Name and Address of Client: Associated Third Party Administrators Alameda, CA 94502 INFORMATION CONCEPTS, INC.(“ICI”) and ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, INC. ("Client") hereby agree as follows:
Exhibit
10.16
ICI
“WebERF” SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
Name
and
Address of Client:
Associated
Third Party Administrators
0000
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
INFORMATION
CONCEPTS, INC.(“ICI”) and ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, INC. ("Client")
hereby agree as follows:
1. |
GRANT
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1.1 |
ICI
grants to Client a two year, exclusive and non-transferable right
and
license to use the version of computer software programs and related
documentation and materials together (the WebERF "Software") on the
computer equipment (the "designated CPU") and at the location (the
"Location") for uses identified in Schedule A.
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2. |
PROPRIETARY
RIGHTS AND NONDISCLOSURE
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2.1 |
The
Software may be copied by Client for use within the scope of this
License
provided that Client may make only the number of copies that are
needed
for proper operation and backup. The original and all copies of the
Software or any portion thereof made by Client shall be and remain
the
property of ICI, except as set forth herein. Client shall display
the
copyright and proprietary notices of ICI or any other person on all
copies
of the Software or any portion thereof in the same form as such notices
appeared in the original Software.
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2.2 |
Title
to all intellectual property rights, including patent, trademark,
copyright and trade secrets rights, related to the Software, including
any
modifications to the Software made by ICI at the request and expense
of
Client, shall remain with ICI, except as is expressly identified
herein.
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2.3 |
Client
acknowledges and agrees that the Software and the systems, ideas,
methods
of operation, and information contained therein are proprietary "trade
secret" information of ICI.
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2.4 |
Each
party shall maintain all proprietary information of the other party
in
strict confidence and take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure
that
such proprietary information is not disclosed to any person other
than
Client or ICI and their employees, agents and
representatives.
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2.5 |
ICI
will instruct its personnel that any information received from Client
marked as "Confidential" is proprietary to Client and is not to be
disclosed to any person other than Client or ICI and their employees,
agents and representatives.
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2.6 |
Either
party shall immediately notify the other of any factors or information
of
which it becomes aware which in any way suggests improper disclosure
of
confidential information of the
other.
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1
2.7 |
The
covenants and provisions of this Section 2 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
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3. |
TERM
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3.1 |
ATPA
shall receive and ICI shall provide certain ongoing license and
maintenance rights and obligations with respect to the Web ERF software
for two years unless and until terminated as provided below. At the
end of
two years, this software will be transferred and assigned to Trust
Benefit
Technologies, a Delaware limited liability company (“TBT”) for
consideration of $100.00, plus any priority debt balance as described
more
fully set forth below.
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4. |
FEES
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4.1 |
Client
shall pay to ICI the license fees set forth in Schedule A for the
two-year
term at the time and place and in the manner specified in Schedule
A.
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4.2 |
All
payments or reimbursements to ICI pursuant to this License shall
be made
without setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without
deduction
for any and all present and future tariffs, stamp duties, sales tax,
use
tax, personal property tax, value added tax, royalty withholding,
levies,
import taxes, imposts, or duties.
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4.3 |
Priority
of Debt Balance of ICI. Certain priority debt balance of ICI, as
defined
in the “Asset Contribution and Combination Agreement” signed by and
between the parties as monies currently owed or due to the California
EDD,WFB or required to rectify default in the ICI 401K Plan. The
monies
set forth in Paragraph 4.1 and Exhibit A will be held in a
segregated account and the debts paid monthly as set forth in
Exhibit A until paid in full. Any remaining priority debt will be
transferred to TBT with the Web ERF software after two
years.
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5. |
INDEMNITY
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ICI
warrants that it has all the necessary authority to grant this license
and
it will defend, indemnify and hold Client harmless from and against
any
claim that the Software infringes any patent, copyright or other
proprietary interest, subject to the
following:
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5.1
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ICI
at its own expense will defend any action brought against Client
to the
extent that such action is based on a claim that the Software infringes
any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right of
any
third party, provided that ICI is notified in writing of the same
within a
reasonable
period after Client receives notice of such action and the action
does not
stem from modifications Client has made to the Software and without
which
the suit would not have been brought.
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5.2 |
In
any action solely for damages against Client, ICI shall have the
right to
control the defense of such action, including the right to determine
the
amount of any monetary settlement. Client may participate in the
defense
of any such action or proceeding through counsel of its choice
at ICI’s
expense. ICI shall have no responsibility or liability for any
settlement
made by Client without ICI's prior written
approval.
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2
5.3 |
In
any action against Client for injunctive relief, including without
limitation actions for damages and injunctive relief, Client shall
have
the right to control the defense of such action, including the
right to
settle the injunctive claims on any terms Client deems appropriate.
Client
shall have no responsibility or liability for any settlement of
claims for
injunctive relief made by ICI without Client’s prior express written
approval.
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5.4 |
If
ICI and/or Client are, or in the opinion of ICI are likely to be,
subjected to or enjoined from using the Software by reason of a claim
described in Section 5.1, ICI at its option and expense may procure
the
right for Client to continue to use the Software or replace or modify
the
Software to make it non-infringing.
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6. |
WARRANTY
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For
the
period and subject to the limitations specified in Section 7.1:
6.1 |
ICI
warrants that the Software is free of defects which materially affect
system performance and will perform in accordance with the Systems
Specifications ("Specifications") delivered with the Software, and
with
the updated Specifications which may be delivered with any modifications,
updates or enhancements that Client may receive from ICI pursuant
to its
warranty obligations, provided that the Software is run in accordance
with
its documentation and on compatible equipment and systems software
and
operated by persons of reasonable skill.
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6.2 |
ICI
shall not be obligated to correct defects (a) unless Client has
applied
all corrections for the Software provided by ICI to Client prior
to such
notification by Client, (b) attributable to improper or incorrect
usage or
operation of the Software, (c) if any part of the Software has
been
altered, modified or converted (unless the alteration, modification
or
conversion was done by ICI as a result of its obligations under
Section
7.1) or (d) arising from hardware related problems or software
problems
due to interfacing of the Software with Client's hardware or
software.
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6.3 |
THE
FOREGOING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ONLY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER
OF ICI
MAY MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THIS WARRANTY OR ADDITIONAL WARRANTIES,
AND SUCH
MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONAL WARRANTIES MUST BE IN WRITING. ACCORDINGLY,
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS SUCH AS THOSE MADE IN ADVERTISING OR PRESENTATIONS,
WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE WARRANTIES BY ICI AND
MAY NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS SUCH.
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3
7. |
LIMITATION
OF REMEDIES
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ICI's
entire liability under this Agreement and Client's exclusive remedies shall
be
as set forth in Articles 7 and 9.
7.1 |
For
any claim concerning the performance or nonperformance by ICI pursuant
to,
or in any other way related to, the subject matter of this Agreement
(other than a claim under the limited warranty), Client shall be
entitled
to recover its actual direct damages to the limits set forth
below.
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7.2 |
Except
for the indemnifications required by Section 5 of this Agreement,
which
shall not be deemed to be liability for breach for purposes of this
Section, in no event shall the cumulative liability of ICI for actual
direct damages of Client arising out of this Agreement or with respect
to
the installation, use, operation or support of the Software exceed
200% of
the amount paid to ICI by Client for the use of the Software not
including
attorneys fees and costs. This limitation shall apply regardless
of the
form of action, whether in contract or tort, including
negligence.
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7.3 |
No
action, regardless of form, arising out of this Agreement may be
brought
by Client or ICI more than two years after the circumstances giving
rise
to the action were first actually
discovered.
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8. |
INSTALLATION
/ SUPPORT / MAINTENANCE
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8.1 |
ICI
shall be responsible for the initial physical installation of the
Software
with full and timely support and cooperation from Client who will
provide
the workforce necessary thereafter (except for ICI’s obligations under
Paragraph 8.2). Such installation shall be deemed successful and
complete upon the first to occur of (i) Client acknowledging to ICI
successful installation, (ii) if Client so requests, ICI successfully
verifying the installed Software by walking through an agreed series
of
on-line functions, (iii) forty-five (45) days after Client commences
use
of the Software in a production environment, unless within such period
Client notifies ICI that it has rejected the Software, returns the
Software to ICI and ceases all use of the same, or (iv) Client and
ICI
entering into a written agreement providing that the Software has
been
successfully installed, which agreement may be conditioned upon ICI’s
correction of certain “punch list”
items.
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8.2
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Maintenance
for two years shall the responsibility of ICI upon reasonable notice
by
client.
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9. |
DEFAULT
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9.1 |
To
secure the performance of this License Agreement, ATPA shall pledge
one-half (1/2) of membership interest in TBT, which interests shall
transfer to ICI upon default by ATPA under the License Agreement
as
provided hereunder. The membership interests that are subject to
the
pledge agreement shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) for every
$100,000
paid by ATPA to ICI pursuant to the License Agreement, provided that
the
pledge amount shall never be reduced below an amount such that the
sum of
ICI’s membership interest in the pledge amount is less than fifty-one
percent (51%) of the total voting membership interest of the Company,
and
provided further that in the event of issuances of additional voting
membership interests of the Company or other diluting events, the
pledge
amount shall be adjusted (including increased, as applicable, but
not
above one-half of ATPA’s total membership interest), to meet the minimum
fifty-one percent (51%) requirement. A pledge agreement is attached
hereto
as Exhibit B.
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4
9.2 |
For
purposes of this Agreement, event of default shall mean the failure
to pay
any amount due within forty-five (45) days after written notice that
payment is delinquent (provided that the amount is not subject to
a
bonafide dispute), the material breach of any of the provisions of
Section
2, the filing of a voluntary insolvency or bankruptcy of a party,
or the
failure to obtain a dismissal or obtain court approval of a plan
of
reorganization within a reasonable period after commencement of any
involuntary insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding against a
party.
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9.3 |
Upon
the termination of this Agreement, ICI shall provide copies of the
Software and associated documentation together with all other items
to
NEWCO provided that Client has fully paid for such
items.
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9.4 |
Any
such termination shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other
remedies which the non-defaulting party may have against the defaulting
party at law or in equity for the breach of this agreement.
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9.5 |
Termination
of this License shall not extinguish any liability or continuing
obligation under it.
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10. |
GENERAL
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10.1 |
This
Agreement, including the attached Schedules, contains the entire
agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior oral or written discussions, representations, understandings
and
agreements.
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10.2 |
No
amendment or modification of this Agreement will be effective for
any
purpose unless it is in writing and signed by the
parties.
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10.3 |
If
any provision of this Agreement is invalid or otherwise unenforceable,
the
remaining provisions shall continue in full force and
effect.
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10.4 |
The
waiver or failure of ICI or client to exercise in any respect any
right
provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any further right
hereunder.
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10.5 |
Neither
party shall be in default by reason of any failure in performance,
other
than the failure to make payments when due, if such failure arises
from
causes beyond the control of such party, including acts of God, natural
disaster, strikes, freight embargo, a communication line failure
or the
failure of computer equipment or software not developed by
ICI.
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5
10.6 |
This
Agreement shall be binding upon each of the parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. This license is strictly personal
to
Client. Client shall not sublicense, transfer or assign any of its
rights
or obligations hereunder to any other person, firm or corporation
without
the prior written consent of ICI. In the case of an assignment or
transfer
of all of Client's rights and obligations hereunder, ICI shall not
unreasonably withhold consent. Any transaction or series of transactions
as a consequence of which there is a Change in Control of Client
shall be
deemed to be an assignment. "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) The
consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or
into
another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than
50% of
the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity's
securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation
or
other reorganization is owned by persons who were not stockholders
of the
Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other
reorganization; or (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of
all or
substantially all of the Company's assets. A transaction shall not
constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the
state
of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that
will be
owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held
the
Company's securities immediately before such
transaction.
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10.7 |
Each
party acknowledges that it has read this Agreement, understands it
and
agrees to be bound by its terms. Titles and paragraph headings are
for
convenient reference and are not a part of this Agreement. Words
importing
the singular shall include the plural number and vice versa and words
importing the neutral gender shall include the masculine and feminine
as
the case may require.
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10.8 |
Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating
a
joint venture or partnership between ICI and Client. Neither party
shall
have any power or authority to bind the other or to act as an agent,
employee or representative of the
other.
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10.9 |
Any
notice required or authorized to be given hereunder may be given
by
prepaid first class mail letter or by private overnight carrier,
addressed
to the address set forth on the first page hereof or such other address
as
a party may specify by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given
on the
date of receipt.
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10.10 |
This
Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of
the State of California and the United States of America.
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Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement, or the
making, performance, or interpretation thereof including fee disputes or claims
of malpractice, negligence, malfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty shall be
resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the then current applicable
Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and the arbitration proceeding
shall be held in Los Angeles, California, and the arbitrators shall follow
California law, allow discovery where appropriate and be experienced in the
subject matter of the matter in dispute. Judgment on the arbitration award
may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the
controversy.
6
NOTICE:
THE PARTIES ARE AGREEING TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE MATTERS INCLUDED
IN THIS “ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES” PROVISION DECIDED BY NEUTRAL ARBITRATION AS
PROVIDED BY CALIFORNIA LAW AND THE PARTIES ARE GIVING UP ANY RIGHTS THEY
MIGHT
POSSESS TO HAVE THE DISPUTE LITIGATED IN A COURT OR JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES
ARE
GIVING UP THEIR JUDICIAL RIGHTS TO APPEAL, UNLESS SUCH RIGHTS ARE SPECIFICALLY
INCLUDED IN THE “ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES” PROVISION. IF ANY PARTY REFUSES TO
SUBMIT TO ARBITRATION AFTER AGREEING TO THIS PROVISION, SUCH PARTY MAY BE
COMPELLED TO ARBITRATE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE. THE PARTIES’ AGREEMENT TO THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION IS VOLUNTARY.
THE PARTIES HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOREGOING AND AGREE TO SUBMIT DISPUTES
ARISING OUT OF THE MATTERS INCLUDED IN THE “ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES” PROVISION
TO BINDING ARBITRATION.
10.11 |
Attorney’s
Fees.
Should any arbitration or litigation be commenced between the
parties to
this Agreement, concerning any provision of this Agreement
or the rights
and obligations of any party or the estate of any party in
relation
thereto, the party prevailing in such proceeding shall be entitled,
in
addition to such other relief as may be granted, to a reasonable
sum as
and for attorney’s fees and
costs.
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10.12 |
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile
signatures
have the same force and effect as an original
signature.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates
shown
below.
INFORMATION
CONCEPTS, INC.
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CLIENT:
ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS
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By
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
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By
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Authorized Signature |
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Authorized Signature |
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
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Name |
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Name |
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President
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CEO/President
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Title |
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Title |
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1/31/08
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1/31/08
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Date |
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Date |
BENEFITS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | ||||
By | /s/ Xxxxx XxxXxxxxxx | |||
Authorized Signature | ||||
Xxxxx XxxXxxxxxx | ||||
Name
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CEO | ||||
Title
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1/31/08 | ||||
Date
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7
EXHIBIT
A
1. |
Client's
Computer Facility Location, Address, Designated CPU and Permitted
Uses:
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Client
may run the Software on any CPU(s) owned or leased by Client.
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2.
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Delivery
of Deliverables:
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ICI shall deliver to Client a copy of the object code of the Software together with all documentation, written descriptions (Specifications), applicable program narratives and references necessary to the full utilization of the object code for the Software. |
3.
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License
Fee:
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$25,000 per month for two years payable on the 1st day of each month. |
4.
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Payments
shall be paid to:
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INFORMATION
CONCEPTS, INC.
0000
X.
Xxxxx 00, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attention:
_____________________
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5.
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Training
of Licensee Personnel
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Specifications |
ICI
shall provide or have provided one (1) day of training, by at
least one
(but no more than three) qualified ICI personnel, in the use
of the
Software, to be attended by up to 10 Client employees, at Client’s
Alameda, California location or at such other location as the
parties may
agree. The
starting dates of the training shall be as agreed by the parties,
but in
no case later than 180 days after the execution of this Agreement,
as
required.
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8
This
Exhibit A is hereby incorporated into and made a part of the ICI
Software License Agreement referenced above between ICI and
Client.
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INFORMATION
CONCEPTS, INC.
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CLIENT:
ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, INC.
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By
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9
EXHIBIT B
PLEDGE
AGREEMENT
THIS
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
(“Agreement”) is entered into as of this ____ day of ________________, 20____,
by and among ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, INC. (“Pledgor”) and
INFORMATION CONCEPTS, INC. (“Pledgee or Secured Party”).
RECITALS
A. PARTIES.
The
parties hereto have entered into a WebERF Software License Agreement (“License
Agreement”) dated January _____, 2008, by and among ASSOCIATED THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATORS, INC. (“ATPA”), and INFORMATION CONCEPTS, INC.
(“ICI”).
B. PURPOSE.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, fifty percent (50%) of the membership
interest owed by ATPA in Trust Benefit Technologies (“TBT”) one pledged as
security for the monthly payments due for two years pursuant to
Paragraph _____ and Exhibit A of the License Agreement
(“Payments”).
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements, representations, and
warranties contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
AGREEMENT
1. INCORPORATION
OF RECITALS.
The
Recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by
this reference.
2. PLEDGE.
In
consideration of the amount owed to Pledgee under the License Agreement, Pledgor
hereby grants a security interest to Pledgee in the Pledged membership interest.
3. DIVIDENDS
OR DISTRIBUTIONS.
During
the term of this Agreement, and so long as Pledgor is not in default, Pledgor
shall be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions declared on the
Pledged Shares by the LLC.
4. VOTING
RIGHTS.
During
the term of this Agreement, and so long as Pledgor is not in default, Pledgor
shall have the right to vote the Pledged membership interest on any matters.
5. RESTRICTIONS
ON SHARES.
Pledgee
acknowledges that he/she is aware that the Pledged Shares are subject to the
Shareholders’ Agreement, and that the Shareholders’ Agreement places
restrictions on any voting rights transfer of the Pledged Shares for the two
years payment term set forth in the License Agreement.
6. PAYMENT
OF THE NOTE.
Upon
satisfactory written evidence that the payments have been fully paid, the
License Agreement will terminate, the WebERF software will transfer immediately
to TBT, and this Pledge Agreement will be extinguished.
10
7. OTHER
COVENANTS OF PLEDGOR.
Until
such time as the Note has been fully paid, the parties hereto agree as follows:
No membership interest(s) may be sold with voting rights for the two-year term
of payments.
8. DEFAULT.
(a) In
the event that Pledgor defaults in the performance of any of the terms of this
Agreement or the License Agreement, Pledgee shall give written notice of the
default (the “Notice”) to the Pledgor at the address set forth in
Paragraph 12, below or at such other address as any party may direct in
writing. Pledgor shall have forty-five (45) days from receipt of the Notice
to
cure the default. If the default is not cured within such forty-five (45) day
period, (i) Pledgee may declare the entire balance due on the Note immediately
due and payable and may thereafter proceed to collect the balance owing on
the
Note, plus any interest and reasonable costs of collection and reasonable
attorney’s fees in connection therewith; or (ii) Pledgee may notify State in
writing that Pledgor was given the forty-five (45) day written notice and failed
to cure the default within such time period. Within ten (10) days of its receipt
of such notice, ATPA shall deliver to Pledgee the blank endorsed membership
certificate(s), evidencing the Pledged Interest(s). Upon Pledgee’s receipt of
the certificates, the Pledged Shares shall be deemed to have been reissued
by
the Corporation with all the voting, dividend and other rights conferred upon
a
shareholder, on a sliding scale basis as set forth in Paragraph 9 (b)
hereinbelow;
(b)
Upon
a default and Pledgee properly following the default provisions in
Paragraph 9(a) to secure the performance of this License Agreement, ATPA
shall pledge one-half (1/2) of membership interest in TBT, which interests
shall
transfer to ICI upon default by ATPA under the License Agreement as provided
hereunder. The membership interests that are subject to the pledge agreement
shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) for every $100,000 paid by ATPA to ICI
pursuant to the License Agreement, provided that the pledge amount shall never
be reduced below an amount such that the sum of ICI’s membership interest in the
pledge amount is less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total voting
membership interest of the Company, and provided further that in the event
of
issuances of additional voting membership interests of the Company or other
diluting events, the pledge amount shall be adjusted (including increased,
as
applicable, but not above one-half of ATPA’s total membership interest), to meet
the minimum fifty-one percent (51%) requirement.
9. WAIVER.
Pledgee’s failure to promptly exercise any right or remedy provided herein or by
law shall not be a waiver of any obligation of Pledgor nor shall it constitute
a
modification of this Agreement.
10. AMENDMENTS.
This
Agreement may be amended only by written consent of all of the parties
hereto.
11. NOTICES.
Any and
all notices, demands, requests, or other communications required or permitted
by
this Agreement or by law to be served on, given to, or delivered to any party
hereto by any other party to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
transmitted to the last known address of the recipient. Notice may be given
by
U.S. first-class mail, postage prepaid; certified mail, return receipt
requested; U.S. Express Mail; courier; facsimile, or by electronic transmission
(“e-mail”). If sent by U.S. first-class mail, it shall be deemed given
forty-eight (48) hours after mailing. With all other means of delivery, it
shall
be deemed given on the date confirmed by the transmitter.
11
12. ATTORNEY'S
FEES.
Should
any arbitration or litigation be commenced between the parties to this
Agreement, concerning any provision of this Agreement or the rights and
obligations of any party or the estate of any party in relation thereto, the
party prevailing in such proceeding shall be entitled, in addition to such
other
relief as may be granted, to a reasonable sum as and for attorney's fees and
costs.
13. ARBITRATION.
Any
controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Agreement, or the
making, performance or interpretation thereof, which is not resolved through
the
mediation process referred to above, shall be resolved by binding arbitration
in
accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association then existing,
and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy. Arbitration shall
take
place in Los Angeles, California. The arbitrators selected shall be persons
experienced in the subject matter of the dispute. The parties shall have the
right to discovery in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Section
1283.05.
NOTICE:
THE PARTIES ARE AGREEING TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE MATTERS INCLUDED
IN THIS "ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES" PROVISION DECIDED BY NEUTRAL ARBITRATION,
AS
PROVIDED BY CALIFORNIA LAW, AND THE PARTIES ARE GIVING UP ANY RIGHTS THEY MIGHT
POSSESS TO HAVE THE DISPUTE LITIGATED IN A COURT OR JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES
ARE
GIVING UP THEIR JUDICIAL RIGHTS TO APPEAL, UNLESS SUCH RIGHTS ARE SPECIFICALLY
INCLUDED IN THE "ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES" PROVISION. IF ANY PARTY REFUSES TO
SUBMIT TO ARBITRATION AFTER AGREEING TO THIS PROVISION, SUCH PARTY MAY BE
COMPELLED TO ARBITRATE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE. THE PARTIES' AGREEMENT TO THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION IS VOLUNTARY.
THE PARTIES HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOREGOING AND AGREE TO SUBMIT DISPUTES
ARISING OUT OF THE MATTERS INCLUDED IN THE "ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES" PROVISION
TO NEUTRAL ARBITRATION.
14. BINDING
AGREEMENT.
This
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors, assigns, personal representatives, heirs and
legatees.
15. SEVERABILITY.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held by a Court of competent jurisdiction to
be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless
continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any
way.
16. GOVERNING
LAW.
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by the laws of
the
State of California.
17. ASSIGNMENT.
The
rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable by any party, except
by
Corporation to a wholly-owned subsidiary, division or affiliate, without the
prior written consent of all parties hereto.
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18. COUNTERPARTS.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile signatures have the
same
force and effect as an original signature.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties to this Agreement have duly executed it on the day and year first above
written.
PLEDGOR:
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PLEDGEE: | ||
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