A S S I G N M E N T A N D A G R E E M E N T
The Assignment and Agreement, made this 22nd day of September, 1999 (the
"Effective Date"), by THE FRESH JUICE COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, INC. (hereinafter
referred to as the "Assignor"), a Delaware corporation having its principal
offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, California, and XXXXXX BEVERAGE
COMPANY (hereinafter referred to as the "Assignee"), a Delaware corporation
having its principal offices at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx (each of the Assignor and Assignee being hereinafter referred to
individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties");
INTRODUCTION AND RECITALS
WHEREAS, Assignor, as the sole successor and/or sole assignee of
XXXXXX'X JUICES, INC. ("HJI"), owns, possesses and/or enjoys certain rights,
titles and interests, whether as owner, exclusive licensee, or otherwise: (i) as
a grantor and beneficiary under and pursuant to the terms of that certain
Agreement of Trust made as of July 27, 1992, as amended (hereinafter referred
to, together with its amendments, as the "Trust Agreement", annexed as Schedule
1 hereto) by, between and among HJI and Assignee as grantors/beneficiaries and
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx as trustees (said trustees
hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Former Trustees") and predecessors
of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, the current trustee (the "Trustee") of a trust established
by the Trust Agreement for the benefit of HJI and the Assignee (hereinafter, the
"Trust"); and (ii) as exclusive Licensee pursuant to that certain Fresh Juices
License Agreement, as amended (hereinafter referred to, together with its
amendments, as the "Fresh Juices Agreement", annexed as Schedule 2 hereto)
entered into on July 27, 1992 between HJI as Licensee and the Former Trustees on
behalf of the Trust as Licensor; and (iii) as a party entitled, inter alia, to
procure certain Third Party Licenses pursuant to that certain Royalty Sharing
Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Royalty Sharing Agreement", annexed
as Schedule 3 hereto) entered into on July 27, 1992 by, between and among the
Former Trustees on behalf of the Trust, HJI and the Assignee; and (iv) as a
licensor or sublicensor to Xxxxxx'x Juice Creations, Limited Liability Company
("Juice Creations") of certain rights and licenses granted to HJI by the Fresh
Juices Agreement and/or the Royalty Sharing Agreement, said rights and licenses
being licensed by HJI to Juice Creations pursuant to the Royalty Agreement dated
April 26, 1996 between Juice Creations and HJI (the "Juices Royalty Agreement",
annexed as Schedule 4 hereto), and a letter agreement dated May 14, 1996 (the
"Letter Agreement", annexed as Schedule 5 hereto), as amended by HJI and Juice
Creations' subsequent agreement to an amendment thereof dated May 9, 1997 (the
"Juices Royalty Amendment", annexed as Schedule 6 hereto), entered into together
with the Agreement of Purchase and Sale of Membership Interests and Amendment of
Royalty Agreement (the "Membership Purchase Agreement") dated May 9, 1997 (the
Juices Royalty Agreement, as amended by the Letter Agreement and the Juices
Royalty Amendment and all of the terms and conditions of the Membership Purchase
Agreement, and/or of such other agreement, as purport to govern Juice Creations'
right and license in the Trademarks and/or Trade Names, being hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "Fresh Juices Sublicense"); and (v) pursuant to
the foregoing agreements, or otherwise, as the owner, registrant, or possessor
of other rights, titles and/or interests in and to the common law and registered
trademark "XXXXXX'X", alone or in conjunction with other words, and in various
forms, variations, or composites thereof, together with all registrations and
applications for registration for said xxxx, including, without limitation, the
U.S. trademark registration No. 1,258,780 for "XXXXXX'X" (hereinafter referred
to as the "Trademarks"), which are fully described in the annexed Schedule 7,
incorporated as a part hereof; and (vi) pursuant to the foregoing agreements, or
otherwise, as the owner, registrant, or possessor of rights, titles and/or
interests in and to the common law and registered designation "XXXXXX'X", alone
or in conjunction with other words, and in various forms, variations or
composites thereof, as a service xxxx, trade name, commercial name, company
name, business name, corporate name or doing business name, together with all
registrations and applications for registration thereof (hereinafter referred to
as the "Trade Names"), each of which is fully described in the annexed Schedule
8, incorporated as a part hereof; (vii) pursuant to the foregoing agreements, or
otherwise, as the owner, registrant, or possessor of rights, titles and/or
interests in and to the trade dress and pictorial work herein entitled "XXXXXX'X
GIRL", depicted on the attached Schedule 9, and incorporated as a part hereof;
all of the foregoing rights, titles and interests of Assignor hereinabove set
forth in this paragraph being hereinafter referred to, collectively, as the
"Intellectual Property"; and WHEREAS, the aforesaid rights, titles and interests
of Assignor in the Intellectual Property include, without limitation, the entire
right, title and interest of Assignor and HJI in and to the Trademarks and the
Trade Names, together with all registrations and applications for registration
thereof; and WHEREAS, Assignee is desirous of hereby acquiring the entire right,
title and interest of HJI and Assignor, HJI's sole successor and/or sole
assignee, in and to the Intellectual Property, in whole and in part, together
with the goodwill of the business associated with the Intellectual Property,
including, without limitation, the entire right, title and interest of HJI and
Assignor: (i) as grantor and beneficiary under and pursuant to the terms of the
Trust Agreement; and (ii) as exclusive Licensee under and pursuant to the terms
of the Fresh Juices Agreement; and (iii) as a party entitled, inter alia, to
procure certain Third Party Licenses under and pursuant to the terms of the
Royalty Sharing Agreement; and (iv) as Licensor under and pursuant to the terms
of the Fresh Juices Sublicense; and WHEREAS, it is the primary intention and
purpose of this Assignment and Agreement to transfer such rights, titles and
interests to Assignee as will enable Assignee to assume full ownership,
possession and enjoyment of all right, title and interest in and to the
Trademarks and Trade Names, (including, without limitation, the entire, valid
and exclusive ownership and title therein and in all registrations and
applications for registration thereof, and all goodwill of the businesses
directly associated therewith), by, among other means, enabling Assignee to
cause the assignment and transfer by the Trust of all such right, title and
interest to Assignee or Assignee's designee; NOW, THEREFORE, TO ALL WHOM IT MAY
CONCERN, BE IT KNOWN, that, in consideration of the foregoing premises; the
mutual covenants, agreements and understandings hereinafter contained; the sums
set forth in Section 2 below; and other good and valuable consideration the
validity, receipt and sufficiency of which Assignor does hereby acknowledge, the
Parties acknowledge and agree as follows: Section 1: Assignment. The Assignor
has sold, assigned, transferred, set over and conveyed, and by this Assignment
and Agreement does hereby sell, assign, transfer, set over and convey, effective
as of the Effective Date, unto the Assignee, Assignee's successors,
representatives and assigns, the Assignor's and HJI's entire right, title and
interest throughout the United States, world and universe in and to the
Intellectual Property, together with the goodwill of the business associated
therewith, including, without limitation, the Assignor's and HJI's entire right,
title and interest in and to each of the following licenses and agreements: (A)
the Fresh Juices Agreement; and (B) the Royalty Sharing Agreement; and (C) the
Trust Agreement; and (D) the Fresh Juices Sublicense, provided and on condition,
however, that the above assignment "(D)" of Assignor's right, title and interest
in and to the Fresh Juices Sublicense shall not take effect unless and until
Assignor finally resolves, pursuant to settlement and release and/or
non-appealable judicial or arbitral award, order and/or judgment, its dispute
with Juice Creations, the Fresh Smoothie Company, Limited Liability Company
("FSC"), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx and any of their purported agents,
heirs, executors, successors or assigns, as set forth in Assignor's Cross-Demand
for Declaratory Relief, dated August 11, 1999, filed with the American
Arbitration Association and all claims, counterclaims or other matters relating
thereto (the "Fresh Juices Sublicense Dispute"), and further provided, that the
above assignments shall not include any goodwill of the business of Assignor or
HJI not directly associated with the Intellectual Property and further provided,
that the above assignments shall not include any words, graphics, designs and/or
other trade dress features that Assignor is using as of the Effective Date other
than the Trademarks, Trade Names and/or XXXXXX'X GIRL, all right, title and
interest in and to which Trademarks, Trade Names and XXXXXX'X GIRL are herein
assigned to Assignee, and none of which Trademarks, Trade Names and/or XXXXXX'X
GIRL shall henceforth be used by Assignor, in any manner or medium, including,
without limitation, in any advertising, promotional, marketing, sales or other
commercial materials, in, on, as or in connection with any trademark, service
xxxx, trade dress, trade name, commercial name, corporate name, company name,
business name or any other designation of source, association, affiliation,
sponsorship or origin, except pursuant to such express written license as is
herein, or as may hereafter be, granted by Assignee.
The Assignor further irrevocably agrees to complete the aforementioned
assignment to Assignee, for the consideration herein stated, of the Fresh Juices
Sublicense and Assignor's rights thereunder forthwith upon the final resolution
of the Fresh Juices Sublicense Dispute pursuant to settlement and release and/or
non-appealable judicial or arbitral award, order and/or judgment, in the event
that the Fresh Juices Sublicense remains in force and effect, in whole or in
part, after final resolution of such Dispute; provided, however, that neither
the foregoing assignment, nor any other provision of this Assignment and
Agreement, shall transfer or assign, or in any way be construed as transferring
or assigning, to Assignee: (a) any rights to, or benefit of, the obligation or
duty of Juice Creations or FSC or either of their successors, representatives or
assigns (hereinafter all referred to collectively as "HJCL") to purchase its
juice products or ingredients or any other products from Assignor; or (b) any
obligation or duty to supply HJCL with said juice products or ingredients or any
other products; or (c) or any obligation or duty to refrain from or observe any
restriction upon competition with HJCL; or (d) any obligation or duty not to
unreasonably or otherwise withhold consent to any request by HJCL to advertise,
promote, sell, manufacture or distribute any product in competition with any
product advertised, promoted, sold, manufactured or distributed by Assignee; and
(e) any obligations, duties or liabilities whatsoever that Assignor or HJI may
at any past, present or future time have or incur to or in favor of HJCL,
whether in terms of or pursuant to any sublicense between Assignor and HJCL, or
HJI and HJCL, or otherwise.
Section 2: Consideration. The monetary consideration payable by
Assignee to Assignor for the assignment herein of the Intellectual Property is
to be allocated as follows: (A) the sum of $200,000 (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S.
DOLLARS) for the assignment set forth in Section 1(A); and (B) the sum of
$175,000 (ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARS) for the assignment set
forth in Section 1(B); and (C) the sum of $400,000 (FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S.
DOLLARS) for the assignment set forth in Section 1(C); and (D) the sum of $10
(TEN U.S. DOLLARS) for such assignment, if any, of the Fresh Juices Sublicense
as may hereafter be completed by Assignor to Assignee pursuant to the terms and
conditions of Assignor's assignment obligation set forth in Section 1 above.
Section 3: Terms of Payment. The foregoing consideration shall be paid by
Assignee to Assignor as follows: (A) $343,750 (THREE HUNDRED FORTY THREE
THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY U.S. DOLLARS) on the date of signing of this
Assignment and Agreement; and (B) $143,750 (ONE HUNDRED FORTY THREE THOUSAND
SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY U.S. DOLLARS) on each of the following dates: (i) August 1,
2000 (ii) August 1, 2001 (iii) August 1, 2002 Assignee may, at its option,
prepay any of the amounts due pursuant to this Section 3(B); and (C) $10 (TEN
U.S. DOLLARS) within 30 (thirty) days after written notification to Assignee by
Assignor that there has been a final resolution of the Fresh Juices Sublicense
Dispute and that the Fresh Juices Sublicense remains in force and effect, in
whole or in part, after such final resolution, which written notification
Assignor hereby agrees to give to Assignee within 5 (five) days of such
resolution; and (D) In the event Assignor has not received payment within three
(3) business days of any due date set forth in Section 3(B) above, Assignor may
give written notice of non-receipt in accordance with Section 11(D) of this
Assignment and Agreement. Assignee shall then have thirty (30) days within which
to deliver the full amount of the overdue payment to Assignor. If Assignee fails
to deliver full payment within that period, Assignor may, at its option,
terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of termination in accordance
with the notice provisions set forth in Section 11(D) hereof. Section 4:
Non-Encumbrance. Upon the signing of this Assignment and Agreement, except for
its performance of the assignments and transfers to Assignee set forth herein
and the continuation of the pre-existing sublicense, if any, to Juice Creations
and/or its permitted assigns, if any, under the Fresh Juices Sublicense,
Assignor shall not cause or suffer any of the Intellectual Property, including,
without limitation, any of the licenses, agreements or other subject matter set
forth in Section 1(A) through 1(D) above, or any right, title or interest in or
to any of the Intellectual Property, to be made subject to any grant, sale,
assignment, transfer, set over, conveyance, license, sublicense, security
interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, lien, exception, claim, charge,
imperfection in title, agreement, commitment, instrument, arrangement,
understanding, undertaking, indenture, duty, obligation, indemnification, or
encumbrance of any kind (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Impairments");
provided, however, that in the event any of such Impairments is the result of an
involuntary lien or encumbrance created by attachment, execution or similar
levy, Assignor shall have the opportunity to remove or cure said Impairment
within thirty (30) days of the date on which Assignor receives notice thereof.
Section 5: Sublicense. Assignee shall, upon the effective date of the assignment
of the Fresh Juices Agreement set forth in Section 1 above, grant to Assignor an
exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free right and sublicense to use the Trademarks
and Trade Names in connection with the sale of "Licensed Goods" as these are
defined in the Fresh Juices Agreement, subject and pursuant to all the terms and
conditions of the Fresh Juices Agreement, including the provisions of said
Agreement regarding ownership and use of the "XXXXXX'X" trademark and quality of
goods; except and provided that: (i) the term of the sublicense granted by this
Section 5 shall expire five (5) years from the Effective Date hereof or two (2)
years from the date of receipt of the final payment prescribed by Section 3(B)
(iii) above, whichever is later; (ii) Assignor shall not use any of the
Trademarks or Trade Names that it is not currently using that constitutes a copy
or colorable imitation of or is substantially or confusingly similar to the
Trademarks and Trade Names used by Assignee as of the Effective Date or used
first by Assignee thereafter, including, without limitation, XXXXXX'X NATURAL;
(iii) Assignor shall not cause or suffer the Fresh Juices Agreement or any of
the other Intellectual Property, or any right, title or interest therein or
thereto, to be made subject to any assignment, license, sublicense or other
Impairment, provided, however, that Assignor's continued role as Licensor under
the Fresh Juices Sublicense as contemplated by Section 1 above shall not itself
constitute an Impairment in violation of this Section, and further provided,
that, in the event such Impairment is the result of an involuntary lien or
encumbrance created by attachment, execution or similar levy, Assignor shall
have the opportunity to remove or cure said Impairment within thirty (30) days
of the date on which Assignor receives notice thereof, as set forth in Section 4
above; and (iv) Assignee shall, upon and after the Effective Date, be entitled
to the receipt of all royalties, fees and other amounts accrued or accruing at
any time in connection with any of the agreements listed in Sections 1A, 1B, 1C
and 1D above, including, without limitation, the Fresh Juices Sublicense.
Section 6: Representation and Warranties of Assignor. Assignor hereby represents
and warrants to Assignee as follows: (A) As of the date hereof and immediately
prior to the transfers and assignments to Assignee provided for by this
Assignment and Agreement, Assignor is and shall remain the sole and exclusive
owner and possessor of all rights, titles and interests in and to (including,
without limitation all rights, titles and interests relating to or deriving
from) the status of: (i) the sole and exclusive grantor and beneficiary (other
than Assignee) under and pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement; and (ii)
the sole and exclusive party to the Royalty Sharing Agreement (other than the
Trust and Assignee) entitled under and pursuant to the terms of said Agreement,
inter alia, to procure Third Party Licenses; and (iii) the sole and exclusive
Licensor under and pursuant to the terms of the Fresh Juices Sublicense; and
(iv) the sole and exclusive Licensee under and pursuant to the terms of the
Fresh Juices Agreement; including, without limitation, all such rights, titles
and interests in and to the Intellectual Property as are expressly or impliedly
acknowledged in or accorded to HJI or Assignor by any of the agreements or
sublicenses referred to in this Section 6(A), as well as the entire right, title
and interest in and to the goodwill of the business associated with such
Intellectual Property. (B) Each of the rights, titles and interests of Assignor
set forth in Section 6(A), above, including, without limitation, each of
Assignor's and HJI's rights, titles and interests in and to the Intellectual
Property and any registration and registration applications relating thereto,
with the sole exception of the registrations listed on the annexed Schedule 10
hereto, is valid and subsisting as of the date hereof, and will remain valid and
subsisting immediately prior to and upon the assignment of such rights, titles
and interests to Assignee pursuant to this Assignment and Agreement so as to
vest and inure fully and immediately in and to the exclusive ownership, benefit,
possession and enjoyment of the Assignee upon and after such assignment. (C)
Assignor has provided to Assignee a complete and accurate list of all
distributors of Assignor, a copy of which is annexed as Schedule 11 hereto.
Assignor agrees that it will provide Assignee complete and accurate copies of
all agreements Assignor or HJI entered into with such distributors, within two
(2) business days of demand by Assignee. Assignor hereby represents and warrants
that, other than the Trust Agreement, the Fresh Juices Agreement, the Royalty
Sharing Agreement, the Fresh Juices Sublicense and Assignor's or HJI's
agreements with the distributors listed in Schedule 12 hereto, it has not
entered into any sublicense or other agreement concerning the use of the
Intellectual Property, and that, other than the Fresh Juices Sublicense,
Assignor has not entered into any sublicense or other agreement concerning the
use of the Intellectual Property that is subject to the payment of any royalties
or similar fees for the license to use the Trademarks or Trade Names. (D) Except
for the Fresh Juices Sublicense and Assignor's agreements with the distributors
listed in the annexed Schedule 12, all of which distributorship agreements shall
at all times be subject to the provisions of Section 10 below, the Intellectual
Property, including, without limitation, the licenses, agreements and/or other
subject matter set forth in Section 1(A) through 1(D) above is not as of the
date hereof, and will not immediately prior to or upon any assignment provided
for by this Assignment and Agreement be, subject to any license, sublicense or
Impairments of any kind and shall not thereafter be made subject to any license,
sublicense or Impairments of any kind resulting from any acts or omissions of
Assignor, other than such duties and obligations of the Parties as are created
by and expressly set forth in this Assignment and Agreement. None of the
Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, any of the subject matter
set forth in Section 1(A) through 1(D) above, is as of the date hereof, or will
immediately prior to or upon any assignment provided for by this Assignment and
Agreement be, subject to any other requirement, limitation or restriction that
would be inconsistent with, or that will impede, qualify or restrict, upon or
after such assignment, the Assignee's acquisition, ownership, possession, use,
benefit, enjoyment or disposition of HJI's and Assignor's entire right, title
and interest therein and thereto and shall not thereafter, as the result of any
acts or omissions of Assignor, be made subject to any other requirement,
limitation or restriction that would be inconsistent with, or that will impede,
qualify or restrict, upon or after such assignment, the Assignee's acquisition,
ownership, possession, use, benefit, enjoyment or disposition of HJI's and
Assignor's entire right, title and interest therein and thereto. (E) Upon and
after the Effective Date, Assignee shall possess and enjoy, without limitation,
the sole and exclusive right in and to all claims, causes of action and rights
to petition, xxx or otherwise seek monetary, injunctive, declaratory or any
other recovery or relief for any infringement, conversion, misappropriation or
dilution of, or other injury, offense, violation, breach of duty or wrong to or
relating to, any of the Intellectual Property (or any license, agreement or
other matter relating thereto), which right accrued, accrues or might accrue,
and/or which infringement, conversion, misappropriation, dilution, injury,
offense, violation, breach of duty or wrong occurred, occurs or might occur, at
any time whatsoever prior to, upon or after the Effective Date, provided however
that Assignor shall have the right to prosecute and defend claims and causes of
action arising out of the Fresh Juices Sublicense unless and until such time, if
any, as the assignment of the Fresh Juices Sublicense to Assignee is completed
pursuant to the terms of this Assignment and Agreement and further provided
however that Assignor shall have the right to prosecute and defend any
non-released claims brought by parties to the Arbitration (as defined in Section
7 below) other than Assignee or the Trustee of the Trust concerning
indemnification or payment of attorneys' fees and/or costs incurred in
connection with that proceeding. (F) The Assignor is not aware of any third
party contesting the validity, enforceability, ownership, use, exercise or
enjoyment of any of HJI's or Assignor's right, title or interest in or to any of
the Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, any of the subject
matter set forth in Sections 1(A) through 1(D) above. No third party has, or has
claimed, any right, title or interest in or to any of the Intellectual Property,
including, without limitation, any of the subject matter set forth above in
Section 1(A) through 1(D) that would be inconsistent with or impede, in any
country or jurisdiction whatsoever, the Assignee's sole, entire and exclusive
title, ownership, possession, use and enjoyment thereof. With the sole exception
of the Fresh Juices Sublicense Dispute, as of the date hereof there are no
orders, proceedings, suits or claims pending or threatened that relate to any of
the Intellectual Property, and Assignor is neither aware of nor has received any
notice alleging any infringement, conversion, misappropriation or dilution of,
or conflict with, any right, title or interest of any third party arising out
of, by reason of, or in connection with HJI's or Assignor's past, Assignor's
present or Assignee's herein contemplated, title, ownership, possession, use or
enjoyment of the Intellectual Property, or any of HJI's, Assignor's or
Assignee's right, title or interest therein or thereto. To Assignor's knowledge,
neither HJI nor Assignor has: (i) breached any agreement, commitment,
instrument, arrangement, contractual understanding, undertaking, indenture,
license, sublicense, assignment, indemnification or any legal, equitable or
other duty or obligation which relates to any of the Intellectual Property with
the sole exception the allegations in connection with the Fresh Juices
Sublicense Dispute, which Assignor expressly denies; or (ii) infringed,
converted, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise conflicted with any
intellectual property rights of any third party; or (iii) taken any action or
permitted or suffered any omission that would adversely affect any right, title
or interest of the Assignee in or to the Intellectual Property; nor is there any
infringement, conversion, misappropriation, dilution or conflict that will occur
as a result of the Assignee's use of the Intellectual Property or continued
operation in accordance with the terms of the agreements and licenses assigned
to it pursuant to Section 1 hereof. (G) The Assignor has the full authority,
right and power to assign and transfer to Assignee all right, title and interest
of HJI and Assignor in and to the Intellectual Property, including, without
limitation, the subject matter set forth in Section 1(A) through 1(D) above
without need to obtain the authorization, license or consent of any other person
or entity. (H) All necessary steps have been, or promptly can be and will be,
taken by the Assignor, at no cost or expense to Assignor other than Assignor's
payment of its own attorneys' fees, to perfect, for the assignment to, and to
the benefit of, Assignee, all of HJI's and Assignor's right, title and interest
in and to the Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, all of the
subject matter set forth in Section 1(A) through 1(D) above, and the right to
enforce and to xxx for the past, present and future misappropriation,
conversion, infringement or dilution thereof or other conflict therewith or
injury thereto.
(I) Assignor agrees that it will not directly or indirectly: (i)
contest, or voluntarily assist or aid others in contesting, any right, title or
interest of Assignee in or to any of the Intellectual Property, including,
without limitation, any of the subject matter set forth in Section 1(A) through
1(D) above, or the validity or enforceability of any thereof, in whole or in
part, in or with respect to any country or jurisdiction whatsoever, including,
without limitation, any country or jurisdiction in which the Assignee at any
time heretofore did, now does or hereafter seeks to, register, exercise or
assert any such right, title or interest (provided however, that the foregoing
prohibitions set forth in this subparagraph 6(I)(i) shall not bar or restrict
Assignor from taking any action required by legal or governmental rules,
regulations or compulsory process); or (ii) use, or cause to be used, in any
country or jurisdiction whatsoever, any trademark, trade name or other
intellectual property that dilutes or infringes upon any of the Assignee's
right, title or interest in or to any of the Intellectual Property, or
constitutes a copy or colorable imitation of any of the Intellectual Property,
or is substantially or confusingly similar thereto; in particular, but without
limitation, Assignor agrees that it shall not adopt or use any word, name,
symbol or device comprised of or incorporating stylized letters arrayed in a
design or form identical or substantially similar to the stylized XXXXXX'X
trademark that was previously or is currently used by Assignor and depicted on
the attached Schedule 13, in the location and/or manner in which it was
previously or is currently used in Assignor's label and/or trade dress or in any
other manner, medium or location as is likely to cause consumer confusion.
Provided however, that this Section 6(I) shall not restrict the right of
Assignor to use the Trademarks and/or Trade Names in accordance with the
Sublicense set forth in Section 5 hereof.
(J) Assignor is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Assignor has the full
power and authority to own its property and carry on its business as now being
conducted. The execution and delivery of this Assignment and Agreement by
Assignor and the performance by Assignor of all of its obligations contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action. This
Assignment and Agreement and all other agreements and written obligations
entered into and undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of Assignor
enforceable against Assignor in accordance with their respective terms except as
such enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors'
rights generally or general principles of public policy. The execution and
delivery of this Assignment and Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
provided for herein, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof, will not result in
the breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under,
or conflict with, or cause any acceleration of any obligation of Assignor under:
(i) any agreement, indenture, or other instrument; (ii) the articles of
incorporation or by-laws of Assignor; (iii) any judgment, decree, order or award
of any court, governmental body or arbitrator, or (iv) any applicable rule,
regulation or law.
Section 7: Agreement to Settle Arbitration.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Assignment and Agreement,
Assignor agrees to execute and cause to be delivered to Assignee and Assignee
agrees to execute and cause to be delivered to Assignor (a) an original of the
Settlement Agreement dated September __, 1999 between Assignee and Assignor in
connection with the arbitration commenced by Assignee and the Trustee of the
Trust against Assignor, Juice Creations, FSC and the Former Trustees, Xx. 00 X
000 00000 98, pending before the American Arbitration Association in Los
Angeles, California (the "Arbitration"), and (b) the Stipulated Final Dismissal
of the Arbitration annexed to, and the Releases executed in connection with,
said Settlement Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution of this
Assignment and Agreement, Assignor also agrees to execute, and cause to be
delivered to Assignee, Assignor's consent to and approval of the terms and
conditions of the Settlement Agreement dated September __, 1999 between
Assignee, the Trustee of the Trust and Juice Creations, FSC, Xxxxx Xxxxxx and
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx in connection with the Arbitration.
Section 8: Cooperation.
(A) Assignor acknowledges and agrees that the Trust is the exclusive
owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks and Trade Names
and all goodwill of the businesses directly associated therewith, subject only
to such licenses to use the Trademarks and Trade Names as may properly have been
granted by the Trust. Assignor further acknowledges and agrees that it is the
primary intention and purpose of this Assignment and Agreement to transfer such
rights, titles and interests to Assignee as will enable Assignee to assume full
ownership, possession and enjoyment of all right, title and interest in and to
the Trademarks, Trade Names and XXXXXX'X GIRL (including, without limitation,
the entire, valid and exclusive ownership and title therein and in all
registrations and applications for registration thereof, and all goodwill of the
businesses symbolized thereby), by, among other means, enabling Assignee to
cause the assignment and transfer of all such right, title and interest by the
Trust to Assignee or Assignee's designee. (B) Assignor, therefore, agrees that,
upon and after the Parties' entry into this Assignment and Agreement, Assignor
will, at Assignee's expense, provide such full and continuing cooperation and
assistance to the Assignee as may be necessary or desirable: (i) to effect the
assignment and transfer to Assignee or Assignee's designee, and their respective
successors, representatives and assigns, of all right, title and interest in and
to the Trademarks and other Intellectual Property and subject matter assigned to
Assignee pursuant to Section 1 hereof (including, without limitation, all right,
title and interest in and to the Trademarks and other Intellectual Property held
by the Trust), and all registrations and applications for registration thereof;
and (ii) to secure, validate, register, perfect, defend, protect and/or enforce
Assignee's right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks, other
Intellectual Property and any subject matter assigned to Assignee pursuant to
Section 1 hereof. Provided, however, that Assignor shall be responsible for
payment of its own attorneys' fees incurred in rendering such cooperation or
assistance. (C) Such cooperation and assistance shall include, without
limitation, Assignor's receipt, preparation, execution and delivery to or on
behalf of Assignee or Assignee's designee of all documents, instruments and
materials (including, but not limited to, all assignments, affidavits and
powers), and performance of all acts (including, but not limited to, the
dissolution of the Trust, amendment of the Trust Agreement and/or participation
as a party or witness to any action or proceeding), as may reasonably be
requested by the Assignee for the purposes of: (i) effecting any of the
assignments referred to in Section 8 (B), above; (ii) authorizing and requesting
the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of the United States of America and
the appropriate officers of all other jurisdictions in which the Trademarks are
registered or in which applications included among and for registration of the
Trademarks are pending, to record the title of Assignee or Assignee's designee,
and their respective successors, representatives and assigns, as owner of all
right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks, together with all good will
of the businesses directly associated with the Trademarks, and to issue the
Certificate of Registration resulting from any application for registration of
the Trademarks or renewal of any existing registration of any of the Trademarks
to Assignee or Assignee's designee and their respective successors,
representatives and assigns; (iii) obtaining any other applications,
registrations, recordations or other filings of or for any of the Trademarks
and/or other Intellectual Property or subject matter assigned to Assignee
pursuant to Section 1 hereof; (iv) initiating, prosecuting, defending or
participating in any action or proceeding of or relating to any of the
Trademarks and/or other Intellectual Property or subject matter assigned to
Assignee pursuant to Section 1 hereof; or (v) establishing, evidencing or
obtaining the validity, performance or enforcement of any of the transactions,
rights or obligations provided for by this Assignment and Agreement. Section 9:
Confidentiality. The existence, nature and content of this Assignment and
Agreement and its terms and conditions shall remain confidential. Other than the
Press Release provided for in Section 11(O) below, there shall be no
publication, disclosure, dissemination, representation, or characterization to
any third party of or concerning: this Assignment and Agreement or the nature
and contents of this Assignment and Agreement, provided, however, that nothing
herein shall be construed as to prohibit the Parties from disclosing the
foregoing information (a) to independent auditors or legal counsel, (b) when
required by legal or governmental, rules, regulations or compulsory process, or
(c) when appropriate, to enforce, confirm or defend the disclosing Party's
intellectual property rights and/or this Assignment and Agreement. Section 10:
Assignor's Distribution Agreements. With the sole exception of the Fresh Juices
Sublicense, Assignor agrees that, effective upon or before the expiration or
earlier termination of the Sublicense provided for in Section 5 above, it shall
modify, amend and supersede, and/or, if necessary, cancel, terminate, rescind,
nullify or void, all such provisions of any distribution, license, sublicense or
other agreement between Assignor or HJI and any other person or entity as grant,
permit or entail any express or implied rights, titles or interests in or to any
of the Trademarks or Trade Names (the "Distribution Agreements") so as to
eliminate, terminate, rescind, nullify or void all rights, titles and interests
in and to the Trademarks and Trade Names expressly or impliedly granted or
created by, or which may arise from, the Distribution Agreements. Nothing
contained in this Assignment and Agreement shall be construed (i) as a
recognition or acknowledgment by Assignee or the Trustee of the Trust that any
third parties, including, without limitation, any distributors of Assignor, have
any rights, titles or interests in and to the Intellectual Property and/or (ii)
as a waiver of any of Assignee's or the Trustee of the Trust's rights, titles or
interests in and to the Intellectual Property and/or as a waiver of their rights
to seek enforcement thereof. Section 11: Miscellaneous. (A) Binding Effect;
Assignability. This Assignment and Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon Assignor and Assignee, and each of their respective parents,
subsidiaries and affiliated persons, companies and entities, and each of the
foregoing persons', companies' and entities' respective officers, directors,
shareholders, members, trustees, agents, employees, attorneys and accountants,
and the foregoing persons', companies' and entities' heirs, successors,
representatives, executors, administrators and assigns. No assignment or
delegation of this Assignment and Agreement or any right, benefit or obligation
hereunder shall relieve the assigning Party from any obligation hereunder
without the express written acknowledgment and agreement of the other Party. (B)
Writing Required. Neither this Assignment and Agreement nor any of the
provisions hereof shall be binding upon the Parties unless and until the
instrument has been signed hereinbelow by or on behalf of each of the Parties by
persons who are duly authorized by the respective Parties to execute this
Assignment and Agreement and who warrant such authorization by signing
hereinbelow. In such event this Agreement shall be effective as of the date
first above written. (C) Interpretation; Captions. The captions of the various
sections of this Assignment and Agreement have been inserted only for the
purposes of convenience, and shall not be deemed in any manner to modify,
define, enlarge or restrict any of the provisions of this Assignment and
Agreement. Insofar as both Parties have been represented by able counsel in the
negotiation of the terms of this document, no Party shall be considered to be
the drafter of this Assignment and Agreement or any provision hereof for the
purpose of any law or any rule of interpretation or construction that would
cause this Assignment and Agreement or any provision hereof to be construed
against the drafter. The Introduction and Recitals are hereby incorporated as
part of this Assignment and Agreement. (D) Notices. Any notices or other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be sufficiently given if
delivered personally or three (3) days after being sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by fax
with oral confirmation, addressed as follows or to such other address of which
the parties may be given notice in accordance with this paragraph: In the case
of Assignor: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Fresh Juice Company of
California, Inc.
000 Xxxx 0xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
copy to: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
O'Melveny & Xxxxx LLP
Suite 1700
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
In the case of
Assignee: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Beverage Company
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
copy to: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx Breed Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
(E) Remedies. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative
and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided at equity or at law. In the
event of a breach or threatened breach by either Party of its obligations under
this Assignment and Agreement, each Party acknowledges that the other Party may
not have an adequate remedy at law and shall be entitled to seek specific
performance of this Assignment and Agreement and such preliminary, permanent and
mandatory equitable and injunctive relief as may be available to restrain the
other Party from any actual or threatened violation of the provisions hereof.
Accordingly, notwithstanding the Parties' agreement to submit to arbitration set
forth in Section 11(F), below, either party may apply to any court situate in
Los Angeles County (the "Court") to obtain any of the foregoing, or other,
relief in connection with any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Assignment and Agreement in the event that the granting of any
such relief is not within the authorization, power or policy of any arbitral
authority selected by the Parties, or is not expressly denied by such arbitral
authority but nevertheless cannot be obtained from such authority in time to
avoid imminent, irreparable harm. The Parties hereby consent to the personal
jurisdiction of the Court for the purposes of hearing and deciding such
application. The prevailing Party in any action or proceeding seeking such
relief shall be entitled to reimbursement from the other Party of any costs or
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in
connection with such proceeding. Nothing herein shall be construed as
prohibiting either Party from pursuing any other remedies available for such
breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.
(F) Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution. The Parties hereby
expressly agree that any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, in
connection with, or relating to this Assignment and Agreement, or the entry
into, breach or termination hereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration
conducted by JAMS/Endispute ("JAMS") in accordance with JAMS Comprehensive
Arbitration Rules and Procedures (the "Rules"). The arbitration shall be heard
by one (1) arbitrator to be selected in accordance with the Rules, in Orange
County, California. Judgment upon any award rendered may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof. Within seven (7) calendar days after appointment
the arbitrator shall set the hearing date, which shall be within ninety (90)
days after the filing date of the demand for arbitration unless a later date is
required for good cause shown and shall order a mutual exchange of what he/she
determines to be relevant documents, identifications of witnesses and
information and the dates thereafter for the taking of up to a maximum of five
(5) depositions by each Party to last no more than two (2) days per deponent.
Both Parties waive the right, if any, to obtain any award for exemplary or
punitive damages or any other amount for the purpose of imposing a penalty from
the other in any arbitration or judicial proceeding or other adjudication
arising out of or with respect to this Assignment and Agreement, or any breach
hereof, including any claim that this Assignment and Agreement, or any part
hereof, is invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or void. In addition to all
other relief that may be granted in the arbitration, including, without
limitation, the relief set forth in Section 11(E) above, the arbitrator shall
award reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing Party. The arbitrator shall
make his or her award no later than seven (7) calendar days after the close of
evidence or the submission of final briefs, whichever occurs later. The
arbitration award shall be final and binding upon the parties and the parties
hereto agree that they will accept such decision and award as binding and
conclusive and will abide thereby. Service of any notice, process, motion or
other document in connection with such arbitration proceeding and arbitration
award may be made by personal service or by any means specified in Section 11(D)
hereof. (G) Governing Law. This Assignment and Agreement, including, without
limitation, the formation, validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement
hereof, shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without giving
effect to the laws, rules or principles of that State with regard to conflicts
of law. (H) Independent Agents. The parties hereto are independent contractors
and neither party is the agent, joint venturer, partner, or employee of the
other. (I) No Third Party Beneficiaries. No third party beneficiary rights or
interests are contemplated, intended or created by this Assignment and
Agreement. (J) Modifications and Amendments. No amendment, modification,
rescission, or waiver of, or consent to any departure from, this Assignment and
Agreement, in whole or in part, shall be valid or binding upon any of the
Parties unless made in writing and properly signed by or on behalf of the party
to be charged therewith. (K) Waivers. No failure or delay of any Party in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or
privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. Any waiver of or consent to any
departure from the terms of this Assignment and Agreement, in whole or in part,
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
for which it is given. (L) Severability. If any provision of this Assignment and
Agreement or the application thereof shall to any extent be held invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the remainder of the Assignment and Agreement shall
not be affected or impaired thereby, and each provision hereof shall be
construed and enforced consistent with the intent of this Assignment and
Agreement and shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
law. (M) Survival of Provisions. The assignments set forth in Section 1, the
representations, warranties and obligations set forth in Section 6, and the
rights and obligations set forth in Sections 7, 8, 9 10, 11(A), 11(E), 11(F) and
11(O) of this Assignment and Agreement, shall be of continuing duration and
shall survive the execution, termination, expiration, cancellation, repudiation
and/or rescission of this Assignment and Agreement for any reason.
(N) Entire Understanding. This Assignment and Agreement (including the
Introduction and Recitals and annexed Schedules, which are incorporated and made
a part hereof), sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the
Parties relating to the subject matter set forth herein, and merges, cancels and
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous representations, discussions,
communications, assignments and agreements between them with respect to the
subject matter hereof. (O) Press Release. The Parties recognize that the public
announcement of the assignments provided in this Assignment and Agreement may
have a significant effect with each of the Parties' respective customers. For
that reason, the Parties agree that the initial public announcement of the
within assignments shall be made through a joint press release in a form to be
mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Assignment and
Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as follows.
EXECUTED this 22nd day of September, 1999 at Assignor: The Fresh Juice Company
of California, Inc.,
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTED this 28th day of September, 1999
at
Assignee: Xxxxxx Beverage Company
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
State of California
ss.:
County of Los Angeles
On this 22nd day of September, 1999, personally before me came Xxxxxxx X.
Heaverland, known to me, and known to me to be the Chief Executive Officer of
The Fresh Juice Company of California, Inc. and who signed the annexed
Assignment and Agreement, and being duly sworn, acknowledged that he executed
the same.
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx, Commission #1097368
Notary Public
State of California
ss.:
County of Riverside
On this 28th day of September, 1999, personally before me came Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
known to me, and known to me to be the Chief Executive Officer of Xxxxxx
Beverage Company and who signed the annexed Assignment and Agreement, and being
duly sworn, acknowledged that he executed the same.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Commission #1227068
Notary Public