EXHIBIT 10.4
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SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of April 2, 2001, by and among Starline Communications International, Inc.
("Starline") on behalf of, and for the benefit of itself, its parent, its
parent's affiliates, and subsidiaries (collectively, "Customer"), US Dataworks,
Inc. ("Servicing Agent"), and Sonicport, Inc. ("Sonicport"), with reference to
the following facts.
A. Currently, Servicing Agent and Customer are affiliates and
Servicing Agent is performing certain data processing services for Customer
pursuant to an oral agreement. Customer shall include, among others, the
following companies: Interactive Audiotext Services, Porsche Entertainment,
Inc., Allstate Communications, Inc., American Billing & Collections, Inc. and
all entities that are or become affiliates or successors to any of the
foregoing.
B. The shareholders of Servicing Agent (collectively, "Sellers")
entered into that certain Amended and Restated Share Exchange Agreement, dated
as of March 30, 2001, by and among Sonicport, Servicing Agent and Sellers (the
"Share Exchange Agreement"), pursuant to which Sellers will convey and transfer
all right, title and interest in their respective shares of Servicing Agent to
Sonicport.
C. As a condition precedent to the obligations of Sellers to
consummate such share transfer, Sellers, Servicing Agent and Sonicport agreed to
execute and deliver, prior to or concurrently with such share transfer, this
written agreement which reflects the terms and conditions pursuant to which
Servicing Agent has been performing, and will perform, certain services for
Customer under the oral agreement referenced above.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
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PROCESSING SERVICES
1.1 Servicing Agent's Business and Customer's Business. Servicing
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Agent is a software development company specializing in all aspects of financial
transaction processing and, in addition, performs certain data processing
services for Customer and its affiliates with the intention of becoming an
application service provider for others ("Servicing Agent's Business").
Customer through certain of its affiliates is a national and international
provider of telecommunication services that include providing through third
parties (including Servicing Agent) service bureau operations for their
respective clients and customers providing for utilization by third parties for
the dissemination of passive or interactive programming to the general public.
Such services include or may include, but are not limited to, the settling of
telephonic sales (800 and 900 calls) and billing and collection processing
through direct billing, electronic check processing, credit card charges and
other bank settlement transactions specifically in Customer's current content
market, and may include now or in the future services in the areas of internet
mortgage origination,
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financial reporting, e-commerce, and marketing of nondurable office supplies.
All such business and services are referred to herein as "Customer's Business."
1.2 Services. Servicing Agent provides processing services for
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Customer's Business using hardware, databases and other proprietary information
owned by Customer (or its affiliated entities), through employees, consultants,
and other persons who also may be employed by Customer or one or more of its
affiliated entities ("Shared Workers"), with operations located on premises that
are owned by one of Customer's affiliated entities, 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx L.P.
("Landlord"). Currently, Servicing Agent's operations are located at 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "California Location"), and
Sonicport concurrently herewith is entering into a Lease for the California
Location with the Landlord. The parties acknowledge that the Shared Workers may
continue in the employment of or in a working relationship with, Customer or one
or more of Customer's affiliated entities. For the term of this Agreement,
Servicing Agent agrees to continue providing Customer all processing services
required by Customer relating to Customer's Business in the manner and on such
terms and conditions as set forth herein, and shall provide all such services to
Customer on a priority basis with "most favored customer" status.
1.3 Delivery of Services. Servicing Agent shall provide ongoing
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processing services to Customer in a timely manner so as to minimize the effect
of any failure, malfunction, or discontinuance of service to Customer including
any interruption of telephone calls being processed by the Software and IP (as
defined in Section 1.5); it being understood and agreed by the parties that any
failure, malfunction or discontinuance of service to Customer will adversely
affect Customer's Business, its relationships with its customers and clients
and that time is of the essence. Servicing Agent also shall provide to Customer
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detailed daily reports in the same format as currently provided at no additional
cost to Customer, it being understood that such reporting is covered by the
servicing fees set forth in Section 3.3.
1.4 Performance of Bank Settlements. Servicing Agent shall process
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all bank settlement transactions on a regular basis within 24 hours of
incurrence of a customer or client charge or transaction. If Servicing Agent
has more than one delay in such settlement processing during any calendar month
that is equal to or longer than 24 hours, such delay shall be considered a
material breach and Customer may, at its option, terminate this Agreement as
provided in Section 9.3; provided, however, Servicing Agent shall not be at
fault or considered to be in breach by reason of any delay or failure caused by
a bank, settlement agent, or other entity outside of Servicing Agent's or
Sonicport's control, or any failure of Customer's hardware. With respect to
transactions that did not settle for any reason, Servicing Agent agrees to
continue diligently processing each such transaction to settlement unless
Customer otherwise agrees that such efforts may be discontinued for any such
transaction.
1.5 Software. Customer has, and Servicing Agent agrees to make
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available, the continued, irrevocable, non-exclusive right to and possession of
all software (including source code) for settlement, fraud control and
authorization for credit card transactional processing, and all related data
bases (negative and positive) and related intellectual property owned or used or
to be owned or used by Servicing Agent that is necessary for the proper and
efficient operating of Customer's Business (collectively and individually, the
"Software and IP"). Such Software and IP available to
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Customer does not include other software owned by Servicing Agent including, but
not limited to, ReturnWorks, RCKWorks, RemoteWorks, CCWorks, RemitWorks,
MicroWorks, WireWorks or Checkey (the "Unrelated Software"). Servicing Agent
agrees to cooperate with Customer in making any modifications necessary to the
Software and IP for purposes of price modifications for or to customers or
clients of Customer or its affiliated entities, and for purposes of loading,
recording or other otherwise operating the Software and IP for Customer's
Business. Servicing Agent agrees to cause a copy of all updates, improvements,
modifications, upgrades or changes to the Software and IP to be delivered to
Customer within one business day of Servicing Agent effecting such update,
improvement, modification, upgrade or change. At least once a week on a business
day mutually agreed upon by Servicing Agent and Customer, Servicing Agent shall
provide a copy of the source code master file to Customer for safekeeping in a
fireproof vault. It is agreed that at all times Customer shall have full access
to the Software and IP for the limited purpose of operating Customer's Business.
1.6 Title. Servicing Agent shall retain title to all Software and IP
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and does not convey any proprietary rights or other interest therein to
Customer, other than the continued, irrevocable, non-exclusive rights to which
Customer is entitled as set forth herein.
1.7 Data files and Hardware. In providing services to Customer,
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Servicing Agent utilizes Customer's database and other proprietary information
concerning customers and clients of Customer and its affiliated entities and all
hardware owned by Customer (or its affiliated entities). Such database and
other proprietary information includes, but is not limited to, customer and
client identification information, call detailed records, settlement records,
all data files concerning customer or client information and results from
transactions processed on behalf of Customer or its affiliated entities.
Servicing Agent and Sonicport each acknowledges that all such assets are owned
by Customer (or its affiliated entities) and each agrees that (i) no such
information or other assets may be used in any manner whatsoever by Servicing
Agent or Sonicport other than to provide services to Customer, (ii) Servicing
Agent and Sonicport are absolutely prohibited from sharing any such information
or assets whether by disclosure, sale, lease, or any other disposition, and
(iii) subsequent to termination or expiration of this Agreement, Servicing Agent
and Sonicport shall not use any such assets or information but will return them
to Customer. Servicing Agent agrees that at all times during this Agreement, and
thereafter, it shall use reasonable and prudent procedures to protect the
confidentiality and integrity of Customer's database and other proprietary
information and the safekeeping of Customer's hardware; provided, however,
Servicing Agent shall have no responsibility to maintain, provide upkeep on or
to, repair, or upgrade, Customer's hardware but shall cooperate with Customer in
providing Customer immediate and full access to its hardware for purposes of
operation, maintenance or other purpose identified by Customer. Servicing Agent
agrees to make daily back-up master file tapes of all processing involving
Customer's data files and deliver such tapes to Customer on the next succeeding
business day. Servicing Agent and Sonicport each agree and acknowledge that any
breach of this Section 1.7 shall cause Customer and/or its affiliated entities
irreparable harm for which there may be inadequate remedies other than equitable
relief.
1.8 Labeling and Ownership of Hardware. Servicing Agent and Customer
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each agrees to physically label all of its own hardware that is located at the
California Location. The parties acknowledge that Schedule 1 attached to this
Agreement identifies all hardware owned by
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Servicing Agent as of the date hereof and if any other hardware located at the
California Location subsequent to the date hereof is not labeled by Servicing
Agent and a dispute arises as to ownership, such unlabeled hardware shall be
presumed owned by Customer and its affiliates subject to resolution of such
dispute.
1.9 Non-Compete. During the term of this Agreement, Customer agrees
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that it shall not directly or indirectly, either alone or in participation with
any other person or entity, engage in or be involved with any business
substantially similar to Servicing Agent's Business. Further, Sonicport and
Servicing Agent each agree that all business made available to either of them
that is substantially similar to Customer's current content market shall be
processed through Customer or its affiliates. By way of example, if a customer
or potential customer of Sonicport or Servicing Agent requires a service bureau
for its business in such market, such business shall be processed through
Customer for services to be performed by Servicing Agent's service bureau under
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such restriction on Customer
shall not include its right to perform data processing services for itself and
affiliates or customers thereof in connection with Customer's current content
market or areas that may have an immaterial overlap as identified in the
definition of "Customer's Business" under Section 1.1.
ARTICLE II
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MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEMS
2.1 Operations, Corrections and Repairs. Servicing Agent shall
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correct and repair, and at all times keep in good working condition, all of its
systems that are used with, related to, or connected in any way to the Software
and IP and/or the services being provided to Customer hereunder. Servicing
Agent shall provide reasonable technical assistance and consultation to Customer
at any time during normal working hours, and shall cause qualified, trained
personnel to be on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, throughout
each calendar year, for purposes of operating a continuous processing center and
to efficiently and expeditiously correct and repair any and all failures,
malfunctions, defects or nonconformity which prevents or delays the services
being provided by Servicing Agent to Customer. At all times during the term of
this Agreement, Servicing Agent shall maintain necessary staff and personnel,
trained in the services being provided, dedicated to such operation, correction
and repair using continuous, dedicated efforts and adequate resources.
2.2 Change in Systems. Servicing Agent has the right to update,
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improve, modify or enhance any of its systems and shall provide Customer written
notice and a copy of all revisions, updates, improvements, modifications and
enhancements to the Software and IP and related documentation (the "Updates");
provided, however, unless Customer notifies Servicing Agent in writing that
Customer agrees for Servicing Agent to use such Updates in connection with the
services being provided to Customer, Servicing Agent shall continue its services
in the form and manner in effect immediately prior to Servicing Agent's written
notice. Any Upgrades shall not degrade, impair or otherwise adversely affect
the performance or operation of the services being provided by Servicing Agent
hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, an Update once incorporated into the
services provided to Customer as set forth herein shall be considered a part
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thereof for all purposes hereunder. Servicing Agent shall provide a copy of all
such Updates to Customer in accordance with Section 1.5.
ARTICLE III
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SERVICING COMPENSATION
3.1 Servicing Fees. For the processing services performed by
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Servicing Agent hereunder, Customer shall pay to Servicing Agent a monthly
servicing fee, based on the number of settled credit card transaction during
such month, in accordance with the following schedule (the "Servicing Fee"):
For those settled transactions between 0 and 25,000 $2.74 per transaction
For those settled transactions between 25,001 and 35,000 $1.61 per transaction
For those settled transactions from 35,001 and up $0.50 per transaction
Servicing Agent agrees that modifications made to the Software and IP pursuant
to Section 1.5 or that are (i) necessary to be made in the ordinary course of
Customer's Business (including, without limitation, 900-938 transfers), (ii)
part of or related to existing projects underway for Customer or its affiliated
entities, or (iii) handled by employees of Customer or by Shared Workers shall
be made without further charge or expense to Customer but are considered part of
the Servicing Fees paid hereunder. Any services that can be performed by Shared
Workers, but assigned by Servicing Agent to other of its employees, also shall
be without further charge or expense to Customer. All other additional services
to be performed, including any Custom Services, shall be charged separately as
Customer and Servicing Agent mutually agree.
3.2 Payment. Customer shall pay the Servicing Fee within 30 days
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after presentation of a statement detailing the fee charged. Fees and charges
for Custom Services (as defined in Section 5.1), if applicable, shall be
invoiced and payable as mutually agreed upon by Servicing Agent and Customer and
specified in the related Work Schedule (as defined in Section 5.1). Unless
otherwise stated in the Work Schedule, such fees and charges shall include the
provision of maintenance and support services.
3.3 Acknowledgments. Servicing Agent and Sonicport each acknowledges
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that as part of, and consideration for, Servicing Agent's purchase of that
portion of the Software and IP from an affiliated entity of Customer, Servicing
Agent granted to Customer and its affiliated entities an irrevocable, non-
exclusive right to use, and are entitled indefinitely to the non-exclusive,
irrevocable use of, the Software and IP for Customer's Business (without regard
to whether this Agreement exists, has expired, or otherwise terminated).
Servicing Agent and Sonicport each acknowledges that no part of the Servicing
Fees are being paid for such right or entitlement but solely for services
provided by Servicing Agent hereunder. Servicing Agent acknowledges and agrees
that this Service Agreement does not grant to Servicing Agent exclusive rights
to provide data processing for Customer's Business and that Customer and its
affiliated entities may at any time contract with any other person or entity
(including itself, any affiliate, or unrelated entity) to provide for or arrange
for the provision of any or all such services as being provided by Servicing
Agent
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hereunder. Servicing Agent further acknowledges that there is no requirement to
process a minimum number of transactions through the services provided by
Servicing Agent hereunder if Customer reasonably determines that Servicing Agent
is not able to perform or is not performing in accordance with and as required
by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
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RIGHTS OF CUSTOMER
4.1 Scope of Customer's Rights. The rights of Customer hereunder
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include the right of Customer to use the services provided hereunder for the
benefit of itself, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures or other
parties (including customers and clients of Customer or of any of Customer's
affiliated entities). Customer's rights to processing services under this
Agreement includes the full, complete and unhindered right to access and use
Customer's hardware, its data files, the Software and IP (but not the Unrelated
Software), and any associated or interconnected networks, peripherals, equipment
and devices. In addition, Customer shall have the right to enhance, modify
and/or adapt any of the Software and IP (but not the Unrelated Software) and/or
materials provided to Customer hereunder, may create and use derivative works
and may use and combine the Software and IP with other programs (but not the
Unrelated Software) and/or materials, in each case solely in connection with and
for the exclusive benefit of Customer and its affiliated entities and their
respective clients and customers; provided, however, such modifications shall
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not impair or otherwise adversely affect Servicing Agent's Business and shall be
made only after obtaining the consent of Servicing Agent, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld. In addition, Customer shall have the exclusive right to
use any enhancements, modifications, adaptations and derivative works made by or
for Customer, or by Servicing Agent specifically at Customer's request or
direction.
4.2 Inspection. Customer shall have the right from time to time to
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inspect, examine, and test Servicing Agent's systems including the Software and
IP, upon one business days' notice to Servicing Agent, for the purpose of
determining Servicing Agent's compliance hereunder. Such inspection,
examination and testing shall be conducted so as to not unreasonably impair or
disrupt Servicing Agent's normal operations or business procedures.
ARTICLE V
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CUSTOM SERVICES
5.1 Custom Services. This Agreement also permits Customer to obtain
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Servicing Agent's services to customize, modify and/or enhance the Software and
IP specifically for Customer including the development of programs, software
and materials related to the Software and IP, and/or such other services as the
parties mutually agree upon (the "Custom Services"), and at prices mutually
agreed upon by Servicing Agent and Customer, and on a super-priority basis as
compared to customized services to be provided by other customers of Servicing
Agent. Custom Services shall be specified on a Schedule and will be attached to
this Agreement from time to time and from the time so attached shall become part
of this Agreement as set forth in Section 5.2 (a "Work Schedule").
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5.2 Work Schedules. Each Work Schedule shall be numbered and dated
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to facilitate identification and when executed by both Customer and Servicing
Agent shall form a part of this Agreement. Each Work Schedule shall include:
(i) the name and/or other description of the Software and IP being customized,
modified and/or enhanced; (ii) the scheduled date such Custom Services are to be
fully operational for Customer (the AScheduled Delivery Date"); (iii) the
standard specifications applicable to the Software and IP and Custom Services
(the "Specifications"); (iv) the charge for the services relating to the Custom
Services, it being agreed that all ongoing maintenance costs shall be included
within such charge unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing by Customer
and Servicing Agent ("Custom Services Fee"), and (v) any other provisions
Servicing Agent and Customer mutually agree upon. Customer, directly or through
an affiliated entity, may execute Work Schedules with Servicing Agent under this
Agreement and for purposes of such Work Schedule shall be considered ACustomer"
as that term is used throughout this Agreement.
5.3 Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between this
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Agreement and any Work Schedule, the provisions of such Work Schedule shall
govern, for purposes of such Work Schedule.
5.4 Custom Services Delivery. Servicing Agent shall deliver all
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Custom Services to Customer on or before its Scheduled Delivery Date. If any
Custom Services are not delivered within 10 days of its Scheduled Delivery Date,
Servicing Agent shall be notified and given an opportunity to cure. If after the
parties mutually agree on a revised delivery date, Servicing Agent fails to
deliver the Custom Services, Customer may, on written notice any time
thereafter, terminate the Work Schedule involved in whole or in part, without
obligation, liability or penalty of any kind. Such termination shall be without
prejudice to any rights Customer may have for a breach of this Agreement or that
any of its affiliated entities may have under any separate agreement with either
Servicing Agent or Sonicport.
5.5 Acceptance of Custom Services. At such time as the Custom
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Services are fully operational and made ready for use, Servicing Agent shall
notify Customer and Customer shall commence acceptance testing of such Custom
Services with such assistance and support as necessary from Servicing Agent
personnel. The acceptance test shall be conducted for the purpose of
demonstrating that the processing functions and procedures perform in accordance
with its Specifications, documentation and any other criteria and procedures
mutually agreed upon and set forth in the Work Schedule. Customer and Servicing
Agent each shall provide sufficient resources to complete acceptance testing
within a period of four calendar weeks from the date of notification that the
system is ready for use. Customer may choose to extend the acceptance testing
period if corrections in the Custom Services are needed in order to perform to
the Specifications. If the Custom Services have successfully passed the
acceptance test, Customer shall notify Servicing Agent in writing of its
acceptance. If the Custom Services do not pass the acceptance test, Customer
shall notify Servicing Agent, specifying in reasonable detail in what respects
the Custom Services have failed to perform. Servicing Agent shall promptly
correct any deficiencies disclosed by the acceptance test. If the Custom
Services fail to pass within 60 days of the date the deficiency was detected and
identified to Servicing Agent in writing, Customer shall have the option of
immediately terminating the Work Schedule involved in whole or in part, without
obligation, liability or penalty
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of any kind, or of continuing the acceptance test; provided, however, that
Customer's termination option shall remain available to Customer during any such
continuation.
ARTICLE VI
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WARRANTIES
6.1 Warranty of Rights. Servicing Agent warrants to Customer that:
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(i) Servicing Agent has the right to perform the services required hereunder,
and will furnish such services as specified in this Agreement free of all liens,
claims, encumbrances and other restrictions except as specifically set forth in
this Agreement; (ii) the Servicing Agent, in furnishing such services will not
violate or infringe the rights of any third party or the applicable laws or
regulations of any governmental or judicial authority; (iii) Customer shall be
entitled to use and enjoy the benefit of such services, subject to and in
accordance with this Agreement; and (iv) Customer's use of such services,
including the Software and IP, and of Customer's hardware and data files shall
not be adversely affected, interrupted or disturbed by Servicing Agent,
Sonicport or any entity asserting a claim under or through Servicing Agent.
6.2 Quality of Services. Servicing Agent warrants that all services
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(including maintenance and repair) provided by Servicing Agent hereunder shall
be performed in a high quality, professional manner by qualified personnel and
that all technical support services shall be provided on a real time, on-time
basis.
6.3 Location. Servicing Agent warrants that all services for
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Customer's Business shall be provided from the California Location, or such
other location as is mutually agreed upon in writing by Customer and Servicing
Agent in advance of changing to such new location.
6.4 Compliance. Servicing Agent warrants that its Software and IP
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will remain in compliance with applicable law and fully capable of providing
accurate results using data having date ranges spanning the 20th and 21st
centuries (e.g., years 1900-2100). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Servicing Agent warrants that all Software and IP shall (a) manage
and manipulate data involving all dates from the 20th and 21st centuries without
functional or data abnormality related to such dates; (b) manage and manipulate
data involving all dates from the 20th and 21st centuries without inaccurate
results related to such dates; (c) have user interfaces and data fields
formatted to distinguish between dates from the 20th and 21st centuries; and (d)
represent all data related to include indications of the millennium, century,
and decade as well as the actual year.
6.5 Disclaimer. Except as specifically set forth herein, Servicing
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Agent does not warrant that its systems will operate uninterrupted at all times
or be free from minor defects or errors that do not materially affect
performance of services to Customer hereunder, and further except as
specifically provided in this Agreement, THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
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ARTICLE VII
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT
7.1 Indemnity.
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(a) Except for the current versions of the Software and IP in
existence and use on the date of this Agreement (subject to Section 7.1(b)
below), Servicing Agent and Sonicport each agree to defend and/or handle at its
own expense, any claim or action against Customer and/or any of its affiliated
entities (and their customers) for actual or alleged infringement of any
intellectual or industrial property right, including, without limitation,
trademarks, service marks, patents, copyrights, misappropriation of trade
secrets or any similar proprietary rights, based upon the services furnished
hereunder by Servicing Agent or based on Customer's use thereof. Servicing
Agent and Sonicport each further agrees to indemnify and hold Customer and its
affiliated entities harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses,
costs, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
associated with or related to any such claim or action. Servicing Agent shall
have the sole right to conduct the defense of any such claim or action and all
negotiations for its settlement or compromise, unless otherwise mutually agreed
to in writing by all of the parties hereto. Sonicport agrees to indemnify and
hold Customer and its affiliated entities harmless from and against any and all
liabilities, losses, costs, damages and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by Customer by reason of Servicing
Agent's breach of this Agreement.
(b) Currently, in conjunction with the Software and IP owned by the
Servicing Agent, Customer and its affiliated entities use certain intellectual
property licensed from A2D, L.P. (the "Xxxx IP") under a License Agreement
dated as of May 13, 1997 (the "Xxxx Agreement"), to process Customer's Business.
Pursuant to the Xxxx Agreement, ACI is responsible to pay a license royalties to
A2D, L.P. for use of the Xxxx IP. Customer and its affiliates shall continue to
be responsible for such royalty payments for use of the Xxxx IP in connection
with Customer's Business; provided, however, in the event that Servicing Agent
uses the Xxxx IP for any other business or transactions (other than solely for
Customer's Business), Servicing Agent and Sonicport shall be responsible to pay
any and all royalties, fees or other amounts demanded by A2D, L.P. or its
successors or assigns for the use of the Xxxx IP for all other business or
transactions (including penalties and interest, if any). Servicing Agent and
Sonicport each agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Customer and/or any
of its affiliates with respect thereto to the same extent as that provided in
Section 7.1(a) above.
7.2 Claims. If any services performed or to be performed hereunder
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by Servicing Agent become, or in Servicing Agent's opinion are likely to become,
the subject of any such claim or action, then, Servicing Agent, at its expense
may either (i) procure for Customer the right to continue using same as
contemplated hereunder; (ii) modify same to render same non-infringing (provided
such modification does not adversely affect Customer's use as contemplated
hereunder); or (iii) replace same with equally suitable, functionally
equivalent, compatible, non-infringing products, materials and/or services.
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ARTICLE VIII
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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
8.1 Confidentiality by Servicing Agent. Servicing Agent and
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Sonicport each agrees to regard and preserve as confidential all information
related to Customer's Business, the activities of Customer and its affiliated
entities, their respective customers, clients, suppliers and other entities with
whom Customer or its affiliated entities do business, that may be obtained by
Servicing Agent from any source or may be developed as a result of this
Agreement. Servicing Agent and Sonicport each agrees to hold such information
in trust and confidence for Customer and not to disclose such information to any
person, firm or enterprise, or use (directly or indirectly) any such information
for its own benefit or the benefit of any other party, unless authorized by
Customer in writing, and even then, to limit access to and disclosure of such
confidential information to Servicing Agent's employees on a "need to know"
basis only.
8.2 Confidentiality by Customer. Customer agrees to regard and
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preserve as confidential all information related to Servicing Agent's Business,
their respective customers, clients, suppliers and other entities with whom
Servicing Agent's does business, that may be obtained by Customer from any
source or may be developed as a result of this Agreement. Customer, for itself
and its affiliates, agrees to hold such information in trust and confidence for
Servicing Agent and not to disclose such information to any person, firm or
enterprise, or use (directly or indirectly) any such information for its own
benefit or the benefit of any other party, unless authorized by Servicing Agent
in writing, and even then, to limit access to and disclosure of such
confidential information to employees of Customer or its affiliates on a "need
to know" basis only.
8.3 Public Information. Subject to disclosure restrictions set forth
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in Section 1.7 regarding Customer's information and assets, information of the
parties shall not be considered confidential to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such information is: (i) already known to the receiving party free
of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the other party; (ii)
subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and
without breach of this Agreement; (iii) is or becomes publicly available through
no wrongful act of either party; (iv) is independently developed by one party
without reference to any Confidential Information of the other; or (v) required
to be disclosed pursuant to a requirement of a governmental agency or law so
long as the parties provide each other with timely written prior notice of such
requirements.
ARTICLE IX
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GENERAL
9.1 Sonicport Representations. Sonicport represents to Customer that
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it shall cause Servicing Agent, its wholly-owned subsidiary, to perform in
accordance with this Agreement. Sonicport further agrees that it will not take
any corporate action that could impair or otherwise adversely affect the
performance or operation of the services being provided by Servicing Agent
hereunder, whether by way of merger, reorganization or otherwise.
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9.2 Term. The term of this Agreement shall be for one year,
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commencing as of the date hereof, and, unless earlier terminated as set forth in
this Agreement, shall automatically renew for successive one year terms so long
as Customer makes timely payment of the Servicing Fees; provided, however,
Customer shall have the right to contest in good faith statements delivered to
Customer for payment so long as Customer pays the undisputed portion thereof and
notifies Servicing Agent within 30 days after presentation of a detailed
statement pursuant to Section 4.2 of its objections. Notwithstanding such
automatic renewals, either Customer or Servicing Agent may elect to terminate
this Agreement upon 180 days' written notice to the other parties provided that
any such termination shall not become effective prior to the first anniversary
of the date of this Agreement. Notice of termination of any Work Schedule shall
not be considered notice of termination of this Agreement.
9.3 Termination for Breach. If Servicing Agent fails to provide
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processing services to Customer as required herein, Customer may, on written
notice any time thereafter, terminate this Agreement, without obligation,
liability or penalty of any kind. Such termination shall be without prejudice
to any rights Customer may have for a breach of this Agreement or that any
rights that Customer's affiliated entities may have under any separate agreement
with either Servicing Agent or Sonicport. Subject to Customer's right to
contest in good faith, if Customer fails to make timely payment to Servicing
Agent, upon 20 days written notice to Customer if Customer has not cured such
failure with such 20-day period, Servicing Agent may terminate this Agreement,
without obligation, liability or penalty of any kind. Such termination shall be
without prejudice to any rights Servicing Agent may have for a breach of this
Agreement or that any rights that Servicing Agent or Sonicport may have under
any separate agreement with either Customer or any of its affiliated entities.
9.4 Non-exclusive Use. Upon termination or expiration of this
-----------------
Agreement, unless arrangements are made with Landlord, Customer shall re-locate
its hardware. Further, Customer and its affiliated entities shall retain the
right to use the Software and IP indefinitely (in the then current version and
as and however upgraded, improved, or otherwise modified, by Customer or its
affiliated entities) for all purposes but shall not be entitled to receive any
Upgrades made by Servicing Agent.
9.5 Liability. In no event shall any party be liable to the other
---------
party or parties, for any indirect, special, or punitive damages arising out of
or in connection with this Agreement.
9.6 Notices. Unless otherwise specified all notices shall be in
-------
writing and delivered personally or mailed, first class mail, postage prepaid,
to the addresses for each party as set forth below:
If to Customer: Starline Communications International, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx or Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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If to Servicing Agent: US Dataworks, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel or President
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to Sonicport: Sonicport, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel or Chief Executive
Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
A party may change the address(es) or addressee(s) for notice hereunder upon
written notice to the other parties. All notices shall be deemed given on the
date delivered or when placed in the mail as specified herein.
9.7 Advertising and Publicity. Neither Customer, on the one hand,
-------------------------
or Servicing Agent and Sonicport, on the other hand, shall use the name or
marks, refer to or identify the other party in advertising or publicity
releases, promotional or marketing correspondence to others without first
obtaining the written consent of such other party.
9.8 Assignment. Servicing Agent may not assign this Agreement, any
----------
Work Schedule or any rights and/or obligations hereunder without the written
consent of Customer and any such attempted assignment shall be void; provided,
however, that Servicing Agent may subcontract certain services to other entities
but no subcontracting shall relieve Servicing Agent of its obligations or
liabilities under this Agreement. Customer may assign this Agreement, any Work
Schedule and its rights and/or obligations hereunder to any of its affiliated
entities, or all of them, upon written notice to Servicing Agent but without the
consent of Servicing Agent or Sonicport.
9.9 Governing Law. In all respects this Agreement shall be governed
-------------
by the substantive laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of
law principles.
9.10 Modification, Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. No
----------------------------------------------
modification, course of conduct, amendment, supplement to or waiver of this
Agreement, any Work Schedule, or any provisions hereof or thereof shall be
binding upon the parties unless made in writing and duly signed by all the
parties. At no time shall any failure or delay by any party in enforcing any
provisions, exercising any option, or requiring performance of any provisions,
be construed to be a waiver of same.
9.11 Headings. Headings are for reference and convenience only and
--------
shall not affect the meaning of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement.
9.12 Severability. In the event that any provision hereof is found
------------
invalid, illegal or unenforceable pursuant to judicial decree or decision or
newly created state or federal law, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain
valid and enforceable according to its terms.
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9.13 Attorneys' Fees. In the event of a dispute hereunder, the
---------------
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its attorneys' fees and expenses
and any costs of investigation.
9.14 Dispute Resolution. Except for the right of any party to apply
------------------
to a court of competent jurisdiction for a temporary restraining order,
preliminary injunction or other equitable relief to preserve the status quo or
prevent irreparable harm pending the selection and the confirmation of the
arbitrator(s), any controversy or claim arising out of, relating to, or
connected with this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by binding
arbitration in accordance with Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Such
arbitrator(s) shall be bound to the terms of this Agreement, and shall award
attorneys' fees and expenses, and costs of investigation as part of any final
arbitration award. Any arbitration under this Agreement shall be administered
exclusively by the closest available Regional Office of the American Arbitration
to Los Angeles, California. All proceedings in any arbitration shall be
conducted in the English language.
9.15 Entire Agreement. Any future Work Schedule is incorporated by
----------------
this reference and shall constitute part of this Agreement, and, as such, this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes
all previous agreements, promises, proposals, representations, understandings
and negotiations, whether written or oral, among the parties respecting the
subject matter hereof.
9.16 Survival. Sections 3.3, 7.1 and 9.4 and Article VIII shall
--------
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
Servicing Agent:
US DATAWORKS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: President
Customer:
STARLINE COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Title
Sonicport:
SONICPORT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Chairman of the Board
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