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NONCOMPETITION, NONSOLICITATION
AND NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
This Agreement made as of this 22 day of September, 1995, by and among
MASADA SECURITY, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Masada"), and ALARM DATA GROUP,
INC., a Maryland corporation ("Alarm Data"), and XXXXXX X. XXXXX ("Xxxxx"),
(Alarm Data and Xxxxx and their affiliates are collectively called the
"Sellers").
STATEMENT OF FACTS
A. Masada is purchasing certain security monitoring accounts more
particularly listed on Schedules 1(a) and 1(b) of the Asset Purchase Agreement
between Masada and Alarm Data which is incorporated herein by this reference
(the "Accounts") from Alarm Data. This Agreement applies to the customer who
is the Account, as well as the Account's location.
X. Xxxxx is the sole shareholder and principal of Alarm Data and
will derive financial benefit from Alarm Data selling the Accounts to Masada.
C. In consideration of the payment of $1,412,762.92 to Alarm
Data at the closing of Masada's purchase of the Accounts from Alarm Data, the
Sellers are willing to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for good and
valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties,
intending to be legally bound, covenant and agree as follows:
1. Nonsolicitation and Nonacceptance. The Sellers agree that
following the Closing Date as defined in the above-mentioned Asset Purchase
Agreement between Masada and Alarm Data, they will not, directly or indirectly
through affiliates, solicit nor accept (if the Accounts contact them) any
business from any of the Accounts, including business for the purpose of
providing electronic security, intercom, central vacuum, home automation, audio
systems or related services (collectively, the "Services"). If contacted by
the Accounts, the Sellers will inform them that the Seller can no longer
provide the Services to the Accounts. The Sellers agree to do so in a polite
manner, and to refer the Accounts to Masada with a positive recommendation.
2. Noncompetition. The Sellers also agree that, for a period of
five (5) years following the date of this Agreement, they will not, directly or
indirectly through affiliates, take any action in competition with Masada in
connection with the Accounts. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Sellers will not, directly or indirectly through affiliates:
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(a) manage, operate, join, control, participate or become
interested in or be connected with, as an employee, partner, officer, director,
stockholder, investor or otherwise, any business providing any of the Services
to the Accounts;
(b) lend their credit or money for the purpose of
establishing or operating any business providing any of the Services to the
Accounts;
(c) furnish consultation or advice to any business except
for Masada providing any of the Services to the Accounts;
(d) permit their names to be used in connection with any
business providing any of the Services to the Accounts; or
(e) sell or rent any equipment ancillary or necessary to
any business providing any of the Services to the Accounts.
3. Nondisclosure.
(a) The Sellers acknowledge that they possess certain
confidential, proprietary and trade secret information, materials and business
concepts with respect to the Accounts, including information regarding sales,
maintenance, service and marketing, customer lists and files, accounting data
and methods, operating procedures, pricing policies, strategic plans,
intellectual property, contracts and manufacturer's warranties (collectively,
the "Proprietary Information"). In fact, the Sellers acknowledge that the
Accounts' information included on Schedules 1(a), 1(b) and 1(d) of the
above-mentioned Asset Purchase Agreement between Masada and Alarm Data
constitutes proprietary information.
(b) The Sellers agree (i) never to publish, copy,
disclose, allow to be disclosed, or use for their own benefit or for the
benefit of any other person, firm, corporation or entity the Proprietary
Information and (ii) to maintain strictly the confidentiality of the
Proprietary Information at all times. The Sellers agree to take all necessary
precautions to protect the Proprietary Information from unauthorized disclosure
or use.
(c) In addition, the Sellers agree to deliver to Masada
on the date of this Agreement all of the Proprietary Information in their
possession, without retaining any copies in any format or any summaries of the
Proprietary Information.
4. Acknowledgment. The Sellers acknowledge and recognize that:
(a) this Agreement is necessary for the protection of the
legitimate business interests of Masada in purchasing the Accounts;
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(b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
mandatory condition precedent to Masada's closing its purchase of the Accounts
from Alarm Data, without which such transactions will not close;
(c) the scope of this Agreement regarding duration and
the level of activities restricted is reasonable;
(d) none of the Sellers, individually or jointly, has any
intention of violating this Agreement during the time period set forth above;
and
(e) the breach of this Agreement will be such that Masada
will not have an adequate remedy at law because of the unique nature of the
assets being conveyed and the confusion to the Accounts that a breach would
create.
5. Remedy. The Sellers and Masada agree that the amount of
damages resulting to Masada from the breach of this Agreement by the Sellers is
difficult to ascertain. In the event that Masada in its sole discretion,
elects to pursue a damage award the Sellers agree that Masada is entitled to
liquidated damages from the Sellers of 45 times the monthly recurring revenue
from the affected Accounts. The Sellers acknowledge and agree that the rights
of Masada under this Agreement are of a specialized and unique character and
that immediate and irreparable damage will result to Masada if the Sellers fail
to or refuse to perform their obligations under this Agreement and,
notwithstanding any election by Masada to claim damages from the Sellers as a
result of any such failure or refusal, Masada may, in addition to any other
remedies and damages available, seek an injunction in a court of competent
jurisdiction,without the need to post a bond or other security to restrain any
such failure or refusal. The Sellers represent and warrant that their
expertise and capabilities are such that their obligations under this Agreement
(and the enforcement thereof by injunction or otherwise) will not prevent them
from earning a livelihood. The Sellers also agree that Masada's remedy for a
breach by the Sellers of this Agreement will not be limited to the payment made
from Masada to the Sellers.
6. Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement as applied
to any part or to any circumstances will be adjudged by a court to be invalid
or unenforceable, the same will in no way affect any other provision of this
Agreement, the application of such provision in any other circumstances, or the
validity or enforceability of this Agreement. Masada, and the Sellers intend
this Agreement to be enforced as written. If any provision or any part thereof
is held to be invalid or unenforceable because of the duration thereof or the
level of restrictions, all parties agree that the court making such
determination will have the power to reduce the duration and/or restrictions of
such provision, and/or to delete specific words or phrases and in its modified
form such provision will then be enforceable.
7. Consent to Jurisdiction, Service and Venue. For the purpose
of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
the Sellers hereby irrevocably consent and submit to the jurisdiction and venue
of any of the courts of the State of Alabama or of any federal court located in
Alabama. The Sellers hereby irrevocably waive any objection which
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they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit, action or
proceeding brought in such court and any claim that such suit, action or
proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and
agree that service of process in accordance with the foregoing sentence will be
deemed in every respect effective and valid personal service of process upon
the Sellers. The provisions of this Section will not limit or otherwise affect
the right of Masada to institute and conduct an action in any other appropriate
manner, jurisdiction or court.
8. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. MASADA AND THE SELLERS WAIVE ALL RIGHT
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
9. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be delivered
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be considered to have been
sufficiently delivered within five days after posting, if mailed by U.S. Mail,
certified or registered, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or, upon
receipt by overnight courier maintaining records of receipt by addressee or if
delivered by hand or telecopied with the original notice being mailed the same
day by one of the foregoing methods and addressed as follows:
IF TO MASADA AT:
Masada Security, Inc.
000 00xx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
FACSIMILE: 0-000-000-0000
WITH COPY TO:
Xxxx & Xxxxxx
3100 SouthTrust Tower
000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: W. Xxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
FACSIMILE: (000) 000-0000
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IF TO SELLERS AT:
Alarm Data Group, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
FACSIMILE: 000-000-0000
WITH COPY TO:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
or at such address as the party may designate by ten days advance written
notice to the other party. Notice shall be effective when delivered to a
responsible person at the address of the addressee.
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is an integrated document,
contains the entire agreement between the parties, and wholly cancels,
terminates and supersedes any and all previous and/or contemporaneous oral
agreements, negotiations, commitments and writings between Masada and the
Sellers with respect to such subject matter. No change, modification,
extension, termination, discharge, abandonment or waiver of this Agreement or
any of its provisions, nor any representation, promise or condition relating to
this Agreement, will be binding upon the parties unless made in writing and
signed by the parties.
11. Interpretation. The descriptive headings of the Sections are
for ease of reference only and will in no way affect or be used to construe or
interpret this Agreement. All references to Sections and subsections contained
in this Agreement are references to the Sections and subsections of this
Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement will not be construed
against this drafter. The word "including" means "including without
limitation."
12. Remedies Cumulative. It is agreed that the rights and
remedies herein provided in case of any default or breach by the Sellers of
this Agreement are cumulative and will not affect in any manner any other
remedies that Masada may have by reason of such default or breach by the
Sellers. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the
right to exercise any other right or remedy provided herein, by law or by
equity.
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13. Waiver. No waiver of any right or remedy allowed hereunder
will be implied by the failure to enforce any such right or remedy. No express
waiver will affect any such right or remedy other than that to which the waiver
is applicable and only for that occurrence.
14. Parties in Interest. This Agreement is binding upon and
inures to the benefit of Masada and its successors and assigns and the
permitted heirs, successors and assigns of the Sellers.
15. Assignment. Masada has the right to assign this Agreement to
any third party without the consent of the Sellers. The Sellers have no right
to assign this Agreement.
16. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and the
obligations of the parties are governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama without regard to its
conflicts of law provisions.
17. Joint and Several Obligations. The Sellers acknowledge that
all of their agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement are made on a
joint and several basis.
18. Expenses. Masada and the Sellers each agree to pay all of
their respective costs and expenses incident to the negotiation and preparation
of this Agreement and to the performance and compliance with all agreements and
conditions contained herein on their part to be performed or complied with,
including the fees and costs of their counsel and accountants; provided,
however, that the Sellers agree to pay all of Masada's reasonable legal fees
and costs in this event Masada must go to court to enforce this Agreement.
19. Counterparts; Telecopy. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which when taken together all comprise one
instrument. Delivery of executed signature pages hereof by facsimile
transmission will constitute effective and binding execution and delivery.
20. Consultation. The Sellers acknowledge that they have: (a)
carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this Agreement,
and (b) had an opportunity to consult with their respective attorneys prior to
executing this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
MASADA SECURITY, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Title: Vice President of Corporate Development
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ALARM DATA GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: President
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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XXXXXX X. XXXXX, an individual