TRADEMARK LICENSE FROM IBC TO EMPYREAN
(for sales of Licensed Products in US)
TRADEMARK LICENSE FROM IBC TO EMPYREAN
This License Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 9th day of August, 2000
("the Effective Date") by and among INTERNATIONAL BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION
("IBC"), a Florida corporation, having an office at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx Point Building, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000,
and EMPYREAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. ("Empyrean"), a Wyoming corporation, having an
office at 00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000;
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, IBC represents that it is the sole owner of the entire right,
title and interest in and to the Bug Trademark (as defined below), free and
clear of any liens or encumbrances, and the entire right, title and interest to
the use of the Bug Trademark in connection with the Licensed Products (as
defined below);
WHEREAS, IBC has granted Empyrean the exclusive right to purchase and sell
Licensed Products in the United States pursuant to a License Agreement from IBC
to Empyrean executed concurrently herewith ("the License Agreement from IBC to
Empyrean");
WHEREAS, Empyrean desires to acquire the right to use the Bug Trademark (as
defined below) on and in connection with the manufacture, promotion,
merchandising, distribution and sale of the Licensed Products in the United
States;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
undertakings hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable
consideration, IBC and Empyrean hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
In this Agreement the following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter
specified:
(a) "Bug Trademark" shall mean the "GEDA LOGO" used by IBC on all products
based on the Formulation which is owned by IBC, an exemplar of which is annexed
hereto as Exhibit A.
(b) "Copyrights" shall mean the copyrights subsisting in the Trade Dress.
(c) "Empyrean Trade Dress" shall mean the two-dimensional or
three-dimensional packaging decorations, designs, slogans, tag lines and
appliques that are applied to the Licensed Products or packaging therefor.
(d) "Formulation" shall mean the proprietary formulation (including
manufacturing technology and processes) comprising Benzalkonium Chloride as an
active ingredient with Octoxynol 9 (and others) invented and created by Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx and exclusively owned by IBC known as the GEDA line of
products.
(e) "Gel Product" shall mean the spermicide and microbicide contraceptive
gel product embodying the Formulation presently being developed by IBC, also
known as the GEDA Plus product, designed to prevent the transmission of sexually
transmitted diseases including, but not limited to, gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis, Trichomonas, herpes I and II and HIV, and which is presently
undergoing the appropriate and necessary United States governmental regulatory
compliance process to permit Empyrean to include such product as a Licensed
Product hereunder.
(f) "Licensed Products" shall mean products having an effective amount of
the Formulation therein and having all necessary government approval for
commercialization, including, but not limited to, the Lotion Products, Gel
Product and any Derivative Products hereinafter developed by IBC.
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(g) "Lotion Products" (also known as GEDA Lotion) shall mean the hand
sanitizing lotion presently being manufactured for Empyrean by Canadian Custom
Packaging and sold by Empyrean as a Licensed Product, and presently being
marketed by Empyrean under appropriate and necessary United States governmental
regulatory compliance.
(h) "Territory" shall mean the United States of America and its possessions
and territories.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
IBC represents as follows:
(a) IBC has the right and authority (i) to enter into this Agreement, and
(ii) to grant the License as defined in Section 3 below.
(b) IBC has executed no agreement in conflict herewith.
(c) IBC owns all right, title and interest to and in the Bug Trademark, in
the United States and certain countries foreign to the United States, free of
all liens and encumbrances thereto.
3. TRADEMARK LICENSE FROM IBC TO EMPYREAN
(a) IBC hereby grants to Empyrean, upon the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, whatever rights IBC may have to use the Bug Trademark as part of the
Empyrean Trade Dress in the Territory, on and in connection with the promotion,
merchandising, distribution and sale of Licensed Products.
(b) To the extent such Bug Trademark is available for use in the Territory,
Empyrean agrees to use and shall use the Bug Trademark in the Empyrean Trade
Dress only on or in connection with the promotion, merchandising, distribution
and sales of Licensed Products in the Territory. Empyrean shall not use the Bug
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Trademark or sell products using or incorporating the Bug Trademark except as
expressly provided in this Agreement or as approved by IBC.
(c) IBC reserves all rights to the Bug Trademark except as expressly
granted herein to Empyrean.
4. TRADEMARK
(a) Empyrean recognizes that IBC is the owner of all right, title and
interest in and to the Bug Trademark in any form or embodiment thereof and is
also the owner of the goodwill attached or which shall become attached to the
Bug Trademark in connection with the business and goods in relation to which the
same has been, is, or shall be used. Sales by Empyrean shall be deemed to have
been made by IBC for the purposes of goodwill and all uses of the Bug Trademark
by Empyrean shall inure to the benefit of IBC and any rights of IBC. Empyrean
shall not at any time intentionally or recklessly do or suffer to be done by
anyone acting on its behalf or in connection with Empyrean any act or thing
which will in any way impair the rights of IBC in or to the Bug Trademark or any
application or registration thereof or which depreciates the value of the Bug
Trademark or its reputation.
(b) Empyrean shall, at the request of IBC, fully cooperate with IBC in
preparing, executing and causing to be recorded or filed such agreements
(including registered user agreements and other documents reasonably required by
IBC) to confirm the ownership by IBC of the Bug Trademark, and to evidence,
protect and implement its rights to the Bug Trademark within and outside the
Territory and the respective rights of IBC and Empyrean pursuant to this
Agreement. IBC and Empyrean acknowledge that only IBC may file and prosecute
trademark applications regarding the Bug Trademark or Empyrean's use of the Bug
Trademark anywhere. Empyrean will cooperate with IBC, at IBC's request, in
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connection with the preparation, execution, filing and prosecution of
applications to register the Bug Trademark both inside and outside the Territory
and the maintenance of such registrations as may issue. Upon expiration or
termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Empyrean will execute
and file such documents as shall be required by IBC, including without
limitation, termination of any agreements and assignments of rights.
(c) Empyrean shall cause to appear on all Licensed Products and on all
materials on or in connection with which the Bug Trademark is used such legend,
markings and notice of any trademark, trade name or other rights therein or
pertaining thereto as IBC shall reasonably require and shall comply with all
notice and marking requirements of any law applicable or necessary to the
protection of the Bug Trademark.
(d) Empyrean shall never (i) challenge IBC's ownership of or right to
license, or the validity of, the Bug Trademark, any application for registration
thereof or any trademark registration thereof nor (ii) contest the fact that
Empyrean's rights under this Agreement are solely those of a Licensee.
(e) At the expiration or termination of this Agreement, except as expressly
provided herein, all rights of Empyrean with respect to use of the Bug Trademark
shall thereupon cease and terminate for all purposes whatsoever.
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5. QUALITY CONTROL
(a) Empyrean acknowledges that the preservation and enhancement of the
value of the Bug Trademark requires IBC to reasonably control the type, image
and quality of products manufactured and sold using the Bug Trademark and the
use of the Bug Trademark in connection with the manufacture and sale of Licensed
Products.
(b) Empyrean shall only use the Bug Trademark on the Licensed Products in
stylization consistent with and conforming to visual representations and images
to be provided to Empyrean by IBC.
(c) Empyrean shall submit to IBC for IBC's approval, samples of all labels,
tags, packaging and other materials intended to be used in connection with
Licensed Products, before the same may be used, and no use shall be made of the
same unless approved by IBC in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
(d) In order that IBC may assure itself of the maintenance of the quality
standards set forth in this Agreement:
(i) Before manufacturing or having manufactured for it any Licensed
Products intended to bear the Bug Trademark, Empyrean shall deliver to IBC, or
as IBC may direct, for IBC approval, free of charge, one (1) pre-production
sample and six (6) production samples related to same, of such Licensed Products
intended to be sold by Empyrean. Nothing herein shall preclude IBC from
requesting additional samples from Empyrean in order to monitor quality control,
and Empyrean shall provide such samples when requested.
(ii) All Licensed Products bearing the Bug Trademark manufactured by
or for Empyrean or sold, distributed or promoted by it shall conform in all
material respects to the samples approved by IBC.
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(e) Empyrean shall not use any samples furnished by IBC, created by or for
Empyrean for use in connection with Licensed Products, or approved for such use
by IBC, except as provided in this Agreement, it being the understanding of the
parties that Empyrean may use the same solely in connection with Licensed
Products.
(f) Empyrean shall submit to IBC, or as IBC may direct, before publication,
any and all advertising and promotional material for approval by IBC.
(g) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever, under the
terms of this Agreement, the approval, consent or permission of IBC shall be
required, such approval, consent or permission, shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. If IBC shall deny approval, it shall state in writing the
reasons therefor. After any sample, copy or art work has been approved by IBC,
Empyrean shall not vary or depart therefrom in any material respect without the
further approval of IBC.
(h) Empyrean agrees that all Licensed Products will be manufactured,
labeled, sold, distributed, promoted and advertised in accordance with all
applicable Federal, State and local, and if appropriate, foreign laws and
regulations.
(i) Subject to the Bug Trademark requirements set forth herein, the parties
agree that co-branding the Bug Trademark with the trademark of a third party is
permitted by IBC as long as such third party trademark preserves the value of
the trademark.
6. INFRINGEMENT OF TRADEMARK
(a) Empyrean shall, promptly after becoming aware of same, notify IBC of
any infringement or imitation of the Bug Trademark, of any use by any person or
entity of a trademark or design similar to the Bug Trademark, or of any unfair
competition relating to the Bug Trademark, or of any other apparent violation of
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the rights of IBC, so as to allow for IBC to take such action as IBC deems
advisable for the protection of IBC's rights. Empyrean shall, if requested by
IBC, fully cooperate with IBC and, if so requested by IBC, shall join with IBC
at Empyrean's expense, as a party to any action brought by IBC for such purpose.
In no event, however, shall IBC be required to take any action if IBC deems it
inadvisable to so do. IBC shall have full control over any action taken by it,
including without limitation, the right to select counsel, to settle on any
terms it deems advisable, in its discretion, to appeal any adverse decision
rendered in any court, to discontinue any action taken by it, and otherwise to
make any decision in respect thereto as it in its discretion deems advisable.
7. Termination of TRADEMARK LICENSE FROM IBC TO EMPYREAN
(a) On the expiration, or termination of this Agreement or the License
Agreement from IBC to Empyrean, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all rights of Empyrean hereunder shall terminate forthwith and revert
automatically to IBC, and neither Empyrean nor its receivers, trustees,
representatives, agents, successors or assigns shall have any right to exploit
or in any way use the Bug Trademark or Trade Dress in connection with the
manufacture, advertising, merchandising, promotion, sale or distribution of
Licensed Products or otherwise or any right to use any designs, patterns,
stylings or samples furnished by IBC created by or for Empyrean for use in
connection with Licensed Products or approved by IBC for such use. Except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, upon the expiration or termination of this
Agreement or the License Agreement from IBC to Empyrean, Empyrean shall
forthwith discontinue all use of the Bug Trademark and Trade Dress and any
variation or simulation thereof.
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8. TERM
(a) The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall
continue until the expiration or termination of the License Agreement from IBC
to Empyrean executed concurrently herewith.
9. TERMINATION
(a) IBC shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written
notice to Empyrean at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of any calendar
year, in the event that Empyrean sells no Licensed Products in the Territory for
a period of two (2) years.
10. Applicable Law
(a) This Agreement, its terms and conditions and all business conducted
hereunder shall be governed and interpreted under the laws of the State of
Florida, without regard to conflict of laws provisions. The venue of any
arbitration between the parties arising from or related to this Agreement shall
be in either Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County, Florida. Any litigation
arising from or related to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in an
appropriate state or federal court in Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County,
Florida, and the parties waive any right to challenge such venue.
(b) Except for actions brought for wrongful termination or to seek
termination of this Agreement, if any disagreement arises regarding the
interpretation of any points of the Agreement or any other point not covered
herein or any claims for damages or specific performance, the disagreement, upon
request of either party hereto delivered in writing to the other party, shall be
resolved by arbitration before a single arbitrator in accordance with the
commercial rules and procedures set forth by the American Arbitration
Association. The prevailing party in any litigation or arbitration brought under
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this Agreement shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and
costs.
(c) In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining terms shall remain in full
force and effect, to effectuate this Agreement in accordance with its intent.
Headings, title and subtitles of this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and are not to be considered in construing the terms of this Agreement.
11. Sole and Complete Agreement
(a) This Agreement is the sole and complete statement of the parties of
their rights and obligations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement is an integrated agreement and replaces and supersedes any and all
previous obligations and agreements between the parties, their predecessors and
subsidiaries, both oral and written. The Parties hereto recognize and agree that
no representations or warranties have been made except as set forth in this
Agreement. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein, by signing this
Agreement the parties expressly release each other, their predecessors and
subsidiaries from any and all existing obligations that pre-date this Agreement
as if such obligations have been fully performed and satisfied. Any amendments
to this Agreement shall be in writing and executed by both parties hereto.
12. Notices
(a) All notices, requests, demands, instructions, consents or other
communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered
personally, (ii) mailed postage prepaid by certified mail, return receipt
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requests, (iii) sent by a nationally recognized express courier service
requiring a signature by the recipient, postage or delivery charges prepaid, at
the address hereinafter specified, or to such other address as the parties may
advise each other in writing from time to time. Any notice shall be addressed as
follows:
As to Empyrean:
Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Empyrean Bioscience, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
With a copy to
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxx, Scholer, Fierman, Xxxx & Handler, LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
As to IBC:
Ms. Xxxxx Xxxxx
International Bioscience Corporation
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Point Building
East Tower, Suite 000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Holtzman, Krinzman, Equels & Furia
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
13. Assignment
(a) Empyrean has no right to sub-license or otherwise assign its rights and
delegate its duties under this Agreement.
(b) Neither IBC nor Empyrean may assign its rights or delegate its duties
under this Agreement without the express written consent of the other party.
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(c) This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the
parties, and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.
(d) No assignment shall be valid unless accepted in writing by the party to
be bound. Any assignment of rights of one party without the express written
consent of the other party shall be void, not valid and of no legal effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto do hereby sign, enter into and
acknowledge this Agreement.
INTERNATIONAL BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION
By: ____________________________________
Title: _________________________________
EMPYREAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.
By: ____________________________________
Title: _________________________________
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EXHIBIT A
GEDA(R)
