INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.26
THIS INDEMNIFICATION
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
,
2008, between PRIMO WATER CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
(“Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to
attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis,
at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its
subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a
customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business
enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance
may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same
time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are
being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other
things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business
enterprise itself. The By-laws of the Company require indemnification of the officers and
directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”). The By-laws and the DGCL expressly
provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby
contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of
directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have
increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and
retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and
that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of
such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate
itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from
undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the By-laws of the
Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute
therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s
By-laws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve
as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to
serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on
additional
service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as a director after the
date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify
Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. In
furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee
shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(a) if, by
reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be
made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding
by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this
Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be
indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with
such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and
in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the
Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to
the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his Corporate
Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any
Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b),
Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the
Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee
acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Company; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no
indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in
such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless
and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such
indemnification may be made.
(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason
of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any
Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended
from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf
in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is
successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or
matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually
and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved
claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of
any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be
deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
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2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on,
the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and
hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if,
by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant
in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without
limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of
Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this
Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that
is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in
Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.
3. Contribution.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is
available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which
the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or
proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or
settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such
payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have
against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or
proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such
action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all
claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding
subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion
of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in
which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or
proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of expenses (including attorneys’ fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or
payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all
officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with
Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and
Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding
arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to
the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of
the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are
jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the
one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such
expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations
which the Law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers,
directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with
Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and
Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree
to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to
which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or
passive.
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(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims
of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other
than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided
for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu
of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for
judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for
Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in
such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such
Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as
a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the
relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee
in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in
any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any
Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by
the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from
time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or
statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be
preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5
shall be unsecured and interest free.
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as
favorable as may be permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law and public policy of the
State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions
shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a
written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably
available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon
receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that
Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of
Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to
Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the
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following four methods, which shall be at the election of the board: (1) by a majority vote of the
disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, by a committee of disinterested directors
designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (2)
if there are no disinterested directors or if the disinterested directors so direct, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to
the Indemnitee, or (3) if so directed by the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the
Company. For purposes hereof, disinterested directors are those members of the board of directors
of the Company who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent
Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as
provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of
Directors. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been
given, deliver to the Company, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection;
provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent
Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in
Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the
factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected
shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the
Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection
is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days
after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section
6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the
Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court
of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the
Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as
Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall
designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so
appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall
pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent
Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall
pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of
this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the
person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the
burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure
of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that
indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard
of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent
legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense
to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.
(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on
the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including
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financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise
(as hereinafter defined) in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the
Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent
certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the
Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer,
agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining
the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this
Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all
times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of
proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to
determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination
within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite
determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee
shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material
fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially
misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such
indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended
for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or
entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith
requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating
thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall
not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders
pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after
receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board of Directors or the
Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders
for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days
after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of
stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such
determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so
called and such determination is made thereat.
(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination
with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person,
persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not
privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee
and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board of
Directors or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a
determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any
costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so
cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the
Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and
the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment
may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay,
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distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to
which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against
Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or
without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to
overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and
convincing evidence.
(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment,
order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not
(except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of
Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and
in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to
believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii)
advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii)
no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of
this Agreement within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification,
(iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after
receipt by the Company of a written request therefor or (v) payment of indemnification is not made
within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of
this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the
State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to
such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180
days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding
pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any
such adjudication.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 6(b)
of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding
commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial
on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under
Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such
determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i)
a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to
make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for
indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial
adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or
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to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company, the Company shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types
described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee
ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or
insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced
pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not
valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by
all the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all
Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company
of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such expenses to
Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee
for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of
whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of
Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to
entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the
final disposition of the Proceeding.
8.
Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the
certificate of incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a
resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of
any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in
respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such
amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the Delaware General Corporation
Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be
afforded currently under the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto
that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No
right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing
liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or
of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by
such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage
available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies.
If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the
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Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt
notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures
set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable
action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result
of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the
extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all
papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such
documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts
otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually
received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is
or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of any
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise
shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement
of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or other enterprise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any
indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance
policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under
any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by
Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or
common law; or
(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by
Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee
against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the
Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior
to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion,
pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company
contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the
Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and for
three years thereafter and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any
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Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate
Status, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or
expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and
their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company),
assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.
11. Security. To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to
Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit,
funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be
revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and
assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer
or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this
Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written
and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at
the express written request of the Company.
(b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party
to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the
express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs,
transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and
binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or
expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to
prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a
Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with
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any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for,
and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its
equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the
amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(e) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in
matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained
to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other
than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees
under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise
to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent
Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct
then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or
Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees
to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify
such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
(f) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration,
alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any
other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the
Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which
Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that
Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him
or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason
of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
Enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time
any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this
Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one
initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights
under this Agreement.
14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in
no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification
rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof
conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the
aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of
this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No
waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of
any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing
upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation,
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subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or
matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the
Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this
Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially
prejudices the Company.
17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal
delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile
if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next
business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All
communications shall be sent:
(a) To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto.
(b) To the Company at:
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company
by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the
construction thereof.
20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations
among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of
the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or
in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of
Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States
of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection
with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or
proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to
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make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been
brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day
and year first above written.
| PRIMO WATER CORPORATION |
||||
| By: | ||||
| Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
| INDEMNITEE |
||||
| Name: | ||||
Address: |
||||
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