CANEUM, INC. CONSULTING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.2
CANEUM, INC.
This Consulting Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into effective as December 31, 2006 (the
“Effective Date”), by and between Caneum, Inc. United States (“Caneum”) and a Singapore entity to
be formed by and on behalf of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (“Consultant”).
Caneum desires to retain Consultant as an independent contractor to perform consulting
services for Caneum, and Consultant is willing to perform such services, on the terms described
below. In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and be
for a period up to and including 31st December, 2008 (the “Initial Term”), unless it is
terminated earlier as provided herein. Beginning on the last date of the Initial Term, and on each
anniversary thereafter, unless it is terminated earlier as provided herein or Caneum delivers
written notice to the Contractor of its intention not to extend the Agreement at least ninety (90)
days before such anniversary date, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for
one additional year. The restrictive covenants in Section 9 hereof shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
2. Independent Contractor; Benefits.
2.1 Independent Contractor. It is the express intention of Caneum and Consultant that
Consultant perform the Services (as defined below) as an independent contractor to Caneum. Nothing
in this Agreement shall in any way be construed to constitute Consultant as an agent, employee or
representative of Caneum. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Consultant is not
authorized to bind Caneum to any liability or obligation or to represent that Consultant has any
such authority. Consultant agrees to furnish all tools and materials necessary to accomplish this
Agreement and shall incur all expenses associated with performance, except as expressly provided
herein Consultant shall be responsible for payment of its own taxes on income from this
Agreement.
2.2 Benefits. Caneum and Consultant agree that Consultant will not receive any
Caneum-sponsored employee benefits from Caneum.
3. Confidentiality.
3.1 Definition. “Confidential Information” means any non-public confidential
information that relates to the actual or anticipated business or research and development of
Caneum, technical data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research, product
plans or other information regarding Caneum’s products or services and markets therefor, customer
lists and customers with whom Consultant
became acquainted directly as a result of providing
Services during the term of this
Agreement), software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs,
drawing, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances or other business
information. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) is known to Consultant
at the time of disclosure to Consultant by Caneum as evidenced by written records of Consultant,
(ii) has become publicly known and made generally available through no wrongful act of Consultant
or (iii) has been rightfully received by Consultant from a third party who is authorized to make
such disclosure.
3.2 Nonuse and Nondisclosure. Consultant will not, during or subsequent to the term
of this Agreement, (i) use the Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than the
performance of the Services on behalf of Caneum or (ii) disclose the Confidential Information to
any third party without the consent of Caneum. Consultant agrees that all Confidential Information
will remain the sole property of Caneum. Consultant also agrees to take reasonable precautions to
prevent unauthorized disclosure of such Confidential Information.
3.3 Former Client Confidential Information. Consultant agrees that Consultant will
not, during the term of this Agreement, improperly use or disclose to Caneum any proprietary
information or trade secrets of any former or current employer of Consultant or other person or
entity with which Consultant has an agreement or duty to keep in confidence information acquired by
Consultant, if any. Consultant also agrees that Consultant will not bring onto Caneum’s premises
any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person or
entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity.
3.4 Third Party Confidential Information. Consultant recognizes that Caneum has
received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary
information subject to a duty on Caneum’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information
and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Consultant agrees that, during the term of this
Agreement and thereafter, Consultant owes Caneum and such third parties a duty to hold all such
confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any
person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary in carrying out the Services for
Caneum consistent with Caneum’s agreement with such third party.
3.5 Return of Materials. Upon the termination of this Agreement, or upon Company’s
earlier request, Consultant will deliver to Caneum all of Caneum’s property, including but not
limited to all electronically stored information and passwords to access such property, or
Confidential Information that Consultant may have in Consultant’s possession or control; provided,
however, that Consultant may retain a copy of such materials for archival purposes.
4. Conflicting Obligations. Consultant certifies that Consultant has no outstanding
agreement or obligation that would preclude Consultant from complying with the provisions of this
Agreement. Consultant will not enter into any such prohibitive agreement during the term of this
Agreement. Consultant’s violation of this Section 4
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will be considered a material breach under
this Agreement. Caneum realizes that the Xx.
Xxxxxx has a Consultancy Agreement with Xoom Corporation on which he will occasionally be
required to work. Such work will only be undertaken outside normal work times in India and will not
reduce his commitment to Caneum.
5. Reports. Consultant also agrees that Consultant will, from time to time during the
term of this Agreement or any extension thereof, keep Caneum advised as to Consultant’s progress in
performing the Services under this Agreement. Consultant further agrees that Consultant will, as
requested by Caneum, prepare written reports with respect to such progress. Caneum and Consultant
agree that the time required to prepare such written reports will be considered time devoted to the
performance of the Services.
6. Location. Consultant shall provide Services at Consultant’s offices, at Caneum’s
offices, or at such other places as may be mutually agreed upon by Company and Consultant.
7. Services. During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall, at the request of
the President, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Caneum, render consulting and advisory
services to Caneum relating to strategic planning, corporate and product development, and general
business and financial matters of Caneum or its subsidiaries, including Continuum (the “Services”).
Consultant shall not be required to devote a specific number of hours under this Agreement, but the
parties shall mutually determine reasonable compliance with the obligations of Consultant
hereunder. Caneum agrees and acknowledges that Consultant, during the term of this Agreement and
thereafter, may be engaged in other business endeavors and employed both in the same and other
industries, both competitive and non-competitive with Caneum, that will require the time, ability
and attention of Consultant; however, Consultant agrees to devote its best efforts to performing
well all duties that Caneum may reasonably assign to Consultant from time to time during the term
of this Agreement; provide further, that Consultant shall not be required to provide Services in
connection with the offer or sale of securities of Caneum in a capital-raising transaction, or to
provide services to directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the securities of
Caneum.
8. Compensation.
8.1 The Consultant’s monthly fee shall be $36,000 per year (the “Base Fee”) payable $3,000 per
month, which fee shall secure Consultant’s obligation to provide Services hereunder. In addition,
Caneum will cause to be provided to Consultant housing and car perquisites equivalent to prior
perquisites previously provided by Caneum in India, to its consultants and employees. At
no time during the term of this Agreement shall the Consultant’s base salary be decreased
9. Termination.
9.1 Survival. Section 3 (Confidentiality), Section 10 (Mitigation and Offset),
Section 12 (Legal Expenses), and Section 13 (Indemnification) will survive termination of this
Agreement.
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9.2 Termination Due To Death. The Consultant’s service and this Agreement shall
terminate immediately upon the death of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. If the Consultant’s service is terminated
due to his death, Consultant shall be entitled to payment of any due but unpaid portion of the Base
Fee through the date of such termination.
9.3 Termination Due To Disability. Caneum may terminate the Consultant’s service at
any time if Xxxxxx Xxxxxx becomes disabled, upon written notice by Caneum to the Consultant. For
all purposes under this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean that Xx. Xxxxxx, at the time the notice
is given, has been unable to perform his duties under this Agreement for a period of not less than
ninety (90) days during any 180-day period as a result of the Consultant’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness. If the Consultant’s service is terminated due to his disability,
Consultant shall be entitled to payment of any due but unpaid portion of the Base Fee through the
date of such termination.
9.4 Termination For Cause.
Caneum may terminate the Consultant’s Services at any time for Cause, provided that Caneum
gives written notice of termination to the Consultant as set forth below. If the Consultant’s
service is terminated for Cause, as defined below, Consultant shall be entitled to payment of any
due but unpaid portion of the Base Fee through the date of such termination. For purposes of this
Agreement, a termination for “Cause” shall mean: (1) the final conviction of the Consultant or Xx.
Xxxxxx of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Consultant or Xx. Xxxxxx to,
any felony involving moral turpitude; (2) the final conviction of the Consultant or Xx. Xxxxxx of,
or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Consultant or Xx. Xxxxxx to any fraud,
misappropriation or embezzlement by the Consultant; (3) the Consultant’s willful failure or gross
misconduct in the performance of Services; or (4) the breach by the Consultant of any material term
of this Agreement.
If Caneum exercises its right to terminate the Consultant for Cause, Caneum shall: (1) give
the Consultant written notice of termination at least thirty (30) days before the date of such
termination specifying in detail the conduct constituting such Cause, and (2) deliver to the
Consultant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by a majority of the entire membership of the Board,
excluding interested directors, after reasonable notice to the Consultant and an opportunity for
the Consultant to be heard in person by members of the Board, finding that the Consultant has
engaged in such conduct.
9.5 Voluntary Termination. If the Consultant voluntarily terminates its service on
its own initiative for reasons other than Xx. Xxxxxx’x death, disability, or constructive
termination without cause, Consultant shall be entitled to payment of any due but unpaid portion of
the Base Fee through the date of such termination. Consultant may voluntarily resign its service
and terminate the Agreement at any time by providing fifteen (15) days notice to Caneum.
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9.6 Constructive Termination Without Cause. In case of Constructive Termination
without Cause, the Consultant shall be entitled to payment of any due but unpaid portion of the
Base Fee through the date of such termination.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Constructive Termination Without Cause” shall mean a
termination of the Consultant at its own initiative following the occurrence, without the
Consultant’s prior written consent, of the following event not on account of Cause:
(1) the failure of Caneum to obtain an assumption in writing of its obligation to
perform this Agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of the assets
of Caneum within forty-five (45) days after a merger, consolidation, sale or
similar transaction in accordance with clause 13 hereof.
10. Mitigation And Offset. If the Consultant’s service is terminated during the term
of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.6 (Constructive Termination without
Cause), above, the Consultant shall be under no duty or obligation to seek or accept other
employment or services, and no payment or benefits of any kind due Consultant under this Agreement
shall be reduced, suspended or in any way offset by any subsequent employment or services. The
obligation of Caneum to make the payments provided for in this Agreement shall not be affected by
any circumstance including, by way of example rather than limitation, any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense, or other right that Caneum may assert, or due to any other employment or
source of income obtained by the Consultant.
11. Entitlement To Other Benefits. Except as expressly provided herein, this
Agreement shall not be construed as limiting in any way any rights or benefits the Consultant,
Consultant’s spouse or domestic partner, dependents or beneficiaries may have pursuant to any other
benefits plans or programs.
12. Indemnification. Caneum agrees that if the Consultant is made a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that the Consultant is or
was a consultant, agent or representative of Caneum, or is or was serving at the request of Caneum
as a member, consultant, agent or representative of another corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is the Consultant’s alleged action in an
official capacity while serving as a member, consultant, representative or agent, the Consultant
shall be Indemnified and held harmless by Caneum to the fullest extent permitted or authorized by
Caneum’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. To the extent consistent with the foregoing, this
obligation to indemnify the Consultant and hold Consultant harmless shall continue even if he has
ceased to be a member, consultant , representative or agent of Caneum or other such entity
described above, and shall inure to the benefit of the Consultant’s successors. Caneum shall
advance to the Consultant all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Consultant in connection
with a Proceeding within ten (10) days after receipt by Caneum
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of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by the
Consultant to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined by a final
court of law having jurisdiction, that the Consultant is not entitled to be indemnified against
such costs and expenses.
Neither the failure of Caneum (including its Board, independent legal counsel or stockholders)
to have made a determination before such Proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by the
Consultant under the paragraph above that indemnification of the Consultant is proper because
Consultant has met the applicable standards of conduct, nor a determination by Caneum (including
its Board, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Consultant has not met such
applicable standards of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Consultant has not met the
applicable standards of conduct.
Consultant understands and acknowledges that Caneum may be required in the future to undertake
with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit in certain circumstances the question of
indemnification to a court for a determination of Caneum’s right under public policy to indemnify
Consultant.
13. Assignability And Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs, legal representatives (in the
case of the Consultant) and permitted assigns. No rights or obligations may be assigned or
transferred by Caneum except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred
pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which Caneum is not the continuing entity, or the sale or
liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of Caneum, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of Caneum and such assignee
or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations, and duties of Caneum, as contained in this
Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law and provided that Consultant agrees to such
assignment. Caneum further agrees, that in the event of a sale of assets or liquidation as
described in the foregoing sentence, it shall take whatever action it is legally entitled to take
in order to Cause the assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities, obligations, and
duties of Caneum under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any such assignment, Caneum shall not be
relieved from liability under this Agreement. No rights or obligations of the Consultant under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Consultant other than Consultant’s right to receive
compensation and benefits, provided such assignment or transfer is otherwise permitted by law.
14. Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed effective: (1) upon personal delivery; (2) upon deposit with the United States Postal
Service, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid; or (3) in the case of delivery by
nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when delivered, addressed as follows:
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If to Caneum, to:
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Attorney at Law
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attorney at Law
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Consultant, to:
or to such other address or addresses as either party shall designate to the other in writing from
time to time by like notice.
15. Amendment. This agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
executed by both Caneum and the Consultant.
16. Pronouns. Whenever the context might require, any pronouns used herein shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and
pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.
17. Captions. The captions appearing herein are for convenience of reference only and
in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section hereof.
18. Time. All reference herein to periods of days are to calendar days, unless
expressly provided otherwise. Where the time period specified herein would end on a weekend or
holiday, the time period shall be deemed to end on the next business day.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Caneum
and the Consultant and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral
relating to the subject matter hereof.
20. Severability. In case any provision hereof shall be held by a court or arbitrator
with jurisdiction over Caneum or the Consultant to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable,
such provision shall be restated to reflect as nearly as possible the original intentions of Caneum
and the Consultant in accordance with applicable law, and the validity, legality, and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in not way be affected or impaired thereby.
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21. Waiver. No delays or omission by Caneum or the Consultant in exercising any right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by
Caneum or the Consultant or any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not
be construed as a bar or waiver of any right on any other occasion.
22. Arbitration. Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or breach thereof shall first be settled through good faith negotiation. If the dispute
cannot be settled through negotiation within [30] days of the controversy, dispute or claim
arising, the parties agree to attempt in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation administered
by JAMS upon a reference being made within [ 15 ] days of the expiry of the aforesaid period of
[30] days. If the parties are unsuccessful at resolving the dispute through mediation within [ 45 ]
days of reference of the dispute to mediation, the parties agree to binding arbitration
administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules & Procedures. Any such
arbitration shall be held in Orange County, California. The arbitrator shall determine how all
expenses relating to the arbitration shall be paid, including the respective expenses of each
party, the fees of the arbitrator and the administrative fee of JAMS. The arbitrator shall set a
limited time period and establish procedures designed to reduce the cost and time for discovery
while allowing the Parties an opportunity, adequate in the sole judgment of the arbitrator to
discover relevant information from the opposing Parties about the subject matter of the dispute.
The arbitrator shall rule upon motions to compel or limit discovery and shall have the authority to
impose sanctions, including attorneys’ fees and costs, to the same extent as a competent court of
law or equity, should the arbitrator determine that discovery was sought without substantial
justification or that discovery was refused or objected to without substantial justification. The
decision of the arbitrator as to the validity and amount of any indemnification claim in any
Indemnification Demand or as to any other matter under this Agreement shall be subject to the
limitations set forth in this Agreement and final, binding and conclusive upon the Parties. All
such decisions shall be written and shall be supported by written findings of fact and conclusions
which shall set forth the award, judgment, decree or order awarded by the arbitrator. All payments
required by the arbitrator shall be made within thirty days after the decision of the arbitrator is
rendered. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction.
23. Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of California, U.S.A, and shall be subject to the jurisdiction
of the courts at Orange County.
24. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of both Caneum and the Contractor and their respective successors, heirs, legal
representatives.
25. Withholding. Caneum may make any appropriate arrangements to deduct from all
benefits provided hereunder any taxes reasonably determined to be required to
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be withheld by any government or government agency. The Consultant shall bear all taxes on
benefits provided hereunder to the extent that no taxes are withheld, irrespective of whether
withholding is required.
26. 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
instrument.
27. Full Knowledge. By their signatures, the parties acknowledge that they have
carefully read and fully understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement, that each party has
had the benefit of separate counsel, or has been advised to obtain separate counsel, and that each
party has freely agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company and the Consultant have executed this Agreement effective as of
the day and year first written above.
| CANEUM: | CANEUM, INC. | |||||
Date: December 30th, 2006
|
By: | /s/ Suki Mudan | ||||
| Name: | Suki Mudan | |||||
| Title: | President | |||||
| CONSULTANT: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
| Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
| Date: December 31, 2006 | For Singapore Entity Promoter |
|||||
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