Translation from the German into the English Language
Confidentiality Agreement: Mercedes Benz and IQ Battery
Exhibit 6.18
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Confidentiality Agreement
Mercedes Benz Aktiengessellschaft
Mercedesstrasse 136, 70322 Stuttgart
Department EP/VEG
HPC T723
and
IQ-Battery R & D GmbH
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxx. 0
00000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx
enter the obligation as per the following: all technical and commercial
information, in particular intentions, experience, knowledge and designs which
were for the purpose of the project and during the period of this agreement made
accessible or were received by or from the partner to this contract, and until
expiry of five years after the end of the period of the contract, to treat
confidentially, not to make accessible to third parties, as well as not to use
for industrial purposes, as long as the partners to this contract did not agree
otherwise in writing.
This obligation of confidentiality is not valid for information and
documentation which:
a.) was evidently known to the receiving contract partner right from the
beginning when the cooperation begun;
b.) the receiving partner to the contract evidently obtained legally from third
parties;
c.) it is known publicly, or, without breaking obligations contained in this
contract, was known publicly;
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d.) the receiving partner evidently developed within the scope of its own and
independent development work
The partners to this contract are under obligation to impose the same
obligations on their employees to whom such information, technical and
economical knowledge and experience will be conveyed, just as they were
themselves partners to this contract, as far it is possible legally, and also
for the term after separation.
The partners to this contract shall apply the same caution, as by handling their
own confidential information.
In case of sharing anticipated discoveries, the partners reserve right with
regard to eventual possible later patent protection.
This agreement becomes enforceable immediately, and shall have duration until
31.12.97
Stuttgart, 21.03.97
Mercedes-Benz Aktiengesselschaft1