICLES of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
USE OF TRADEMARKS
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall xxxx all LICENSED ARTICLES with such patent numbers and/or
trademarks as MAUSER may reasonably request. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall have the
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non-exclusive right during the term of this Agreement and any renewals or
extensions thereof to use the following United States' trademark owned by
MAUSER:
1. "ELRING" in which event XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall indicate on the LICENSED
ARTICLES an (R), in a circle or "Reg. US Xxx. Off." after the
trademark.
2. "MAUSER" (trademark only - not company name) may be used on the
LICENSED ARTICLES produced by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX only in connection with
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX'x own name.
In order to protect the reputation of MAUSER and MAUSER's rights in and to the
Trademarks, XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX agrees that all LICENSED ARTICLES sold by it and
marked with any of MAUSER's Trademarks shall meet the highest quality standards
set by MAUSER. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX also agrees that MAUSER shall have the right at
any time on not less than two days prior written notice during ordinary business
hours to inspect the premises and facilities of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX, to inspect the
operations being conducted therein and to inspect and take samples of the
LICENSED ARTICLES manufactured, assembled and/or sold by it and marked with any
of MAUSER's Trademarks, in reasonable quantities, to enable MAUSER to verify
that its quality standards are being met at all times.
ARTICLE 3
CONTRACTUAL TERRITORY
TERRITORY means the United States of America and its territories and
possessions.
ARTICLE 4
LICENSE GRANT AND TRANSMISSION OF KNOW HOW
1. Except as otherwise set forth herein, MAUSER hereby grants to
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX an exclusive license to manufacture LICENSED ARTICLES
in XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX'x plants in the TERRITORY and to sell empty LICENSED
ARTICLES during the life of this Agreement in the TERRITORY in
accordance with the PATENT RIGHTS and/or the KNOW HOW.
2. MAUSER represents that on or about November 11, 1982 it entered into a
non-exclusive license agreement with FLORIDA DRUM COMPANY INC. (FDC),
(the "FDC Agreement"). Pursuant to the FDC agreement FDC has
established manufacturing facilities at Pine Bluff, Arkansas and
Charlotte/Harrisburg, North Carolina and has expressed its intention to
establish a manufacturing facility at Pensacola, Florida (collectively
4
the FDC Locations, but only to manufacture at FDC locations and to sell
anywhere within the TERRITORY), XXXXXXX XXXXXXX hereby consents for the
sale of LICENSED ARTICLES under the FDC Agreement by FDC anywhere in
the TERRITORY and agrees that MAUSER may renew the FDC agreement
provided that no additional FDC location for the LICENSED ARTICLES may
be established.
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX further agrees not to establish any plants
manufacturing LICENSED ARTICLES within 300 miles air distance from FDC
Locations as long as the FDC Agreement is in full force and effect with
the exception of the existing plant of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX in Nitro, West
Virginia and Reserve, Louisiana.
3. Besides the PATENT RIGHTS, MAUSER grants to XXXXXXX XXXXXXX a
non-exclusive license to manufacture and to sell LICENSED ARTICLES in
accordance with U.S.-Patent Applications 07/923,877 of 11.08.1992 "Bung
Barrel" and 07/920,562 of 13.08.1992 "Stackable Drum". MAUSER does not
assume any liability that these Patent Applications will not infringe
upon rights of third parties.
4. Except for the delivery of documents and for assistance provided in the
Agreement, MAUSER will not assume any liability for the risk of
technical production, operation and commercial use of the LICENSED
ARTICLES described in Article 1.
MAUSER declares that the KNOW HOW and the PATENT RIGHTS, to the best
knowledge of MAUSER, do not infringe upon the rights of third parties
with respect to the manufacture of the LICENSED ARTICLES.
Possible future MAUSER patents which apply generally to plastic drums
with top handling ring including the LICENSED ARTICLES, other than the
future patents contemplated in the third paragraph of Article 1, are
not included in this Agreement, however, MAUSER is prepared to discuss
in good faith the use of such patents by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX on a
nonexclusive basis, when the case should arise.
5. The transmission of KNOW HOW in the TERRITORY shall be limited to the
present business premises of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX or any relocation thereof:
Rancho Cucamonga, California; Houston, Texas; Romeoville, Illinois;
Reserve, Louisiana; Nitro, West Virginia; Camden, New Jersey. In case
of establishment of a new location, XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall pay a lump
sum charge, the amount of which is to be negotiated in good faith to
compensate MAUSER for its technical assistance in connection with the
start up of said new location.
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6. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX is not authorized to grant sublicenses under the PATENT
RIGHTS and/or the KNOW HOW or otherwise to pass the MAUSER KNOW HOW to
third parties other than its subsidiaries. As agreed by today's letter
from XXXXXXX XXXXXXX to MAUSER, XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX may, however, enter
into a sublicense agreement with HUNTER DRUMS CORP./Canada with respect
to the TERRITORY.
ARTICLE 5
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
1. MAUSER will provide XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX during the life of this Agreement
with all information, experience and methods, present and future,
including special techniques and production secrets that are required
to enable technicians of average qualification to produce the LICENSED
ARTICLES referred to in this Agreement after a reasonable start-up
time.
2. MAUSER will xxxxxxx XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX with all documents, plans and
drawings required for the production, use and distribution of the
LICENSED ARTICLES described in this Agreement. All documents, plans and
drawings made available in accordance with this Agreement must not be
used by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX for purposes other than the execution of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
TRAINING OF SPECIALIST STAFF
1. MAUSER undertakes to acquaint specialists of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX on
MAUSER's production premises with the manufacture and use of the
LICENSED ARTICLES described in this Agreement. In supplementation of
any plans and drawings that may have been made available, suitable
specialists of MAUSER will give further verbal information,
explanations and normal additional instructions for a better
understanding of the KNOW HOW.
2. Details of the technical instructions shall be fixed by separate
agreements between the contracting parties. Their agreements shall
relate in particular to the regulation of:
- the number and duration of instruction courses;
- the number and technical qualification of the specialists of
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX to be instructed; and
6
- the lodging, boarding, liability and insurance of the specialists.
3. The contracting parties agree that all expenses directly incurred by
personnel of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX during the training courses, in particular
travel and daily expenses and salaries, will always be at
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX'x charge. However, expenses and costs for MAUSER
personnel for the training and instruction of personnel of
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX will be borne by MAUSER. Should MAUSER, however, at the
request of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX, send specialists to the United States of
America, the travel and daily expenses and salaries for such
specialists will be borne by XXXXXXX- XXXXXXX.
ARTICLE 7
SECRECY
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX is under strict obligation to keep secret the documents received
from MAUSER and the KNOW HOW transmitted by MAUSER from the commencement of
negotiations of this Agreement and during its life. Such obligation to secrecy
shall continue even after termination of this Agreement for any cause, except
for information (a) which enters the public domain without the fault or
negligence of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX or (b) which XXXXXXX- XXXXXXX receives from a
third party who is legally entitled to such information and to communicate it to
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX undertakes to take all precautionary measures
necessary for the maintenance of such secrecy (also for their employees).
ARTICLE 8
KNOW HOW FEES AND ROYALTIES
For LICENSED ARTICLES manufactured under this Agreement XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall
pay MAUSER a combined royalty and Know-How fee of **** of the net invoice
value per LICENSED ARTICLE as long as (1) any of the KNOW HOW supplied to
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX, either before or after execution of this Agreement, is being
used by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX in connection with its manufacture and/or sale of any
LICENSED ARTICLES since the execution of this Agreement and/or as long as (2)
such manufacture of the LICENSED ARTICLES sold by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX is covered by
any one or all of the PATENT RIGHTS and/or the KNOW HOW.
The maximum fee per annum is limited to ****.
The net invoice value shall be deemed to be the sales price billed by
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX after deduction of taxes on sales,
7
and/or turnover and/or the added value, costs for packaging, transport and
insurance, credits and returns and customery trade discounts. Where material is
supplied free of charge, its current value shall be added to the sales price.
If taxes are payable in the United States of America on the KNOW HOW fee,
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall be responsible for the payment of such taxes and shall
remit to MAUSER the net amount due to MAUSER after deduction of such taxes.
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall observe the Double Taxation Agreement between the United
States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany when deducting such taxes
and shall furnish MAUSER with all receipts issued for such taxes deducted b
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX and paid to the revenue authorities in the TERRITORY.
ARTICLE 9
KNOW HOW FEE ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
1. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall maintain complete records at its Corporate
Headquarters relating to licensed production and sales. Within 30
(thirty) days after the end of each calendar quarter of this Agreement,
up to and including the end of the calendar quarter following
termination of this Agreement, XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall render a written
report to MAUSER listing the total net sales of the LICENSED ARTICLES
produced and sold by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX during such calendar quarter and
the royalty due thereon. Each report so rendered shall be accompanied
by the required royalty payment.
2. MAUSER shall have the right during normal business hours on 3 (three)
days prior written notice at its own expense and not more than once in
any calendar quarter to have the pertinent records of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX
examined by an independent certified public accountant for the purpose
of verifying the reports rendered hereunder, provided, however, any
report of the accountant to MAUSER shall be made in such a manner that
all information properly deemed confidential by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX will
not be disclosed to MAUSER and further provided that in the event
MAUSER's accountant's report is not accepted by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX or if
acceptable adjustments are made thereon, confidential information may
be disclosed as necessary to MAUSER and its attorneys.
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ARTICLE 10
INFRINGEMENT
1. In the event that any unlicensed third party infringes any of the
PATENT RIGHTS, affecting the LICENSED ARTICLES by the commercial use,
manufacture and/or sale of the LICENSED ARTICLES in the TERRITORY and
after written notification to MAUSER of the name of the infringer and
place and circumstances of the infringement and delivery of a sample of
the infringing product to MAUSER and after determination that such
infringement requires action because of the economic extent or impact
thereof, ****.
The costs and expenses (preparation and execution) and the proceeds of
such legal action shall be shared equally by MAUSER and
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX. MAUSER's share of such cost shall be restricted to and
derived from a fund of one-third (1/3) of license and royalty fees
actually received from XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX after commencement of legal
action until its termination.
2. **** MAUSER agrees to be bound by the decisions of the court and to
waive any objections to providing discovery by subpoena.
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX will use its best efforts to avoid any involvement
of MAUSER in such action, however, if the court in which the action
is pending decides that MAUSER must formally join in the law suit,
MAUSER will join. In such case XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX agrees to reimburse
MAUSER for any and all costs accruing to MAUSER in connection with
such involvement. Any recovery shall be for the benefit of XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX.
3. In the event a relevant patent is held to be invalid, this Agreement
may be terminated at the option of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX
shall not be obligated to pay future license fees to MAUSER provided
the LICENSED ARTICLES produced and sold by XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX are not
covered by any other patent held by MAUSER.
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Should XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX, in particular in order to continue to receive
Technical Assistance under Art. 5 and Training of Specialist Staff
under Art. 6, elect to continue this Agreement, royalties and fees
shall be continuously payable for the KNOW-HOW in an amount equal to
**** of the royalties and fees otherwise specified hereunder. In such
case the maximum fee per annum remains **** as provided in Article 8
para 2.
ARTICLE 11
LIFE OF AGREEMENT
1. This Agreement will come into effect on being signed by the latest
contracting party commencing with January 1, 1995.
2. This agreement will terminate July 31, 2008 unless one or more
improvement patents issues under Article 1 in which event this
agreement terminates on the earlier of a) the latest to expire of such
improvement patents or b) July 31, 2015, unless upon 6 months prior
written notice MAUSER has given notice of renewal. In such event the
Agreement will be tacitly renewed by periods of one year each, unless
notice of cancellation is given by either contracting party not later
than six months before the end of any contractual year.
All notices given pursuant to this Article 11.2 shall be in writing and
delivered by facsimile transmission and confirmed by international
overnight delivery service, delivery receipt requested, or the
functional equivalent thereof at the time of notice. Decisive date for
the observance of the period of notice shall be the date of receipt of
the notice.
3. MAUSER has the right to cancel this Agreement by written notice of
cancellation and with immediate effect for any of the following, if
- XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX is in default of a material obligation resulting from
this Agreement, especially with the payment of the KNOW HOW and License
fees, or has violated material obligations under the Agreement and has
not remedied such violation within three months after receipt of a
corresponding notice by MAUSER to do so,
- XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX undertakes measures which are a material breach of
trust and/or breach of secrecy,
- ****
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4. XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX has the right to cancel this Agreement by written
notice of cancellation and with immediate effect for any of the
following, if
MAUSER does not fulfill material obligations under this Agreement
within three months after having received a corresponding notice to do
so.
5. In the event of any adjudication of bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors or levy of execution directly involving XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX or MAUSER, the other shall have the immediate right to
terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other party
hereto,
6. Except as provided in Article 11, para 7, in the event of a termination
pursuant to Article 10, para 3 or to para 2 - 4 of Article 11 by
cancellation, all rights of XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX arising from this Agreement
will cease by the latest two months after receipt of the notice of
cancellation. The contractual KNOW HOW fees shall be payable until that
date, when XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX loses all rights resulting from this
Agreement.
Except as provided in Article 11, para 7, within one month after
expiration or termination of this Agreement pursuant to para 3 + 4 of
Article 11 XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX shall return all documents and drawings
received from MAUSER. Upon the cancellation of this Agreement pursuant
to Article 10, para 3 or to para 2 - 4 of Article 11 all rights of the
contracting parties from this Agreement will cease, with the exception
of those provided in its Article 7 (Secrecy) and in its Article 11,
para 7.
7. Should this Agreement expire in accordance with Article 10, para 3 or
Article 11, para 2 hereof, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX shall have the absolute
nonexclusive right to use the KNOW HOW forever thereafter free of any
and all royalties and fees.
8. ****.
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ARTICLE 12
APPLICABLE LAW, JURISDICTION
1. This Agreement has been drawn up in English. Any amendments and
additions to this Agreement must be made in writing and signed by both
parties to become valid.
2. The contracting parties have agreed that as a whole and in all its
individual provisions this Agreement is subject to German substantive
and procedural law, except for the contractual PATENT RIGHTS which fall
under the patent law of the United States of America.
3. Any and all disputes arising from or in connection with the execution,
delivery, performance or interpretation and construction of this
Agreement shall be submitted to binding arbitration before a single
arbitrator in Zurich, Switzerland, in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the International Chamber of Commerce except that where
such rules and regulations differ from the provisions of this Article
12.3 the latter shall govern. There shall be no discovery, the
arbitrator shall be selected within 30 days of the service of the
written demand for arbitration, the first hearing shall be conducted
within 60 days of the service and shall continue day to day until
completed. The decision shall be rendered within 15 business days from
the date of the last hearing, shall set forth the decision and the
reasons for same and shall be unappealable except for fraud or bias.
The loser shall pay all the administrative costs of the arbitration and
the winners costs including without limitation attorneys' fees,
experts' fees, reasonable travel and living costs. The winning party
shall have the right to seek confirmation of the arbitrator's award in
any court of competent jurisdiction over the losing party without
objection.
ARTICLE 13
SUBSTITUTION CLAUSE
Should any individual provision of this Agreement be or become void, or should a
gap be ascertained in this Agreement, the validity of the other provisions shall
not be affected thereby. As a substitute for the provision, which is void or
inoperative, or for the purpose of filling the gap, an appropriate arrangement
shall be valid, which, if it is legally possible, shall be as close as possible
to what the contracting parties would have
12
reasonably intended, had they considered that point. If a provision is void or
inoperative owing to measures or outputs or times (periods or time limits)
indicated therein, this shall be replaced by a measure which is as close as
legally possible to the provision in question.
ARTICLE 14
The parties to this Agreement are aware that their contractual relationship has
been renewed by a group of agreements signed today, namely
1. KNOW HOW and LICENSING AGREEMENT L-Ring USA;
2. LICENSING AGREEMENT L-RING Canada;
3. KNOW HOW and LICENSING AGREEMENT Open Top USA and
4. LICENSING AGREEMENT L-Ring USA between XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX CORP. and HUNTER
DRUM LTD.
5. Release of any rights and obligations under the L-RING AGREEMENT of
January 1, 1995.
Bruhl, 26.06.1995 Red Bank,
____________________________ ___________________________
MAUSER-WERKE XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX
G M B H CORPORATION
By /s/Xx. Xxxxxxxx /s/Effnert By /s/Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
_________________________________ _____________________________________
Xx. Xxxxxxxx Effnert Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
(Chief Exec. Officer) (Director) (President)
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