OPERATING AGREEMENT (the "LLC AGREEMENT") dated as of December __, 1999
by and between SHERIDAN SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. d/b/a Artemis Records
("Artemis"), at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, on the one hand, and
Antra Music Group, Inc. ("Antra"), at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000, on the other hand.
All capitalized terms not expressly defined herein shall have the same
meaning ascribed to them in Exhibit A annexed hereto and incorporated herein by
this reference.
ARTICLE I
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1.01. Formation.
(a) As of the date hereof, (the "Commencement Date"), Artemis and
Antra have agreed to form, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company
Act, as amended, (the "Act"), and all other pertinent laws of the State of
Delaware, Antra Records, LLC ("Company") as a limited liability company, for the
purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Artemis and
Antra and any additional member or successor-in-interest admitted to Company in
accordance with the terms hereof shall sometimes be referred to individually as
a "Member" and collectively as the "Members". Each Member's equity interest in
Company is sometimes hereinafter referred to as a "Member Interest".
(b) Promptly following the date hereof, each Member shall execute,
[or, if applicable, Artemis on behalf of the Members shall execute (and provide
copies to Antra following receipt of Antra's written request for same)] and the
Members shall, as soon as practicable, file and record, or cause to be filed and
recorded with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as
required by and in conformance with Section 18-201 of the Act, a certificate of
formation of Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
"Certificate") (the date of such filing being the "Formation Date"). Each Member
shall [or, if applicable, Artemis on behalf of the Members shall (and provide
copies to Antra following receipt of Antra's written request for same)], if
required by law, publish such other certificates or other instruments as may be
necessary or desirable under the laws of any state in which Company does
business in connection with the formation of Company, the commencement and
carrying on of its business and the establishment and preservation of the
limited liability of the Members.
SECTION 1.02. Name and Office. The name of Company shall be Antra
Records, LLC, or such other name as the Members shall mutually approve in
writing. All business of Company shall be conducted under such name and title to
all property real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to Company shall be
held in such name. The principal place of business of Company shall be at 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 or at such other place within the
Philadelphia metropolitan area as may be chosen at any time and from time to
time by unanimous written consent of the "Executive Board" (as defined in
Section 7.01 hereof). The registered office and registered agent of Company
shall be United Corporate Services, Inc., 15
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Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, XX 00000 (County of Kent). Company may have such
offices and places of business as the Members may from time to time designate.
SECTION 1.03. Purpose
(a) The purpose of Company is to conduct a record company business
substantially in accordance with industry practices for record companies of the
size of the Company. In that connection, the Company shall: (i) conduct said
record company business, (ii) seek to have recording artists enter into
exclusive recording agreements with the Company as set forth herein; (iii)
produce, sell, license and otherwise exploit Company Masters and Records derived
therefrom by any means or methods whether now known or hereafter devised; (iv)
engage in customary activities of a company in the phonograph record industry;
and (v) do all things necessary or incidental in connection with the foregoing
as may be determined by the Management Committee from time to time (collectively
the "Business").
(b) Company shall not, without the prior written consent of each of
the Members, engage in any business or activity other than the Business and
those activities that are necessary or advisable to carry out the Business.
(c) Antra and Artemis hereby acknowledge that the parties have
previously entered into a pressing and distribution agreement (the "P&D
Agreement") dated as of July 28, 1999. Antra and Artemis further acknowledge
that subject to Antra's Minimum Submission Requirement [as defined in paragraph
7.04(a)(i)], Antra, in its sole discretion, shall determine which Proposed
Artists [as such term is defined paragraph 7.04(a)(i)] it shall furnish to
Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement and
which Proposed Artists it will exploit pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of
the P&D Agreement.
SECTION 1.04. Term
(a) Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Article X below, the period
during which Artemis shall be obligated to fund the operation of the Company as
provided herein (the "Term") commenced on the Commencement Date and shall
continue for three (3) years and shall automatically extend, unless Artemis
sends Antra written notice to the contrary, for an additional two (2) year
period, subject to Article X hereof. Each one (1) year period during the Term,
as such period may be suspended or extended in accordance with the terms hereof
is sometimes referred to herein as a "Term Year".
(b) Upon the expiration or termination of the Term:
(i) Artemis shall have no further obligation to make any Loans to
or on behalf of Company or Antra (i.e., Artemis shall have complete discretion
whether to expend any additional monies in connection with the exploitation of
Company Masters);
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(ii) Antra and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall have no further obligation to
submit Artists to Company pursuant to Section 7.04 hereof;
(iii) Antra and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall have no further obligation
to render services for Company and Artemis as a record company executive on an
exclusive basis; and
(iv) All parties hereto shall be deemed to have fulfilled all of
their respective obligations hereunder, except for those obligations which
survive the termination of the Term, such as warranties, indemnities, any
repayment obligations expressly set forth herein or in the Loan Agreement which
Company and/or Antra may have and Artemis' obligation, on behalf of Company, to
accrue and pay Distributable Profits to Antra, if and when due, in respect of
Company Masters delivered to Company during the Term;
(v) The overall control and management of Company shall be vested
entirely in Artemis. Without limiting the foregoing, Artemis will have the
continuing right to market, distribute and otherwise exploit Company Masters
delivered to Company during the Term, on the same terms and conditions set forth
herein with respect to the Term, and to use the Xxxx, on and in connection with
the exploitation of Company Masters;
SECTION 1.05. Territory. The Company shall have the right to conduct
the Business throughout the world (the "Territory").
ARTICLE II
LOANS
SECTION 2.01. Artemis' Funding Contributions. Subject to the terms of
the "Working Capital Loan and Security Agreement" annexed hereto as Exhibit C
(the "Loan Agreement"), Artemis shall make the following "Advances" at the
following times:
(a) Operating Advances. Provided Antra is not in material breach of
its obligations under the LLC Agreement or the Consulting Agreement:
(i) During the Term, Artemis shall make loans (collectively, the
"Loans") to Company, in the form of a "Line of Credit", sufficient in amount to
enable Company to pay all expenses set forth in the approved Annual Budget (as
described and defined in Section 2.02 below) for each Term Year, but only to the
extent funds are unavailable from Company's operations to pay such expenses.
Subject always to the applicable approved Annual Budget, the aforesaid expenses
shall be limited to: Advances to Accepted Artists and to producers of Company
Masters, recording costs, video production costs, record royalties, mechanical
royalties, outside legal fees, promotion, marketing and advertising
expenditures, sample clearances, artwork, production and manufacturing costs,
and distribution and other fees payable to third parties in connection with the
exploitation of the Masters. In furtherance of the foregoing, on the
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Commencement Date, and pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, Artemis
shall establish, for Company's benefit, a working capital line of credit (the
"Line of Credit") to cover the Loans.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.01 and Section
2.02 below, the Line of Credit will be available for drawing down by Company in
accordance with the approved Annual Budget then in effect. In the event Antra
desires to cause Company to draw down on the Line of Credit for an item of
expense not specifically provided for in the Annual Budget, then Antra must
obtain Artemis' specific, prior written approval therefor.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or
implied herein, the following shall apply with respect to any Fiscal Year during
the Term after the Initial Term Year:
(A) If at the end of the first six (6) months of such Fiscal
Year, the income statement (including Artemis' reasonable estimate of so-called
"pipeline" income) of Company for such six (6) month period shows either (1) an
actual Net Loss for such six month period or (2) a projected annual Net Loss for
such Fiscal Year, in either case in excess of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000)
(the "Loss Cap"), then Company's right to draw down on the Line of Credit during
the remainder of such Fiscal Year shall be suspended; provided that, if the
income statement of Company at the end of any subsequent month during such
Fiscal Year shows a projected annual Net Loss for such Fiscal Year which is less
than the Loss Cap (e.g., a projected annual Net Loss of $2,750,000), then
Company's right to draw down on the Line of Credit (and Artemis' obligation to
make payments to Company therefrom) shall resume until such time, if ever, as
the Loss Cap is reached for such Fiscal Year.
(B) If at the end of any Fiscal Year after the Initial Term
Year, the formal accounting statement rendered by Artemis for such Fiscal Year
shows a Net Loss for such Fiscal Year in excess of the Loss Cap, then Artemis
shall have the right to exercise its option to dissolve the Company, as provided
in Section 10.02(e) below. Without limitation of the foregoing, Antra shall have
the right, but not the obligation, to "pay down" the Loss Cap no later than
thirty (30) days after the date of Artemis' notice of its intention to suspend
operation of Company in accordance with subparagraph 2.01(a)(iii)(A) above or to
dissolve Company in accordance with this subparagraph 2.01(a)(iii)(B), provided
however, Antra shall not encumber (whether by mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest, guarantee, or otherwise), sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any assets of Company in order to "pay down" the Loss Cap in accordance
herewith.
(C) Artemis' Finance Department shall oversee the preparations
of all financial statements of Company, including Company's income statements
and the assumptions thereto. Notwithstanding any other provision in the LLC
Agreement, the Line of Credit shall not be deemed to be a guaranty, maintenance
agreement or other similar agreement, or under any circumstances used to satisfy
the general obligations of Company other than in accordance with this Section
2.01.
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(iv) As set forth in more detail in the Loan Agreement, the
principal sum of the Line of Credit, outstanding from time to time, will bear
interest at a floating rate which is equal to one percentage point above the
prime lending rate announced by Citibank, N.A., from time to time. Interest
shall be compounded and shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount of the
Line of Credit on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year over the
actual number of days elapsed.
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Antra (except as
expressly set forth in paragraph 10.04) nor Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall have an
obligation to repay the Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately
preceding sentence shall in no way relieve Company of any of its obligations
pursuant to this LLC Agreement.
SECTION 2.02. Annual Budget. With respect to each Fiscal Year, during
the Term, no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days before the end of the
end of the current Fiscal Year, Antra shall prepare and submit to Artemis, for
Artemis' approval on a line item-by-line item basis, an annual budget ("Annual
Budget") setting forth in reasonable detail all anticipated revenues and
expenditures of Company for the next Fiscal Year. Without limiting the
foregoing, each Annual Budget shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit D.
Artemis shall have the right, in its reasonable discretion, to approve or
disapprove the Annual Budget and/or any individual line items set forth therein,
it being understood that Artemis' approval of any Annual Budget must be
confirmed in writing by an authorized representative of Artemis to be binding on
Artemis. In the event Artemis refuses to approve the proposed Annual Budget as
submitted by Antra, then the approved Annual Budget for the
immediately-preceding Fiscal Year for each line item shall govern until such
time, if ever, as Artemis has formally approved a new Annual Budget for the
current Fiscal Year in the manner provided herein. For the avoidance of doubt,
Artemis shall not fund the Annual Budget(s) shall not be inclusive of any
so-called "Overhead Expenses" and both Antra and Artemis shall be solely
responsible for their respective Overhead Expenses.
SECTION 2.03. No Further Capital/Loans. Except as expressly provided
in this agreement or as otherwise agreed to in writing, no Member or third party
shall be required or entitled to contribute any other or further capital to
Company, nor shall any Member or third party be required or entitled to loan any
funds of any kind to Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
there is an exigency which requires capital that is not otherwise required to be
contributed by Artemis pursuant to the LLC Agreement, and the Members do not
agree to make additional Capital Contributions, then, at Artemis' election, it
may make a loan to the Company which shall bear interest at a floating rate per
annum of 2% in excess of the reference rate of Chase Manhattan Bank as it may
exist from time to time while such loan is outstanding, but not in excess of the
maximum permitted by law, and if such rate is in excess of the maximum, then at
such maximum rate. Any such loan shall be repaid by the Company on demand, and
if not sooner repaid, shall be repaid prior to the making of any cash
distributions to the Members.
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ARTICLE III
INTERESTS
SECTION 3.01. Interests. On the Formation Date, the Members'
membership interest in the Company shall be as follows: (i) Artemis, fifty
percent (50%); and (ii) Antra, fifty percent (50%).
SECTION 3.02. Capital Accounts. A "Capital Account" shall be
maintained for each Member on the books of Company in accordance with Section
1.704-1(b) of the Treasury Regulations as of any particular date. Each Member's
Capital Account initially shall be equal to such Member's initial contribution
under the LLC Agreement (except as otherwise set forth herein) and thereafter
shall be adjusted as follows:
(a) Increases in the Capital Account of a Member. The Capital
Account of each Member shall be increased by:
(i) The amount of any cash contributed by the Member to Company,
pursuant to the LLC Agreement;
(ii) The amount of any income and gain (or items thereof),
including tax exempt income and gain, allocated on or after the date hereof to
such Member;
(iii) The amount, if any, of any Company liabilities assumed by
such Member on or after the date hereof, other than liabilities that are secured
by any Company property distributed to such Member by Company, as provided in
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(c)(1); and
(iv) The fair market value of property contributed to the capital
of Company by such Member on or after the date hereof (net of liabilities
secured by such contributed properties that Company is considered to assume or
take subject to or under Section 752 of the Code.)
(b) Decreases in the Capital Account of a Member. The Capital Account
of each Member shall be decreased by:
(i) The amount of cash distributed to such Member by Company on or
after the date hereof;
(ii) The amount of any loss or deduction (or items thereof)
allocated to such Member on or after the date hereof,
(iii) The fair market value of any property distributed to such
Member by Company an or after the date hereof (net of liabilities secured by
such distributed property that
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such Member is considered to assume or take subject to or under Section 752 of
the Code);
(iv) The amount of individual liabilities of such Member that
is assumed by Company on or after the date hereof other than liabilities secured
by property contributed by such Member to Company as provided in Treasury
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(c)(2); and
(v) The amount of any allocations to such Member of expenditures
of Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code.
No interest shall be paid on Capital Contributions, nor earned on Capital
Accounts of any party hereto. A party hereto with a negative Capital Account
shall not be obligated to contribute any amounts to Company to eliminate such
negative balance, nor shall such party owe to the other party or to Company any
interest on any negative balance in its Capital Account. If all or any portion
of a Member Interest is transferred, as permitted hereunder, the transferee
shall succeed to the transferor's Capital Account to the extent it relates to
the transferred interest. Loans made by Artemis or its Affiliates or the
repayment thereof or any interest accrued thereon shall not constitute
contributions or reductions therefrom to capital for purposes of this Section
3.02. A Member's Capital Account shall not be affected (except indirectly by the
reduction in Company income resulting from such payments) by the payment to it
by Company of a fee or other compensation for services rendered to the Company
or in reimbursement of any expenses paid or incurred by such Member in
connection therewith.
SECTION 3.03. Return of Capital Contribution. Company shall not be
liable to either Member and each Member shall not be liable to the other Member
for a return of Capital Contributions. Neither Member shall be entitled to
withdraw from the Company except as set forth herein.
SECTION 3.04. Maintenance of Capital Accounts. Each Capital Account
established for a Member shall be maintained by the "Tax Matters Partner" in
accordance with the rules of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder. Artemis, in consultation with Antra, shall
be deemed the "Tax Matters Partner" of Company. As the Tax Matters Partner,
Artemis shall make such tax elections as it deems necessary and/or advisable in
its discretion (such as under Section 754 of the Code). Artemis inadvertent,
non-repetitious failure to consult with Antra shall not be deemed to be a breach
of the LLC Agreement. Upon receipt of Antra's request, Artemis shall provide
Antra with copies of tax returns prepared for Company.
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ARTICLE IV
AGREEMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS
SECTION 4.01. Intentionally Omitted.
SECTION 4.02. Artemis Representations. Artemis represents and warrants,
as of the execution hereof, each of the following: (a) Artemis has all necessary
power and authority to enter into, and to perform its obligations under, the LLC
Agreement; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the LLC Agreement by
Artemis does not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any law or order of
any court or other governmental authority applicable to Artemis or any of its
assets, properties or businesses; or (ii) result in any breach of or constitute
a default under any agreement to which Artemis is a party or by which any of
such assets or properties is bound or affected; (c) Artemis is a corporation
duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New
York, and (d) Artemis shall act in good faith with respect to all matters
covered by the LLC Agreement and the Exhibits hereto. Artemis shall not at any
time do, or authorize any Person to do, anything inconsistent with the terms and
conditions set forth herein or which might diminish or impair any party's rights
hereunder, nor shall Antra become liable by reason of any representation, act or
omission of Artemis that is contrary to the provisions hereof.
SECTION 4.03. Antra Representations. Antra represents and warrants, as
of the execution hereof, each of the following:
(a) Antra is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
(b) Antra has all necessary power and authority to enter into, and to
perform its obligations under the LLC Agreement and the Exhibits hereto. This
LLC Agreement and the Exhibits hereto upon execution will constitute legal,
valid and binding obligations of Antra, enforceable against Antra in accordance
with their terms. The execution, delivery and performance of the LLC Agreement
by Antra do not and will not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the
breach of any law or order of any court or other governmental authority
applicable to Antra, or any of its assets, properties or business; or (ii)
conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default)
under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of, or result in
the creation of any encumbrance on any of the assets or properties of Antra
pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage or indenture, contract agreement, lease,
sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which
Antra is a party or by which any of such assets or properties are bound or
affected.
(c) Antra has provided Artemis with copies of all written contracts and
has disclosed to Artemis the terms of all material oral agreements to which
Antra or any Affiliate is a party or has any obligation (i) with composers,
lyricists, singers, musicians, or any other Person, in each case, directly
relating to the production, manufacture or distribution of Master Recordings,
(ii) intentionally omitted, (iii) that limit or purport to limit the ability of
Antra or any Affiliate to
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compete in the Business or in any geographic area, or (iv) the performance of
which would, or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the business, financial condition or prospects of Antra, Company or Artemis
(and all such contracts and pre-existing obligations are listed on Exhibit E).
(d) Company shall have good title to all of the properties, rights, and
assets which may be transferred or licensed to or acquired in any way by
Company, free and clear from all liens, encumbrances and third-party interests.
(e) Company shall own and/or possess adequate licenses or other valid
rights to use (without payment, except as expressly set forth herein) all
trademarks [including, without limitation, the "Antra", "Antra Records", and
"Antra Music Group" trademarks and logos (collectively, the "Xxxx")], copyrights
and other proprietary rights necessary to conduct its business and none of the
following shall be defamatory or violate or infringe upon the rights of any
Person, including, without limitation, contractual rights, copyrights and rights
of privacy: (i) any name, trademark, logo or other identification used by
Company, including without limitation, the Xxxx; or (ii) any materials, ideas or
other properties embodied in or used in connection with the Master Recordings or
the packaging of or the advertising for Phonograph Records embodying Master
Recordings.
(f) Antra has no knowledge of any claim or purported claim, lien or
right of any third party which would interfere with Company's or Artemis' rights
hereunder or create any liability on the part of Artemis or Company. Antra
further covenants that it will not make any sale or exchange of any interest in
Company that will cause a termination of Company within the meaning of Section
708 of the Code.
(g) Antra expressly agrees that all Master Recordings recorded pursuant
to any Artist Agreement or otherwise pursuant to the LLC Agreement (specifically
excluding master recordings delivered pursuant to the P&D Agreement), from the
inception of the recording thereof, and all artwork ("Artwork") created for
use on or in connection with Phonograph Records or other derivatives of such
Master Recordings, shall be deemed "works made for hire" for Company.
Accordingly, all such Master Recordings, from the inception of the recording
thereof, and all Phonograph Records and other reproductions made therefrom,
together with the performances embodied therein, and all Artwork, and all
copyrights therein and thereto, and all renewals and extensions thereof, shall
be entirely Company's property, free of any claims whatsoever by Antra or any
other Person. throughout the world and in perpetuity. Accordingly, Company shall
have the exclusive right to obtain registration of copyright (and all renewals
and extensions) in those Master Recordings and in all Artwork, in Company's
name, as the owner and author thereof. If for any reason any such Master
Recording(s) or Artwork are deemed not to be "works made for hire" for Company,
then Antra hereby irrevocably assigns to Company all of Antra's right, title and
interest in and to such Master Recordings and Artwork (including, without
limitation, all copyright therein, and all renewals and extensions thereof).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Company shall have the sole,
exclusive and unlimited right
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throughout the world to manufacture Records and otherwise exploit the Master
Recordings and the performances thereon, or any part thereof, by any method(s)
now or' hereafter known embodying any portion(s) or all of the performances
embodied on such Master Recordings.
(h) Antra shall act in good faith with respect to all matters covered by
the LLC Agreement and the Exhibits hereto. Antra shall not at any time do, or
authorize any Person to do, anything inconsistent with the terms and conditions
set forth herein or which might diminish or impair any party's rights hereunder,
nor shall Artemis become liable by reason of any representation, act or omission
of any of Antra that is contrary to the provisions hereof.
(i) Antra shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, give or offer
to give any consideration of any kind to any radio or television station,
network, to any employee thereof, or programming for the purpose of securing the
broadcast or promotion of any phonograph records embodying Master Recordings.
(j) Neither the tangible products produced in connection with Antra's
activities under the LLC Agreement, including the Exhibits hereto, nor any
payments to be made pursuant to the LLC Agreement (including the Exhibits
hereto) is currently being used or pledged or shall be used or pledged by Antra
as collateral and/or security for any loan, indebtedness, lien or any other
liability that Antra may have incurred heretofore or incur hereafter.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 5.01. Distributions.
(a) Within ninety (90) days following the last day of each Fiscal Year,
and in connection with each accounting hereunder pursuant to Section 8.04(a)
below, Company shall do the following: (i) distribute to Antra an amount equal
to fifty percent (50%) of Distributable Profits, but only after making the
"Priority Distribution" to Artemis set forth in the next sentence; and (ii)
distribute to Artemis an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Distributable
Profits. For purposes of this agreement, "Distributable Profits" shall mean,
with respect to the Fiscal Year concerned, the lesser of: (x) Net Profits and
(y) Available Cash as of the date of such distribution after satisfying the
following priorities:
(i) First, Available Cash shall be applied to reduce the accrued and
unpaid interest on the Loans;
(ii) Second, if there is any Available Cash remaining, it shall be
applied to reduce the principal amount of the Loans; and
(iii) Third, if there is any Available Cash remaining, it shall be
used to
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establish a reasonable reserve against the anticipated cash disbursements
required for the costs and expenses of the proper management of Company's
activities hereunder (in accordance with approved Annual Budget, or as otherwise
approved by the Executive Board) during the next twelve (12) months of the Term,
to the extent in excess of the anticipated cash receipts during such period.
(b) Company, Antra and Artemis shall each be solely responsible for
their respective liabilities for all taxes due to any taxing authority, and
nothing hereunder shall be construed to require Artemis to pay or reimburse
Antra or Company for any taxes of any nature which are payable by Antra or
Company.
(c) Without limitation of the foregoing, Artemis shall have the right
to deduct any outstanding amounts under the P&D Agreement from any Distributable
Profits or other monies otherwise due you hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt,
such amounts shall not be added to any Loss Cap calculations prepared by Artemis
pursuant to paragraph 2.01(a)(iii).
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS
SECTION 6.01. Computation of Net Income and Net Loss. The Net Income and
Net Loss of Company for any Fiscal Year shall be an amount equal to Company's
taxable income (or loss) for such Fiscal Year (computed in accordance with
Section 703(a) of the Code), with the following adjustments:
(a) any income of Company for such Fiscal Year that is exempt from
federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income
or Net Loss under this Section 6.01 shall be added to such taxable income (or
loss);
(b) any Section 705(a)(2)(B) Expenditure for such Fiscal Year not
otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss under this
Section 6.01 shall be subtracted from such taxable income (or loss);
(c) in the event the book value of any asset is adjusted pursuant to
Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder,
the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from
the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing the Net Income or Net
Loss;
(d) any gain or loss resulting from the disposition during such Fiscal
Year of any asset (in a taxable transaction) shall be computed by reference to
the book value of such asset;
(e) in lieu of the depreciation (or cost recovery) or amortization with
respect to any asset taken into account in computing such taxable income (or
loss), there shall be taken into account depreciation (or cost recovery) or
amortization in respect of such asset determined by
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applying the method used by Company for federal income tax purposes with respect
to such asset to the book value of such asset (or if the tax basis of such
asset is zero at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, by applying any reasonable
method selected by the Tax Matters Partner);
(f) any items in the nature of income, gain, expense or loss that are
specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.04 shall not be taken into account;
(g) to the extent an adjustment to the tax basis of any Partnership
asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the code is required
pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) or (m)(2) of the Treasury
Regulations to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result
of a distribution other than in complete liquidation of a Partner's interest in
Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if
the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment
decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be
taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss; and
(h) all items of income, gain, loss, deduction or expense that are
required to be separately stated pursuant to Section 7.03(a)(1) of the Code
shall be included in computing Net Income or Net Loss.
SECTION 6.02. Allocation of Net Income, After giving effect to the
special allocations set forth in Section 6.04 hereof, Net Income for any Fiscal
Year shall be allocated as follows:
(a) First, to Artemis in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i)
the cumulative Net Losses allocated to Artemis pursuant to Section 6.03(b)
hereof for all prior Fiscal Years, over (ii) the cumulative Net Income allocated
to Artemis pursuant to this Section 6.02(a) for all prior Fiscal Years; and
(b) The balance, if any, fifty percent (50%) to Artemis and fifty
percent (50%) to Antra.
SECTION 6.03 Allocation of Net Losses. After giving effect to the
special allocations set forth in Section 6.04 hereof, Net Losses for any Fiscal
Year shall be allocated as follows:
(a) First, fifty percent (50%) to Artemis and fifty percent (50%) to
Antra in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative Net Income
allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.01(b) hereof for all prior Fiscal
Years, over (ii) the cumulative Net Losses allocated to the Members pursuant to
this Section 6.03(a) for all prior Fiscal Years; and
(b) Second, one hundred percent (100%) to Artemis,
12
SECTION 6.04. Special Allocations.
(a) (i) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Section
1.704-2(f) of the Treasury Regulations, notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article VI, if there is a net decrease in partnership minimum gain during
any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company
income and gain for the Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years)
in an amount equal to such Member's share of the net decrease in partnership
minimum gain, determined accordance with Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in
proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member
pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance
with Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704(j)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. This
subsection 6.02(a)(i) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback
requirement in Section 1.704(f) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly
receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(6) of the
Treasury Regulations, items of Company income and gain shall be specially
allocated to each such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate,
to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account
Deficit of such Member as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation
pursuant to this subsection 6.04(a)(ii) shall be made only if and to the extent
that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other
allocations provided for in this Article VI have been tentatively made as if
this subsection 6.04(a)(ii) were not in the LLC Agreement,
(iii) Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Member has a deficit
Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of
(x) the amount such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of
the LLC Agreement, and (y) the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to
restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections
1.704-2(g)(1),and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Member shall be specially allocated
items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as
possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this subsection 6.04(a)(iii)
shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit
Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for
herein have been made as if subsection 6.04(a)(ii) and this subsection
6.04(a)(iii) were not in the LLC Agreement.
(iv) Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth above in this
Section 6.04 (the "Regulatory Allocations") are intended to comply with certain
requirements of the Treasury Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that,
to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with
other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this subsection 6.04(a)(iv).
Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of the LLC Agreement (other than
the Regulatory Allocations), the Members shall make such offsetting special
allocations of Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner they
determine appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each
Member's Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible,
13
equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the
Regulatory Allocations were not part of the LLC Agreement and all Company items
were allocated pursuant to the LLC Agreement without regard to the Regulatory
Allocations, In exercising their discretion under this subsection 6.04(a)(iv),
the Members shall take into account future Regulatory Allocations that, although
not yet made, are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations previously made
under subsections 6.04(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above.
(v) Other Allocation Rules. Solely for purposes of determining the
Members' proportionate share of the "excess nonrecourse liabilities" of Company
within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Members
interest in Company profits shall be equal to such Member's Member Interest in
Company (i.e., 50%).
(b) To the extent permitted by Section 1.704-2(h)(3) of the Treasury
Regulations, the Members shall endeavor to treat distributions of cash as having
been made from the proceeds of a nonrecourse liability only to the extent that
such distributions would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit
for any Member.
(c) Tax Allocations. In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the
Treasury Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect
to any property contributed to the capital of Company shall, solely for tax
purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation
between the adjusted basis of such property to Company for Federal income tax
purposes and its initial Gross Asset Value
(d) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted
pursuant to the definition of Gross Asset Value set forth on Exhibit A
hereto, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect
to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of
such asset for Federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same
manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
(e) Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall
be made by the Tax Matters Partner in any manner that reasonably reflects the
purpose and intention of the LLC Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section
6.04 are solely for purposes of Federal, state, and local taxes and shall not
affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing any share of
Distributable Profits, Net Profits or Available Cash hereunder.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in the LLC Agreement, all items of
Company gain, loss, deduction, and any other allocations not otherwise provided
for shall be divided among the Members in the same proportions as they share Net
Profits or Net Loss, or amounts specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.04
hereof, as the case may be, for the Fiscal Year.
14
MANAGEMENT
SECTION 7.01. Management. During the Term, the overall management and
control of the business and affairs of Company will be vested in the "Executive
Board", which shall manage the affairs of Company and determine the policies of
Company. During the Term, the "Executive Board" shall initially consist of
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, (as Xxxxx'x representative) and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx (as Artemis'
representative). Artemis may replace its designated representative or revoke
its appointment of any previously designated representative at any time (and
from time to time) by giving written notice to Antra. Artemis shall promptly
fill any vacancy caused by the death, removal or resignation of its designated
representative. Each representative on the Executive Board shall be entitled to
one vote and all decisions of the Executive Board shall require a unanimous vote
of both representatives.
SECTION 7.02. Day-to-Day Management. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx ("Xxxxxxx") shall
act as the chief executive officer of Company. Subject to the terms hereof,
including without limitation Section 7.06 below, each of Antra and Artemis shall
have the ability to act on behalf of Company in connection with its day-to-day
affairs.
SECTION 7.03. Key Man.
(a) Xxxxxxx shall be deemed the "Key Man" and shall render exclusive
services to Company (other than with respect to his services in connection with
the P&D Agreement) so as to fulfill the obligations contemplated hereunder
and/or required of Antra and/or Company under the LLC Agreement, or as may be
reasonably requested by Company, including, without limitation, the supervision
of the production, recording and delivery of Master Recordings to Company and
the fulfillment of all A&R and management functions required on behalf of Antra
and Company.
(b) It is acknowledged that the participation of the Key Man in
Company's affairs and his direct involvement in the performance of Company's
obligations hereunder for the entire Term are of the essence of the LLC
Agreement. In the event of the death or permanent incapacity of the Key Man
during the Term of the LLC Agreement, or if the Key Man shall cease working due
to mental, physical or other disability for a period of six (6) or more
consecutive months, or, if for any other reason, the Key Man fails, refuses or
neglects, for a period exceeding six (6) months, to so participate as set forth
above during the Term, Artemis shall have the right, by notice, to terminate the
Term of the LLC Agreement, and all Loans (including any accrued interest)
hereunder will immediately become due and payable by Company to Artemis.
(c) Artemis shall have the right at any time to obtain insurance on the
life of Xxxxxxx, at Artemis' sole expense, with Artemis being the sole
beneficiary thereof. Xxxxxxx agrees that he will cooperate fully with Artemis in
connection with the obtaining of such a policy, including, without limitation,
Xxxxxxx'x submitting to any required physical examination and completing any
documents necessary or desirable in respect thereof, provided, however, Xxxxxxx
shall be
15
entitled to have a physician of his own choice present at any physical
examination which is required. Neither Xxxxxxx nor Xxxxxxx'x estate shall have
any right to claim the benefit of any such policy obtained by Artemis.
(d) In the event of the death or permanent incapacity of Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
("DG") during the Term of the LLC Agreement, or if DG shall cease working due to
mental, physical or other disability for a period of six (6) or more consecutive
months, Antra shall have the right, by notice, to terminate the Term of the LLC
Agreement.
SECTION 7.04. Services to Be Furnished to Company by Antra.
(a) A&R Scout/Artist Signings. Antra shall endeavor in good faith to
find Artists and to cause such Artists to enter into Artist Agreements with
Company, subject to the following:
(i) During the Term, Antra will, in good faith, submit no less
than five (5) proposed Artists ("Proposed Artists") to Company (the "Minimum
Submission Requirement"), whose recording services shall not be subject to any
contractual restrictions. If Artemis, in its sole discretion, designates any
Proposed Artist an "Accepted Artist", Company may enter into a Artist Agreement
with respect to such Artist, as set forth in more detail below. Each Proposed
Artist shall be submitted to Artemis as follows:
(A) Antra shall deliver to Artemis notice (the
"Submission Notice") along with all materials and information (photos,
performance history, etc.) ("Submission Materials") which will enable Artemis to
make an informed decision regarding the potential of such Proposed Artist. At
Artemis' election, Artemis may also require, a personal audition by such
Proposed Artist. In addition, at Artemis' election, Antra shall deliver a
finished Master Recording or a "demo" tape recording of no fewer than three (3)
compositions. Such "demo" tape shall be recorded pursuant to a budget
approved by Antra and Artemis. (The latter of (1) the date on which the demo
tape, all Submission Materials and the Submission Notice have been received by
Artemis, or (2) the date of the audition described above [if such audition is
requested], shall be deemed the "Submission Date" for purposes hereof.)
(B) If within sixty (60) days from the Submission
Date, Artemis has not designated such Proposed Artist an "Accepted Artist", then
Artemis shall be deemed to have rejected such Proposed Artist (a "Rejected
Artist"). Without limitation of the foregoing, Antra shall have the right to
distribute Records embodying the performances of any such Rejected Artist
pursuant to the terms of and subject to the limitations set forth in the P&D
Agreement.
(C) Antra shall have the right to introduce and
submit the applicable Rejected Artist to a Person other than Company.
(ii) If Artemis elects to designate any Proposed Artist an
Accepted Artist, then Artemis shall, on behalf of Company, endeavor to negotiate
and enter into an Artist Agreement
16
with respect to the Proposed Artist concerned. Artemis shall consult with Antra
and its designated legal representative regarding the material financial and
creative terms of such Artist Agreement; provided that Artemis' failure to do so
shall not be deemed a breach hereof and Artemis' decision shall govern in the
event of a dispute. Neither Antra nor Company shall enter into any agreement for
Recordings or the services of Artists during the Term except as specifically
permitted herein.
(A) Provided Antra and/or Xxxxxxx are not in material
breach of their obligations hereunder, during each Term Year of the Term,
Artemis shall accept three (3) Artists presented to Artemis by Antra in
accordance with the Minimum Submission Requirement ("Artemis' Acceptance
Obligation"). Antra hereby acknowledges that the two Accepted Artists set forth
in subparagraphs (B) and (C), below shall reduce Antra's Minimum Submission
Requirement and Artemis' Acceptance Obligation for the First Term Year.
(B) Artemis and Antra hereby designate Xxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Chenjerai Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
individually and collectively professionally known as the "Spooks"' as an
Accepted Artist hereunder. Antra warrants and represents that there is a valid
and binding agreement covering such Accepted Artist's recording services and
that Antra has the exclusive right to record, deliver and exploit Master
Recordings embodying the performances of such Accepted Artist in accordance with
the terms and conditions contained in the LLC Agreement.
(C) Artemis hereby acknowledges that Antra has
acquired and shall transfer to Company the exclusive right to exploit a
soundtrack album (the "Soundtrack Album") derived from the theatrical motion
picture titled "Once In The Life" and that for the purposes of this LLC
Agreement, the Soundtrack Album shall be treated as an Accepted Artist. Such
Soundtrack Album shall be owned by the Company and shall be manufactured,
distributed and otherwise exploited in accordance with this Agreement. Artemis
hereby approves a budget (subject to Artemis' right to review and approve each
line item of the proposed budget) not in excess of One Hundred Fifty Thousand
($150,000) Dollars.
(D) In the event that Antra and/or Xxxxxxx has
previously incurred and paid any out-of-pocket costs in connection with either
of the Accepted Artists referred to in subparagraphs (B) and (C) above, Company
shall reimburse Antra or Xxxxxxx promptly following: (1) the complete execution
hereof, (2) intentionally omitted; and (3) submission of written documentation
of such expenses.
(iii) With respect to each Company Artist Antra and Artemis
shall mutually control all decisions regarding creative issues relating to the
Business, including, without limitation, the selection of producers, remixers,
compositions to be recorded, recording studios, recording budgets, the
Recordings to be embodied on Singles, the scheduling of release dates for
Company's Records (subject always, however, to any limitations arising out of
Artemis' overall release schedule), Album artwork, the sequencing of Recordings
on Albums, and the selection of
17
concepts, scripts and directors for music videos (provided that, with respect
to music videos, Antra must submit all such concepts, scripts, storyboards and
directors to Artemis at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled date of the
proposed video shoot, and provided further that the production budget for each
music video shall be subject to mutual approval by Antra and Artemis).
(iv) Except as expressly set forth above, the Advances payable
by Artemis, on behalf of Company, under each Artist Agreement (including,
without limitation, the Recording Costs for each Record) shall be determined by
Artemis, in consultation with Antra.
(v) Company shall be responsible for all costs of recording
Master Recordings, but such costs shall be administered through Artemis' A & R
Administration Department.
(b) Antra, shall be responsible for the supervision of all elements
involved in the production, recording and delivery of the Master Recordings to
Company, as described in subsection 7.04(a) above, including, without
limitation, the following:
(i) Antra shall comply with and shall cause Company and any
individual under the control of Antra or Company to comply with all rules and
regulations of, and become a direct signatory to the applicable collective
bargaining agreements with the AFofM, AFTRA and all other unions and guilds
having jurisdiction over the activities of Company in connection with the
production and recording of Master Recordings. Each Master Recording shall be
recorded in a first class recording studio and shall embody a newly recorded
performance of a musical composition or other material not previously recorded
and commercially released by the Company Artist whose performances are recorded
in that Master Recording. Each Master Recording shall be commercially
satisfactory to Company, which shall be determined by Antra and Artemis on
behalf of Company. Each Master Recording shall also be satisfactory for the
manufacture and sale of Phonograph Records and shall be delivered to Company and
Artemis in a form acceptable to Artemis for the manufacture by and on behalf
of Company of Phonograph Records embodying Master Recordings. Antra shall
deliver to Company each and every original session tape and each multi-track
master recording and, upon Company's receipt, Company shall be responsible for
maintaining and keeping available each Master Recording.
(ii) Antra shall cause to be delivered to Company and Artemis
all information, documents and approvals in accordance with the provisions of
the Artist Agreements so that Artemis is able to manufacture, distribute, market
and sell Phonograph Records embodying Master Recordings and otherwise to exploit
Master Recordings on behalf of Company, except obtaining written confirmation of
mechanical licenses, which, as between Antra and Artemis, shall be Artemis' sole
responsibility, subject to the Company Artist's obligation to obtain such
licenses under the applicable Artist Agreement. Without limitation of the
foregoing, Antra shall furnish Company in writing with all information, consents
and clearances required for the recording, manufacture and distribution of
Master Recordings hereunder with respect to any so-
18
called "Embodied Copyrighted Materials". For the purposes hereof, Embodied
Copyrighted Materials shall mean the "interpolation", "sampling", "borrowing" or
other adaptation of any copyrighted music, lyrics, spoken words, sounds, musical
composition sound recordings or other material.
SECTION 7.05. Artemis' General Services to Company. Except as expressly
provided otherwise in the LLC Agreement, Artemis and/or its Affiliates will
perform manufacturing services, sales and distribution services, marketing,
publicity, advertising and promotion services, artwork preparation, and
administrative and so-called "back office" services (including finance, business
and legal affairs, royalty accounting, copyright clearance and accounting, video
production, A&R administration, contract administration and general information
services). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied herein,
Artemis and/or its Affiliates will have the right to decline to release or
distribute, or to cease to distribute, any Record hereunder, in their
discretion, including, without limitation, on the grounds of advocacy of illegal
activity, patent offensiveness, violation of rights of privacy and/or publicity,
defamation, other violation of law or infringement of any other rights of any
third party (including, without limitation, rights of copyright or trademark).
Upon receipt of Antra's written request Artemis shall provide Antra with copies
of redacted statements received by Artemis from its current or subsequent other
distributor.
(a) U.S. Retail Distribution.
(i) During the Term Artemis or its designated Affiliate, shall
be the exclusive distributor through all retail channels and all means of
exploitation in the United States of all Records derived from Company Masters
released by Company (collectively, the "Products"). During each month, Company
shall be accounted to by Artemis or its designated Affiliate with respect to
"Net Xxxxxxxx" (which, for purposes of this agreement, shall mean gross xxxxxxxx
less returns and credits) of the Products distributed hereunder in such
applicable month, after deduction of the distribution fee charged to Artemis by
its distributor, a reasonable reserve against returns (but not to exceed
reserves being held by Artemis' distributor), and any other costs (e.g., co-op
advertising costs) paid by Artemis on Company's behalf, all of which Artemis
shall have the right to retain from Net Xxxxxxxx prior to accounting to Company.
(ii) If, in any month of the Term hereunder, Artemis or its
designee receives returns and/or issues credit to customers in excess of gross
xxxxxxxx during such month ("Excess Returns"), then, in the accounting statement
for such month, Artemis shall have the right, at its election to do any of the
following: (A) to demand reimbursement from Company for an amount (the "Excess
Returns Amount") equal to the credits issued to customers in connection with
such Excess Returns, and, iii such event, Company shall make reimbursement of
the Excess Returns Amount promptly following the date of Artemis' written
request therefor; and/or (B) to deduct the Excess Returns Amount from any and
all reserves established hereunder, and/or (C) to deduct the Excess Returns
Amount from any and all Revenues collected by Artemis hereunder; and/or (D) to
treat the Excess Returns Amount as Advances hereunder.
19
(b) Foreign Rights. Artemis and/or its designated Affiliates shall be
Company's exclusive licensee outside the United States, and Company hereby
licenses to Artemis and/or its Affiliates the right to acquire, distribute and
otherwise exploit the Products and the Company Masters outside the United
States, in exchange for which Company shall be entitled to receive, as Revenues
hereunder any monies payable to Artemis by its designated Affiliates.
(e) Ancillary Rights. Artemis will make all decisions regarding the
exploitation of the Products through so-called "secondary exploitation
channels", as that term is understood within the music industry (including,
without limitation, directly or indirectly through licenses for use of Masters
on Records, key outlet sales, master use licenses, licenses or sales to record
clubs and sampling licenses) (collectively, "Ancillary Distribution Channels")
in consultation with Antra, provided that Artemis' inadvertent, non-repetitious
failure to so consult shall not be a breach hereof and that, in the event of a
dispute, Artemis' decision shall be binding. Company hereby designates Artemis,
or its Affiliate(s), as its exclusive agent for Ancillary Distribution Channels.
(d) Marketing. The marketing plan (the "Marketing Plan") for each
Record released by Company shall be determined by Artemis, within the limits
set forth in the applicable approved Annual Budget. Furthermore, Artemis shall
have the right to control the marketing and promotion of all of Company's
Records in accordance with the applicable approved Marketing Plan. Artemis will,
however, consult with Antra with respect to Marketing Plans; provided that
Artemis' decisions shall control in all instances, and provided further that
Artemis' inadvertent, non-repetitious failure to so consult with Antra in any
instance shall not constitute a breach of this agreement by Artemis.
(e) (i) During the Term, Artemis, on behalf of Company, shall
administer and track Company's Options to extend the term of the Artist
Agreements, it being understood, however, that, during the Term, the decision
whether or not to exercise any Option shall be made by the Executive Board. If
Company does not wish to exercise an Option because Antra does not wish for
Company to exercise such Option, then Artemis shall have the right, subject to
making appropriate arrangements with Company for prior expenditures, including,
without limitation, prior unrecouped balances, to require that Company assign to
Artemis all of Companys rights and obligations under the applicable Artist
Agreement (including, without limitation, the right to exercise such Option and
any other Options thereunder, but specifically excluding Company's rights and
obligations relating to Company Masters delivered to Company pursuant to the
applicable Artist Agreement prior to such assigmnent, it being understood that
all such Company Masters shall remain the property of Company). In the event of
any such assignment, neither Company nor Antra shall have any further interest,
financial or otherwise, in respect of the exploitation of Master Recordings
recorded and delivered to Artemis by any Company Artist subsequent to the date
of such assignment. Without limitation of the foregoing, Artemis, in its sole
discretion shall be entitled to renegotiate any Artist Agreement.
20
(ii) Without Limitation of the foregoing, if Company does not
wish to exercise an Option because Artemis does not wish for Company to exercise
such Option, then Antra shall have the right, subject to making appropriate
arrangements with Company for prior expenditures, including, without limitation,
prior unrecouped balances, to require that Company assign to Antra all of
Company's rights and obligations under the applicable Artist Agreement
(including, without limitation, the right to exercise such Option and any other
Options thereunder, but specifically excluding Company's rights and obligations
relating to Company Masters delivered to Company pursuant to the applicable
Artist Agreement prior to such assignment, it being understood that all such
Company Masters shall remain the property of Company). In the event of any such
assignment, neither Company nor Artemis shall have any further interest,
financial or otherwise, in respect of the exploitation of Master Recordings
recorded and delivered to Antra by any Company Artist subsequent to the date of
such assignment.
(f) Company's Trademark and Logo.
(i) Antra and Artemis shall mutually approve the Xxxx to be
used and reproduced by Company on or in connection with exploitations of Company
Masters, and the following terms and conditions shall apply:
(A) The Xxxx (i.e., the "Antra" logo) shall appear
along with the "Artemis" logos on the packaging and labels of all Records
hereunder and in all advertising and promotional materials related thereto and
shall be substantially the same size as the "Artemis" logo. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any failure by Artemis' licensees', and any inadvertent failure by
Artemis to comply with the foregoing, shall not be deemed a breach of the LLC
Agreement.
(B) Antra shall retain ownership of the Xxxx and all
rights therein, subject to the rights herein granted to Company to use the Xxxx,
as set forth in the following sentence. Antra hereby grants to Company and its
licensees and designees, on a royalty-free basis, the right and license to use
the Xxxx on and in connection with the exploitation of the Company Masters
hereunder (including, without limitation, on the materials described in Section
7.01 (f)(i)(A) above), and to authorize others to do so, in each instance in
accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement. Antra shall be solely
responsible for and shall pay all costs to register, maintain and protect the
Xxxx in all countries designated for use by Artemis. If applicable, Antra shall
execute and deliver to Artemis any and all documents reasonably necessary to
Artemis to evidence or implement the license herein granted to Company. The
rights herein granted to Company in respect of the Xxxx shall be exclusive
during the Term, and non-exclusive after the Term.
(C) On and in connection with all Phonograph Record
packaging and other materials used on or in connection with the exploitation of
the Company Masters, Artemis shall have the right to reflect that Artemis and/or
its applicable Affiliate is the authorized
21
manufacturer and distributor of Company's Phonograph Records embodying Master
Recordings throughout the Territory.
SECTION 7.06. Major Decisions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
expressed or implied herein, Antra and Artemis agree that, without the prior
written consent of each of Antra and Artemis, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Member, officer, employee or agent of Company, including the
chief executive officer, directly or indirectly, to take any of the following
actions or enter into any agreement which would result in any of the following
actions (any such action a "Major Decision").
(a) incur capital expenditures other than as set forth in an applicable
approved Annual Budget;
(b) borrow money (other than the Loans);
(c) make loans or advances or grant financial or operating guarantees,
except as set forth in the applicable approved Annual Budget;
(d) encumber (whether by mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security
interest, guarantee, or otherwise), sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
assets of Company, other than in the ordinary course of Company's business and
as set forth in the applicable Annual Budget;
(e) approve, establish or enter into any employment agreement,
compensation or other benefit arrangement with an employee;
(f) admit any new members or grant additional interests;
(g) dissolve, liquidate or otherwise terminate Company, except as
permitted pursuant to Article X below;
(h) change the nature of the Business of Company;
(i) change the nature of the rights and/or obligations of Artemis and
Company as set forth herein;
(j) effect a merger or an acquisition or incur any debt in addition to
the amounts provided herein (excluding approved credit issued to Company in the
ordinary course of business, e.g., credit cards, manufacturer's credit, etc.);
(k) join in any involuntary case, or commence any voluntary case, under
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws now or hereafter in
effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in any such involuntary
case, or to the conversion of any involuntary case to a voluntary case under any
such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a
22
receiver, trustee or other custodian of all or a substantial portion of the
assets of Company;
(1) adopt the Annual Budget;
(m) appoint, remove or change any of Company's officers or senior
employees, primary outside lawyers or accountants, if applicable;
(n) make any distributions of Company's property or cash or any payment
to any Member or its Affiliates, except as otherwise permitted herein;
(o) acquire, on behalf of Company, any securities of, or other
ownership interest in any Person;
(p) acquire, on behalf of Company, any business or the creation of any
direct or indirect subsidiary of Company or enter into, or acquire any interest
in, any joint venture or partnership with any Person;
(q) authorize any amendment to the LLC Agreement or the Certificate of
Formation of the Company; or
(r) change the name of Company.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
SECTION 8.01. No Remuneration. Except as otherwise agreed to herein or
in writing by the Members, no Member shall receive any salary or other
remuneration for its services rendered pursuant to the LLC Agreement.
SECTION 8.02. Bank Accounts. The Members shall have authority to open
bank accounts and designate signatories with respect thereto on behalf of
Company and may authorize agents and independent contractors of Company to open
such bank accounts as deemed necessary or desirable for the conduct of Company
business, subject to the terms set forth herein.
SECTION 8.03. Collection of Accounts; Artemis Services.
(a) The parties hereto agree that Artemis, on behalf of Company, shall
be responsible for collecting all Revenues generated by Company, and Antra shall
instruct all sources of Company's Revenues to remit such amounts to the account
specified by Artemis for Company. Notwithstanding that Artemis, on behalf of
Company, shall be responsible for collecting all Revenues generated by Company,
the obligation to pay principal and interest in respect of the Loans is and
shall remain the obligation of Company.
(b) Company shall maintain a separate, local account (the "Local
Account") and Artemis shall, subject to the Annual Budget and the terms hereof,
make deposits into such Local Account with respect to payments designated by
Artemis to be paid directly by Company; provided that (i) Antra shall report to
Artemis on a monthly basis in connection with the status of such direct
payments, and (ii) the bank at which the Local Account is established shall
provide monthly statements directly to Artemis in connection with such Local
Account. It is hereby agreed that Artemis shall manage all payroll payments on
behalf of Company.
SECTION 8.04. Accountings.
(a) Formal Annual Accountings.
(i) Accountings with respect to Net Profits, Available Cash and
Distributable Profits shall be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the
internal financial reporting guidelines of Artemis, and shall be made by
Artemis, on behalf of Company, to Antra and Artemis, respectively, on or before
March 31st following the end of the preceding Fiscal Year, or such other
accounting periods as Artemis may adopt, but in no event less frequently than
annually in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 6.01 above.
(ii) All accountings shall be binding upon Antra unless specific
objection in writing, stating the basis thereof, is given to Artemis within
three (3) years following the date such statement was rendered. Solely for
purposes of objecting to statements under this Section 8.04(a), all statements
hereunder will be deemed conclusively to have been rendered on the due date set
forth in subsection 8.04(a)(i) above unless Antra notifies Artemis otherwise
within thirty (30) days after such due date.
(iii) Antra shall have the right at its own expense to audit
Artemis' books and records which pertain to the LLC Agreement only ounce per
statement, and only within three (3) years following the date such statement was
rendered. Furthermore, Antra may make such audit only for the purpose of
verifying the accuracy of statements sent to Antra hereunder, and only as
provided herein. Antra shall have the right to audit said books by notice to
Artemis at least thirty (30) days prior to the date Antra intends to commence
the audit. Said audit shall be conducted by a reputable, independent certified
public accountant experienced in recording industry audits, and in such a manner
so as not to disrupt the Company's or Artemis' other functions, and shall be
completed promptly. Prior to the commencement of any audit the accounting firm
and each of its employees or partners conducting such audit shall sign a
confidentiality agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Artemis. Antra's
auditor shall review its tentative written findings with a member of Artemis'
finance staff designated by Artemis before rendering a report to Antra, so as to
remedy any factual errors and clarify any issues that may have resulted from any
misunderstanding. Such audit shall be conducted during Artemis' usual business
hours, and at Artemis' regular place of business in the United States where
Artemis keeps the books and records to be examined. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary expressed or implied herein, in no event shall Antra have the
right to audit any of Artemis' or its Affiliates' manufacturing
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records, nor any of Artemis' Affiliates books and records relating to the
exploitation of Company Masters outside the United States.
(iv) Antra shall not have the right to bring an action against
Artemis in connection with statements hereunder unless Antra commences the suit
within three (3) years following the date such statement was rendered; the scope
of the proceeding will be limited to determination of the amount due for the
accounting periods concerned, and the court will have no authority to consider
any other issues or award any relief except recovery of any monies found owing;
however, in the event any court determines, on the face of the facts presented,
fraud or gross negligence on the part of Artemis in connection with any such
claim, and such determination is not overturned or reversed, the limitations set
forth in the immediately preceding clause shall not apply.
(b) Informal Monthly Accountings. In addition to the annual accountings
required to be rendered to Antra and Artemis pursuant to Section 8.04(a) above,
Artemis, on behalf of Company, shall prepare and render to Antra and Artemis,
within thirty (30) business days following the end of each mouth during the
Term, an informal income statement showing Company's estimated income and
expenses during such month and an a cumulative basis during the applicable
Fiscal Year. Artemis' Finance Department will be reasonably available to Antra
to answer any questions Antra may have regarding any such informal income
statement.
ARTICLE IX
SALE OR TRANSFER OF MEMBER INTERESTS
SECTION 9.01. No Transfer. No Member may sell, assign transfer, give,
hypothecate or otherwise encumber, directly or indirectly, by operation of law
or otherwise (including by merger, consolidation, dividend or distribution) (any
such sale, assignment, transfer, gift, hypothecation or encumbrance being
hereinafter referred to as a "Transfer"), any Member Interest ("Equity
Interest") except as set forth in this Article IX. Any Transfer of any Equity
Interest in contravention of this Article IX shall be null and void. No Member,
without the prior written consent of each other Member, shall retire or withdraw
from Company except as a result of such Member's death, permanent disability,
insanity, incompetence or the final adjudication of such Member as bankrupt.
SECTION 9.02. Transfers to Affiliates; Succession.
(a) (i) Artemis may, at its election, assign this agreement or any of
its rights hereunder to any parent, subsidiary, Affiliate or division of Artemis
or to any subsidiary or licensee in which Artemis now has or may hereafter
acquire a substantial interest, to any entity that merges its assets with those
of Artemis or the assets of which are acquired by Artemis, by lease or
otherwise, or to any entity acquiring all or a substantial portion of Artemis'
assets, and such rights may be assigned by any assignee.
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(ii) Subject to Artemis' right to terminate the LLC Agreement
pursuant to paragraph 7.03, Antra may, at its election, assign this agreement or
any of its rights hereunder to any parent, subsidiary, Affiliate or division of
Antra or to any subsidiary or licensee in which Antra now has or may hereafter
acquire a substantial interest, to any entity that merges its assets with those
of Antra or the assets of which are acquired by Antra, by lease or otherwise, or
to any entity acquiring all or a substantial portion of Antra' assets, and such
rights may be assigned by any assignee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that Xxxxxxx is no longer involved with Antra or Company in accordance
with 7.03(b), Artemis shall be relieved of Artemis' Acceptance Obligation set
forth in paragraph 7.04(a)(ii)(A).
(b) Subject to Section 7.03, in the event of the death or permanent
incapacity of an individual Member or in the event of the merger,
consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of any Member not an individual, all
of such Member's Interest shall pass to such Member's personal representative,
heir or distributee, in the cast of an individual Member, or to such member's
legal successor, in the case of any Member not an individual. A Transfer
pursuant to this Section 9.02 shall not be subject to Section 9.01 above.
SECTION 9.03. New Members. Notwithstanding Section 9.01 and subsection
9.02(a) above, no Person, not then a Member, shall become a Member hereunder
under any of the provisions hereof unless such Person shall expressly assume and
agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement. All
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Company in connection with any
Transfer and, if applicable, the admission of a Person as a Member hereunder,
shall be paid by the transferor. Upon compliance with all provisions hereof
applicable to such Person becoming a Member, all other Members agree to execute
and deliver such amendments hereto as are necessary to constitute such Person a
Member of the Company.
Article X
TERMINATION
SECTION 10.01. Dissolution. In addition to (and not in lieu of) the
applicable provisions of Delaware law, Company shall be dissolved and its
business wound up upon the occurrence of any of the following events, whichever
shall first occur (the "Termination Date"):
(a) Subject to Section 11.03 below, a material breach by Antra of any
of its representations or obligations under the LLC Agreement (including without
limitation the Exhibits hereto) and/or a breach by Antra of the Consulting
Agreement;
(b) The death, insanity, permanent incapacity, retirement, resignation,
withdrawal, expulsion, dissolution, liquidation or final adjudication as a
bankrupt or the filing of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy of any Member
unless the remaining Member elects to continue Company within ninety (90) days;
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(c) Intentionally Omitted;
(d) The written agreement of Artemis and Antra; or
(e) At Artemis' option, upon notice, to Antra, if Net Losses for any
Fiscal Year after the Initial Term Year exceed the Loss Cap (subject only to
Antra's right to pay down the Loss Cap as set forth in paragraph 2.01(a)(iii),
as shown on the formal accounting statements prepared by Artemis for such Fiscal
Year.
SECTION 10.02. Termination. In all cases of dissolution of Company
(except in the case of a dissolution pursuant to paragraph 10.01(d), in which
instance such dissolution shall be governed by the mutual agreement of the
parties), the Business of Company shall be wound up and terminated by Artemis as
promptly as practicable thereafter, and each of the following shall be
accomplished:
(a) Artemis shall cause to be prepared a statement setting forth the
assets and liabilities of Company as of the date of dissolution, a copy of which
statement shall be furnished to all of the Members. The assets of Company shall
be allocated, either by appraisal and distribution of the assets themselves or
by liquidation of the assets and distribution of the proceeds of such
liquidation, as Artemis and Antra may mutually agree.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subsection 10.02(a)
above, if Company is being terminated because of an event described in
subsection 10.01(a), (b), (c) or (e) above, then Artemis shall have the right to
acquire all the assets of Company for a purchase price equal to the fair market
value of such assets. The "fair market value" of the assets of Company shall be
determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm agreed upon by
Artemis and Antra and knowledgeable with respect to the Business. Such
investment banking firm's determination of the fair market value of the assets
of Company, shall be considered in the context of a hypothetical purchase of the
assets of Company negotiated between a willing buyer and a willing seller,
neither of whom is under compunction to act, without any discount for a minority
interest, transfer restrictions, illegality or other similar factors; provided
that in the event Xxxxxxx is no longer President, the investment banking firm
shall consider such fact. In evaluating Company, the investment banking firm
shall give due consideration to the prospects and potential of Company. The
fees, costs and expenses of the investment banking firm shall be borne by
Company. Artemis shall notify Company within fifteen (15) days of the delivery
of such investment banking firm's determination to Company whether Artemis
intends to exercise its right to acquire the assets of Company; provided that in
order to exercise such right, Artemis must be able to demonstrate in reasonable
detail in such notice that it (i) has the financial ability to consummate such
purchase and (ii) is able to close such transaction within sixty (60) days of
the Termination Date. Artemis shall have the right to deduct its unpaid Loans
and/or Advances hereunder, and any unpaid interest accrued thereon from the
amount of the purchase price.
(c) Any gain or loss realized by Company upon the appraisal and
distribution or sale
27
of its property and assets shall be allocated to the Members in the manner set
forth in Article VI hereof
(d) The appraised assets and/or proceeds of the sale of all the assets
of Company shall be applied and distributed as follows and in the following
order or priority:
(i) To the payment of (A) the debts and liabilities of Company
(including any outstanding amounts due on any recourse indebtedness encumbering
the Property, or any part thereof, including any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon) and (B) the expenses of liquidation;
(ii) To the setting up of any reserves which Artemis shall
determine to he reasonably necessary for contingent, unliquidated or unforeseen
liabilities or obligations of Company or the Members arising out of or in
connection with Company. Such reserves may, in the discretion of Artemis, be
paid over to a national bank selected by it and authorized to conduct business
as an escrowee to be held by such bank as escrowee for the purposes of
disbursing such reserves to satisfy the liabilities and obligations described
above, and at the expiration of such period as Artemis may reasonably deem
advisable, distributing any remaining balance as provided in clauses (iii) and
(iv) below; provided that, to the extent that it shall have been necessary, by
reason of applicable law or regulation, to create any reserves prior to any and
all distributions which would otherwise have been made under this subsection (d)
and, by reason thereof, a distribution under clause (i) hereof has not been
made, then any balance remaining shall first be distributed pursuant to clause
(i) hereof;
(iii) To Artemis, the sum of the full amount drawn on the Loans or
Advances provided by Artemis to Company and/or Antra, and any unpaid interest
accrued thereon; and
(iv) The remainder of the aggregate assets and/or proceeds shall be
divided between Artemis and Antra, in accordance with their Member Interests
(i.e., fifty percent (50%) to Artemis and fifty percent (50%) to Antra).
SECTION 10.03. Attorney-In-Fact. Artemis is hereby irrevocably
appointed as the true and lawful attorney in the name, place and stead of each
of the Members, such appointment being coupled with an interest, to make,
execute, sign, acknowledge and file with respect to Company all papers which
shall be necessary or desirable to effect the dissolution and termination of
Company in accordance with the provisions of this Article X. Without limiting
the foregoing, Artemis shall, upon the final dissolution of Company, file an
appropriate certificate to such effect in the proper governmental office or
offices under the Act as then in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each
Member, upon the request of Artemis, shall promptly execute, acknowledge and
deliver all such documents, certificates and other instruments as Artemis shall
reasonably request to effectuate the proper dissolution and termination of
Company, including the winding-up of the business of Company.
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SECTION 10.04 Buy-out.
(a) Either party shall have the option, exercisable by sending the,
other party a notice (the "Buy-out Election Notice") not earlier than one (1)
year following the expiration of the Term (the "Buy-out Trigger Date"), to
buy-out the interest of the other party in the Company. within thirty (30) days
after such Buy-out Election Notice, Artemis shall render a good faith estimate
of the status of accounts of the Venture, including undistributed Net Profits
and outstanding Loans or other Advances (the "Interim Statement"). Within thirty
(30) days after after date Artemis delivers the Interim Statement, Antra shall
deliver written notice (the "Buy-out Price Notice") to Artemis specifying a
price (which price shall be for 50% of the equity value of the Company).
Artemis will then have an irrevocable option for a period of thirty (30) days to
agree to purchase Antra's share of Company for the price specified in the
Buy-out Price Notice (subject to adjustment pursuant to paragraph 10.04(b)
below). If Artemis does not exercise the option prior to its expiration, then
Antra, shall purchase Artemis' share of the Company for the price specified in
the Buy-out Price Notice, In the event that Antra fails to fulfil such
obligation to purchase the Company by such date, the parties shall retain their
respective ownership interests in Company and Artemis shall continue to operate
the Company in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement applicable to the
operation of the Company after the expiration of the term.
(b) If either party purchases the other party's interest in the Company
pursuant to this Section 10.04, then the seller shall also be entitled to
receive the balance of all undistributed Net Profits, if any, attributable to
its ownership interest in the Company up to the end of the Buy-out Trigger Date.
Artemis shall deliver to Antra, within 90 days after the end of the Term,
financial statements in order to determine the Net Profits distributable to each
of the parties at the end of the Term. At the Buy-out Closing, the party which
sold its interest shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal
to such Net Profits. Additionally one hundred percent (100%) of any outstanding
Loans (and any interest accrued thereon) shall be either (i) deducted from the
price to be paid by Artemis or (ii) added to the price to be paid by Antra to
purchase the other party's interest in Company.
(c) The closing of any purchase provided for in this Section 10.04 (the
"Buy-out Closing") shall be held at such time and place as the parties may agree
(such date, the "Buy-out Closing Date").
(d) (i) If Artemis acquires Antra's interest in Company in accordance
with this Section 10.04, effective as of the Buy-out Closing Date, Antra shall
have no further consent, approval or consultation rights pursuant to this LLC
Agreement, any Artist Agreement and/or any other rights acquisition Agreement.
(ii) If Antra acquires Artemis' interest in Company in accordance
with this Section 10.04, effective as of the Buy-out Closing Date, Artemis shall
have no further consent, approval or consultation rights pursuant to this LLC
Agreement, any Artist Agreement and/or any other rights acquisition Agreement.
29
(e) After the Buy-out Closing, the party that purchased the interest of
the other party shall indemnify and hold harmless against all losses,
liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees
and expenses) relating to the business and operations of Company both before and
after the Buy-out Closing; provided that such indemnification shall not release
the indemnified party from any obligation arising as a result of a breach of
this LLC Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute,
acknowledge, deliver, file, record and publish such further certificates,
amendments to certificates, instruments and documents, and do all such other
acts and things as may be required by law, or as may be required to carry out
the intent and purposes of the LLC Agreement.
SECTION 11.02. Indemnities.
(a) Company shall indemnify, to the extent of the then-current Company
assets any Member, employee, officer, agent or individual who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a member of the management committee or
similar governing body, or an employee or agent of Company, against expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
incurred by the indemnitee in any action or proceeding between such indemnitee
and the indemnitor or any third party or otherwise), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement (with Company's consent) actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interest of Company.
(b) Any indemnification under subsection (a) of this Section 11.02
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by Company only as authorized in the
specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Member, officer,
employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsection (a) of this Section
11.02. Such determination shall be made by a unanimous vote of the Members or,
with respect to a member of the Executive Board, as so directed by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion.
(c) Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person
who is or was a Member, officer, employee or agent of 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
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, including without limitation,
Xxxxxxx.
30
SECTION 11.03. Force Majeure/Cure/Suspension.
(a) Each of Artemis and Antra shall not be deemed to be in breach of
any of their respective obligations hereunder that can be cured unless and until
the other shall notify them specifically of the details of that breach or
alleged breach and they shall fail to cure or attempt to cure that breach or
alleged breach within sixty (60) days after their receipt of that specific
written notice from the other party.
(b) With respect to the services to be furnished to Company by Artemis
hereunder, Artemis shall not be deemed in default of the LLC Agreement to the
extent the performance of Artemis' obligations are delayed or become impossible
or impractical by reason of any labor disagreements, fire, catastrophe, shortage
of materials or other force majeure event beyond their control that materially
hampers or makes commercially impractical their normal business operations
(hereinafter referred to as a "force majeure contingency"). By notice to Antra,
Artemis may suspend its obligations hereunder for the duration of any such force
majeure contingency. In the event of any such suspension, specific dates,
periods and time requirements referred to in the LLC Agreement, shall be
postponed or extended accordingly. No suspension imposed under this paragraph
11.03(b) shall exceed six (6) months unless such contingency is industry-wide,
in which event Artemis shall have the right to suspend the applicable Period for
the duration of such contingency. If such suspension is not industry-wide, Antra
may request Artemis by notice in writing given at any time after the expiration
of such six (6) month period to terminate the suspension within sixty (60) days
following Artemis' receipt of Antra's said notice. If Artemis does not so
terminate the suspension, the Term of this agreement will terminate at the and
of such sixty (60) day period, or at such earlier date as Artemis may designate
in writing, and the parties shall be deemed to have fulfilled all their
obligations hereunder except those obligations, which survive such
termination.
SECTION 11.04. Notices. All notices to Artemis shall be sent to Artemis
at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, to the attention of the Chief
Executive Officer; and all statements and payments and any and all notices to
Antra shall be sent to Antra at the address set forth on the first page of this
agreement or such other address as each party hereafter designates by notice in
writing to the other. All notices shall be in writing and shall be sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and the date of mailing
of any such notice shall be deemed the date of the, giving thereof (except
notices of change of address), the date of which shall be the date of receipt by
the receiving party. Copies of all notices to Artemis hereunder shall also be
sent to the attention of the Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs.
Copies of all notices to Antra shall also be sent to the Law Offices of Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx, LLC, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, provided,
however that Artemis' inadvertent failure to send such copy shall not be deemed
to be a breach of this agreement or to impair the effectiveness of the notice in
question.
31
SECTION 11.05. GOVERNING LAW. EXCEPT FOR MATTERS RELATING TO THE
VALIDITY OF COMPANY, WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO DELAWARE LAW, THIS LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED AND
PERFORMED ENTIRELY IN THAT STATE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES UNDER NEW YORK LAW). THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR
PROCEEDING BASED UPON ANY MATTER, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER THE
AGREEMENT AND/OR HEREUNDER OR RELATING THERETO AND/OR HERETO SHALL BE BROUGHT
SOLELY IN THE STATE COURTS OF OR THE FEDERAL COURT IN THE STATE AND COUNTY OF
NEW YORK; EXCEPT THAT IN THE EVENT ARTEMIS IS SUED OR JOINED IN ANY OTHER COURT
OR IN ANY OTHER FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY MATTER WHICH MAY GIVE RISE TO A CLAIM BY
ARTEMIS HEREUNDER, THE PARTIES HERETO OTHER THAN ARTEMIS CONSENT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT OR FORUM OVER ANY CLAIM WHICH MAY BE ASSERTED BY
ARTEMIS THEREIN. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE VENUE
OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COURTS, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR
PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. ANY PROCESS IN ANY ACTION,
SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE AGREEMENT AND/OR THIS
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT MAY, AMONG OTHER METHODS PERMITTED BY LAW,
BE SERVED UPON ANTRA BY DELIVERING OR MAILING THE SAME IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 11.04 HEREOF. ANY SUCH PROCESS MAY, AMONG OTHER METHODS, BE SERVED UPON
ANTRA OR ANY OTHER PERSON WHO APPROVES, RATIFIES, OR ASSENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT
TO INDUCE ARTEMIS TO ENTER INTO IT, BY DELIVERING THE PROCESS OR MAILING IT TO
ARTIST OR THE OTHER PERSON CONCERNED IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 11.04.
SECTION 11.06. Headings. All titles or captions contained in the LLC
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of the LLC Agreement.
SECTION 11.07. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This LLC Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or
remedy of any nature whatsoever.
SECTION 11.08. Extention Not a Waiver. No delay or omission in the
exercise of any power, remedy or right herein provided or otherwise available to
a party or Company shall impair or affect the right of such party or Company
thereafter to exercise the same. Any extension of time or other indulgence
granted to a party hereunder shall not otherwise alter or affect any power,
remedy or right of any other party or of Company, or the obligations of the
party to whom such extension or indulgence is granted.
32
SECTION 11.09. Severability. If any term or other provision of the LLC
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or
public policy, all other terms and provisions of the LLC Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
shall negotiate in good faith to modify the LLC Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in
order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally
contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
SECTION 11.10. Consents. Any consent or approval to any act or matter
required under the LLC Agreement must be in writing and shall apply only with
respect to the particular act or matter to which such consent or approval is
given, and shall not relieve any Member from the obligation to obtain the
consent or approval, as applicable, wherever required under the LLC Agreement
to any other act or matter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to
approvals which may be required of Antra in connection with the exploitation of
Master Recordings hereunder, Antra shall be deemed to have granted its approval
if it does not inform Artemis to the contrary, within five (5) days of Artemis'
request therefor.
SECTION 11.11. Entire Agreement. This LLC Agreement shall not be
binding upon Antra or Artemis until signed by a duly authorized officer of
Artemis and countersigned by Antra. This LLC Agreement and the Exhibits, which
are incorporated and made a part hereof, constitute the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and all prior
agreements (including, without limitation, the Short-Form Agreement) relating to
the subject matter hereof are hereby superseded and merged herein. Amendments,
variations, modifications, or changes herein may be made effective and binding
upon the parties by, and only by, the setting forth of the same in a document
duly executed by each party, and any alleged amendment, variation, modification
or change herein which is not so documented shall not be effective as to any
party.
SECTION 11.12. Counterparts, This LLC Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but
all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 11.13. Related Businesses
(a) Antra acknowledges and agrees that Artemis and its Affiliates
engage in a variety of entertainment-related businesses on a worldwide basis;
and that Artemis and such Affiliates intend to continue engaging in such
businesses, and nothing contained in the LLC Agreement or in any other agreement
shall restrict the rights of Artemis and/or its Affiliates from continuing to
engage in in such businesses.
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(b) Artemis hereby acknowledges that Antra and its affiliates engage in
a variety of entertainment-related businesses on a worldwide basis and that
Antra and such affiliates intend to continue engaging in such businesses, and,
so long as Antra does not engage in any business that would constitute a breach
of its material obligations hereunder or under the P&D Agreement, nothing
contained in the LLC Agreement or in any other agreement shall restrict the
rights of Antra and/or its Affiliates from continuing to engage in such
businesses.
SECTION 11.14. Confidentiality.
(a) The Members acknowledge that during the course of their performance
under the LLC Agreement, each Member may learn confidential information of the
other Member. Each Member agrees to take reasonable steps to protect such
confidential information and further agrees that it shall not: (i) use such
confidential information except as required in the normal and proper course of
performing under the LLC Agreement; and (ii) disclose or allow access to such
confidential information, other than the parties' respective employees,
authorized representatives, agents, directors and officers, in their capacity as
such, on a need-to-know basis, and except as may otherwise be required by law,
without, in each case, obtaining the prior written approval of the other Member,
provided, however, that such restrictions shall not apply to confidential
information which a Member has requested be subject to a confidentiality order
but none the less is required to be revealed to an adjudicating body in the
course of litigation. The foregoing restrictions shall continue to apply after
the expiration or termination of the Term and/or the dissolution of the Company,
regardless of the reason for such expiration, termination and/or dissolution,
and shall continue to apply for so long as the confidential nature of such
information is maintained. All confidential information is, and shall remain,
the property of the Member which supplied it. Each Member shall take reasonable
steps to xxxx its confidential information with appropriate legends, provided,
however, that the failure so to xxxx such confidential information shall not
relieve the other Member of its obligations hereunder. The term "confidential
information" does not include information of a particular Member which is or
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure
by the other Member.
(b) Any press releases or press communications concerning the LLC
Agreement must be mutually approved by Artemis and Antra.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed the LLC
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
SHERIDAN SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------
An Authorized Representative
ANTRA MUSIC GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, CEO
---------------------------
An Authorized Representative
35
ASSENT AND GUARANTY
To induce Artemis to enter into the foregoing agreement with Antra Music Group,
Inc. (the "Label") (the "Agreement"):
The undersigned:
(a) represents to Artemis that he has read the Agreement and has had
the legal effect of each of its provisions explained to him by a
lawyer chosen by him;
(b) assents to the execution of the Agreement and agrees to be bound by
all grants, restrictions, and other provisions of it relating to
the undersigned insofar as it relates to him; and
(c) acknowledges that Artemis will have no obligation to make any
payments to the undersigned in connection with the fulfillment of
the undersigned's obligations under the Agreement.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, CEO
--------------------------
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
SHERIDAN SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
d/b/a Artemis Records
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
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EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
When used in the LLC Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth in this Exhibit A:
(a) "Adjusted Capital Account Deficit" means, with respect to each
Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member's Capital Account as of the
end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following
adjustments:
(i) Credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Member
is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of the LLC Agreement or is
deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of each
of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and
(ii) Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Sections
1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of
the Treasury Regulations.
The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to
comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury
Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) "Affiliate": Any Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person.
(c) "Album": One or more LPs, sold in a single package (an Album of
more than one LP sometimes being referred to as a "Multiple-Record Album").
(d) "Artist": individually and collectively, an individual, duo or
group recording artist.
(e) Artist Agreement: any agreement pursuant to which Company acquires
rights to the recorded performances of an Artist who renders services in
connection with the activities of the parties under the LLC Agreement (whether
such agreement is with the applicable Artist, a furnishing entity, a producer or
otherwise).
(f) "Ancillary Distribution Channels": any and all distribution
channels other than Normal Distribution Channels, including, without limitation,
so-called "secondary exploitation channels", as that term is understood within
the Phonograph Record industry, such as, by means of example only, exploitations
through key outlet sales, master use licenses, licenses or sales to record
clubs, synchronization licenses, sales by or through direct mail and mail order,
and premium sales.
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(g) "Audio-Visual Devices": All forms of reproductions of Audio-Visual
Recordings now or hereafter known, manufactured or distributed primarily for
home and/or jukebox use and/or use on or in means of transportation.
(h) "Audio-Visual Recordings" means every form of recording embodying
performances of Artist wherein are fixed visual images, whether of Artist or
otherwise, together with sound.
(i) "Available Cash": As of any date of determination: (i) the amount
by which Revenues actually received by Company in cash in same-day United States
currency exceed all accrued liabilities and Charges actually paid for by Company
in cash, from commencement of the applicable year through the date of
distribution, less (ii) any Distributable Profits actually paid out by Company
in respect of any Member's Member Interest from the commencement of the
applicable Fiscal Year of the Term through the date of the determination.
(j) Capital Account: The capital account established on the books of
Company for each Partner in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.02 of
the Agreement.
(k) "Capital Contribution": With respect to any Member, the amount of
money and the initial Gross Asset Value (defined below) of any property (other
than money) contributed to Company by such Member (or such Member's predecessors
in interest) with respect to the Member Interest in Company held by such Member.
(l) "Charges": For any period, the sum of the following amounts, in
each case calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP for such period, without
duplication.
(i) All out of pocket costs paid or accrued to Non-Affiliated
Third Parties by Company or by Artemis or any of its Affiliates on behalf of
Company, including, without limitation, costs relating in any way to Accepted
Artists, Company Masters, the Xxxx and/or the Business;
(ii) the distribution fee and all other costs charged to Artemis
by its current or subsequent other distributor, a current schedule of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit F;
(iii) all manufacturing costs, and artwork preparation and
production costs in connection with exploitation of Company Masters;
(iv) accrued and unpaid interest on the aggregate principal amount
of the Loans;
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(v) all other expenses of Company in connection with exploitation
of Company Masters and the operation of the Business properly charged against
income in accordance with U.S. GAAP; and
(m) "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, or any successor legislation.
(n) "Company Masters": Master Recordings embodying the performances of
Accepted Artists.
(o) "Depreciation": For any Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the
depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable for
Federal income tax purposes with respect to an asset for such Fiscal Year,
except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis
for Federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year,
Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning
Gross Asset Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other
cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted
tax basis; provided that, if the adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes
of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero, Depreciation shall be
determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any
reasonable method selected by the Members.
(p) "Fiscal Year": the twelve (12) month fiscal reporting period used
by Artemis from time to time (currently, commencing on January 1 and ending on
December 31).
(q) "Foreign Royalty Base": the published price to dealers in the
applicable country of sale, without any so-called "container charges" or
"packaging deductions".
(r) "Gross Asset Value" means, with respect to any asset, the asset's
adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(i) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset (other than money)
contributed by a Member to Company shall be the gross value of such asset as
agreed to by all of the Members (which agreement shall not be unreasonably
withheld by any Member);
(ii) The Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted
to equal their respective gross fair market values as determined by agreement
among all of the Members (which agreement shall not be unreasonable withheld by
a Member) as of the following times: (A) the acquisition of an additional
interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than
a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution by Company to a Member
of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in
the Company; or (C) the liquidation of Company within the meaning of Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations; and
39
(iii) The Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any
Member shall be the gross value of such asset on the date of distribution, as
determined by agreement among all the Members (which agreement shall not be
unreasonable withheld by any Member).
If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
subsection (i) or (ii) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be
adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset.
(s) "LP: A Phonograph Record embodying no less than ten (10) Sides,
containing no less than forty-five (45) minutes of playing time.
(t) "Master", "Recording", "Master Recording": Any recording of sound,
whether or not coupled with a visual image, by any method and on any substance
or material, whether now or hereafter known, including Audio-Visual Recordings,
intended for reproduction in the form of Phonograph Records, or otherwise.
(u) "Net Billings: Xxxxx xxxxxxxx, less sales allowances, returns and
credits.
(v) "Net Income": For any Fiscal Year, the amount equal to Company's
net income for such year, determined in accordance with Section 6.01.
(w) "Net Loss": For any Fiscal Year, the amount equal to Company's net
loss for such year, determined in accordance with Section 6.01.
(x) Net Profits": Revenues less the following items: (i) Charges; (ii)
a reserve against returns (as calculated and held by Artemis' current or
subsequent other distributor), which shall not exceed 20% of Net Billings; and
(iii) all taxes or other payments required to be paid by Company pursuant to
applicable law, but only to the extent greater than zero, if any.
(y) "Non-Affiliated Third Parties": Persons other than Persons as to
which Artemis now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds more than a fifty
percent (50%) interest or control (including joint ventures) or Persons in which
the principals of Artemis now or hereafter collectively hold more than a fifty
percent (50%) interest or control.
(z) "Normal Distribution Channels: Normal retail distribution channels
as commonly understood in the Record industry, and any other distribution
channels utilized by the sales force of Artemis' affiliated branch distributor.
(aa) "Member": Each of Artemis and Antra.
(bb) "Person": Any individual, corporation, partnership, association,
or other entity, or the legal successors or representatives of any of the
foregoing.
40
(cc) "Records", "Phonograph Records": Any device now or hereafter
known, on or by which sound may be recorded and reproduced, which is
manufactured or distributed primarily for home and/or consumer and/or jukebox
use and/or use on or in means of transportation including "sight and sound"
devices or Audio-Visual Devices.
(dd) "Revenues": For any period, calculated in accordance with U.S.
GAAP, the sum of (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the monies actually received
by or credited to Company in the United States in respect of Net Billings solely
attributable to the exploitation of Company Masters in the United States
(expressly excluding any blanket licenses of Artemis' audio and/or audio-visual
catalog of Master Recordings), and (ii) without duplication, the royalty income
actually received by or credited to Company in the United States solely
attributable to the exploitation of Company Masters outside of the United
States.
(ee) "Section 705(a)(2)(B) Expenditure": Any expenditure by Company of
a type that is described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (or treated as such
pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)).
(ff) "Side": A Recording embodying Artist's performance of one (1)
Composition or the equivalent thereof, containing no less than two and one-half
(2-1/2) minutes of continuous sound.
(gg) "Single": A 7-inch vinyl disc Phonograph Record or its non-vinyl
equivalent embodying no more than two (2) Sides.
(hh) "Taxable Year": The taxable year of Company required by Section
706 of the Code.
(ii) "Treasury Regulations": The official Treasury Department
interpretation of the Code found in Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(jj) "U.S. GAAP": Generally accepted accounting principles set forth in
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other
statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of
the accounting profession, in each case consistent with the manner in which the
same are applied to the financial statements of Artemis.
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EXHIBIT B
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CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
42
EXHIBIT C
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WORKING CAPITAL LOAN FACILITY
NOTE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
43
EXHIBIT D
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FORM OF ANNUAL BUDGET
44
EXHIBIT D-1
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[APPROVED ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000]
45
EXHIBIT E
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PRE-EXISTING ANTRA CONTRACTS AND OBLIGATIONS
46
EXHIBIT F
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47
