TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.1
This Technology License Agreement (“Technology Agreement”) is entered into and effective as of the 1st day of April, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), by and between International Rectifier Corporation, a company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“IR”), and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Purchaser”). IR and the Purchaser each may be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into that certain Master Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2006, pursuant to which IR has agreed to sell to Purchaser and Purchaser has agreed to purchase from IR the capital stock or other equity interests of certain subsidiary corporations of IR and certain assets of IR and certain of its subsidiaries used in IR’s Power Control Systems business unit (as amended, the “MPA”);
WHEREAS, IR designs, develops and manufactures semiconductor devices and products for various power applications, using technology which it has developed at substantial expense, time, and effort;
WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to obtain a license to the Licensed IP Rights; and
WHEREAS, IR is prepared to license such Licensed IP Rights to Purchaser upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in this Technology Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation the valuable consideration set forth in the MPA, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Article 1— Definitions
1.1 “Affiliate” means any person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the person specified. For purposes of this definition, control of a person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or
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cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether by contract or otherwise.
1.2 “Licensed IP Rights” shall mean Licensed Patents and Licensed Technology.
1.3 “Licensed Patents” means the patents, patent applications and invention disclosures identified on Schedule A, attached hereto and made a part hereof, as well as all corresponding foreign patents (including certificates of invention, utility models, industrial designs, and other patent equivalents), provisional applications, patent applications and patents issuing therefrom, as well as any division, continuation or continuation in part, reissue, extension, reexamination, certification, validation, revival or renewal of any such patent.
1.4 “Licensed Technology” means documented information and data, know-how, copyrights, mask works, proprietary software, technical information, trade secrets and other intellectual property or rights identified on Schedule B hereto.
1.5 “Licensed Products” means those products identified on Schedule C, attached hereto, all subsequent versions thereof in the scope of the PCS Business, and all other future products of Purchaser within the scope of the PCS Business.
1.6 “Unlicensed Intellectual Property” means those patents identified on Schedule E, attached hereto.
1.7 All other capitalized terms not defined herein shall be defined as set forth in the MPA.
Article 2 — Grants of Licenses
2.1 IR hereby grants to Purchaser a non-exclusive, non-transferable (subject to Section 8.5 hereof), perpetual, irrevocable, world-wide, fully paid-up, royalty-free license, non-sublicensable, except for the right to sublicense to its Affiliates, to use the Licensed IP Rights to design, develop, prepare derivative works of, make, have made, import, use, market, offer for sale, sell, distribute, import and service Licensed Products.
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2.2 IR shall not assert or commence legal action against Purchaser, or against any Affiliate of Purchaser or against the vendees of any of them, for any claim of infringement, misappropriation or misuse of any Technology owned by IR on the Effective Date, where such claim is based upon the design, development, manufacture, use, distribution, importation, offer for sale or sale by Purchaser, or its Affiliates or vendees, of Licensed Products as they exist on the Effective Date, and all subsequent versions thereof that do not include any additional or different form or functionality, other than Current R&D. For purposes of this Section 2.2 only, Technology means any patents, documented information and data, know-how, copyrights, mask works, proprietary software, technical information, and trade secrets, any rights maturing from any patent, copyright, or mask works applications existing on the Effective Date, but excluding trademarks, service marks, logos or the like, used by IR in the PCS Business on the Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 2.2 only, Current R&D means all intellectual property owned by IR which IR intended to use in the PCS Business pursuant to research and development activity that is currently in process and for which the PCS Business has already expended development efforts and costs.
Article 3 — Licensed Technology; Technical Assistance
3.1 Licensed Technology shall be disclosed in the language, form and system of measurements in which it is available at IR at the time of its disclosure to Purchaser. IR shall not be obligated under this Technology Agreement to make up any special drawings, specifications, translations, or other similar documents for Purchaser.
3.2 Within one (1) year of the Effective Date, Vishay may request technical assistance from IR relating to the Licensed Technology. If at the time of request, IR or its Affiliates has an employee with applicable knowledge, subject to availability of such employee, IR agrees to make such employee available to Purchaser on reasonable commercial terms.
3.3 During the Non-Competition Period, IR will negotiate with Purchaser to license to the Unlicensed Intellectual Property for use in the PCS Business to Purchaser on a case-by-case basis at the time the license is granted on a most favored customer basis such as lower royalty than competition and other more favorable conditions. At the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, IR will negotiate in good faith with Purchaser concerning license
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arrangements with respect to the Unlicensed Intellectual Property for use in the PCS Business on a most favored customer basis at the time the license is granted such as a lower royalty than competition and other more favorable conditions.
Article 4 — Representations and Warranties; Liability Disclaimer
4.1 IR represents and warrants that the Licensed IP Rights are owned by IR and that IR has good and valid title to the Licensed IP Rights.
4.2 IR represents and warrants that within the last five (5) years, except as disclosed in Schedule D, (i) IR has not received any written notice asserting any intellectual property infringement, misappropriation or misuse relating to the Licensed Technology in the PCS Business, and (ii) there are no pending, and to the Knowledge of IR, threatened claims or proceedings against IR contesting or challenging the title to, validity of or enforceability of the Licensed IP Rights.
4.3 IR represents and warrants that to the Knowledge of IR, IR has the right to grant to Purchaser the licenses granted hereunder to the Licensed IP Rights.
4.4 IR represents and warrants that to the Knowledge of IR, the Licensed IP Rights are free and clear of any and all liens and security interests.
4.5 Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this document shall be construed as: (i) a warranty or representation by IR as to the validity or scope of any Licensed IP Rights; (ii) a warranty or representation by IR that anything made, used, sold, or otherwise disposed of under any license granted under this Technology Agreement, or any other conduct, is or will be free from infringement of patents, copyrights or inventions of third persons; or (iii) conferring a right to use in advertising, publicity, or otherwise any trademark or tradename of IR.
4.6 EXCEPT AS TO THOSE MATTERS EXPRESSLY COVERED BY THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THIS TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT, (I) PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IR IS PROVIDING THE LICENSED IP RIGHTS ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, AND THAT IR DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND GUARANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR
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IMPLIED AND (II) PURCHASER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IR IS MAKING NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER.
4.7 EXCEPT FOR A BREACH OF ARTICLE 2, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, LOSS OF SAVINGS, LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, DOWNTIME, COVER AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE LICENSED IP RIGHTS, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR SHOULD HAVE FORESEEN SUCH DAMAGES.
Article 5 — Confidentiality
5.1 Until the seventh anniversary of the Closing Date, Purchaser will hold, and will use its best efforts to cause its Affiliates, and any Person who has provided, or who is considering providing, financing to Purchaser to finance all or any portion of the Purchase Price, and their respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence from any Person (other than any such Affiliate, Person who has provided, or who is considering providing, financing or its Representative), all Confidential Information included in the Licensed IP Rights, except Confidential Information that (i) a Party is compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process (including without limitation in connection with obtaining the necessary approvals of this Technology Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby of Governmental Authorities) or by other requirements of Law; (ii) is disclosed in an Action or Proceeding brought by a Party in pursuit of its rights or in the exercise of its remedies hereunder; (iii) is in the public domain (either prior to or after the furnishing of such documents or information hereunder) through no fault of Purchaser; or (iv) is later acquired by Purchaser from another
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source if Purchaser is not aware that such source is under any obligation to keep such documents and information confidential, provided that, until the twentieth anniversary of the Closing Date, Purchaser shall not (and shall cause its Affiliates not to) intentionally publish any Confidential Information of IR.
5.2 “Confidential Information” means any information, documents or other materials of IR or any of its Affiliates (whether written, oral, graphic or electronic) included in the Licensed IP Rights which is generally regarded as confidential or proprietary, including, without limitation: (i) names and addresses of customers and vendors and information concerning transactions or relations therewith; (ii) information concerning any product, technology, process or procedure not generally known to the public, customers, vendors or competitors, or under development by or being tested but not at the time offered generally to its customers or vendors; (iii) information relating to computer software and systems other than off-the-shelf software and systems furnished by third party vendors; (iv) business plans, budgets, advertising and marketing plans, pricing and marketing methods, sales margins, cost of goods, cost of material, capital structure, operating results, and financial arrangements; and (v) information belonging to customers and vendors and any other Person which by agreement is held in confidence. Confidential Information which IR discloses to Purchaser shall remain the property of IR.
5.3 In the event the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, upon the request of IR, Purchaser will, and will cause its Affiliates, any Person who has provided, or who is providing, financing to Purchaser and their respective Representatives to, promptly redeliver or cause to be redelivered all copies of confidential documents and information furnished by IR under this Technology Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and destroy or cause to be destroyed all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon prepared by Purchaser or its Representatives.
5.4 Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it would be difficult to measure the damages that might result from any actual or threatened breach of this Article V and that such actual or threatened breach by it may result in immediate, irreparable and continuing
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injury to IR and that a remedy at law for any such actual or threatened breach may be inadequate. Accordingly, Purchaser agrees that IR, in its sole discretion and in addition to any other remedies it may have at law or in equity, shall be entitled to seek temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief or other equitable relief, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, in case of any such actual or threatened breach (without the necessity of actual injury being proved).
Article 6 — Term and Termination
6.1 This Technology Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall continue in full force for so long as IR, or any future holder of the Licensed IP Rights, retains any rights in any of the Licensed IP Rights.
6.2 In the event that either Party becomes bankrupt or insolvent, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a receiver is appointed for it, or it otherwise takes advantage of any insolvency law, the other Party may terminate this Technology Agreement upon one (1) day’s written notice.
6.3 All licenses granted under this Technology Agreement shall be deemed licenses of “intellectual property rights” as defined in Section 365(n) of Title IX, U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and each such license shall be governed by Section 365(n) in the event that IR seeks or is involuntarily placed under the protection of the Bankruptcy Code. In such event, Purchaser shall have the further option to elect termination of this Technology Agreement but retain all rights under the licenses granted in Article 2 to support its then-existing customers and sublicensees; to dispose, in any manner, of all Licensed Products and inventory related thereto; and to properly discharge any and all of Purchaser’s third party obligations relating to Licensed Products incurred prior to the termination.
Article 7 — General Limitations
7.1 The obligations and rights of the Parties under this Technology Agreement shall be subject to the following:
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7.1.1 Neither Party shall be obligated to disclose any information which the laws and regulations of any Governmental Authority which has jurisdiction over such matters do not permit to be disclosed; and
7.1.2 Neither Party shall be obligated to take any action which would violate the law, regulations or requirements of any Governmental Authority or any agency thereof which has jurisdiction over such matters.
Article 8 — Miscellaneous
8.1 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, by commercial delivery service, by facsimile transmission or mailed (first class postage prepaid) to the other Party at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:
If to Purchaser, to:
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
If to Seller, to:
International Rectifier Corporation
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Dancer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
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with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Hampton, LLP
11th Floor East
0000 X Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xx.
All such notices, requests and other communications will be deemed given upon receipt (in each case regardless of whether such notice, request or other communication is received by any other person to whom a copy of such notice, request or other communication is to be delivered pursuant to this Section). Any Party from time to time may change its address, facsimile number or other information for the purpose of notices to that Party by giving notice specifying such change to the other Party.
8.2 Severability. If any provision of this Technology Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, and if the rights or obligations of a Party hereunder will not be materially adversely affected thereby, the Parties agree that such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the Parties, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Technology Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. If necessary to effect the intent of the Parties, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to amend this Technology Agreement to replace the unenforceable language with enforceable language which as closely as possible reflects such intent.
8.3 Amendments. This Technology Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by both Parties.
8.4 Waiver. Any waiver by a Party of an instance of the other Party’s noncompliance with any obligation or responsibility herein shall be in writing and signed by the waiving Party and shall not be deemed a waiver of other instances of the other Party’s noncompliance hereunder.
8.5 Assignment. This Technology Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and permitted assigns of
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the Parties. Except as stated herein, nothing in this Technology Agreement shall confer any rights upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither Party may assign this Technology Agreement or its rights hereunder to any Person without the written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that: (i) either Party may assign this Technology Agreement to an Affiliate without such consent; and (ii) either Party, without such consent, may assign this Technology Agreement in connection with the transfer or sale of substantially all of its business or assets to which this Technology Agreement pertains or in the event of its merger or consolidation with another company. No assignment by either Party of this Technology Agreement or of any of such Party’s rights hereunder shall release such Party from any of its obligations hereunder. IR shall not assign any of the Licensed IP Rights to any Person unless such Person agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Technology Agreement applicable to IR. Any attempted assignment of this Technology Agreement or of any of the Licensed IP Rights in violation of this Section shall be void and of no effect.
8.6 Construction. This Technology Agreement has been negotiated by the Parties and their respective counsel and shall be fairly interpreted in accordance with its terms and without any strict construction in favor of or against either Party. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as appropriate; and the singular tense shall include the plural and vice-versa.
8.7 No Agency. This Technology Agreement shall not constitute either Party as a legal representative or agent of the other Party, nor shall a Party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any liability of any kind, expressed or implied, against or in the name or on behalf of the other Party.
8.8 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing contained in this Technology Agreement is intended to, or shall be deemed to, create a partnership or joint venture relationship between the Parties or any of their Affiliates for any purpose.
8.9 Governing Law. This Technology Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to a contract
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executed and performed in such state, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
8.10 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. Except to the extent that a court proceeding or other Action is necessary to obtain an injunction or other equitable relief to protect the rights of a Party, no Action or other proceeding arising out of or related to this Technology Agreement shall be commenced until thirty (30) days after a Party shall give notice of the existence of a dispute (a “Dispute Notice”) to the other Party. During such 30-day period, duly authorized representatives of both Parties shall attempt to negotiate in good faith a resolution of the dispute. The Dispute Notice shall set forth the basis of the dispute with reasonably specificity. The Parties hereby agree that any Action or Proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement may be conducted in the State of Delaware. The Parties hereby agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Technology Agreement may be conducted in the State of Delaware. Each Party hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive personal jurisdiction of and venue in the federal and state courts located in the State of Delaware. Each Party hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Technology Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.
8.11 Counterparts. This Technology Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures were upon the same instrument, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
8.12 Entire Agreement. Together with the MPA, the Purchase Agreements and the Transaction Agreements, this Technology Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Technology Agreement and no representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein or therein has been made or relied
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upon by either Party. Each Schedule referred to herein and attached hereto is an integral part of this Technology Agreement and is incorporated herein by reference.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Technology Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers or representatives as of the date first written above.
VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY, INC. |
INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION |
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