EXHIBIT 10.12
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
This Agreement ("Agreement"), which includes Exhibits "A", "B", "C" and
"D" hereto, which are incorporated herein by reference, is made as of July 12,
2000, by and between Osicom Technologies, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation (the
"Company"), having a principal place of business at 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (the "Employee"), having
an address at _______________________________________.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Employee possesses substantial knowledge with respect to
the industry in which the Company conducts its business by reason of his
employment and may acquire further knowledge of such business by reason of his
employment as hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, it is expected that the Company from time to time will
consider the possibility of an acquisition by another company or other change of
control or management. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
recognizes that such consideration can be a distraction to the Employee and can
cause the Employee to consider alternative employment opportunities. The Board
has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company and its
stockholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication and
objectivity of the Employee, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or
occurrence of a change of control or management of the Company.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to procure the services of the Employee,
and to secure the Employee's agreement not to compete and to treat as
confidential and as the property of the Company certain information gained in
the course of the Employee's employment by the Company both before and after the
effective date of this Agreement, as the case may be, and the Employee is
willing to continue in the employment of and to so agree with the Company, all
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee, and the
Employee accepts the employment, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth. During the term of employment hereunder, the Employee shall serve in such
capacity as may from time to time be determined by or pursuant to authority
granted by the Board of Directors of the Company, and during such term of
employment, the Employee shall devote his best efforts, knowledge and skill and
full time as required to the Company's business and affairs. "Full time" means
40 hours per week. Subject to the authority of the Board of Directors of the
Company, the Company will employ the Employee in the capacity of General
Counsel.
2. Term of Employment; Termination.
2.1. The Employee agrees to work for the Company for a period
of twenty-four (24) months commencing on the date of this Agreement. However,
the Company may terminate the Employee's employment at any time, for any reason
(or no reason), and with or Without Cause, by providing the Employee with seven
(7) days' written notice. If employment continues following the end of the two
(2)-year term of this Agreement (the "Term"), it will continue on an "at-will"
basis, which means that either the Employee or the Company may terminate the
Employee's employment at any time, for any reason (or no reason), and with or
Without Cause, by providing the other party with seven (7) days' written notice.
2.2. If the Company terminates the Employee's employment
Without Cause, or if the Employee resigns his employment for Good Reason, or if
this Agreement terminates pursuant to paragraph 2.4 below, prior to the end of
the Term, the Employee, or his legal representatives, as the case may be, shall
receive: (i)
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all salary earned by the Employee through the last day of his employment; (ii)
continuation of the Employee's base salary for a period of two (2) years after
the date of the termination of the Employee's employment; (iii) immediate
vesting of all outstanding shares of the Employee's Company stock options,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the agreement(s) granting such
options; and (iv) the Company's right to repurchase shares, as provided in
Section 4.6 of this Agreement, and cancel unexercised options, as provided in
the attached Exhibit C-1, terminates. However, if: (i) the Employee resigns at
any time Without Good Reason; (ii) the Company terminates the Employee's
employment for Cause prior to the end of the Term; or (iii) the Company
terminates the Employee's employment for any reason, with or Without Cause, or
if the Employee resigns with or Without Good Reason, after the end of the Term,
the Employee will only be entitled to all compensation earned by him through the
last day of his employment.
For purposes of this Agreement "Cause" shall mean a good faith
determination by the Board of Directors of the Company, following a reasonable
factual investigation, of the occurrence of any one or more of the following
events or circumstances: (i) Employee willfully engages in wrongful conduct that
results in material damage to the Company; (ii) any willful and material failure
to perform Employee's duties hereunder; (iii) Employee is convicted of a felony,
including a plea of no contest, which is materially injurious to the Company
(iv) Employee engages in fraud or one or more acts of dishonesty which
materially damages the Company; or (v) Employee materially breaches this
Agreement or the Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, which material
breach results in serious damage to the Company. Provided, in the case of items
(i), (ii), and (v), such event or circumstance will not constitute Cause unless
Employee has failed to cure such event or circumstance within 30 days after
receipt by Employee of written notice thereof, such notice to be delivered to
Employee within 90 days of such claimed act or breach specifically delineating
each such claimed act or breach and setting forth the Company's intention to
terminate the employment of the Employee if such breach is not remedied (the
"Company Notice"); Provided, further, that if the specified breach cannot
reasonably be remedied within such 30-day period and Employee commences
reasonable steps within such 30-day period to remedy such breach, and diligently
continues such steps thereafter until a remedy is effected, such breach shall
not constitute "Cause" if such breach is remedied within 60 days after written
notice from the Company. Further, no breach, act or failure to act on the
Employee's part shall constitute "Cause" if such breach, act or failure to act
resulted from the Employee's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any
such actual or anticipated breach, act or failure to act resulting from a
resignation by the Employee for Good Reason. No act or failure to act on
Employee's part shall be deemed "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by Employee not in good faith and such that a reasonable person would
believe that the act, or failure to act, was not in the best interests of the
Company. In determining whether the circumstances of Employee's termination was
for "Cause", there shall be a presumption that it was not, and the burden of
proving otherwise shall be on the Company.
For purposes under this Agreement, "Good Reason" for Employee's
resignation will exist if Employee resigns within sixty days of any of the
following: (i) any reduction in Employee's base salary or bonus, if any, or the
failure of the Company to pay such amounts when due; (ii) any material reduction
in Employee's benefits; (iii) a change in Employee's position with the Company
or a successor company which materially reduces Employee's duties or level of
responsibility; (iv) a change in the Employee's duties or level of
responsibility which prevents Employee from performing his duties or meeting his
responsibilities; (v) failure by the Company to reimburse temporary living or
other reasonable expenses; or (vi) any requirement that Employee's relocate his
place of employment by more than thirty-five (35) miles from his then current
office, provided such reduction, change or relocation is effected by the Company
without his written consent. A resignation by Employee under any other
circumstances or for any other reasons will be a resignation "Without Good
Reason."
2.3. If the Company terminates the Employee's employment
Without Cause, or if the Employee resigns his employment for Good Reason, prior
to the end of the Term of this Agreement, the attached Exhibit "A" will be
executed by Employee and the Company within 5 business days following
termination of Employee's employment.
2.4. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event
of the Employee's death or Permanent Disability. "Permanent Disability" is
defined as physical or mental incapacity rendering the Employee unable to
perform substantially all of his duties for a period of at least four (4)
consecutive months or an aggregate of at least six (6) months over any twelve
(12) month period. All covenants, agreements, representations,
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warranties contained or made pursuant to this Agreement and Exhibits hereto
shall survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph 2.4.
3. Compensation.
3.1. Salary. As full compensation for the services to be
rendered by the Employee hereunder and as consideration for the observance of
the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the Company shall pay the Employee, and the
Employee shall accept, a salary at the rate of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000.00) per annum. Such salary shall be payable not less
frequently than twice a month. In the event that the Employee's employment shall
be terminated by death or Permanent Disability, the Employee, or his legal
representatives, as the case may be, shall receive: (i) all salary earned by the
Employee through the last day of his employment; (ii) a lump sum severance
payment equal to two (2) years of his base salary; (iii) any outstanding
temporary living, relocation and other expense reimbursements; and (iv)
immediate vesting of all outstanding shares of the Employee's Company stock
options, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the agreement(s) granting
such options; and (iv) the Company's right to repurchase shares, as provided in
Section 4.6 of this Agreement, and cancel unexercised options, as provided in
the attached Exhibit C-1, terminates.
3.2. Benefits. Participation in group life, medical, pension,
profit sharing and other employee benefit plans (collectively hereinafter
referred to as "Fringe Benefit Plans"), and other provisions of the Employee's
employment not herein specifically provided for shall be consistent with that
provided to senior executives of the Company, and thereafter his benefits shall
be consistent with those provided to the Company's senior executives. Until the
second anniversary of this agreement, Employee will be covered by Company's
expense under plans of the Company related to health, medical and life
insurance, if permitted by law and the existing terms of such plans. In the
event the terms of such plans do not provide for continuation of coverage
through and including July 12, 2002, Company will provide, entirely at its
expense, Employee (and for purposes of health care coverage, Employee's family
members who are "qualified beneficiaries", as such is defined in the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA")), with coverage
comparable to the coverage provided to Employee as of the date of this
Agreement.
3.3. Income Tax Indemnification. In the event that the
Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority determines that any amounts
received by Employee constitute taxable income to the Employee rather than (i)
expense reimbursements under an accountable reimbursement plan by the Company,
or (ii) expense reimbursements for out of town travel, the Company will
reimburse Employee, within 30 days of written notification from Employee of such
determination and specification of the amounts due, the amount of any income tax
and self-employment tax along with interest and penalties thereon required to be
paid by the Employee. Such reimbursement will include the amounts of any
incremental tax incurred as a result of the reimbursement. Employee agrees that
he will take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent such a determination by
the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing jurisdiction.
4. Stock Options.
4.1. Upon execution of this Agreement, any options to acquire
common stock of the Company or any subsidiary held by the Employee (the
"Options"), to the extent not previously vested, shall immediately vest and be
exercisable, without regard to any vesting terms to the contrary contained in
any plan or agreement pursuant to which such Options were granted and the
options identified in paragraph 4.6 of this Agreement will be subject to Exhibit
"C" attached hereto, the Stock Purchase Agreement. A schedule of Options subject
to this Section 4, is attached hereto as Exhibit "B".
4.2. The period for exercise of any Option shall not expire or
terminate until the final expiration date set forth in the applicable plan or
agreement pursuant to which any such Options were granted, regardless of
Employee's change in status from officer, employee, consultant and/or director
to consultant (full or part time), and regardless of any subsequent termination
or expiration of this Agreement, the Exhibits hereto, or any option plans.
4.3. If any term or provision of any option plan, or agreement
heretofore entered into between the parties pursuant to such plan, conflicts
with the terms hereof, then such term or provision is hereby waived
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and/or modified, to the fullest extent required to effectuate the intent of this
Section 4, to the extent permitted by law, and the Company shall take all such
steps as are necessary to cause such conflicting term or provision to be waived,
modified or amended in accordance herewith.
4.4. In connection with the exercise of any or all Options,
the Company will lend the holder, upon request, up to 100% of the purchase price
for the shares purchased, any interest, plus any taxes that the Company is
required to withhold upon the exercise thereof at a rate no less than the
minimum applicable federal rate under the Internal Revenue Code to avoid imputed
income. In the event Employee is not subject to withholding upon the taxable
gain at exercise, the Company will lend 39% of the taxable gain to Employee in
order that Employee have funds sufficient to pay any income and self-employment
taxes due on the exercise of the Options. Any loan will be evidenced by a
promissory note payable with accrued interest in 24 months from the date of the
loan, and a pledge of the shares purchased. Alternatively, if the Company then
has in effect another program to facilitate exercise of outstanding options held
by other persons, that program will also be available with respect to the
Options.
4.5. Any existing or future programs that the Company develops
for holders of outstanding options to reflect and adjust for corporate
transactions, (including, without limitation, any and all dividends,
distributions in cash, stock of other companies, property or grant and or
forgiveness of loans or other obligations), will also be available with respect
to the Options.
4.6. Option Grant. The Company has granted Employee options to
purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock with an exercise price of
Sixty-Nine and Twelve and One-Half Cents ($69.125) per share. The term of such
options are 10 years. Such option is immediately exercisable, but the purchased
shares shall be subject to repurchase by the Company at the exercise price paid
per share in the event that Employee's status with the Company changes prior to
the term as defined in Section 2 of this agreement. The Employee shall vest, and
the Company's repurchase right shall accordingly lapse, in the option shares in
two successive equal annual installments upon completion of each year of service
measured over the two-year period from July 12, 2000, the vesting commencement
date for such options.
4.7. Exercise of Option. The option grants made pursuant to
Section 4.6 above is subject to the Company's standard form of Stock Option
Agreement (together with Notice of Grant), a copy of which is attached hereto as
an exhibit, and which notice must be executed as a condition of the grant.
Employee shall have the right to exercise his option while he remains employed
by the Company by delivering a full recourse promissory note secured by a pledge
of the shares purchased thereunder. If required under the laws of the Company's
state of incorporation, Employee shall pay cash for the par value of the
exercised option shares. Interest on the promissory note shall accrue at a rate
no less than the minimum applicable federal rate under the Internal Revenue Code
to avoid imputed income. The principal balance and interest shall be due in full
on the earlier of (a) the second anniversary of the date the promissory note is
executed or (b) twelve (12) months after the termination of Employee's
employment, whichever first occurs. The note shall be subject to such other
terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the Company and Employee. The
principal balance of the note shall not exceed the aggregate option price
payable for the purchased shares and any taxes due upon the exercise of the
options.
4.8. Registration of Shares. The Company will take all
reasonable steps at its sole cost and expense to register on Form S-8 Employee's
stock if acquired via exercise so that Employee can sell any vested shares of
stock if he so chooses following the expiration of any applicable lock-up
period. Nothing herein will be interpreted as requiring the Company to breach
any rights regarding the registration of securities under the Securities Act of
1933.
5. Effect of Change in Control.
5.1 If a "Change in Control" takes place during the Term of
this Agreement, the options shall automatically accelerate and immediately vest
in full, whether or not the option is assumed as a result of the Change in
Control and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the agreements granting
such option. In addition, the Company's right to repurchase shares underlying
exercised options and cancel unexercised options as provided in the attached
Exhibit C-1 will lapse.
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5.2 In the event that the acceleration of the vesting provided
for and benefits otherwise payable to Employee under this Agreement constitute
"excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"), or any comparable successor
provision, or any applicable state income or franchise provision, the Company
shall make an additional "gross up" payment to Employee, in an amount such that
Employee will be left in the same economic position after imposition of such
excise tax (and any income or self-employment tax imposed on the gross-up
payment) as he would have been had such excise tax not been imposed.
6. Change in Control. As used in this Agreement, "Change in Control"
shall mean: (a) a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing at
least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company's
outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the
persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction; (b) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (c) the
individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, are members of the Board (the
"Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent
(50%) of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, of any new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new
director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be
considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed
office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as
described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a Person other
than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended
to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; (d) by a reverse
merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of its
common stock immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the
merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or
otherwise; or (e) by a reorganization of the business of the Company which
results in a material change in the business plan or business model or
operations of the Company.
7. No Solicitations. The Employee agrees that for a period of one (1)
year following the termination of the Employee's employment for any reason, the
Employee shall not directly or indirectly, personally or through others, solicit
or attempt to solicit (on the Employee's behalf or on behalf of any other person
or entity) for hire any employee or consultant of the Company.
8. Corporate Opportunities. The Employee agrees that during his
employment hereunder he will not take any action which might divert from the
Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company any opportunity which
would be within the scope of any of the present or future businesses thereof.
9. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Noncompetition.
9.1. The Employee shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company, use, divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity any Confidential Information
pertaining to the business of the Company or any of its affiliates, except when
required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental
agency having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any
administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with
jurisdiction to order the Employee to divulge, disclose or make accessible such
information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall
mean non-public information concerning the financial data, strategic business
plans, product development, proprietary product data, customer lists, technology
(whether or not patented or copyrighted), marketing plans and other non-public,
proprietary and confidential information of the Company and its affiliates and
customers that, in any case, is not otherwise available to the public.
9.2. Given the Employee's role in the Company, during the
period of the Employee's employment, whether pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise, the Employee agrees that, without the prior written consent of the
Company, he will not, directly or indirectly, either as principal, manager,
agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or employee
or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in, or have any financial
interest in any business in the United States which is in competition with the
business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; provided that
the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from being a stockholder of less
than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding securities of any class of
a corporation
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listed on a national securities exchange or designated as national market system
securities on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
9.3. The Employee and the Company agree that this covenant not
to compete is a reasonable covenant under the circumstances, and further agree
that if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is
not reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and
authority to modify such provision or provisions of this covenant to the extent
the court determines such restraint is not reasonable and to enforce the
covenant as so amended.
9.4. The Employee and the Company agree that any breach of the
covenants contained in this Section 8 would irreparably injure the Employee or
the Company. Accordingly, the Employee and the Company mutually agree that
either party may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law
or in equity, obtain an injunction against the other from any court having
jurisdiction over the matter restraining any violation of Section 6 this
Agreement by either party.
9.5 As a condition of employment, Employee will execute the
Company's standard Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, a copy of
which is attached.
10. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify Employee as per
the terms set forth in an Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
"D".
11. Miscellaneous.
11.1. Legal Advice and Construction of Agreement. Both the
Company and Employee have received (or have voluntarily and knowingly elected
not to receive) independent legal advice with respect to the advisability or
entering into this Agreement with respect to all matters covered by this
Agreement and neither has been entitled to rely upon or has in fact relied upon
the legal or other advice of the other party or such other party's counsel (or
employees) in entering into this Agreement.
11.2. Parties' Understanding. Company and Employee state that
each has carefully read this Agreement, that is has been fully explained to
it/him by its/his attorney (or that it/he has voluntarily and knowingly elected
not to receive such explanation), that it/he fully understands its final and
binding effect, that the only promises made to it/him to sign the Agreement are
those stated herein, and the Exhibits attached hereto, and that it/he is signing
the agreement voluntarily.
11.3. Recitals and Section Headings. Each term of this
Agreement is contractual and not merely a recital. All recitals are incorporated
by reference into this Agreement. Captions and sections headings are used herein
for convenience only, are not part of this Agreement, and shall not be used in
interpreting or construing it.
11.4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and Exhibits thereto
constitutes a single integrated contract expressing the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
contemporaneous oral and written agreements and discussions with respect to the
subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement
shall be deemed to waive or supercede any provision in any other plan or
agreement, the terms of which are more beneficial or favorable to the Employee
than those set forth herein.
11.5. Force Majeure. Neither the Company nor the Employee
shall be deemed in default if its/his performance of obligations hereunder is
delayed or become impossible or impracticable by reason of any act of God, war,
fire, earthquake, strike, civil commotion, epidemic, or any other cause beyond
such party's reasonable control.
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11.6. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of, and be binding upon, the parties and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by Employee,
nor may any of Employee's duties hereunder be delegated, without the prior
written consent of Company, which consent may be given or withheld by Company in
its sole discretion. The rights of Company under this Agreement may not be
assigned without the consent of Employee, which consent may be given or withheld
by Employee in his sole discretion.
11.7. Survival. The covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties contained or made pursuant to this Agreement and Exhibits hereto
shall survive the expiration of this Agreement.
11.8. Waiver. The failure of either party hereto at any time
to enforce performance by the other party of any provision of this Agreement
shall in no way affect such party's rights thereafter to enforce the same, nor
shall the waiver by either party of any breach of any provision hereof be deemed
to be a waiver by such party of any other breach of the same or any other
provision hereof.
11.9. Notices. All notices, consents, requests, demands,
instructions, approval, acceptances and other communications of any kind
whatsoever which may or must be given under this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed duly given or made upon certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service, to
the parties at the addresses set forth below (or at such other addresses as
shall be specified by like notice): to Company, attention General Counsel and
Secretary, at 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx 00000; and to
Employee at _________________________________. Any party may change said party's
address for purposes of giving notices under this Section by giving to the other
party a written notice of such change in the manner provided in this Section.
11.10. Arbitration. Any disputes or claims arising out of or
concerning this Agreement or under any applicable statutes, including those
relating to the Employee's employment or termination thereof, shall be settled
by arbitration in Los Angeles County, California, in accordance with the
employment rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, except
as modified by this Agreement. The arbitrator will have authority in his or her
discretion to grant injunctive relief, award specific performance and impose
sanctions upon any party to any such arbitration. The arbitrator's decision
shall be final and binding on both parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by
the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. In
recognition of the fact that resolution of any disputes or claims in the courts
is rarely timely or cost effective for either party, the Company and the
Employee enter this mutual agreement to arbitrate in order to gain the benefits
of a speedy, impartial and cost-effective dispute resolution procedure.
(a) The prevailing party may recover from the other
party costs for fees and expenses of the arbitrator and attorney fees and costs
incurred in such amount as the arbitrator or the court in such judicial action,
as the case may be, may determine to be reasonable and appropriate under the
circumstances.
(b) Any decision of an arbitrator under this
provision shall be in writing, signed by the arbitrator, and shall contain a
statement regarding the reasons for the disposition of any claim.
(c) In a contractual claim under this Agreement, the
arbitrator shall have no authority to add, delete or modify any term of this
Agreement.
11.11. Severability. All sections, clauses thereof and
covenants contained in this Agreement are severable, and in the event any of
them shall be held to be invalid by any court, this Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such invalid sections, clauses or covenants were not contained
herein.
11.12. Applicable Law. This Agreement (exclusive of Exhibit
"D") is made with reference to the laws of this State of California, and shall
be governed by and construed in accordance therewith.
11.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
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11.14. No Admission. Neither the entry into this Agreement nor
the giving of consideration hereunder shall constitute an admission of any
wrongdoing by Company or the Employee.
11.15. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
upon execution by the later of the parties hereto to execute this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date and year first above written.
OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxx /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------- -------------------
Xxx Xxxxx Employee
EXHIBIT A
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Agreement ("Agreement"), which is Exhibit "A" to that Employment
Agreement entered into as of July 12, 2000, which is incorporated herein by
reference, is made as of _______________, 200__, by and between Osicom
Technologies, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (hereinafter the "Company"), and
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (hereinafter "Xxxxxxxx").
RECITALS
A. The Company is a Santa Xxxxxx-based business which designs,
manufactures, and markets integrated networking and bandwidth aggregation
products for enhancing the performance of data and telecommunications networks
(the "Business").
X. Xxxxxxxx has served as the Company's General Counsel.
X. Xxxxxxxx intends to resign General Counsel to pursue other business
interests or the Company has terminated his employment agreement.
D. The Company recognizes Xxxxxxxx'x extensive knowledge and unique
understanding of the operation of the Business and desires to retain his
services as a Consultant.
F. In accordance with this Agreement, the Company and Xxxxxxxx enter
into this Agreement to formalize the continuing relationship between Xxxxxxxx
and the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
AGREEMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Xxxxxxxx agree as follows:
1. Termination. Xxxxxxxx has resigned, or the Company has terminated
his full time employment agreement, as General Counsel of the Company, effective
as per the notices required pursuant to the Employment Agreement to which this
agreement is Exhibit "A".
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2. Consulting Services.
a. Upon the effective date of his termination as set forth in
paragraph 1 above, Xxxxxxxx'x status will be changed to that of Consultant. The
term of the consultancy will continue until and including two (2) years from the
date this agreement is entered into ("Term"). During the Term, Xxxxxxxx will
provide nonexclusive consulting services as reasonably requested by the Board or
its designee, at the Company's option. Consulting services shall be provided at
reasonable and mutually convenient times and locations or through written
communications.
x. Xxxxxxxx will provide such assistance and consultation as
may be reasonably requested by the Board or its designee on matters including,
but not limited to, strategic relations; business plans and currently pending
transactions; and currently pending or future litigation or threatened
litigation.
x. Xxxxxxxx'x fee for his agreement to render the above
services will be Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) per annum to
be paid on monthly installments, one month in advance. The initial payment shall
be paid no later than ten (10) days following the effective date of this
Agreement. However, in the event Xxxxxxxx'x is receiving salary continuation
payments under the Employment Agreement to which this Agreement is Exhibit A,
Xxxxxxxx will not be entitled to any fees under this Consulting Agreement during
the period for which salary continuation is being received by Xxxxxxxx. In
addition, the Company will pay or reimburse Xxxxxxxx for reasonable expenses
incurred by Xxxxxxxx in rendering his consulting services, including reasonable
travel and lodging expenses, in fulfillment of his consulting services. The
Company will continue to provide Xxxxxxxx with an active e-mail address, and
with services of an assistant for the performance of his consulting services,
all at the Company's expense. For income tax purposes, Xxxxxxxx will be treated
as an independent contractor effective with the first payment hereunder.
d. If there is a material breach of a term of this Agreement
by Company, which is not cured by Company within 60 days of written notice from
Xxxxxxxx of the breach, then all payments payable under this Agreement are
immediately due and payable and Xxxxxxxx will have no obligations under this
Agreement. If Xxxxxxxx dies or becomes Permanently Disabled before expiration of
Term, all payments payable under this Agreement are immediately due and payable
to Xxxxxxxx (or his legal representative as the case may be) and Xxxxxxxx (nor
any related persons or entities) will not have any obligations under this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Permanent Disability shall be defined
as any physical or mental illness or incapacity which renders Xxxxxxxx incapable
of fully performing the consulting services provided for herein for a period
aggregating 120 days in any twelve month period ending before expiration of
Term. Upon request, Company will be provided with medical verification of
Permanent Disability.
3. Fringe Benefits.
a. Until and including last day of Term, Xxxxxxxx will be
covered at Company's expense under plans of the Company relating to health,
medical and life insurance, if permitted by law and the existing terms of such
plans. In the event the terms of such plans do not provide for continuation of
coverage through and including last day of the Term, Company will provide,
entirely at its expense, Xxxxxxxx (and for purposes of health care coverage,
Xxxxxxxx'x family members who are "qualified beneficiaries", as such is defined
in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA")), with
coverage comparable to the coverage provided to Xxxxxxxx as of the Effective
Date of his resignation.
b. The Company will cooperate and effectuate all actions for
the benefit of Xxxxxxxx or any related person or entity as were contemplated in
any and all previous actions approved by the Board.
4. Communications about Xxxxxxxx. Company agrees that all
communications, whether written or oral, made by the Company or on its behalf to
any person or entity (including, without limitation, any Company employee,
customer, vendor, supplier, competitor, investor, or member of the media)
regarding Xxxxxxxx or any person or entity related to him ("Communications")
will: (a) be truthful; and (b) not directly or indirectly, criticize, disparage,
or in any manner undermine the reputation or business practices of Xxxxxxxx or
any person or entity related to his. In addition, Company will give Xxxxxxxx
reasonable notice and Xxxxxxxx will have the option to review and approve such
communication before it is released in a reasonable amount of time.
Notwithstanding the
9
foregoing, the Company will make such truthful Communications as are lawfully
compelled and made under oath in connection with a court or governmental
administrative proceeding and regulatory filings.
5. Mutual Release. For and in consideration of the foregoing, Company
and Xxxxxxxx hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release and forever
discharge each other, and each of their respective current and former partners,
officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, attorneys,
representatives, beneficiaries, family members, subsidiaries, affiliates,
insurers, predecessors and successors in interest, assigns, executors,
administrators and heirs, all persons acting by, through, under or in concert
with them, or any of them (collectively "Affiliates"), from any and all manner
of past, present or future actions or causes of action, liens, claims, damages,
obligations, liabilities, debts, accounts, judgments, demands, costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs) of every nature, kind, and
description whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected,
fixed or contingent, arising out of or in any way related to any matters through
the effective date of this Agreement (the "Released Claims").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and release shall not
effect a release of any claims or the rights and obligations of the Parties
under this Agreement, the full time consulting agreement or Exhibits thereto.
Nothing contained in this Section 5, shall affect any rights, claims or causes
of action which Xxxxxxxx may have (1) with respect to his outstanding stock
options, warrants or other stock subscription rights to purchase the Stock of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or related entities or other securities
under the terms and conditions thereof; and (2) to indemnification by the
Company.
6. Unknown Claims. Company and Xxxxxxxx acknowledge that they have
investigated to their complete satisfaction all facts and potential claims which
relate to or arise out of the Released Claims, and that there is a risk that
after the execution of this Agreement, they will discover, incur or suffer
claims which were unknown or unanticipated at the time this Agreement is
executed, and which if known on the date of execution and delivery hereof may
have materially affected their decision to execute this Agreement. Company and
Xxxxxxxx acknowledge and agree that by reason of the mutual releases contained
above, they are assuming the risk of such unknown claims and agree that this
Agreement applies thereto. In connection therewith, Company and Xxxxxxxx
expressly waive and relinquish the benefits of Section 1542 of the California
Civil Code, which Section reads as follows:
"A General Release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the
time of executing the release, which if known by his must have
materially affected his settlement with the debtor."
7. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify Xxxxxxxx per the
terms set forth in an Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "D".
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1. Legal Advice and Construction of Agreement. Both Company
and Xxxxxxxx have received (or have voluntarily and knowingly elected not to
receive) independent legal advice with respect to the advisability or entering
into this Agreement and with respect to all matters covered by this Agreement
and neither has been entitled to rely upon or has in fact relied upon the legal
or other advice of the other party or such other party's counsel (or employees)
in entering into this Agreement.
8.2. Parties' Understanding. Company and Xxxxxxxx state that
each has carefully read this Agreement, that it has been fully explained to
it/his by its/his attorney (or that it/he has voluntarily and knowingly elected
not to receive such explanation), that it/he fully understands its final and
binding effect, that the only promises made to it/his to sign the Agreement are
those stated herein, and the Exhibits attached hereto, and that it/he is signing
this Agreement voluntarily.
8.3. Recitals and Section Headings. Each term of this
Agreement is contractual and not merely a recital. All recitals are incorporated
by reference into this Agreement. Captions and section headings are used herein
for convenience only, are not part of this Agreement, and shall not be used in
interpreting or construing it.
10
8.4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the agreement to which
this Agreement is attached to as Exhibit "A" and the Exhibits thereto
constitutes a single integrated contract expressing the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous oral and written agreements and discussions with respect to the
subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement
shall be deemed to waive or supersede any provision in any other plan or
agreement, the terms of which are more beneficial or favorable to Xxxxxxxx than
those set forth herein.
8.5. Force Majeure. Neither the Company nor Xxxxxxxx shall be
deemed in default if its/his performance of obligations hereunder is delayed or
become impossible or impracticable by reason of any act of God, war, fire,
earthquake, strike, civil commotion, epidemic, or any other cause beyond such
party's reasonable control.
8.6. Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of,
and be binding upon, the parties and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by Xxxxxxxx, nor may
any of Xxxxxxxx'x duties hereunder be delegated, without the prior written
consent of Company, which consent may be given or withheld by Company in its
sole discretion. The rights of Company under this Agreement may not be assigned
without the consent of Xxxxxxxx, which consent may be given or withheld by
Xxxxxxxx in his sole discretion.
8.7. Excise Tax. If Xxxxxxxx becomes liable for any excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, by reason of
any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall make an additional "gross up"
payment to Xxxxxxxx, in an amount such that Xxxxxxxx will be left in the same
economic position after imposition of such excise tax (and any income tax
imposed on the gross-up payment) as he would have been had such excise tax not
been imposed.
8.8. Survival. The covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties contained in or made pursuant to Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.7 shall
survive the expiration of this Agreement.
8.9. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided
herein with respect to successors and assigns of the parties, this Agreement
does not create, and shall not be construed as creating, any rights enforceable
by any person or entity not a party to this Agreement.
8.10. Waiver. The failure of either party hereto at any time
to enforce performance by the other party of any provision of this Agreement
shall in no way affect such party's rights thereafter to enforce the same, nor
shall the waiver by either party of any breach of any provision hereof be deemed
to be a waiver by such party of any other breach of the same or any other
provision hereof.
8.11. Notices. All notices, consents, requests, demands,
instructions, approval, acceptances and other communications of any kind
whatsoever which may or must be given under this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed duly given or made upon certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service, to
the parties at the addresses set forth below (or at such other addresses as
shall be specified by like notice): to Company, attention General Counsel and
Secretary, at 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx 00000; and to
Xxxxxxxx at _______________________________________. Any party may change said
party's address for purposes of giving notices under this Section by giving to
the other party a written notice of such change in the manner provided in this
Section.
8.12. Severability. All sections, clauses thereof and
covenants contained in this Agreement are severable, and in the event any of
them shall be held to be invalid by any court, this Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such invalid sections, clauses or covenants were not contained
herein.
8.13. Applicable Law. This Agreement (exclusive of Exhibit
"D") is made with reference to the laws of this State of California, and shall
be governed by and construed in accordance therewith. Any legal action, suit or
proceeding brought by either party to enforce or interpret any term or provision
of this Agreement shall be brought in the appropriate state or federal court
located in Los Angeles, California. The prevailing party in any such legal
action, suit or proceeding shall be entitled to have and recover from the losing
party such prevailing
11
party's attorneys' fees and costs incurred in connection therewith, including,
but not limited to expert witness fees and costs and expenses of appeals.
8.14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
8.15. No Admission. Neither the entry into this Agreement nor
the giving of consideration hereunder shall constitute an admission of any
wrongdoing by Company or Xxxxxxxx.
8.16. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
upon execution by the later of the parties hereto to execute this Agreement.
OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSULTANT
By: By:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Printed Name: ---------------------
Date: -----------------------------
Title:-----------------------------
Date: -----------------------------
12
EXHIBIT B
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
Stock Options
Final Unexercised
ID Plan Grant Vesting Expiration Strike Options Options Vested
Number Date Date Date Price Granted Granted Balance
Osicom Technologies, Inc.:
1667 2000 7/12/00 7/12/03 7/12/10 $69.125 150,000 150,000 --
---------------------------------
150,000 150,000 --
---------------------------------
00
XXXXXXX X-0
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK REPURCHASE AGREEMENT is made between Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
(the "Purchaser") and OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a New Jersey Corporation (the
"Company") as of July 12, 2000.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Company's
Amended and Restated 1997 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") shall have the same meanings in this Agreement.
RECITALS
A. Pursuant to the Plan, the Purchaser was granted options, known as
ID's 1651 and 1679 (the "Options"), to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Company
Common Stock subject to certain terms.
B. Purchaser was previously granted other options to purchase the
Company's Common Stock.
C. Purchaser and the Company have entered into an Employment Agreement,
dated as of July 12, 2000 to which this agreement is attached as Exhibit "C-1",
which modifies the terms of all options held by Purchaser, to eliminate all
vesting and repurchase provisions except as set forth in this Stock Repurchase
Agreement, and permits, but does not require, the immediate exercise of the
Option.
Now therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Company and Purchaser
agree as follows:
1. Repurchase Option.
(a) Subject to a breach caused by Purchaser in the Employment
Agreement dated as of July 12, 2000 (the Stock Repurchase Agreement is Exhibit
"C-1" to the Agreement ) that remains uncured after notice, and before the
expiration of the Term of the Employment Agreement, the Company shall have the
right and option (the "Repurchase Option") to cancel the Options, or to
repurchase Shares to which the Options shall have been exercised at the price
paid by the Purchaser, at the rate of 6,250 for every 30 days of the breach
after due written notice and expiration of cure period the breach remains
uncured. The Company's rights of repurchase and cancellation shall expire in
accordance with the following schedule:
Date of Termination Repurchase Option Up To
------------------- -----------------------
Before July 12, 2001 150,000 Options or Shares
July 13, 2001 to July 12, 2002 75,000 Options or Shares
After Xxxxxxx 00, 0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx of Options or Shares will be limited to a maximum of 6,250
for each 30 days subject to continuing breach as provided for in the Agreement
during the time period July 12, 2000 to July 12, 2002.
If the Company elects to exercise its repurchase and
cancellation rights at a time when the Option and/or Shares have partially
vested, Purchaser shall have the right to determine whether and to what extent
outstanding Options shall be canceled or unvested shares, in order to meet the
vesting provisions set forth above.
(b) If the Company does not elect to exercise the Repurchase
Option conferred above by giving the requisite notice within 30 days following
the said breach as identified in the Agreement, the Repurchase Option shall
terminate. The Repurchase Option will not be available to the Company if all
loans and obligations under the Agreement due to exercise of Options by
Purchaser have been paid or forgiven or have been satisfied
14
due to expiration of term or other events and the Repurchase Option will be the
only remedy available to the Company.
(c) The Company may exercise its Repurchase Option by
delivering personally or by registered mail to Purchaser, within 30 days of
breach in the Agreement, a notice in writing indicating the Company's intention
to exercise the Repurchase Option and setting forth a date for closing not later
than 30 days from the mailing of such notice. The closing shall take place at
the Company's office. At the closing, if any Shares are to be repurchased under
the Repurchase Option, the holder of the certificates for the Shares being
transferred shall deliver stock certificate or certificates and the Company
shall deliver the purchase price either in the form of good funds or if
Purchaser was provided loans by the Company then the Company will reduce the
amount owed it including principle and all accrued interest thereon and will
adjust the promissory note of Purchaser accordingly. In the event the payment is
larger than the promissory note outstanding then the remainder will be paid by
the Company in good funds.
(d) This Stock Repurchase Agreement shall be void and
unenforceable in the event the Company terminates the Purchaser's employment
Without Cause or if the Purchaser resigns his employment for "Good Reason" as
defined in paragraph 2.2 of the Purchaser's Employment Agreement dated July 12,
2000.
2. Transferability of the Shares; Escrow.
(a) Purchaser hereby authorizes and directs the Secretary of
the Company, or such other person designated by the Company, to transfer the
Unvested Shares as to which the Repurchase Option has been exercised from
Purchaser to the Company.
(b) To insure the availability for delivery of Purchaser's
Unvested Shares upon repurchase by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Option
under Section 1, Purchaser hereby appoints W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq., now of
Greenbaum, Rowe, Xxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP, or any other mutually
acceptable person designated by the Company as escrow agent, as his
attorney-in-fact to sell, assign and transfer unto the Company, such Unvested
Shares, if any, repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Option.
When any exercise of the Option occurs, Purchaser shall deliver and deposit with
W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq., or such other mutually acceptable person designated by
the Company, the share certificates representing the Unvested Shares, together
with the stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, attached hereto as Exhibit
"C-2". The Unvested Shares and stock assignment shall be held by the agent in
escrow, pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser
attached as Exhibit "C-3" hereto, until the Company exercises its Repurchase
Option, until such Unvested Shares are vested, or until such time as this
Agreement no longer is in effect. Upon vesting of the Unvested Shares, the
escrow agent shall promptly deliver to the Purchaser the certificate or
certificates representing such Shares in the escrow agent's possession belonging
to the Purchaser, and the escrow agent shall be discharged of all further
obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the escrow agent shall
nevertheless retain such certificate or certificates as escrow agent if so
required pursuant to other restrictions imposed pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The Company, or its designee, shall not be liable for any
act it may do or omit to do with respect to holding the Shares in escrow and
while acting in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.
(d) Transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions
on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any
transferee shall hold such Shares subject to all the provisions hereof and the
Exercise Notice executed by the Purchaser with respect to any Unvested Shares
purchased by Purchaser and shall acknowledge the same by signing a copy of this
Agreement.
15
3. Ownership, Voting Rights, Duties. This Agreement shall not affect in
any way the ownership, voting rights, rights to receive dividends or other
rights or duties of Purchaser, except as specifically provided herein.
4. Legends. The share certificate evidencing the Shares issued
hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend
required under applicable federal and state securities laws):
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER AND RIGHTS OF REPURCHASE AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT
DATED JULY 12, 2000 BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE PURCHASER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON
FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
5. Adjustment for Stock Split. All references to the number of Shares
and the purchase price of the Shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or other change in the
Shares which may be made by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan or
applicable provision of any successor Plan after the date of this Agreement.
6. Notices. Notices required hereunder shall be given in person or by
registered mail to the address of Purchaser shown on the records of the Company,
and to the Company at their respective principal executive offices.
7. Survival of Terms. This Agreement shall apply to and bind Purchaser
and the Company and their respective permitted assignees and transferees, heirs,
legatees, executors, administrators and legal successors.
8. Section 83(b) Election. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that he or she
has been informed that, with respect to the exercise of an Option for Unvested
Shares, an election (the "Election") may be filed by the Purchaser with the
Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days of the purchase of the exercised
Shares, electing pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and
Regulations thereunder to be taxed currently on any difference between the
purchase price of the exercised Shares and their Fair Market Value on the date
of purchase. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, this will result in a
recognition of taxable income to the Purchaser on the date of exercise, measured
by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the exercised Shares, at the
time the Option is exercised over the purchase price for the exercised Shares.
Absent such an Election, taxable income will be measured and recognized by
Purchaser at the time or times on which the Company's Repurchase Option lapses.
In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such an Election will result in a
recognition of income to the Purchaser for alternative minimum tax purposes on
the date of exercise, measured by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value
of the exercised Shares, at the time the option is exercised, over the purchase
price for the exercised Shares. Absent such an Election, alternative minimum
taxable income will be measured and recognized by Purchaser at the time or times
on which the Company's Repurchase Option lapses. Purchaser is strongly
encouraged to seek the advice of his or her own tax consultants in connection
with the purchase of the Shares and the advisability of filing of the Election
under Section 83(b) of the Code. A form of Election under Section 83(b) is
attached hereto as Exhibit C-4 for reference.
PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS PURCHASER'S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND
NOT THE COMPANY'S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE,
EVEN IF PURCHASER REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO MAKE THIS FILING
ON PURCHASER'S BEHALF.
The Company agrees that should Purchaser elect to file the election
under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code that the Company will timely
file at the proper Internal Revenue Service Center all corresponding filings
provided by Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations
thereunder in order to make the Purchaser's election effective. In the event the
Company fails to do so, the Company will reimburse Purchaser the additional
income taxes, including any additional tax on the reimbursement, incurred by the
Purchaser as a result of the Company's failure to comply with the requirements
of Section 83(b) of the Code and Regulations thereunder.
16
9. Representations. Purchaser has reviewed with his own tax advisors
the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Purchaser is relying solely on
such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any
of its agents. Purchaser understands that she (and not the Company) shall be
responsible for his own tax liability that may arise as a result of this
investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except for taxes
resulting by a failure of the Company to timely file corresponding 83(b)
election filings.
10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.
Purchaser represents that he has read this Agreement and is familiar
with its terms and provisions. Purchaser hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any
questions arising under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is deemed made as of the date first
set forth above.
OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxx
----------------------------------------
Name: Xxx Xxxxx
Title: President
Signature: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Address:------------------------------------
------------------------------------
EXHIBIT C-2
ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED I, __________________, hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto OSICOM Technologies, Inc. __________ shares of the Common Stock of
Osicom Technologies, Inc. standing in my name of the books of said corporation
represented by Certificate No. _____ herewith and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ to transfer the said stock on
the books of the within named corporation with full power of substitution in the
premises.
This Stock Assignment may be used only in accordance with the Stock
Purchase Agreement between Osicom Technologies, Inc. and the undersigned dated
_________, 2000.
Dated: _______________, _____ Signature: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
INSTRUCTIONS: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line.
The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its
"repurchase option," as set forth in the Agreement, without requiring additional
signatures on the part of the Purchaser.
17
EXHIBIT C-3
JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS
----------,----- [Date]
---------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------
Dear ----------------------:
As Escrow Agent for both Osicom Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), and
the undersigned purchaser of stock of the Company (the "Purchaser"), you are
hereby authorized and directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant
to the terms of that certain Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") between the
Company and the undersigned, in accordance with the following instructions:
1. In the event the Company and/or any assignee of the Company
(referred to collectively for convenience herein as the "Company") exercises the
Company's repurchase option set forth in the Agreement, the Company shall give
to Purchaser and you a written notice specifying the number of shares of stock
to be purchased, the purchase price, and the time for a closing hereunder at the
principal office of the Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably
authorize and direct you to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in
accordance with the terms of said notice.
2. At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments
necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares
being transferred, and (c) to deliver the stock assignments, together with the
certificate evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company or
its assignee, against the simultaneous delivery to you of the purchase price (by
cash, a check, or some combination thereof) for the number of shares of stock
being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Company's repurchase option.
3. Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any
certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any
additions and substitutions to said shares as defined in the Agreement.
Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as Purchaser's
attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect
to such securities all documents necessary or appropriate to make such
securities negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated,
including but not limited to the filing with any applicable state blue sky
authority of any required applications for consent to, or notice of transfer of,
the securities. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall
exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the
stock is held by you.
4. You will deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates
representing so many shares of stock as are not then subject to the Company's
repurchase option within 10 days of the expiration of the Company's rights.
Within 5 days after cessation of Purchaser's continuous employment by or
services to the Company, or any parent or subsidiary of the Company, you will
deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate
number of shares held or issued pursuant to the Agreement and not purchased by
the Company or its assignees pursuant to exercise of the Company's repurchase
option.
5. If at the time of termination of this escrow you should have in your
possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser,
you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all
further obligations hereunder.
6. Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked
only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
7. You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as
are specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying
or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by
18
you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties. You shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do
hereunder as Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in
good faith, and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your
own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.
8. You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all
warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or
corporation, excepting only orders or process of courts of law and are hereby
expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any
court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree, you
shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or
corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order,
judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside,
vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.
9. You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called
for hereunder.
10. You shall not be liable for the outlawing of any rights under the
Statute of Limitations with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any
documents deposited with you.
11. You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other
experts as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your
obligations hereunder, may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and the Company
may pay such counsel reasonable compensation therefor.
12. Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if
you shall cease to be an officer or agent of the Company or if you shall resign
by written notice to each party. In the event of any such termination, the
Company shall appoint a mutually acceptable successor Escrow Agent.
13. If you reasonably require other or further instruments in
connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect
hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.
14. It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with
respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the
securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in
your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities
until such disputes shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement
of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has
been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend
any such proceedings.
15. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with
postage and fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto
entitled at the following addresses or at such other addresses as a party may
designate by ten days' advance written notice to each of the other parties
hereto.
16. By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party
hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become
a party to the Agreement.
17. This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
18. These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Joint Escrow Instructions have been duly
executed as of the date first set forth above.
OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ESCROW AGENT:
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxx By:
--------------------------------- --------------------------------
Printed Name: Xxx Xxxxx Printed Name:
-----------------------
Title: President Address:
---------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------
PURCHASER:
Signature: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------
Printed Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
EXHIBIT D
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2000, is made by
and between Osicom Technologies Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the
"Corporation"), Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (the "Indemnitee").
RECITALS
A. Indemnitee has served as the Company's General Counsel. The
Corporation wishes Indemnitee to continue to act as an Employee or Consultant to
the Corporation Board of Directors or its designee;
B. The Corporation and Indemnitee recognize that the present state of
the law is too uncertain to provide the Corporation and its directors, officers,
and consultants, with adequate and reliable advance knowledge or guidance with
respect to the legal risks and potential liabilities to which they may become
personally exposed as a result of performing their duties for the Corporation;
C. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") of the
Corporation provides that the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, certain persons, including directors, officers, employees or
agents of the Corporation, against specified expenses and losses arising out of
certain threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings;
D. Section 14A:3-5(8) of the New Jersey Statutes (the "NJCL") expressly
recognizes that the indemnification provided by the other subsections of Section
14A:3-5 of the NJCL shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office;
E. Indemnitee has indicated that he may not be willing to serve as an
employee or consultant in the absence of an indemnification agreement from the
Corporation;
F. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has concluded that, to
retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve as directors,
officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation, it is necessary for the
Corporation to contractually indemnify them, and to assume for itself liability
for expenses and damages in connection with claims against them in connection
with their service to the Corporation, and has further concluded that the
failure to provide such contractual indemnification could result in great harm
to the Corporation and its stockholders.
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AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, the Corporation and the Indemnitee agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Expenses" means, for the purposes of this Agreement, all
direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without
limitation, any fees and disbursements of Indemnitee's counsel, accountants and
other experts and other out-of-pocket costs) actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, preparation, defense or appeal
of a Proceeding; provided, however, that Expenses shall not include judgments,
fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding unless such
matters may be indemnified under applicable provisions of the NJCL.
(b) "Proceeding" means, for the purposes of this Agreement,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (including actions, suits or
proceedings brought by or in the right of the Corporation or an Affiliate) in
which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise, by
reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, consultant or
agent of the Corporation, or any of its Affiliates, by reason of any action
taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as such director,
officer, employee agent, or consultant, or by reason of the fact that he is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee,
agent or consultant of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, LLC, trust or other enterprise, or was a director or officer of
the foreign or domestic corporation which was a predecessor corporation to the
Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation, whether or not he is serving in such capacity at the time any
liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement can
be provided under this Agreement.
(c) "Affiliate" of the Corporation means any corporation,
partnership, trust, LLC or other enterprise, foreign or domestic, in which the
Corporation had a significant equity investment (whether through ownership of
shares, warrants, convertible securities, or contract rights) or a business
relationship, including but not limited to, customer, supplier, joint venture or
partnership participant, or both an equity investment and a business
relationship. An equity investment by the Corporation in another enterprise
shall be deemed significant if it at any time amounted to more than five percent
(5%) of such enterprise's total equity, on a fully diluted basis.
(d) "Affiliate" of the Indemnitee means his spouse,
descendants, ancestors, and siblings, and their respective spouses, a trust or
other arrangement established for the primary benefit of one or more of
Indemnitee's family members, and a corporation, partnership, LLC, or other
enterprise in which Indemnitee or his Affiliates hold a majority of the equity
interests.
2. Indemnification.
(a) Third Party Proceedings. To the fullest extent permitted
by law, the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee and his Affiliates against
Expenses and liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to,
judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement (if the settlement
is approved in advance by the Corporation)) actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the
right of the Corporation) if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner
Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests
of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or
upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner that
Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests
of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had reasonable
cause to believe that Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no indemnification shall be made in any criminal proceeding where
Indemnitee has been adjudged guilty unless a disinterested majority of the
directors determines that Indemnitee did not receive, participate in or share in
any pecuniary benefit to the detriment of the Corporation, had no reasonable
cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful, and, in view of all the
circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for Expenses or liabilities.
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(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee and
his Affiliates against Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee
or any Affiliate in connection with the defense or settlement of a Proceeding by
or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor if
Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue
or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Corporation in the performance of Indemnitee's duty to the Corporation unless
and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending
shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the
case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for Expenses and
then only to the extent that the court shall determine.
(c) Scope. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement other than Sections 3 and 13, the Corporation shall indemnify
Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such
indemnification is not specifically authorized by other provisions of this
Agreement, the Certificate, the Bylaws of the Corporation, or statute.
(d) If and to the extent any Affiliate of Indemnitee acted as
a director, officer, employee, agent or consultant to the Corporation, or any of
its affiliates, then all provisions of this Agreement shall apply to such
action, and such Affiliate shall be treated as an Indemnitee hereunder and shall
be entitled to all benefits and to exercise all rights provided to Indemnitee
under this Agreement.
3. Limitations on Indemnification. Any other provision herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Corporation shall not be obligated pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement:
(a) Excluded Acts. To indemnify Indemnitee for any acts or
omissions or transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability
under Section 14A:3-5 of the NJCL; or
(b) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or advance
Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings or claims initiated or
brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect
to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under
this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under
Section 14A:3-5 of the NJCL, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses
may be provided by the Corporation in specific cases if a majority of the
disinterested directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such suit; or
(c) Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any
Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by
Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee
in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or
(d) Insured Claims. To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses or
liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments,
fines or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid
directly to or on behalf of Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of
directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by the Corporation or
any other policy of insurance maintained by the Corporation or Indemnitee; or
(e) Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for
Expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by
Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
(f) Claims Indemnified by Other Enterprises. To indemnify
Indemnitee for Expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but
not limited to, judgments, fines or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement)
which have been paid directly to or on behalf of Indemnitee by another foreign
or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC, trust or other
enterprise, or was a director or officer of the foreign or domestic corporation
which was a predecessor corporation to the Corporation; it being the parties
intent that the indemnification rights under this Agreement shall be secondary
to the indemnification provided by such other enterprise with respect to claims
based on Indemnitee's relationship to such other enterprise.
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4. Determination of Right to Indemnification. Upon receipt of a written
claim addressed to the Board of Directors for indemnification pursuant to
Section 2 of this Agreement, the Corporation shall determine by any of the
methods set forth in Section 14A:3-5 of the NJCL whether Indemnitee has met the
applicable standards of conduct that make it permissible under applicable law to
indemnify Indemnitee. The Corporation's Board will use its best efforts to
designate W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq., now of Greenbaum, Rowe, Xxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxx &
Xxxxxx, LLP as independent legal counsel to assist the Board in making this
determination. If a claim under Section 2 of this Agreement is not paid in full
by the Corporation within ninety days after such written claim has been received
by the Corporation, Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, unless such action is
dismissed by the court as frivolous or brought in bad faith, Indemnitee shall be
entitled to be paid also all expenses of prosecuting such claim. Neither the
failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to make a determination prior to the commencement
of such action that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances
because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct under applicable
law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has
not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that
Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The court in which
such action is brought shall determine whether Indemnitee or the Corporation
shall have the burden of proof concerning whether Indemnitee has or has not met
the applicable standard of conduct. With respect to all litigation now pending,
known or unknown, the Corporation acknowledges that Indemnitee and his
Affiliates have met the applicable standard of conduct.
5. Advancement and Repayment of Expenses. The Expenses incurred by
Indemnitee in defending and investigating any Proceeding shall be paid by the
Corporation prior to the final disposition of such Proceeding within thirty days
after receiving from Indemnitee copies of invoices presented to Indemnitee for
such Expenses and an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to the
Corporation to repay such amount to the extent it is ultimately determined that
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. In determining whether or not to
make an advance hereunder, the ability of Indemnitee to repay shall not be a
factor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in a proceeding brought by the
Corporation directly, in its own right (as distinguished from an action brought
derivatively or by any receiver or trustee), the Corporation shall not be
required to make the advances called for hereby if a majority of the
disinterested directors determine that it does not appear that Indemnitee has
met the standards of conduct that made it permissible under applicable law to
indemnify Indemnitee and that the advancement of Expenses would not be in the
best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders.
6. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification or advancement by the Corporation
of some or a portion of any Expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever
(including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in
settlement) incurred by him in the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal
of a Proceeding, but is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of the
total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify or pay
advancements to Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses or liabilities to
which Indemnitee is entitled.
7. Notice to Corporation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall notify the
Corporation in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to
seek indemnification hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the
receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof; provided that any delay in so
notifying the Corporation shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of him
rights hereunder. The written notification to the Corporation shall be addressed
to the Board of Directors and shall include a description of the nature of the
Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding and be accompanied by copies
of any documents filed with the court, if any, in which the Proceeding is
pending. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Corporation such information and
cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee's
power.
8. Defense of Claim. Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate
counsel to represent him in any Proceeding against him, subject to the approval
of the Corporation, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. An objection to
Indemnitee's selected counsel based on hourly rates shall not be considered
reasonable unless the Corporation is able to demonstrate that the billing rates
or fees quoted by such counsel (whether on an hourly basis, a flat fee, or a
combination) are at least 25% higher than the reasonable and customary rates or
fees charged by national law firms for defending similar actions. All the fees
and expenses billed by the counsel for the Indemnitee shall be paid by the
Corporation.
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9. Attorneys' Fees. If any legal action is necessary to enforce the
terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, in
addition to other amounts to which the prevailing party may be entitled, actual
attorneys' fees, expert fees and court costs as may be awarded by the court.
10. Continuation of Obligations. All agreements and obligations of the
Corporation contained herein shall continue during any period that (i)
Indemnitee is a director, officer, employee, consultant and/or agent of the
Corporation or of its any Affiliates and through the entire term (not earlier
than July 12, 2003) of the Agreements relating to employment and consulting
services and other matters entered into between the parties on the date hereof,
or (ii) Indemnitee is serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, fiduciary, employee, agent or consultant, of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, LLC, trust or other enterprise, and shall continue
thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by
reason of the fact that Indemnitee served in any capacity referred to herein,
including but not limited to all Proceedings that are currently pending before
any court or agency.
11. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement establishes contract rights
that shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors,
assigns, heirs and legal representatives of the parties hereto. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Corporation shall ensure that the terms of
this Agreement are assumed by any corporation or other enterprise that may
become a successor entity to it in a merger, consolidation, sale of
substantially all its assets, or change in control, and shall not agree to any
acquisition of the Corporation in which such Assumption is not expressly agreed
to by the acquiring entity.
12. Non-exclusivity.
(a) The provisions for indemnification and advancement of
expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any
other rights that Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, the
Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the vote of the Corporation's
stockholders or disinterested directors, other agreements or otherwise, both as
to action in his official capacity and action in another capacity while
occupying his position as a director or officer of the Corporation.
(b) In the event of any changes, after the date of this
Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule that expand the right of a
New Jersey corporation to indemnify its directors and officers, Indemnitee's
rights and the Corporation's obligations under this Agreement shall be expanded
to the fullest extent permitted by such changes. In the event of any changes in
any applicable law, statute or rule, that narrow the right of a New Jersey
corporation to indemnify a director and officer, such changes, to the extent not
otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement,
shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties' rights and obligations
hereunder.
13. Supplemental Insurance. In addition to the coverage provided under
its present D&O liability insurance policies, the Company will, as soon as
feasible following Indemnitee's request therefor, use its best efforts to obtain
and maintain in force one or more supplemental D&O liability policies that will
provide it and Indemnitee with unlimited tail coverage with respect to claims
made against Indemnitee or for which he may be held liable. The Company shall
pay all premiums required to obtain and maintain such coverage.
14. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of
the date set forth on the first page and may apply to acts or omissions of
Indemnitee that occurred prior to such date if Indemnitee was a director,
officer, employee, consultant or agent of the Corporation or its predecessor, or
was serving at the request of the Corporation or its predecessor as a director,
officer, employee, consultant or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at the time such act or omission
occurred.
15. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or
shall be construed as requiring the Corporation to do or fail to do any act in
violation of applicable law. The Corporation's inability, pursuant to court
order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a
breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as
provided in this Section 15. If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent
permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been
invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
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16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to its rules
pertaining to conflicts of laws. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
parties hereby waive any provisions of law that render any provision of this
Agreement unenforceable in any respect.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if
delivered by hand and receipted for by the party addressed, on the date of such
receipt, or (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the recipient
followed by a copy sent by mail on the same date as the facsimile transmission,
on the date of receipt of such facsimile transmission, or (iii) if mailed by
certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day
after the mailing date. Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the
signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice.
18. Mutual Acknowledgment. Both the Corporation and Indemnitee
acknowledge that in certain instances, federal law or applicable public policy
may prohibit the Corporation from indemnifying its directors and officers under
this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the
Corporation has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with
the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification
to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Corporation's
right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
20. Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification, termination
or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by
both parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year set forth above.
OSICOM TECHNOLOGIES INC.,
a New Jersey corporation
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------
Printed Name: Xxx Xxxxx
Title: President
Address: 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
INDEMNITEE:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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