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EXHIBIT 10.15
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
By and between
NEXPRESS SOLUTIONS LLC
And
DANKA HOLDING COMPANY
Effective as of October 6, 1999
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This Distribution Agreement dated as of October 6, 1999 ("Effective
Date") by and between NexPress Solutions LLC, a New York limited liability
company with an address of 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000-0000 ("NexPress"), and Danka Holding Company, a company formed under the
laws of Delaware with an address of 00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, 00000 ("Danka").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, NexPress is engaged in the distribution of manufactured and
remanufactured electrophotographic systems (digital and analog) for office
imaging and reprographics and related parts and supplies and in research and
development related thereto; and
WHEREAS, Danka is engaged in the business of selling and servicing
certain electrophotographic systems (digital and analog) for office imaging and
reprographics and desires to purchase certain of said products from NexPress;
WHEREAS, NexPress and Danka desire to set out certain terms that will
relate to the sale of such equipment, accessories, software supplies, spare
parts and services in the territory specified herein as the United States, its
territories and possessions;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, NexPress
and Danka Group B.V., a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands,
are entering into a distribution agreement relating to the territory consisting
of the world, excluding the United States, its territories and possessions
("Danka B.V. Agreement");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Specific Definitions. As used in this Agreement and in any
Exhibit referenced herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth or
referenced below:
"Accessories" means devices or components for use in or with Equipment
for image or document feeding, positioning, finishing or other image or document
handling functions.
"Agents" means Danka Imaging and Danka Distribution.
"Agreement" means this Distribution Agreement, as the same may be
amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
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"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which banks in New York City are authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close.
"Carcasses" means used Equipment and Accessories.
"Confidential Information" means all information that is either
disclosed in tangible form clearly marked as confidential or, if initially
disclosed in any other form, summarized in a written document that is marked
confidential and delivered to the other party within thirty (30) calendar days
after the date of initial disclosure. Confidential Information includes models,
samples, prototypes, drawings, specifications, test reports, sketches,
blueprints, procedures, techniques, processes, research reports, production
planning and scheduling information, proposed products market data, sales and
marketing programs, sales results, service training programs, cost and pricing
data and customer base information including but not limited to, customer names,
addresses, telephone numbers, internal customer contacts, inventory information
and run rate information. Confidential Information shall not include information
that:
(a) was in the receiving party's possession before receipt
hereunder from the party requesting confidentiality without an obligation to
keep it confidential;
(b) is or becomes a matter of public knowledge other than as a
result of any action or inaction of the receiving party;
(c) is rightfully received by the receiving party from a third
party not under any duty of confidentiality with respect thereto;
(d) is independently developed by or on behalf of the
receiving party without use of Confidential Information; or
(e) is required to be disclosed to any governmental agency or
court of competent jurisdiction by written order, subpoena or decree, provided
however, that the disclosing party is given advance written notice thereof and
has a reasonable opportunity to obtain an appropriate protective order or
otherwise challenge such disclosure. The party from whom disclosure is sought
shall cooperate with the other party to the extent the latter may seek to limit
such disclosure.
"Current Product" means any manufactured, remanufactured or salvaged
Black & White and Accent Color Equipment, Software, Supply, Accessory or Spare
Part (excluding toners and other products manufactured for use in other
manufacturer's equipment) assembled for NexPress as of the Effective Date and
any New Product following the third anniversary of the Initial Announcement with
respect thereto, in each case as modified from time to time by any Enhancements
thereto.
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"Danka Affiliate" means any Person in the Territory, other than any
Person that is a direct or indirect competitor of NexPress or a NexPress
Affiliate, that is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under
common control with Danka, at any time during the period for which affiliation
is being determined and that sells, services or distributes the Products, and
the Agents. For purposes of this definition, the term control shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of management policies of such Person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Danka Distribution" means Danka Distribution GmbH, a company
incorporated under the laws of Germany.
"Danka B.V." means Danka Group B.V., a company incorporated under the
laws of the Netherlands, or such other entity as designated by Danka.
"Danka Imaging" means Danka Imaging Distribution, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or such other U.S. entity as designated by Danka.
"Dealer" means a Person who regularly sells or distributes goods or
services at wholesale, retail or discount prices.
"Documentation" means any information, written or fixed in another
tangible form, that NexPress possesses, including logic diagrams, manuals,
lists, drawings, maintenance information, pricing and product information.
"Duty Drawback" means a refund mechanism from customs for percentage of
duties paid on imported Products which are subsequently exported or used in the
manufacture of exported Products under this Agreement.
"Enhancements" means any modification to any Equipment, Software,
Supply, Accessory or Spare Part that is developed by NexPress or a NexPress
Affiliate pursuant to Article IX.
"Endemic Failure" shall mean a condition caused by NexPress or a
NexPress Affiliate (a) resulting in ten percent (10%) or more of all units of
the same Product supplied by NexPress to Danka in a single month to fail for
substantially the same defect, or (b) resulting in five percent (5%) or more of
the total field population of the same Product supplied by NexPress to Danka
during any consecutive three (3) month period to fail for substantially the same
defect.
"Equipment" means Black and White and Accent Color electrophotographic
equipment for office imaging and office reprographics that are assembled for
NexPress.
"Initial Announcement" means, with respect to any Equipment, Software,
Supply, Accessory or Spare Part, the Business Day on which NexPress announces
publicly to third parties generally or to Danka that such product is available
for sale.
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"Installed Base" means all Equipment and Accessories manufactured or
remanufactured by or for NexPress or Xxxxxxx Kodak Company ("Kodak") and sold or
otherwise placed by Danka or NexPress or their respective Affiliates or Dealers.
"Intellectual Property" means patents, patent applications, Inventions,
invention disclosures, trade secrets, know-how, registered and unregistered
copyrights, works of authorship, computer software programs, data bases, mask
rights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress and any similar
proprietary rights and any licenses or user rights related to the foregoing.
"Invention" means any new device, computer program, article, method,
process or improvement thereon, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, and
protectable under any applicable mask works law, protectable as a trade secret
or protectable under any similar law.
"New Product" means any Black & White and Accent Color Equipment,
Software, Supply, Accessory or Spare Part (excluding toners and other products
manufactured for use in other manufacturer's equipment) having an Initial
Announcement occurring after the Effective Date.
"NexPress Affiliate" means any Person fifty per cent (50%) or more of
whose shares, securities, or ownership interest representing the right to make
the decisions for such Person is now or hereafter owned or controlled, directly
or indirectly, by NexPress, or who now or hereafter owns or controls, directly
or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of NexPress' ownership interest
representing the right to make the decisions for NexPress, but such person shall
be deemed to be an Affiliate only so long as such ownership or control exists.
"NexPress's Designated Point of Delivery" means, with respect to any
Product, the location listed on Exhibit 1.1.
"OEM-Out Agreement" means any agreement to which NexPress or any
NexPress Affiliate is a party, at any time, whereunder the other party thereto
purchases for resale or for incorporation into its products any Equipment,
Supplies, Accessories or Spare Parts not bearing a brand name belonging to
NexPress, a NexPress Affiliate or Kodak.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an
association, a trust or other entity or organization.
"Products" means Current Products and New Products.
"Purchase Order" means a written purchase order substantially in the
form mutually approved by the parties.
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"Software" means software platforms, products, and capabilities that
include object and source codes and that enable print on demand, variable data
printing, image capture, document assembly, replication and distribution for
Equipment assembled for NexPress, including software families such as Lionheart.
"Software License" means the license to use and sublicense the Software
set forth in Section 3.5 of this Agreement.
"Spare Part" means any assembly, subassembly or part for use in the
service or maintenance of Equipment or Accessories and, except as provided in
Section 4(a) of Exhibit 4, image loops, pressure rollers and fuser rollers.
"Supplies" means developer, toner, fuser oil and other sundry products
manufactured by or for NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate and intended for use in
or in connection with the operation of the Equipment.
"Territory" means the United States, its territories and possessions.
"Third-Party Remanufactured or Reconditioned Equipment and Accessories"
means any Equipment or Accessories remanufactured or reconditioned by or for
NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate using Carcasses manufactured by a Person other
than NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate.
Section 1.2 Other Terms. Other terms may be defined elsewhere in the
text of this Agreement or in an Exhibit referenced herein and, unless otherwise
indicated, shall have such meaning throughout this Agreement.
Section 1.3 Other Definitional Provisions.
(a) The words "hereof', "herein", and "hereunder" and words of
similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
(b) The terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable
meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa.
(c) The terms "Dollars" and `$' shall mean United States
Dollars.
(d) References herein to a specific Article, Section,
Subsection or Schedule shall refer, respectively, to Sections, Subsections or
Schedules of this Agreement unless the express context otherwise requires.
(e) Wherever the word "include," "includes," or "including" is
used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
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ARTICLE II
TERM OF AGREEMENT
Section 2.1 Term of Agreement. Subject to Section 2.2, this Agreement
shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to
Article X, shall be in effect for five (5) years.
Section 2.2 Renewal. No later than six (6) months prior to the
then-scheduled expiration of this Agreement, NexPress and Danka may extend this
Agreement for an additional two (2) year period upon such terms, as the parties
shall mutually agree.
ARTICLE III
DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS
Section 3.1 Distribution of Products. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, NexPress and or a NexPress Affiliate
shall sell to Danka and Danka shall buy from NexPress those Products that Danka
orders from NexPress for distribution in the Territory in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
Section 3.2 Discontinuing Purchase of Products. Danka shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide NexPress with written notice no less
than 12 months prior to such time as Danka plans or expects to terminate
entirely its purchasing or marketing of a Product.
Section 3.3 Further Availability of Supplies and Spare Parts.
(a) Unless this Agreement is terminated by NexPress pursuant
to Section 10.1(a)(ii) or Section 10.1(a)(iii), NexPress shall, for a period of
five years from the date on which NexPress makes the last shipment of the
particular model of Equipment or Accessory under this Agreement, make Supplies
and Spare Parts relating to such model of Equipment or Accessory available for
purchase by Danka on the same terms generally available to its other
distribution channels; provided, however, that if NexPress intends to cease to
be a supplier of such Supplies or Spare Parts on or after the termination of
such five-year period it will provide Danka with six months' written notice
prior to such cessation. Danka may place orders for Supplies and Spare Parts in
that six-month period provided such Supplies or Spare Parts are for shipment to
Danka by NexPress not later than the last Business Day of such six-month period.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated by NexPress pursuant to
Section 10.1(a)(ii) or Section 10.1(a)(iii), NexPress shall, until the earlier
of (i) five years from the date of termination and (ii) five years from the date
on which NexPress makes the last delivery of the particular model of Equipment
or Accessory to Danka under this Agreement, make available to Danka for purchase
on the same terms generally available to its other distribution channels,
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Supplies and Spare Parts relating to such model of Equipment and Accessories
distributed prior to such termination.
(c) The continued sale of Supplies and Spare Parts to Danka
during the periods referenced in Sections 3.3(a) and 3.3(b) is contingent, in
each case, upon Danka's compliance with commercially reasonable standards for
quality and service.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement,
NexPress shall have no obligation to make Supplies or Spare Parts available for
(a) equipment bearing the Kodak brand name originally sold by third parties to
Danka, (b) the IS70 product beginning upon depletion of the NexPress or NexPress
Affiliate's inventory of such related Supplies and Spare Parts existing as of
the Effective Date, or (c) Kodak-branded products that are not being supplied by
Kodak as of the Effective Date, beginning five (5) years from the date of last
delivery of such product by Kodak.
Section 3.4 Resale of Products by Danka.
(a) Danka and Danka Affiliates may resell in the Territory any
Current Product or New Product purchased hereunder (subject, in the case of
Software, to the terms of the Software License as set forth herein) only to
end-users of such Product and to such Dealers that are listed on Exhibit 3.4
hereto provided that Danka represents and warrants to NexPress that such Dealer
shall comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(b) NexPress warrants and represents that it has the authority
and legal right to sell the Products and related goods to Danka and the Danka
Affiliates in the Territory.
Section 3.5 Software License.
(a) NexPress hereby grants to Danka and Danka Affiliates, for
Current Products and New Products, the following: a non-transferable,
nonexclusive license to sublicense and to sublicense Dealers the right to
sublicense the Software in object code formats only to end-users. Any sublicense
to end-users is subject to the terms of this Software License. End users may be
granted the right to make a single copy of the Software for system backup or
archival purposes. To each copy of the Software (whether in whole or in part)
made by Danka or end user for the purposes stated above, Danka or end user shall
affix the same copyright or other proprietary rights notice as was originally
affixed to the Software when shipped by NexPress. All copies of the Software, in
whole or in part, including all updates and modifications to the Software in any
form are the exclusive property of NexPress or the NexPress Affiliate, as the
case may be, and no title to or ownership of the Software or any parts thereof
are hereby transferred to Danka or end user. The Software constitutes
proprietary and confidential information of NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate and
Danka agrees not to provide, disclose, or make available the Software or any
part thereof to any third party except as expressly allowed herein without the
prior written permission of NexPress. Danka shall not use, print, copy, modify,
translate, alter, sublicense or display the Software in whole or in part except
as expressly provided for in this Agreement. Danka will not attempt to "reverse
compile", decompile, or
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otherwise derive the source code for the Software. Any such attempt is a breach
of this Agreement entitling NexPress to legal and equitable remedies, including
injunctive relief.
(b) The additional terms and conditions contained in Exhibit
3.5(b) hereto are applicable to any Software that contains software licensed by
Adobe Systems Inc. ("Adobe"), and must be incorporated into any sublicense for
such Software.
(c) NexPress reserves for itself the right to add additional
terms and conditions to this Software License should such additional terms be
necessitated by new or additional Software products or be required by Adobe.
(d) NexPress warrants that it has the full power and authority
to grant the Software Licenses described in this Agreement. NexPress warrants
that for a period of six (6) months after delivery, the media on which the
Software is delivered will be free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use, and for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after
shipment, the Software will perform substantially as described in the NexPress's
published specifications for the Software as of the shipment date of such
Software, including any user manuals and technical documentation.
(e) NexPress warrants that based solely on prior testing, it
has no reason to believe that the Software will not be capable of accurately
processing, providing and/or receiving date data from, into and between the
twentieth and twenty-first centuries, provided, however, that neither NexPress
nor any NexPress Affiliate makes any such warranty with regard to software,
equipment, or accessories supplied by or manufactured by third parties.
(f) As its sole responsibility for breach of the foregoing
warranty during the warranty period, NexPress will use reasonable efforts to
promptly correct such defects. If NexPress is unable within a reasonable period
of time to correct such defects, Danka may, at its option, terminate the license
and return the Products affected by such Software to NexPress and receive a full
credit for any amounts paid for the returned Products, plus costs associated
with shipping and storage, less a reasonable allowance for beneficial use or
damage.
(g) NEXPRESS AND NEXPRESS AFFILIATES EXPRESSLY EXCLUDE ALL
REMEDIES OR WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THE FOREGOING, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN RELATION
TO THE MEDIA OR SOFTWARE (AND ANY SERVICES RENDERED TO SUPPORT THE SOFTWARE),
INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.
(h) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, NEITHER DANKA NOR ANY
THIRD PARTY CLAIMING RIGHTS THROUGH DANKA WILL HOLD NEXPRESS OR NEXPRESS
AFFILIATES, OR ANY THIRD PARTY FROM WHOM NEXPRESS HAS DERIVED RIGHTS IN THE
SOFTWARE, LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE
BECAUSE OF ANY DEFECT OR INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS OR LOST PROFITS.
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(i) Any technical information supplied during the term of this
Agreement is made subject to any restrictions concerning the export of products
or technical data from the United States of America which may be imposed upon
NexPress or Danka from time to time by the Government of the United States of
America. Furthermore, Danka agrees that at no time, either during the term of
this Agreement or thereafter, will it knowingly export, directly or indirectly,
any United States source technical data acquired from NexPress or a NexPress
Affiliate under this Agreement or any direct products of that technical data to
any country for which the U.S. Government or any agency thereof at the time of
export requires an export license or other governmental approval, without first
obtaining that license or approval when required by applicable United States
law.
Section 3.6 Software Modifications and Customization.
In the event that Danka desires to make modifications and
customizations to Software that Danka's field service engineers or systems
engineers are not capable of implementing (absent re-engineering), Danka may
request NexPress to, and subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, NexPress
shall cooperate with Danka in making such modifications. In the event that Danka
requests such cooperation, Danka shall be responsible for submitting a
customization request, installing customized software at its customer's site,
and paying NexPress fees for implementing, testing and delivering the requested
customization, which fees shall be as set forth in a written estimate prepared
by NexPress promptly upon its receipt of Danka's request set forth in the
preceding sentence. NexPress shall respond to customization requests by
supplying cost and time estimates to implement, test, and deliver the requested
customization and, if such estimates are accepted by Danka, NexPress shall
provide customization provided the parties negotiate a mutually acceptable
software customization agreement.
ARTICLE IV
ORDERS
Section 4.1 Current Products. For the term of this Agreement, Danka
shall, or shall cause Danka Affiliates to, use the ordering process set forth on
Exhibit 4 hereto, to order for purchase and purchase Products from NexPress
pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; provided,
however, that the parties shall periodically meet to negotiate in good faith any
alternative ordering process as may be appropriate from time to time.
ARTICLE V
PRICING
Section 5.1 The purchase price and payment terms with respect to
Products that are subject to this Agreement are set forth in Exhibit 5 attached
hereto.
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ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTION AND DELIVERIES
Section 6.1 Non-Exclusivity.
(a) Except as provided in Section 6.1(b), Danka shall have a
non-exclusive right to distribute Products in the Territory.
(b) Danka shall have the exclusive right to purchase for
distribution in the Territory, the Kodak-branded equipment listed on Exhibit
6.1(b) hereto (the "Exclusive Equipment") and related spare parts and supplies
(the "Exclusive Spare Parts and Supplies") (collectively, "Exclusive Equipment,
Spare Parts and Supplies") subject to the conditions that, for so long as Danka
has the exclusive right hereunder (i) Danka shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to market such Exclusive Equipment, Spare Parts and Supplies; (ii) Danka
shall purchase all of its requirements for such Exclusive Equipment Spare Parts
and Supplies from NexPress; (iii) provided NexPress' quoted prices, in total
cost to Danka, are not materially higher than Danka's alternative suppliers,
NexPress shall receive right of first refusal with regard to supplying Danka
with services necessary to strip and salvage such Exclusive Spare Parts from
used Carcasses owned by Danka; (iv) Danka shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to meet the demand for Exclusive Spare Parts and Supplies by independent
service organizations ("ISO's") and shall comply with all laws applicable to
Danka in connection with its sale of Exclusive Spare Parts and Supplies to
ISO's; (v) Danka shall purchase 700 units of the EK95 Product (when combined
with the purchase of such Products under the Danka B.V. Agreement) by on or
before March 31, 2000 and in the event that Danka does not have access to
sufficient Carcasses to meet the EK95 purchase commitment the parties shall
negotiate either a reasonable extension of time for Danka to meet such purchase
commitment or the substitution of a new product; (vi) Danka shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide service and maintenance for the
Installed Base of Exclusive Equipment during the term of this Agreement; (vii)
Danka shall designate a Danka representative to serve as a contact person in
connection with the sale of Exclusive Spare Parts and Supplies to ISO's and
(viii) Danka shall on a quarterly basis provide written evidence, reasonably
satisfactory to NexPress, that Danka has complied with the terms of this Section
6.1(b) including, without limitation, a summary of ISO price changes, ISO order
fulfillment rates and ISO complaints if any; provided, however, nothing herein
shall prevent NexPress from (a) selling the Exclusive Equipment, or any
variation thereof, directly to end-users so long as Danka is recommended as the
preferred service provider to service such Exclusive Equipment sold by NexPress
or (b) selling such Exclusive Equipment or any variation thereof pursuant to an
OEM Agreement or a distribution agreement with Heidelberg Sales and Service
Units.
(c) Danka's obligations under Section 6.1(b) are subject to
NexPress satisfying Danka's forecasted demand for Exclusive Equipment, Spare
Parts and Supplies pursuant to the prices established according to Exhibit 5.
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(d) If Danka fails to cure any material breach of its
obligations under Section 6.1(b) within 30 days after receiving notice of such
breach from NexPress, NexPress' sole remedy (except as provided in Section
6.1(e)) shall be to terminate all exclusivity rights granted and obligations of
Danka relating thereto in Section 6.1(b) and thereafter the rights to distribute
the Exclusive Equipment, Spare Parts and Supplies shall be nonexclusive and
Danka may purchase such Products in accordance with the terms of Section 4.1.
(e) NexPress represents and warrants that (i) neither it nor a
NexPress Affiliate is under a contractual obligation with respect to the
distribution of Exclusive Spare Parts and Supplies to independent service
organizations pursuant to the Contribution and Sale Agreement dated as of March
17, 1999 by and between Xxxxxxx Kodak Company, Eastman Graphic Holding, Inc.,
Heidelberg Druckmaschinen A.G., Heidelberg Digital L.L.C., and NexPress
Solutions LLC. In reliance of the foregoing representation and warranty, and so
long as NexPress satisfies Danka's forecasted demand for Exclusive Supplies and
Spare Parts, Danka shall, consistent with the terms of Section 12.1, defend,
indemnify and hold harmless NexPress and the NexPress Affiliates for any failure
of Danka or a Danka Affiliate to comply with the provisions of Section
6.1(b)(iv).
Section 6.2 Title and Risk of Loss. Each Product ordered hereunder
shall be shipped FOB NexPress's Designated Point of Delivery. Danka shall select
the carrier and prepay, or make arrangements with the carrier for payment of,
the transportation charges to the warehouse destination designated by Danka
along with any transportation charges, insurance, handling and other costs, and
any customs, import, export and similar duties, associated with the conveyance
of Products. NexPress shall cooperate with and provide copies of existing
documentation to Danka, as reasonably requested, to assist Danka in its recovery
of available Duty Drawback related to re-export of Products under this
Agreement.
Section 6.3 Shipping Frequency and Quantity. NexPress shall not be
required to ship Products more than once a day to Danka. Danka shall be required
to accept shipment as frequently as reasonably requested by NexPress but not
more often than once a day without Danka's approval. Shipment of quantities of
Products constituting partial orders shall be accepted by Danka; provided that
Danka shall only be invoiced for the quantity actually shipped. Any order
shortfall shall be shipped as soon as commercially reasonable. The parties shall
cooperate to ensure that shipments are made in a cost-effective manner.
ARTICLE VII
WARRANTY, INSPECTION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Section 7.1 Inspection and Warranty. Prior to their shipment, NexPress
shall cause all Products to be sold hereunder to be inspected (and, where
applicable, tested) in accordance with NexPress's Functional Total Quality Plan
or such other procedures as are mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto in
order to assure conformance of Products to product specifications. Danka also
shall have the right to conduct its own inspection test in accordance with such
procedures no
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later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the date of delivery of any Products
to Danka and (ii) the installation of such Product. If Danka determines that any
item does not substantially conform to product specifications it shall, within
thirty (30) days after completion of the inspection, notify NexPress and request
it to institute a consulting inspection. NexPress may designate other companies
to perform a consulting inspection. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of
notice from Danka, NexPress or a company designated by NexPress, shall perform a
consulting inspection, and if the consulting inspection reveals a non-conformity
that does not reasonably appear to have resulted from, or occurred during,
shipping of the inspected item, NexPress or a company designated by NexPress
shall be responsible for causing the non-conforming item to achieve, by means of
NexPress' choosing, substantial compliance with its product specifications at
NexPress' expense. Upon shipment, the Products shall be paid for within the time
frame provide in this Agreement even if non-conformance is found under the
circumstances set forth herein. In the case of Spare Parts and Supplies,
NexPress, at its option, shall replace those non-conforming items or give credit
to Danka for such non-conforming items, plus handling and shipping costs which
shall be applied against subsequent purchases of those items.
Section 7.2 Quality Assurance.
(a) Danka shall (i) provide NexPress with such installation
and service data and (ii) perform or permit NexPress, or a company designated by
NexPress that is not a competitor of Danka or Danka Affiliates, to perform such
quality checks, as NexPress requires to maintain the quality of Equipment,
Software, Spare Parts Supplies and Accessories that are Products. If the rate of
field reliability of any Product is lower than reasonably expected by Danka or
NexPress, NexPress, or a company designated by NexPress that is not a competitor
of Danka or Danka Affiliates, may in its discretion upon reasonable notice to
Danka, or upon the request of Danka, monitor installation and servicing of such
items at Danka's customer locations, and Danka shall facilitate such monitoring.
If NexPress reasonably determines that Danka's installation or servicing
procedures is a cause of the reliability problem, Danka shall make such
revisions to its procedures as NexPress reasonably requests.
(b) NexPress or a company designated by NexPress that is not a
competitor of Danka or Danka Affiliates shall require and perform audits of
Danka's service operations, as outlined in the Brand Certification Criteria set
forth in Exhibit 11.1 in order to ensure the maintenance of high quality
service. If NexPress determines that Danka's service operations failed to meet
such standard, Danka shall make such revisions to its service procedures as
NexPress requests.
Section 7.3 Equipment Warranty. WITH RESPECT TO EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES,
SOFTWARE AND SPARE PARTS, NEXPRESS WARRANTS SUCH EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE,
ACCESSORIES AND SPARE PARTS SHALL BE FREE FROM LIENS OR OTHER DEFECTS IN TITLE.
NEXPRESS AND NEXPRESS AFFILIATES MAKE NO OTHER WARRANTIES. THE EQUIPMENT,
SOFTWARE, ACCESSORIES AND SPARE PARTS ARE SOLD "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OTHER THAN THOSE SET FORTH IN
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SECTIONS 3.5 AND 7.1 AND THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THIS SECTION 7.3. NEXPRESS AND
NEXPRESS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY
UNLESS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT OF
NEXPRESS. NEXPRESS OR NEXPRESS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF
PROFITS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE
USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES, SOFTWARE AND SPARE PARTS,
WHETHER ON ACCOUNT OF TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.
Section 7.4 Supplies Warranty.
(a) WITH RESPECT TO SUPPLIES, NEXPRESS WARRANTS THAT ALL UNITS
OF SUCH SUPPLIES SHALL BE FREE FROM LIENS OR OTHER DEFECTS IN TITLE. NEXPRESS
FURTHER WARRANTS THAT SUPPLIES FURNISHED TO DANKA UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
FREE OF DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FROM THE
DATE OF SHIPMENT TO DANKA.
(b) AS NEXPRESS' SOLE OBLIGATION UNDER THIS WARRANTY, NEXPRESS
SHALL AT ITS OPTION AND AT NO COST TO DANKA, REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE
SUPPLY, OR ISSUE TO DANKA A CREDIT EQUAL TO THE PRICE, PLUS HANDLING AND
SHIPPING COSTS, OF ANY SUPPLY RETURNED TO NEXPRESS WHICH PROVES DEFECTIVE WITHIN
THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 7.4. DANKA SHALL NOT BE
OBLIGATED TO, AND SHALL NOT, RETURN ANY SUCH ITEMS IN LOTS CONTAINING AN
AGGREGATE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00).
NEXPRESS, AT ITS OPTION, MAY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY SUCH DEFECTIVE ITEMS
RETURNED, BUT SHALL STILL BE OBLIGATED TO ISSUE THE APPLICABLE CREDIT. NEXPRESS
OR NEXPRESS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR OTHER
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR
INABILITY TO USE THE SUPPLIES, WHETHER ON ACCOUNT OF TORT, CONTRACT OR
OTHERWISE.
Section 7.5 Endemic Failures. As its sole responsibility on account of
an event of any Endemic Failure in Products supplied by NexPress to Danka under
this Agreement, of which Danka notifies NexPress within one hundred and twenty
(120) calendar days (not Business Days) after receipt of such Products, NexPress
agrees to negotiate in good faith with Danka the steps that NexPress will take
to remedy the problem, and take such steps as are in NexPress' discretion
commercially reasonable to cure such defects, replace such Products or to issue
Danka a credit equal to the purchase price paid by Danka for such Products, plus
shipping and handling costs
Section 7.6 Service for NexPress Products. Danka will be responsible
for providing adequate service at its own risk and expense for Equipment,
Accessories and Software purchased pursuant to this Agreement, provided however
that NexPress shall provide technical information and support and training to
Danka in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE VIII
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: HAZARDS AND PRECAUTIONARY PROCEDURES
Section 8.1 Technical Information.
(a) Any technical information or assistance provided by
NexPress or any company designated by NexPress to Danka shall not be deemed a
warranty or a specification. Danka shall familiarize itself with all hazards and
precautionary procedures with respect to the handling, transportation or use of
the Products, and the containers in which the Products are shipped, and shall
manage the Products and containers accordingly. If NexPress provides to Danka
any product safety information concerning any Product, Danka shall forward such
information to its employees, all others who handle the Products for Danka and
Danka's customers.
(b) NexPress shall provide to Danka at no charge one set of
English language technical operations and service materials, including any
service software and licenses associated with the use thereof, and related
technical information necessary to service and operate all Products purchased
under this Agreement. Danka may (i) reprint the materials in whole without
change, (ii) reproduce and publish all or portions of the materials for
incorporation in its own operation training and maintenance manuals for
Equipment, and (iii) translate the materials into any other language. If Danka
reprints the materials in whole, the material shall retain the signature,
corporate symbol, and copyright notice and warranty disclaimer of NexPress or
any NexPress Affiliate, as the case may be. If Danka incorporates the materials
into Danka's own materials, revises, or translates the materials, the material
shall bear Danka's own signature, logo, copyright notice and warranty
disclaimer. If Danka makes any revisions to materials of NexPress or a NexPress
Affiliate other than edits for clarity or creates its own materials, Danka shall
obtain NexPress's written approval of such materials prior to publication and
distribution. NexPress or the NexPress Affiliate, as the case may be, shall
retain all rights to the materials that Danka translates, revises or
incorporates into Danka's own materials, and Danka shall not attempt to transfer
any rights therein to third parties. Danka shall own the copyright in the
revised or translated material; provided, that (x) Danka grants NexPress or a
NexPress Affiliate a perpetual, royalty-free license to use and distribute any
revised material in creating materials for other Products and (y) upon the
termination or expiration of this Agreement, provided that NexPress is not in
default, Danka shall assign the copyright in any revised or translated materials
to NexPress or the NexPress Affiliate, as the case may be. Danka shall not
reproduce, without NexPress's permission, any other materials made available by
NexPress or the NexPress Affiliate, as the case may be.
(c) Danka acknowledges that the aforementioned technical
operations and service materials contain technical information and know-how,
which NexPress considers to be valuable, proprietary and Confidential
Information. Danka shall use efforts comparable to those it uses in relation to
its own valuable, proprietary and Confidential Information, but no less than a
reasonable degree of care, to restrict use and distribution of such materials to
Danka's personnel for use solely in operating and servicing Products purchased
under this Agreement.
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(d) Upon Danka's request, NexPress shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to make available to Danka technical training programs
conducted in Rochester, New York for each Current Product or New Product sold
hereunder. NexPress operator and service materials shall be used during the
training. Danka shall be billed at the daily rate in effect at the time of the
request.
Section 8.2 Technical Aid. During the term of this Agreement NexPress
shall make available at Danka's request on an "as available" basis, consultation
and/or service engineering support at Danka's customer sites or Danka's service
headquarters, with respect to Current Products and New Products. For each
request, Danka shall pay NexPress's reasonable travel expenses and Danka shall
be billed at the daily rate in effect at the time of the request. NexPress shall
credit back to Danka the cost of on-site support if it subsequently is
determined that on-site support was required because a particular product did
not comply with the applicable inspection test procedures for such product. A
manufacturing engineer contact shall be available by NexPress and NexPress shall
provide a reasonable amount of such assistance, free of charge, to address
Danka's Equipment, Accessory and Software service questions that are not related
to the immediate resolution of an inoperative equipment condition. Prior to
providing assistance for which NexPress will charge a fee, NexPress shall
provide Danka reasonable notice of NexPress's intent to do so and the amount of
such fee.
ARTICLE IX
ENHANCEMENTS
Section 9.1 Mandatory Enhancements. NexPress may, from time to time in
its sole discretion, implement field service modifications to Products that
improve safety or are required for regulatory compliance of Products. Following
NexPress's written request, Danka shall install the required modifications at
its expense, using its best efforts to do so in a timely manner. NexPress shall
make available to Danka, at NexPress's expense, any necessary kits, Spare Parts
and technical Documentation required for the installation of required field
service modifications.
ARTICLE X
TERMINATION
Section 10.1 Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time:
(i) by mutual agreement of Danka and NexPress;
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(ii) by either Danka or NexPress, after a material
breach of this Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreement referenced herein by the other party (the
"Defaulting Party"), upon written notice to the
Defaulting Party (hereinafter, the "Default Notice")
specifying the default, unless the Defaulting Party
cures the default within 60 days after receipt of the
Default Notice, or such longer period as may be
reasonably necessary to cure such default; it being
understood that, for purposes of this Agreement, (A)
NexPress shall have the sole discretion to declare
Danka or a Dealer to be in breach of its obligations
to comply with the requirements of the Brand Name
Certification Criteria referred to in Section 11.1 of
this Agreement; provided, however, that upon such
breach by Danka, and provided that such breach
continues after NexPress has provided written notice
and a five (5) day cure period, as NexPress' sole and
exclusive remedy NexPress shall give Danka at its
sole expense the option of substituting a new brand
name provided such name is acceptable to NexPress and
the NexPress Affiliates (which acceptance will not be
unreasonably withheld) and Products bearing such new
brand name shall be in all respects subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and, further
provided, if no substitute brand name is accepted by
NexPress within thirty (30) days of the expiration of
the cure period NexPress shall have the option to
terminate this Agreement; and (B) any breach by Danka
or a Dealer of the provisions of Section 11.3(b)
shall constitute a material breach if not cured
within five (5) days of receipt of written notice
thereof;
(iii) by NexPress, upon 60 days' prior written notice
to Danka, in the event that any undisputed invoice,
or any undisputed portion thereof, is not paid on the
due date unless the invoice or the undisputed portion
thereof is paid within such 60-day period;
(iv) by Danka, upon 60 days' prior written notice to
NexPress, in the event that NexPress fails to pay any
undisputed amount when due unless NexPress pays such
amount within such 60-day period.
(v) upon Danka's material breach of the Danka B.V.
Agreement if such breach is not cured after any
applicable cure period.
(b) NexPress reserves the right to terminate with written
notice to Danka, the right of Danka to sell products to any Dealer if such
Dealer is in material breach of this Agreement and the breach continues uncured
after NexPress has provided Danka with written notice and a five day cure
period, and upon such termination all rights of such Dealer under this Agreement
shall terminate.
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(c) In lieu of terminating this Agreement, a party possessing
the right to terminate under Section 10.1 (a)(ii), (iii) or (iv) may elect to
suspend performance of its obligations until, in the case of clause (ii), such
time as the material breach is cured and, in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv),
such time as the undisputed amount is paid.
Section 10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.1(a), this Agreement shall
thereafter become void and have no effect, and no party hereto shall have any
liability to the other party hereto or their respective Affiliates, directors,
officers or employees; provided, however, that neither the expiration of this
Agreement under Section 2.1 nor the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
this Article X shall (i) affect the liability of a party for breach of this
Agreement, (ii) discharge any of either party's obligations to pay any amount
owing and payable on the date of termination or (iii) affect the obligations
which by their terms survive termination, including without limitation, this
Section 10.2 or Sections 3.3, 7.1, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 8.1(a), (b) and (c), 11.2,
11.3, 11.4, 12.1, 12.2, and 13.1 hereof (and any related definitional provisions
set forth in Article 1), which shall survive and (b) Danka shall cease to have
the right to purchase Equipment bearing a brand name and corporate symbol
designated by NexPress, or such other trademarks as NexPress or NexPress's
Affiliates then use, or to any associated rights with respect to such brand
name, corporate symbol or trademark, provided however that nothing contained
herein shall affect NexPress' obligations under Section 3.3.
ARTICLE XI
TRADEMARKS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Section 11.1 Brand Name. For the first five years following the
Effective Date, or for such longer period as Danka and NexPress mutually agree,
NexPress shall supply all Products with a brand name and corporate symbol
designated by NexPress or NexPress Affiliates and such other trademarks as
NexPress or NexPress Affiliates adopts for use on New Products, provided
however, that if NexPress changes the brand name and corporate symbol after the
Effective Date, NexPress shall bear the costs relating to changes in design,
manufacturing and marketing information made necessary as a result of the new
brand name. NexPress's obligation to supply Products with a brand name and
corporate symbol designated by NexPress and such other trademarks as NexPress
and NexPress's Affiliates currently use, is (a) contingent on Danka's and
Dealer's compliance with this Agreement and (b) is at all times subject to
Danka's and Dealer's strict compliance with the brand name certification
requirements as set forth on Exhibit 11.1, which may be amended from time to
time by NexPress or any NexPress Affiliate in its sole discretion.
Section 11.2 Product Identification. Subject to Section 11.1, each unit
of Equipment and Accessory shipped to Danka shall bear an appropriate tag or
plate, permanently affixed to it, showing its model number, date of manufacture
and serial number. Danka shall not, and shall cause the Danka Affiliates to not,
remove or alter tags or plates that display serial number or agency approval
information for any reason unless required to do so by law. Danka shall inform
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NexPress of any removal or alteration of the tags or plates required by law and
shall give NexPress the opportunity to approve the form and content of the
change, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any
removal or alteration, unless required by law and with the knowledge of
NexPress, shall, at NexPress's option, void any applicable warranty as set forth
in this Agreement, unless replaced within fifteen (15) days of Danka's receipt
of written notice from NexPress.
Section 11.3 Danka's Use of Trademarks, and Proprietary Markings.
(a) During the term of this Agreement, Danka may use, without
undue prominence, the product name trademarks of Products in advertising that
promotes Products and the servicing thereof and other product-related marketing
materials, provided that Danka and each Danka Affiliate agrees to comply with,
and to use its best efforts to cause their respective customers to comply with,
such reasonable advertising guidelines that NexPress may issue from time to time
and correct, at Danka's own expense, such material that NexPress reasonably
determines to be objectionable or misleading.
(b) Except as provided expressly herein, Danka acknowledges
that Danka has no right, interest, ownership or privilege of use of, any trade
dress, trade name, trademark or logo of NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate, as the
case may be. Danka agrees that all of the foregoing is the sole property of
NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate as the case may be. Danka further agrees not to
contest, both during the term of this Agreement and after termination, any
NexPress or NexPress Affiliate trade dress, trade name, trademark or service
xxxx related in any way to Products distributed pursuant to this Agreement or
the servicing of such Products, and Danka agrees, both during the terms of this
Agreement and after termination, not to use or attempt to register any trade
dress, trade name, trademark or service xxxx confusingly similar to any NexPress
or NexPress Affiliate trade dress, trade name, trademark or service xxxx. Danka
may not represent that it provides "NexPress Service" or service of a NexPress
Affiliate, but may represent that it is authorized to service copiers branded by
NexPress or NexPress Affiliates. Danka acknowledges that any material breach of
the preceding sentence would constitute a material breach if not cured within
five days of receipt of written notice thereof, for which NexPress could
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(ii).
(c) Without limiting Danka's obligations and covenants under
Section 11.2, Danka shall not remove, alter, conceal or destroy any nameplates,
logos or dataplates on Products, enclosures or cabinets or proprietary markings
or legends placed upon or within such Products, supporting Documentation or
other materials that are the subject of this Agreement.
Section 11.4 Software. NexPress shall not be obligated hereunder to
provide Danka with access to the source code for any Software. If Danka develops
a modification, addition or customization of any Software for one of its
customers, Danka shall be prohibited from representing to its customers that
such modification, addition or customization constitutes a Software Product of
NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate and shall instead prominently display on such
Software or the Equipment to which it relates the phrase "Independently Modified
by Danka for Danka." NexPress shall not be obligated to assure that subsequent
versions of its
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Software products are compatible with any modification, addition, or
customization that has been developed by Danka.
Section 11.5 Ownership of Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement or the termination hereof, NexPress or a
NexPress Affiliate, as the case may be, shall own all its respective rights and
interests in and to all Intellectual Property (including, all patented and
unpatented technology and Inventions) developed by NexPress or a NexPress
Affiliate, as the case may be, during the terms of this Agreement. Except as
explicitly provided in Sections 3.5, 3.6, 11.1, 11.3 and 11.4, this Agreement
does not transfer, assign, lease, license or otherwise provide Danka with any
rights or interests in any Intellectual Property used, developed or owned by
NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate.
ARTICLE XII
INDEMNITY
Section 12.1 Danka's Indemnity. Danka hereby agrees that it shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless NexPress and NexPress Affiliates, and, if
applicable, their respective directors, officers, attorneys, agents and
employees and their heirs, successors and assigns (collectively, the "NexPress
Indemnified Parties") from, against and in respect of, any damages, claims,
losses, charges, actions, suits, proceedings, costs, and expenses of any kind
whatsoever including reasonable attorneys' fees, (collectively, the "Losses")
imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by or asserted against any of the
NexPress Indemnified Parties, directly or indirectly, relating to or arising
from (i) Danka's storage, transportation, use, modification, sale or other means
of disposition or disposal of any Product, (ii) Danka's performance claims
regarding Products in promotional or advertising materials, (iii) any alleged
infringement arising out of or resulting from compliance with Danka's requests,
instructions or specifications, or from any modification of a Product or brand
name or tradename not authorized by NexPress, (iv) Danka's breach of this
Agreement, or (v) any representation or warranty or statement with respect to
Equipment, Accessories, Supplies or Spare Parts, made by Danka or a Danka
Affiliate prior to or after the Effective Date, other than to pass through to
end-users those representations and warranties expressly made by NexPress
herein; and not caused by NexPress' negligent acts or omissions or willful
misconduct (which shall not be deemed to exist if such action or inaction is
taken at, and in accordance with, Danka's direction or by Danka's employees).
(a) Danka's indemnification is limited to the payment of
damages awarded against any NexPress Indemnified Party and the payment of
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses for the period prior to the time Danka
assumed exclusive control of the defense. In no event shall Danka reimburse any
NexPress Indemnified Party for attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by a
NexPress Indemnified Party after Danka assumed the defense of a claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, NexPress shall have the right to consult in the
defense of a claim and to employ counsel, at NexPress's expense, separate from
the counsel employed by Danka to the extent such claim involves potential
conflicts of interest between or different defenses for Danka and NexPress and
NexPress reasonably determines that separate representation would be
appropriate.
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(b) The obligation shall arise only if NexPress gives Danka
prompt notice of the claim and grants Danka, in writing, exclusive control over
its defense and settlement; provided, however, that a failure by NexPress to
give prompt notice of a claim under this Section 12.1 shall affect the rights of
NexPress hereunder only to the extent that such failure has a prejudicial effect
on the defenses or other rights available to Danka with respect to such claim.
(c) Subsections 12.1(a) through (c) state Danka's exclusive
obligation with respect to claims by NexPress Indemnified Parties.
Section 12.2 NexPress Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification. NexPress shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Danka, and Danka Affiliates, and, if applicable, their respective
directors, officers, attorneys, agents, employees, and their heirs, successors
and assigns (collectively, the "Danka Indemnified Parties") from and against any
and all losses, damages, claims, charges, actions, suits, proceedings, costs,
and expenses of any kind whatsoever, including reasonable attorneys' fees
(collectively the "Losses"), imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by or
asserted against any of the Danka Indemnified Parties directly or indirectly,
relating to or arising from, (i) NexPress' negligence resulting in personal
injury or property damage, (ii) any representation or warranty in Sections
6.1(e) or 13.19, and (iii) any claim that a Product as delivered by NexPress
infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any third party's patent,
copyright, trade secret, software or other Intellectual Property right; and
which are not caused by Danka's negligent acts or omissions or willful
misconduct (which shall not be deemed to exist if such action or inaction is
taken at, and in accordance with, NexPress' direction or by NexPress'
employees).
(b) The obligation shall arise only if Danka gives NexPress
prompt notice of the claim and grants NexPress, in writing, exclusive control
over its defense and settlement; provided, however, that a failure by Danka to
give prompt notice of a claim under this Section 12.2 shall affect the rights of
Danka hereunder only to the extent that such failure has a prejudicial effect on
the defenses or other rights available to NexPress with respect to such claim.
(c) The obligation shall cover only the Product as delivered
by NexPress to Danka, and not any correction, modification or addition made by
anyone other than NexPress, without NexPress's written authorization.
(d) The obligation shall not cover (i) any claim based on the
use of any Products other than that for which the Product is normally intended,
(ii) the furnishing of any information, service, or technical support provided
by Danka, or (iii) any claim that any Product infringes any third party's rights
as used in combination with any product(s) not supplied by NexPress, if that
claim could have been avoided but for the use of the Product in combination with
other products except to the extent such combined use is authorized or approved
in writing by NexPress.
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(e) If any infringement claim is asserted, or if NexPress
believes one likely, NexPress shall have the right at its expense, to (i)
procure a license from the Person claiming or likely to claim infringement, (ii)
modify the Product as appropriate to avoid the claim of infringement, as long as
modification for this purpose does not materially impair the operation thereof
or (iii) cease further sale of the Product subject to, or likely to be subject
to, the claim and accept return of the Products sold and refund to Danka the
purchase price paid for the returned Product(s) using a five (5) year
straight-line depreciation reflecting any quantity or other discounts granted to
Danka, plus reasonable costs of handling and shipping.
NexPress's indemnification is limited to the payment of damages awarded
against any Danka Indemnified Party and the payment of reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses for the period prior to the time NexPress assumed exclusive
control of the defense. In no event shall NexPress reimburse any Danka
Indemnified Party for attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by a Danka
Indemnified Party after NexPress assumed the defense of a claim. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Danka shall have the right to consult in the defense of a claim
and to employ counsel, at Danka's expense, separate from the counsel employed by
NexPress to the extent such claim involves potential conflicts of interest
between or different defenses for Danka and NexPress and Danka reasonably
determines that separate representation would be appropriate.
(f) Subsections 12.2(a) through (f) state NexPress' exclusive
obligation with respect to claims by Danka Indemnified Parties.
ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 13.1 Notices.
(a) All notices or other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given, effective (i) three Business
Days later, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, (ii) when sent, if sent by telecopier or fax, provided that the
telecopy or fax is promptly confirmed by telephone confirmation thereof, (iii)
when served, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (iv) one
Business Day later, if sent by overnight delivery via a national courier
service, in each case (i) through (iv), addressed to the intended recipient at
the address set forth below. Any party may change the address to which notices
or other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other party
notice in the manner herein set forth.
To Danka: Danka Holding Company
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
and
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Danka Group B.V.
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
Middelandsc Zee 15
Xxxx Xxx 000, 0000
XX Xxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
With a copy to: Danka Office Imaging Company
Attention: General Counsel
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
To NexPress: NexPress Solutions, LLC
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Telephone: (000)000-0000
Telecopy: (000)000-0000
Attn: Chairman of the Board
With a copy to: NexPress Solutions, LLC
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Chief Operating Officer,
Black and White B.U.
Section 13.2 Amendment; Waiver. Any provision of this Agreement may be
amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and
signed, in the case of an amendment, by Danka and NexPress, or in the case of a
waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.
Section 13.3 Exclusive Remedies. As herein set forth, the remedies of
the parties for breach of any obligation arising under this Agreement shall be
the sole and exclusive remedies therefore. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING CONTAINED IN
THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE
OTHER PARTY FOR SUCH OTHER PARTY'S INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST
PROFITS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.
Section 13.4 Assignment.
(a) NexPress may not assign any of its rights or delegate any
of its obligations hereunder; provided, that NexPress may so assign any of its
rights and delegate any of its obligations hereunder to a NexPress Affiliate
provided that NexPress guarantees the due and punctual performance and
observance of each and every obligation so delegated.
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(b) Danka may not assign any of Danka's rights or delegate any
of its obligations hereunder; provided, that with the consent of NexPress, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, Danka may so assign, and
may license, any of its rights and delegate any of its obligations hereunder to
a Danka Affiliate, and such assignment or license and delegation need not be to
one Danka Affiliate but rather, with respect to each country in the Territory,
may be to a Danka Affiliate organized in, or otherwise qualified to do business
in, such country; provided, that (i) each such Danka Affiliate appoints Danka
Distribution to act as its exclusive Agent with respect to any dealings with
NexPress' or NexPress Affiliate's European factories and Danka Imaging to act as
its exclusive Agent with respect to any dealings with NexPress' or NexPress
Affiliate's North American factories, (ii) Danka Distribution and Danka Imaging
shall have accepted such appointment and agreed, in all cases, to coordinate and
aggregate all matters relating to Danka Affiliates, including Purchase Orders,
notices and payments, (iii) no Danka Affiliate shall have any right or power to
act on its own rather than through the Agents and (iv) Danka unconditionally
guarantees the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every
such obligation.
Section 13.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, (including all Exhibits
hereto) contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters.
Section 13.6 Fulfillment of Obligations. Any obligation of any party to
any other party under this Agreement, which obligation is performed, satisfied
or fulfilled by an Affiliate of such party, shall be deemed to have been
performed, satisfied or fulfilled by such party.
Section 13.7 Parties in Interest; No Additional Third-Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto, the NexPress Indemnified Parties, the Danka Indemnified
Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person
(except as provided in Sections 3.5, 7.3, 7.4, 8.1(b), 11.3(b), 11.4, 11.5,
12.1, and 12.2 hereof), any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement.
Section 13.8 Market Data and Access to Records of Danka.
(a) From time to time from the Effective Date, NexPress shall
at its expense conduct a marketing survey to assist each party in its effort to
increase the probability of success of Products in the marketplace and the
successful development of enhancements and follow-on offering to the Products
(the "Market Surveys"). The Market Surveys shall solicit information including
the Products' success in the marketplace, customer satisfaction, prospective
customer feedback, and such other information as NexPress shall request.
NexPress shall provide Danka with copies of the Market Surveys in a timely
manner. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
Danka shall at no time be required to release its customer base identification
information to NexPress or a NexPress Affiliate.
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(b) NexPress agrees to advertise and promote Products in the
Territory and will furnish Danka from time to time with promotional and
advertising materials. NexPress shall provide reasonable sales and marketing
support to Danka, as mutually agreed upon from time to time.
Section 13.9 Press Release and Public Announcement. Except as may be
required by law or as otherwise permitted or expressly contemplated herein, no
party hereto or its respective affiliates, employees, agents and representatives
shall disclose to any third party (other than such party's legal counsel and
financial advisers) the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the subject
matter hereof without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. No
press release or other public announcement related to this Agreement or the
transaction contemplated hereby shall be issued by any party hereto without the
prior written approval of the other party (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), except that either party may make such public
disclosure that it believes in good faith to be required by the requirements of
a securities exchange.
Section 13.10 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION JURISDICTION: SELECTION OF
FORUM. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT
IT SHALL BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTAINED IN OR CONTEMPLATED BY
THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN TORT OR CONTRACT OR AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, EXCLUSIVELY
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK OR THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR NEW YORK COUNTY (THE "CHOSEN COURTS")
AND SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH CLAIMS ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTAINED IN OR CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT (1) IRREVOCABLY
SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE CHOSEN COURTS (II) WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION TO LAYING VENUE IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE CHOSEN COURTS,
AND (III) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT THE CHOSEN COURTS ARE AN INCONVENIENT FORUM
OR DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY PARTY HERETO.
Section 13.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which
shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
Section 13.12 Headings. The heading references herein are for
convenience purposes only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall
not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
Section 13.13 Confidentiality. Confidential Information provided or
exchanged pursuant to this Agreement shall be provided or exchanged under a
standard confidentiality agreement in substantially the form set forth in
Exhibit 13.13.
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Section 13.14 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any
provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any
circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable
provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be
valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable
provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such
invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability
affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application
thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
Section 13.15 Relationship of Parties. Each party in performing its
obligations and duties hereunder shall be conclusively deemed to be an
independent contractor and not under the control and supervision of the other
party hereto. No agency, employment, franchise, partnership or joint venture and
no trust or other fiduciary relationship is created or implied by the terms of
this Agreement, and neither of the parties is, or shall hold itself out as,
agent, legal representative, partner, subsidiary, joint venture or employee of
the other party. Neither party shall have the right or power to, or shall, bind
or obligate the other party in any way or manner, or represent that such party
has the right to do so. Neither party has the authority to make any commitment
on behalf of the other party. The sole relationship between Danka and NexPress
is a commercial, arms' length business relationship.
Section 13.16 Force Majeure.
(a) Neither party shall be held responsible for failure or
delay to comply with nonmonetary obligations under this Agreement, if such
failure is due to act of God or public enemy, war, government acts or
regulations, fire, flood, embargo, quarantine, epidemic, labor strike, inability
to acquire raw materials, inevitable accident, unusually severe weather or other
cause similar to the foregoing, beyond the control of the other party (each such
event, a "Force Majeure"). In the event of failure of or delay in delivery or
acceptance due to a Force Majeure, the quantity provided for in the Purchase
Order so affected may be reduced accordingly by written notice by either party
to the other.
(b) If the performance of any nonmonetary obligations under
this Agreement by either party is prevented, restricted or interfered with by
reason of a Force Majeure event, the party whose performance is so affected,
upon giving prompt notice to the other party, shall be excused from such
performance to the extent of such Force Majeure event; provided, however, that
the party so affected shall take all reasonable steps to avoid or remove such
causes of nonperformance and shall continue performance hereunder with dispatch
whenever such causes are removed.
Section 13.17 Conflict. To the extent that this Agreement is in
conflict with any Exhibit, this Agreement shall take precedence.
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Section 13.18 Compliance with Law. Each of the parties to this
Agreement and their respective Affiliates shall fully comply with all foreign,
federal, state or local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business
and its distribution and sale of products in the jurisdiction where Products are
sold.
Section 13.19 Prior Sales. Any sales of Products by NexPress to Danka
prior to the Effective Date shall be deemed subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers effective as of the
Effective Date.
NEXPRESS SOLUTIONS LLC
By Heidelberg Digital L.L.C., Member
By:
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Witness Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: President
DANKA HOLDING COMPANY
By:
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Witness Name:
Title:
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