INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this ___ day of ,
20___between Nuance 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 have 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 and directors of the Company with respect to indemnification of such
officers and directors; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the authorization as provided by the Law, the Company may purchase
and maintain a policy or policies of director’s and officer’s 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 continued 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 fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provisions of the Law, as such may
be amended from time to time, and Article VII, Section 6 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 1(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
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believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the 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 to procure a judgment in its favor. 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
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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 reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in
connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within ten 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
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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 14 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual
basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection,
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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) 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.
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(g) 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, 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.
(h) 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.
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 Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to
an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of
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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.
(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 16 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. In the event of any change in the
Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, that narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to
indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such
change, to the extent not otherwise required by such statute or judicial decision to be applied to
this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the Indemnitee’s rights and obligations
hereunder. 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
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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 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 or (b) such
Proceeding is being brought by the Indemnitee to assert 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, 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 line of credit,
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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 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 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.
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(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.
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 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.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and
year first above written.
| NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. |
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| By | ||||
| INDEMNITEE |
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| Address: |
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