SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT AND CONSENT
EXHIBIT
10.52
The
following Sublicense Agreement and Consent ("Agreement") is effective as of
March 15, 2004
("Effective Date") between Global Hydrofuel Technologies Inc., a federal
corporation ("GHTI Canada"), Hydrogen Power Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HPI")
and the University of British Columbia, a corporation continued under the
University
Act of
British Columbia ("UBC").
WHEREAS,
under
a
License Agreement between UBC and GHTI Canada dated October 22, 2003 ("Principal
License"), UBC granted to GHTI Canada an exclusive worldwide license to certain
rights in the Technology (as defined in the Principal License), and GHTI Canada
desires to sublicense certain marketing and distribution rights in the
Technology to HPI.
NOW
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth
and for other good and valuable consideration on the receipt and sufficiency
of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.0
GRANT OF LICENSE
1.1 Subject
to the terms of the Principal License, GHTI Canada grants to HPI, under GHTI's
rights in the Technology, the following rights ("Sublicense"):
(a)
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exclusive
rights to use the Technology and any UBC Improvements and to market,
manufacture and distribute the Products in the United States, Mexico,
Central and South America;
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(b)
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non-exclusive
rights to market and distribute the Products using the Technology
and
any UBC Improvements in Canada; and
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(c)
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non-exclusive
right to use any trademarks, service marks or logos associated with
the
Technology in the Territory that GHTI Canada is entitled to use
("Marks").
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1.2 Subject
to the terms of the Principal License, GHTI Canada grants to HPI the
non-exclusive, non-transferable rights to develop, modify, enhance and improve
the Technology.
1.3 HPI
acknowledges and agrees that GHTI Canada has reserved all other rights including
the rights to develop, enhance, market, facilitate, sublicense, install,
maintain and support the Technology except as expressly granted to HPI in
Section 1.1 for Canada (on a non-exclusive basis), the United States, Mexico,
Central and South America (on an exclusive basis).
1.4 HPI
acknowledges and agrees that developments, enhancements, modifications or
improvements to the Technology developed, modified, enhanced or improved by
HPI
shall be owned by GHTI Canada or as otherwise provided under the Principal
License.
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2.0
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HPI
2.1
HPI
will,
unless otherwise authorized by GHTI Canada in writing:
(a)
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comply
in all respects with the Principal License, a true, correct and complete
copy
of which is attached to this Agreement and made a part of as Exhibit
A;
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(b)
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devote
sufficient resources to carry out its obligations and to utilize
its
rights under
this Agreement;
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(c)
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promptly
pay all sums due to GHTI Canada;
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(d)
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grant
GHTI Canada the right, at all reasonable times, to inspect its facilities,
operations,
books and records to ascertain compliance with this
Agreement;
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(e)
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where
appropriate, use any notices or symbols required by local law to
indicate
that
the Marks are registered; and
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(f)
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provide
to GHTI Canada:
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(i)
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annual
financial statements and reports during the term of this agreement
(which need not be audited);
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(ii)
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regulatory
or other government reports filed by or related to the operations
of
HPI;
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(iii)
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reports
of any developments, modifications, enhancements or improvements
to the
Technology or other significant developments or untoward events;
and
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(iv) |
other
data requested by GHTI Canada.
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3.0
FEES
3.1
In
consideration of the license granted herein, HPI agrees to pay to GHTI Canada
the fees
as set
forth on Exhibit B ("Fees"). HPI agrees that the Fees will not be subject to
any
reduction if any portion of the Technology or any rights pertaining thereto
become unavailable for use in the Territory for any reason whatsoever during
the
term of this Agreement.
3.2
All
payments made under this Agreement shall be made in U.S. Dollars.
3.3
The
obligations of HPI hereunder to make payments in U.S. Dollars shall not
be
discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment
expressed in or converted into any other currency (the "Other Currency") except
to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt
by
GHTI Canada of the full amount of Dollars payable when converted at the Rate
of
Exchange (as defined below) payable on the date of payment (or as soon
thereafter as it is practicable for GHTI Canada to
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purchase
U.S. Dollars) under the terms of this Agreement, and HPI shall be obligated
to
indemnify GHTI Canada for any difference between such full amount and the amount
effectively received by GHTI Canada pursuant to any such tender or recovery.
The
determination
by GHTI Canada of amounts effectively received by it shall be prima
facie correct.
As used herein the term Rate of Exchange means the rate at which GHTI Canada
is
able
on the relevant date to purchase U.S. Dollars with the Other Currency and shall
include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the
purchase of, or conversion into, U.S. Dollars.
3.4 All
payments made by HPI under this Agreement shall be made free and clear of,
and
without deduction for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp
or
other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings,
now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any
governmental authority, excluding net income taxes or franchise taxes imposed
on
GHTI Canada as a result of a present or former connection between the
jurisdiction of the governmental authority imposing such tax and GHTI Canada
(other than any such connection arising solely from GHTI Canada having executed,
delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced,
this Agreement). If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
charges, fees, deductions or withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") are required
to
be withheld from any amounts payable to GHTI Canada hereunder, HPI shall pay
such Non-Excluded Taxes to the appropriate taxing authority, and the amounts
payable to GHTI Canada shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield
to
GHTI Canada (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such
other
amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this
Agreement. Whenever any Non-Excluded Tax is payable by HPI as promptly as
possible thereafter, HPI shall send to GHTI Canada a certified copy of an
original official receipt showing payment thereof. If HPI fails to pay any
Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority, HPI shall
indemnify GHTI Canada for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that
may
become payable by GHTI Canada as a result of any such failure. This indemnity
and agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.
4.0
TERRITORY
The
"Territory" consists of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South
America.
5.0
ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLICENSING
The
Sublicense granted to HPI is and shall be personal to HPI and is not assignable
by HPI, except
that HPI may sub-license the right solely to manufacture the Product using
the
Technology
and any UBC Improvements to a third party ("Third Party Manufacturer") and
not
for the purpose of reselling by the Third Party Manufacturer; provided the
Third
Party Manufacturer agrees to be bound by a written agreement including
confidentiality and ownership provisions no less protective of the Products
and
the Technology than those provided in this Sublicense.
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6.0
LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
GHTI
Canada represents and warrants that in respect of the Sublicense, GHTI Canada
has granted HPI all the necessary rights. HPI acknowledges that except as
expressly provided in this Section, GHTI Canada disclaims all warranties,
representations and conditions of any nature regarding the Technology and the
Marks, including any express or implied warranty that the Technology or the
Marks may be used in the Territory or that the Technology or the Marks do not
infringe the rights of any third party in the Territory.
7.0INFRINGEMENTS
HPI
shall
promptly notify GHTI Canada of any known or suspected acts of infringement,
unfair competition or passing off which may occur in relation to the Technology
or the Marks. HPI shall have no right to take any action to prevent any such
infringement, unfair competition or passing off without the express, prior
written consent of GHTI Canada. HPI agrees to render to GHTI Canada, free of
charge, all reasonable assistance in connection with any matter pertaining
to
the protection of the Technology or Marks by GHTI Canada.
HPI
shall
not be entitled to require GHTI Canada to take any actions or institute any
proceedings to prevent infringement, unfair competition or passing off by third
parties.
8.0
LIABILITY INDEMNIFICATION
HPI
agrees to save, defend, indemnify and hold GHTI Canada harmless from and against
all claims, damages, liabilities and costs of every kind, nature and description
which may arise: (1) as a result of the activities of HPI's agents, subagents,
employees, officers, directors, affiliates, joint venture partners, brokers,
underwriters, and all others acting at their direction or under their control;
and (2) as a result of HPI's use of the Technology or the Marks.
9.0
GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND COMPLIANCE
HPI
agrees that it shall comply with all relevant laws, regulations and standards
governing services to be rendered or performed in respect of the Technology
or
the Marks.
10.0
SUBLICENSE TERM
Subject
to Section 11, the term of the Sublicense shall commence on the Effective Date
and be perpetual unless sooner terminated as provided in this
Agreement.
11.0
TERMINATION
11.1
The
provisions regarding termination of this Agreement contained in this paragraph
are in addition to all other such provisions contained in this
Agreement.
11.2
In
the event of (i) impending insolvency of HPI or (ii) such other reason as is
determined in
good
faith by GHTI Canada to threaten immediate and irreparable harm to the integrity
and reputation of GHTI Canada, the Technology or the Marks, GHTI Canada may
terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to HPI.
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11.3
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate simultaneously with any termination
of
the Principal License for any reason. In the event the Principal License
terminates as a result of
an
acquisition of the Technology by GHTI pursuant to 14.3 of the Principal License
then
HPI
is granted a license for the rights in respect of the Products, Technology
and
Marks
on
the same terms as this Sublicense.
11.4
This
Agreement may be terminated by GHTI Canada upon the occurrence of the
following
events: (1) a voluntary petition is filed by HPI seeking bankruptcy,
reorganization,
arrangement with creditors or other relief under bankruptcy laws or any other
law governing insolvency or debtor relief, or (2) an involuntary petition or
proceeding
is filed against HPI seeking bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement with
creditors
or other relief under bankruptcy laws or any other laws governing insolvency
or
debtor relief and such petition or proceeding is consented to or acquiesced
in
by HPI or is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the date upon which it
was
filed, or (3) an order for
relief is entered against HPI in any case under the bankruptcy laws of any
country or HPI
is
adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by any court of competent jurisdiction, or (4)
HPI makes
a
general assignment of its assets for the benefit of creditors, or (5) any
regulatory agency
assumes control of HPI or delinquency proceedings (voluntary or involuntary)
are
instituted,
or (6) an action is instituted against HPI seeking its dissolution or
liquidation of
its
assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or
other custodian for any of its property or business and such action is consented
to or acquiesced in
by HPI
or is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the date upon which it was
instituted,
or (7) a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of HPI's
property
or business is appointed, or (8) HPI fails to pay all sums due GHTI Canada
when
due
and shall not cure such failure within thirty (30) days of receiving written
notice
thereof, or (9) HPI is in material breach of any other provision of this
Agreement and shall fail to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of
receiving written notice thereof.
11.5
If
this Agreement is terminated all rights in and to the Technology shall revert
to
GHTI Canada (subject always to the terms of the Principal License), and HPI
agrees that it will promptly discontinue all use of the Technology and the
Marks.
12.0
TERMINATION PROCEDURE
Should
this Agreement or the Principal License be terminated or expire, HPI will
cooperate in and
facilitate the sale and transfer at fair market value to any replacement
sublicensee, or replacement
licensee of GHTI Canada, of all non-confidential and non-proprietary information
concerning
acting as the sublicensee including but not limited to information on and its
rights to networks, distribution channels, vendors, employees, leases, systems,
and real and personal property relevant to carrying on the business. Any
disputes as to "fair market value" shall be resolved through the Mandatory
Dispute Resolution procedure identified in Section 13.0 of this
Agreement.
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13.0
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any
and
all disputes arising out of, under, or in connection with this Agreement,
including without limitation the validity, interpretation, performance and
breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in New York, New York, United
States of America, in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of
the
American Arbitration Association in force at the time arbitration is demanded.
Such arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator, and the award
rendered by the arbitrator shall be binding upon the parties. The arbitrator
shall have full authority to allocate and award all costs of arbitration
including reasonable attorneys' fees plus legal interest on any award rendered.
Judgment upon any award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
14.0
NOTICES
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices, requests, demands or other
communications to or upon the respective parties shall be in writing, sent
by
courier or express mail service, or by facsimile transmission (promptly
confirmed by hard copy sent by courier or express
mail service) or telex and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall
be
deemed to
have
been given or made when delivered by hand, or five business days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of notice by facsimile,
upon confirmation by the sender of receipt, or, in the case of telex notice,
when sent, answerback received, addressed to such party, at its address shown
below or at such other address as such party may hereafter notify to
the
other. Any communication with respect to a change of address shall be deemed
to
be given
or
made when received by the party to whom such communication was
sent.
If
to Global Hydrofuel Technologies, Inc.:
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If
to UBC:
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Suite
1105 - 00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Tel.:
(000) 000-0000
Fax.:
(000) 000-0000
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The
Director
University
- Industry Liaison Office
University
of British Columbia
#000
- 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Tel.:
(000) 000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
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If
to HPI:
Suite
1010
0000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx
00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
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Tel.:
(000) 000-0000
Fax.:
(000) 000-0000
15.0
CONFIDENTIALITY
In
addition to its obligations under Section 10.1 of the Principal License with
respect to confidentiality, HPI acknowledges that all confidential information
of GHTI Canada imparted and
to be
imparted to HPI by GHTI Canada before or during the term of this Agreement,
is
secret,
confidential and unique, and constitutes GHTI Canada's trade secrets and
exclusive property, and that any use by HPI of any such trade secrets and
property other than in strict accordance with the terms of this Agreement would
be wrongful and would cause GHTI Canada irreparable injury. HPI shall file
and
store such information in a manner consistent with its confidential nature,
and
neither HPI nor any of its personnel or agents shall at any time disclose or
divulge to any person, firm, corporation or other entity or use or suffer the
use by any third party,
for any purpose other than solely as permitted hereunder or required in
accordance with the
terms
of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, for its own benefit or the benefit
of
any other entity, any such confidential information of GHTI Canada. Without
limiting the foregoing, HPI acknowledges and agrees that it shall not become
the
owner of any right, title, license or other interest in or to any confidential
information of GHTI Canada. HPI shall execute any and all documents and
instruments requested by GHTI Canada, which GHTI Canada may deem necessary,
proper or appropriate to accomplish or confirm the foregoing. HPI's commitment
hereunder with respect to confidential information shall not extend to any
part
of such confidential information which: (a) was known by HPI prior to its first
being disclosed by GHTI Canada through no wrongful act of HPI or any other
entity, (b) was generally known or available to the public prior to its
disclosure by GHTI Canada other than as a result of a wrongful act of HPI or
any
other entity, or (c) becomes generally known or available to the public
subsequent to disclosure by GHTI Canada through no wrongful act of HPI or any
other entity.
16.0
GENERAL
16.1
This
Agreement including any addenda contain the complete understanding of the
parties in
relation to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any addenda
may be amended except by means of a writing executed by both parties
hereto.
16.2
The
headings in this Agreement have been provided for the convenience of the parties
and
shall
not have any effect on the interpretation of this Agreement.
16.3
This
Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws
of
the State of New York, United States of America, without reference to its choice
of law principles.
16.4
If
any of the terms of this Agreement are held to be unlawful or unenforceable
by a
court or
any
other body or authority of competent jurisdiction such a finding shall in no
way
affect the remaining obligations of the parties hereunder and the court may
substitute a lawful or enforceable term or condition for any unlawful or
unenforceable term or
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condition
so long as the effect of such a substitution is to provide the parties with
the
benefits of this Agreement.
16.5
No
waiver by either party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall
be
construed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach of the same
or a
different provisions hereof.
16.6
At
the request of GHTI Canada from time to time, HPI shall assist GHTI Canada
as
may be
necessary (including by executing any necessary documents) in executing any
instruments or documents and subsequently in recording HPI or GHTI Canada (as
requested by GMTI Canada) as owner, licensee or registered user of the
Technology or the Marks (including such applications or filings for registration
of the Technology or Marks as mature into registrations during the period of
this Agreement). HPI hereby agrees that, at the request of GHTI Canada, any
such
registrations, or filings or applications in respect of the Technology or the
Marks entries information will be transferred or assigned to GHTI Canada (or
assignee) on termination of this Agreement, for whatever reason, and that it
will assist GHTI Canada so far as may be necessary to achieve such transfer
or
assignment including executing any necessary documents.
16.7
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a joint
venture, partnership, agency or employment relationship between GHTI Canada
and
HPI.
16.8
Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
Principal License.
17.0
UBC AS A PARTY AND FEE CALCULATION UNDER THE PRINCIPAL
LICENSE
17.1
UBC
is a party to this Agreement for the following purposes:
(a)
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acknowledging
notice of the Sublicense and the proposal of the Sublicensee to
carry
on business in the Territory;
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(b)
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consenting
to the grant of the Sublicense to HPI as required by Section 4 of
the
Principal
License;
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(c)
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if
UBC registers a financing statement as contemplated in Section 4.3
of the
Principal
License in Delaware or Washington, UBC will notify
GHTI;
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(d)
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acknowledging
and agreeing that for the purposes of interpreting and calculating
the
royalties and fees payable by GHTI Canada to UBC under Section 5.0
of the
Principal License (the "Royalty Payable")
that:
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I.
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the
defined term "Licensee" in the Principal License shall be deemed
to
include both "GHTI Canada" and
"HPI";
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II.
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inter-company
payments and transfers between GHTI Canada and HPI are excluded from
any
such calculation of the Royalty Payable;
and
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III. |
for
greater certainty, when determining if certain royalties, fees
or other
consideration are "Revenue" or "Sublicensing Revenue" when received
by
HPI, if HPI receives royalties, fees or other consideration (the
"HPI
Fees") that if received by GHTI would constitute "Revenue", "Improvement
Revenue" or "Licensee Revenue", the HPI Fees shall be "Revenue",
"Improvement Revenue" or "Licensee Revenue", under the terms of
the
Principal License, as
applicable;
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(e) |
acknowledging
that for the purpose of interpreting Section 11.4 in the Principal
License
the defined term "Licensee" shall be deemed to include both "GHTI
Canada"
and "HPI".
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17.2
Section 5.13 is added to the Principal License as follows:
"5.13 "Any
issuance of additional shares in HPI that results in a dilution of GHTI's
ownership in HPI (the "Additional Shares") shall be treated as
if it
were an issuance of additional shares in GHTI and a dilution to
the
existing shareholders' interest in GHTI for the purposes of the calculations
in Sections 5.11 and 5.12 (including, for the avoidance of
doubt,
that the amount of any financings in HPI shall be included in
the
determination of whether the $400,000 and $2,000,000 amounts
have been achieved in Section 5.12). In the event that HPI issues Additional
Shares then the percentage dilution of UBC and the Investigators in GHTI shall
be deemed to be equal to the difference between 100% and the percentage
ownership of HPI by GHTI post-issuance of new shares in HPI. For example, if
HPI
issues Additional Shares representing 20% of the outstanding shares to persons
other than GHTI then the dilution percentage is 20% (i.e., 100% - GHTI's
percentage ownership post issuance of 80%=20%) and the UBC/Investigator
GHTI shares will be deemed to be diluted by 20%."
17.3
HPI
will obtain insurance in accordance with Section 13 of the Principal License,
as
if Sublicense were the Licensee (as defined in the Principal
License).
17.4
HPI
agrees to comply with the terms of Section 8.4 of the Principal License as
if it
were the
"Licensee".
17.5
HPI
agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend UBC in accordance with Section
9.1
of
the
Principal License, as if HPI were the "Licensee".
17.6
GHTI
Canada, HPI and UBC each agree and acknowledge that UBC is only a party to
this
Agreement for the purposes of this 17.0, and for no other purpose, right or
obligation.
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SIGNED
FOR AND ON BEHALF of THE
UNIVERSITY
OF BRITISH COLUMBIA by
its
authorized signatory:
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/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Authorized
Signatory
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Associate
Director
University-Industry
Liaison
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Feb
27/04
Authorized
Signatory
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SIGNED
FOR AND ON BEHALF of GLOBAL
HYDROFUEL TECHNOLOGIES INC. by its authorized
signatory:
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/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Authorized
Signatory
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SIGNED
FOR AND ON BEHALF of
HYDROGEN POWER INC. by its authorized signatory:
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/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Authorized
Signatory
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