VITA VENTURES, LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT Dated as of September 7, 2006
Exhibit
10.1
VITA
VENTURES, LLC
Dated
as
of September 7, 2006
Vita
Ventures, LLC
a
Delaware Limited Liability Company
THIS
AGREEMENT is
made
and entered into as of September 7, 2006, by and between G-Nutritional,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GN") and Vitaquest International
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("VQT"). GN and VQT hereafter are
referred to collectively as the "Members."
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENT
WHEREAS,
a
Certificate of Formation has been filed with the Secretary of State of the
State
of Delaware to organize Vita Ventures, LLC under and pursuant to the Delaware
Limited Liability Company Act; and
WHEREAS,
in
accordance with Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Members desires
to
enter into this Agreement to set forth the respective rights, powers and
interests of the Members with respect to the Company, to provide for the
management of the business and operations of the Company and to provide for
the
Members' continued ownership of the Company;
NOW,
THEREFORE, the
Members agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINED
TERMS
1.1 Definitions.
The
following defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the respective
meanings set forth in this Article I. Additional defined terms are set forth
throughout this Agreement.
"Affiliate"
means,
when used with reference to a specific Person (or when not referring to a
specific Person shall mean an Affiliate of a Member), any Person that, directly
or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled
by or
is under common control with such specific Person.
"Aggregate
Contributions"
means,
at any time, the sum of the Capital Contributions of all Members theretofore
made to the Company.
"Agreement"
means
this Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, including the Schedules
and
Exhibits hereto, as originally executed and as subsequently amended from time
to
time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
"Bankruptcy
Code"
means
Title 11 of the United States Code, as now in effect or as hereafter
amended.
"Brand"
means
the brand, including Xxxxxxx Indicia, under which the Products will be
marketed.
"Business"
means
the business of marketing the Products under the Brand by any and all means
to
which the Members agree, including, without limitation, by direct response
television and through retail outlets.
"Capital
Account"
means
the Capital Account maintained for each Member pursuant to Section
4.2.
"Capital
Contribution"
means
the total amount of cash and property contributed to the Company by a Member
(less any distribution of capital to such Member relating thereto); provided,
however, that property will be deemed a Capital Contribution only when mutually
agreed by the Members.
"Certificate
of Formation"
means
the Certificate of Formation of the Company described in Section
2.1.
"Code"
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as hereafter
amended.
"Company"
means
Vita Ventures, LLC, the limited liability company formed by the filing of the
Certificate of Formation.
"Distributable
Funds"
means
the excess, from time to time, of the Company's cash on hand after payment
or
provision for all Operating Expenses and maintenance of the Reserve; and, in
the
event of dissolution, the excess of the Company's cash on hand after the winding
up of the Company's business and the payment or provision for payment of all
of
the Company's liabilities.
"Distribution
Agreement"
means
the agreement to be entered into between the Company and Windmill Health
Products, pursuant to which the Products will be distributed through normal
retail channels in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed
upon by the parties hereto.
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"Economic
Interest"
means
that aspect of a Membership Interest which consists solely of the rights to
receive Distributable Funds.
"Fiscal
Year"
means
the calendar year.
“Xxxxxxx
Indicia”
means
the name and likeness of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx.
"LLC
Law"
means
the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as it may be amended from time
to
time, and any successor to such LLC Law.
"Members"
means GN
and VQT and any permitted successors or assignees of their Membership
Interests.
"Membership
Interest"
means
the entire interest of a Member in the Company, including, without limitation,
(a) the right to receive distributions of Distributable Funds, allocations
of
Net Income and Net Loss and distributions of liquidation proceeds under this
Agreement and (b) any management rights, voting rights or rights to consent
provided for herein.
"Net
Income" and "Net Loss"
for any
Fiscal Year of the Company, or any fraction thereof, shall mean the net income
or net loss of the Company, as the case may be, for such Fiscal Year, in each
case including gain or loss recognized upon the sale of any assets of the
Company, including the amount, if any, of tax exempt income received or accrued
and taking into account expenditures of the Company described in section
705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (including expenditures treated as described in section
705(a)(2)(B) of the Code under Treas. Reg. §1.704-1(b)(2)-(iv)(i)). The Company
shall determine all items of Net Income and Net Loss in accordance with
principles applicable in determining taxable income or loss for federal income
tax purposes for limited liability companies treated as partnerships and
consistent with accounting methods used by the Company in determining taxable
income or loss for federal income tax purposes.
"Operating
Expenses"
means
all mutually agreed costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Company
during any period, including, without limitation, legal and accounting fees
and
expenses.
"Other
Materials"
means
"Other Materials" as defined in the Trademark License and Services Agreement.
"Packaging"
means
"Packaging" as defined in the Trademark License and Services Agreement.
"Percentage
Interests"
means
the respective Membership Interests of GN and VQT (i.e., 50.1% and 49.9%,
respectively, except for the purposes of voting, where the interests shall
be
50% and 50%, respectively).
3
"Person"
means
any general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, joint venture, trust, business trust, governmental agency, cooperative,
association, individual or other entity, and the heirs, executors,
administrations, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such Person
as
the context may require.
"Products"
means
"Products" as defined in the Trademark License and Services Agreement.
"Reserve"
means an
amount deemed reasonable by the Members to be held by the Company in
anticipation of reasonably foreseeable as well as unanticipated
expenses.
"Securities
Act"
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Trademark
License and Services Agreement"
means
the trademark license and services agreement dated as of September 7, 2006
between GN and the Company. Any capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Trademark License and
Services Agreement.
"Treasury
Regulations"
means
the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department pursuant to the
Code.
“Windmill”
means
Windmill Health Products, a division of VQT and the distributor of Products
pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATION
2.1 Formation.
The
Company has been organized as a Delaware limited liability company under and
pursuant to the LLC Law by the filing of the Certificate of Formation with
the
Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the
LLC
Law. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the
Certificate of Formation, the terms of the Certificate of Formation shall
prevail.
2.2 Name.
The
name of the Company is "Vita Ventures, LLC." To the extent permitted by the
LLC
Law, the Company may conduct its business under one or more assumed names deemed
advisable by the Members.
2.3 Purposes.
The
purposes for which the Company is organized and operated are:
(a)
to
operate the Business for the mutual benefit of the Members; and
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(b)
to
enter into all contracts, licenses and/or agreements and do all things necessary
or appropriate to the accomplishment of the foregoing purpose and the conduct
or
promotion of such purpose.
The
Company shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to effect any purpose
for which it is formed, including all powers granted by the LLC Law.
2.4 Office.
The
principal office of the Company shall be located at 0 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx. The location of the
Company's principal office may be changed at the direction of the Members from
time to time, and the Company shall maintain available for inspection at its
principal office the records required to be so maintained by the LLC Law. The
Company may have such other offices as the Members may designate from time
to
time.
ARTICLE
III
MEMBERS
3.1 Members.
The
names and addresses of the members of the Company (the "Members") are as
follows:
G-Nutritional,
LLC:
c/o
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Enterprises, Inc.,
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx.,
0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx-Xxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Vitaquest
International LLC:
0
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
As
of the
date hereof, there are no other Members of the Company, and no other Person
has
any right to take part in the ownership of the Company.
3.2 Admission
of Additional Members.
Additional Members of the Company may be added only if the addition of any
such
proposed additional Member is approved in writing, prior to such admission,
by
all Members.
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ARTICLE
IV
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERCENTAGE INTERESTS
4.1 Capital
Contributions.
The
Members will make Capital Contributions in accordance with their Percentage
Interests, provided, however, that unless they unanimously agree otherwise,
they
shall not be required to make Aggregate Contributions in excess of $350,000.
Except to the extent the Members unanimously agree otherwise, Capital
Contributions will be made by the Members in such amounts and at such times
as
are set forth in Exhibit
4.1,
and
Capital Contributions will be applied by the Company in accordance with said
Exhibit 4.1.
4.2 Capital
Accounts.
A
Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each Member. Each
Member's Capital Account (i) shall be increased by (A) the amount of money
contributed or deemed to be contributed by that Member to the Company, (B)
the
fair market value of property contributed by that Member to the Company and
accepted by the Company as a Capital Contribution (net of liabilities secured
by
the contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or takes
subject to), and (C) allocations to that Member of Net Income, including income
and gain exempt from tax and income and gain described in Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Treasury Regulations, but excluding income and
gain
described in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) of the Treasury Regulations, and (ii)
shall be decreased by (A) the amount of money distributed to that Member by
the
Company, (B) the fair market value of property distributed to that Member by
the
Company (net of liabilities secured by the distributed property that the Member
is considered to assume or take subject to), (C) allocations to that Member
of
expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code,
and
(D) allocations of Net Loss (or items thereof), including loss and deduction
described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Treasury Regulations, but
excluding loss or deduction described in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or Section
1.704-1(b)(4)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations.
4.3 Return
of Capital Contributions.
Except
as otherwise provided herein or in the LLC Law, no Member shall have the right
to withdraw, or receive any return of, all or any portion of such Member's
Capital Contribution.
4.4 Interest.
No
interest shall be paid by the Company on Capital Contributions or on balances
in
Members' Capital Accounts.
4.5 Loans
From Members.
If the
Company accepts a loan from a Member, such loan shall not be considered a
Capital Contribution, and the making of such loan shall not result in any
increase in the amount of the Capital Account or the Percentage Interest of
such
Member. The amounts of any such loan shall be a debt of the Company to such
Member and shall be payable or collectible only out of the Company's assets
in
accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loan is made. The
repayment of loans from a Member to the Company upon liquidation shall be
subject to the order of priority set forth in Section 12.4.
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4.6 Percentage
Interests.
The
respective Membership Interests of GN and VQT are 50.1% and 49.9%, respectively,
for the allocation of profits and distribution of losses. For voting purposes,
the Membership Interests of GN and VQT are 50% and 50%, respectively. There
shall be no adjustment to Percentage Interests by reason of any additional
Capital Contributions or loans made by any Member unless both Members agree
to
such adjustment, in which event the Agreement shall be amended to provide for
the adjusted Percentage Interests.
ARTICLE
V
ALLOCATIONS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1 Allocations
of Net Income and Net Losses.
From
and after the date of this Agreement, all Net Income and Net Losses of the
Company for each Fiscal Year or fraction thereof shall be credited or charged
to
the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with their Percentage
Interests.
5.2 Allocations
on Dissolution and Winding Up.
(a)
After
adjusting the Capital Accounts for distributions and allocations made under
this
Article V for the year, gain resulting from a sale of the Company's assets
under
Section 12.2 or otherwise upon the dissolution and termination of the Company
shall be allocated to the Members in the following order and
priority:
(i)
First, if the Capital Account of any Member has a negative balance, gain shall
be allocated to such Member to the extent of such negative balance. If the
Capital Accounts of more than one Member have a negative balance, gain, to
the
extent of the aggregate negative balances in the Capital Accounts of the
Members, shall be allocated to such Members in proportion to their respective
negative balances.
(ii)
Then, gain shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests.
(b)
After
adjusting the Capital Accounts for distributions and allocations made under
this
Article V for the year, loss resulting from a sale of the Company's assets
under
Section 12.2 or otherwise upon the dissolution and termination of the Company
shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage
Interests.
5.3 Distributions
of Distributable Funds.
(a)
Distributable Funds will be distributed to the Members in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests.
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(b)
It is
the intention of the Members that the Company distribute Distributable Funds
no
less frequently than quarterly, and more frequently if so agreed upon by the
Members.
ARTICLE
VI
RESTRICTIONS
ON TRANSFER
6.1 Prohibited
Transfers.
Except
as specifically permitted or required by this Agreement, no Member shall
directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, transfer, donate or otherwise
dispose of, or pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber in any manner
whatsoever, or permit or suffer an encumbrance of (or enter into an agreement
or
understanding with respect to the foregoing) (collectively, a "Transfer"),
any
of the right, title or interest in its Membership Interest.
6.2
Permitted
Transfers.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a Member may
Transfer all (but not less than all) of its Economic Interest to one or more
of
its Affiliates. In connection with any Transfer pursuant to this Section 6.2,
the transferee shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents as may
reasonably be requested by the other Member to evidence the same.
6.3
Transferees.
A
transferee of an Economic Interest in the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof
shall not be admitted as a substituted Member of the Company with all the rights
and obligations of Membership Interest without the consent of the other Member,
which may be granted or withheld in such other Member's sole
discretion.
6.4
Contravention
Voids Transfer.
Any
attempted Transfer in contravention of the provisions of this Article VI shall
be void and ineffectual and shall not bind or be recognized by the
Company.
ARTICLE
VII
MEETINGS
OF MEMBERS
7.1 Meetings.
A
meeting of Members may be called at any time by a Member for any proper purpose.
For the avoidance of uncertainty, matters which, pursuant to specific provisions
of this Agreement require the consent or approval of only a single Member,
will
not require a meeting or vote of the Members.
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7.2 Place
of Meetings.
Meetings of Members shall take place at such location as the Members agree
or
telephonically.
7.3 Notice.
Notice
of all meetings, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered, personally
or
by first class mail, not less than ten (10) or more than thirty (30) days before
the meeting to each Member.
7.4 Waiver
of Notice.
Attendance of a Member at a meeting without protesting prior to the conclusion
of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver
of
notice of the meeting by such Member.
7.5 Quorum.
The
presence of both Members is required to constitute a quorum at any meeting
of
the Members.
7.6 Voting.
All
matters which require the "approval of the Members" require the unanimous
approval of the Members.
7.7 Action
by Unanimous Written Consent.
Whenever the Members are required or permitted to take any action by vote,
such
action may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote,
if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall
be
signed by all of the Members.
7.8 Member
Representatives.
Each
Member will designate a single representative who will be authorized to act
on
behalf of such Member in connection with any matter which requires consideration
and/or approval by the Members. Such designee shall continue to serve until
replaced by the Member appointing him or her, and only the Member which
appointed such designee shall have the right to replace such designee. The
initial representative of GN is Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, and the initial representative
of VQT is Xxxxx Xxxxxxx. To insure that there is no confusion as to whether
a
meeting between such individuals constitutes a meeting of Members, the Members
agree that a meeting or phone call or other interchange between their
representatives will not be considered an official meeting of the Members unless
such meeting or phone call or other interchange was the subject of a notice
in
accordance with Section 7.3 or is acknowledged by both representatives in
writing to be an official meeting of the Members.
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ARTICLE
VIII
MANAGEMENT
OF THE COMPANY
8.1 Operation
of the Business.
Although the Members expect to develop a more detailed business plan, they
have
agreed as follows with respect to the development and operation of the Business:
(a) VQT
will
develop potential products to be marketed by the Company as Products,
principally related to wellness, vitamins and nutritional supplements. It is
understood that these potential products will not necessarily be unique
formulations and that they may be based on existing products of VQT. All
formulations for Products will be owned by VQT but made available to the Company
on a royalty-free basis for purposes of conducting the Business. The final
selection of Products to bear the Brand and to be marketed and sold by the
Company will be made by GN.
(b) The
parties hereto hereby acknowledge that the Company shall have the right to
utilize the Xxxxxxx Indicia for the creation of the Brand and the marketing
of
the Products strictly in accordance with the terms of the Trademark License
and
Services Agreement. GN also will provide the services of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx in
connection with the Business as specified in the Trademark License and Services
Agreement.
(c) The
Company intends to market the Products through direct response television
("DRTV") and ordinary retail channels. The initial Product launch is expected
to
take place via DRTV in November 2006. In connection therewith, VQT will
supervise the outsourcing of the production of one or more infomercials (as
mutually agreed by the Members), all media buys and the fulfillment of customer
orders, but VQT will not itself perform the foregoing production, buying and
fulfillment services, which will be performed by third parties at the Company's
expense. If for any reason other than a failure by GN to fulfill its obligations
to the Company, such Product launch does not take place by December 31, 2006,
GN
will have the right, at any time prior to February 28, 2007, to cause the
dissolution of the Company.
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(d) Distribution
services for all methods of Product distribution other than DRTV will be
provided to the Company by Windmill pursuant to the terms of the Distribution
Agreement. If GN determines that Windmill is in breach of its obligations under
the Distribution Agreement, then following consultation with VQT, GN will have
the right, on behalf of the Company, to cause the Company to discharge Windmill,
and the Members will jointly select a replacement distributor. If GN determines
that Windmill's performance is unsatisfactory and/or that more favorable
financial terms are available to the Company elsewhere, GN will have the right
to present to the Company an alternative distribution arrangement with a
qualified distributor, and unless Windmill gives assurances with respect to
its
future performance reasonably acceptable to GN and/or matches the financial
terms presented by GN, GN will have the right, on behalf of the Company, to
terminate the Distribution Agreement and cause the Company to enter into the
alternative arrangement presented by GN.
(e) VQT
will
manufacture or arrange for the manufacturing of all Products and provide same
to
the Company at VQT's direct out-of-pocket cost.
(f) VQT
will
supervise the outsourcing of customer service requirements of the Company,
but
VQT will not itself perform such customer service, which will be performed
by
third parties at the Company's expense.
8.2
Major
Decisions.
(a)
The
following will be considered "Major Decisions" and will require the mutual
approval of the Members:
(i)
any
merger or consolidation involving the Company;
(ii)
except as otherwise provided by Section 12.1 below, any voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or termination of the Company;
(iii)
any
amendment or restatement of the Certificate of Formation or this
Agreement;
(iv)
the
incurring of monetary liabilities, borrowing money, issuance of notes, bonds,
and other obligations;
(v)
granting a security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance on any of the
Company's assets, including, without limitation, any anticipated streams of
income;
(vi)
the
carrying on of any business other than the Business as defined
herein;
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(vii)
the
execution or delivery of an assignment for the benefit of creditors of the
Company;
(viii)
the hiring or firing of employees who will be on the payroll of the Company;
(ix)
the
approval of an annual or other business plan;
(x)
the
making of any single expenditure or related series of expenditures (other than
distributions of Distributable Funds) in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000));
(xi)
the
timing and amount of any distribution of Distributable Funds;
(xii)
the
commencement or settlement of any litigation;
(xiii)
the terms of, and any amendment to the terms of, the Distribution
Agreement;
(xiv)
any
decisions that any Person other than a Member is to provide services for or
on
behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, customer services,
shipping services and/or marketing services. For the avoidance of doubt, the
decision for any Affiliates of a Member to provide services shall constitute
a
"Major Decision."
(b)
If
the Members are unable to reach unanimity on a Major Decision, each Member
agrees to refer the matter to the board of directors of its parent company
for
further consideration, following which the Members will hold a meeting to again
consider the Major Decision.
8.3 Decisions
by GN.
Except
to extent specified herein to the contrary, GN shall have sole approval over
matters relating to the selection of the Products and the use of the Xxxxxxx
Indicia; provided, however, that GN acknowledges that it has approved the basic
concept of a wellness shake, subject to its further approval right over the
final formulation(s) of such Product and the use of the Xxxxxxx Indicia in
connection therewith.
8.4 Day
to
Day Operations; Officers.
Subject
to Sections 8.2 and 8.3 above, the ordinary day-to-day operations of the Company
shall be undertaken at no charge to the Company by VQT. For the avoidance of
doubt, the foregoing shall not be deemed to give VQT the right to make
substantive decisions without the approval of GN, including, without limitation,
in connection with the disbursements of any Company funds not specifically
provided for in Exhibit 4.1 attached hereto or in any subsequent mutually
approved budget.
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8.5 Standard
of Care; Liability.
The
representatives of the Members shall discharge their duties in good faith,
with
the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under
similar circumstances, and in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the
best
interests of the Company. No such representative shall be liable for any
monetary damages to the Company for any breach of such duties except for:
receipt of a financial benefit to which such person is not entitled or a knowing
violation of the law.
ARTICLE
IX
OWNERSHIP
OF COMPANY PROPERTY
Except
as
otherwise specifically set forth in Sections 8.1(a) and 8.1(b) with respect
to
the Product formulations and the Brand and Xxxxxxx Indicia and as otherwise
provided in the Trademark License and Services Agreement, all assets of the
Company shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member
shall have any separate ownership interest in such property or any portion
thereof. Title to any or all Company property may be held in the name of the
Company or one or more nominees, as the Members determine.
ARTICLE
X
FISCAL
MATTERS, BOOKS AND RECORDS
10.1 Bank
Accounts; Investments.
Capital
Contributions, revenues and any other Company funds shall be deposited by the
Company in a bank account established in the name of the Company, or shall
be
invested by the Company, at the direction of the Members, in furtherance of
the
purposes of the Company. No other funds shall be deposited into Company bank
accounts or commingled with Company investments. Funds deposited in the
Company's bank accounts may be withdrawn only to be invested or applied in
furtherance of the Company's purposes or to be distributed to the Members
pursuant to this Agreement.
10.2 Records
Required by LLC Law; Right of Inspection.
(a)
During the term of the Company's existence and for a period of four (4) years
thereafter, there shall be maintained in the Company's principal office all
records required to be kept pursuant to the LLC Law, including, without
limitation, the name and current address of each of the Members, a current
list
of the names, addresses, Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests of
the
Members, copies of federal, state and local tax information or income tax
returns for each of the Company's tax years, copies of this Agreement and the
Certificate of Formation, including all amendments or restatements, and correct
and complete books and records of account of the Company.
(b)
Each
Member shall have full access to the Company's books and records at all
times.
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10.3 Books
and Records of Account.
The
Company shall maintain adequate books and records of account using the method
of
accounting determined by the Members.
10.4 Tax
Returns and Information.
The
Members intend for the Company to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes.
The Company shall prepare or cause to be prepared all federal, state and local
income and other tax returns the Company is required to file. Within
seventy-five (75) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall
endeavor to send to each Member such tax information as shall be reasonably
necessary for the preparation by such Member of its federal income tax return
and state income and other tax returns.
10.5 Fiscal
Year.
The
Company's fiscal year shall end on December 31 of each calendar
year.
10.6 Tax
Matters Member.
The
"Tax Matters Member" of the Company pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code
shall be GN. Such Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause
the
other Member to become a "notice partner" within the meaning of Section 6223
of
the Code. Such Member shall inform the other Member of all significant matters
that may come to its attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Member by giving
notice thereof on or before the fifth business day after becoming aware thereof
and, within that time, shall forward to the other Member copies of all
significant written communications it may receive in that capacity. Such Member
may not take any action contemplated by Sections 6222 through 6232 of the Code
without the consent of all Members but this sentence does not authorize such
Member to take any action left to the determination of an individual Member
under Sections 6222 through 6232 of the Code.
ARTICLE
XI
REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES, COVENANTS, INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
11.1 Representations
and Warranties of GN.
GN
represents and warrants that it is fully authorized to enter into and perform
this Agreement without violating the legal or equitable rights of any third
party and that this Agreement has been duly and validly executed by GN and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation upon GN enforceable against GN in
accordance with its terms.
11.2 Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of VQT.
(a)
VQT
represents and warrants that it is fully authorized to enter into and perform
this Agreement without violating the legal or equitable rights of any third
party and that this Agreement has been duly and validly executed by VQT and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation upon VQT enforceable against VQT
in
accordance with its terms.
14
(b)
VQT
represents, warrants and agrees that it will not knowingly permit, do or commit
any act or thing that would degrade, tarnish or deprecate Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
("Celebrity"), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Productions, Inc. ("GFPI") or GN, or Celebrity's,
GFPI's or GN's public image in society or standing in the
community.
(c)
VQT
represents, warrants and agrees that VQT will comply with all applicable laws,
regulations, orders, and ordinances in connection with the distribution of
the
Products and any other endeavors contemplated in this Agreement, the Trademark
License and Services Agreement or otherwise and the engagement of Celebrity's
services.
(d)
VQT
represents, warrants and agrees that neither VQT nor any of its representatives,
agents or employees will disclose to any party or utilize any confidential
or
proprietary information obtained hereunder regarding GN, GFPI or
Celebrity.
(e)
VQT
represents, warrants and agrees that all Products, Packaging and Other Materials
shall be manufactured, distributed and/or performed, as applicable, in
compliance with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and industry
standards pertaining thereto (collectively, the "Laws, Regulations and
Standards"), including, without limitation, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act.
If pursuant to the terms of the Trademark License and Services Agreement, any
Products, Packaging or Other Materials are manufactured by a third party, then
VQT shall provide in its agreement with such third party that such party will
comply with all Laws, Regulations and Standards.
15
11.3 Indemnification
and Advancement of Expenses.
(a)
The
Company shall indemnify any Person made or threatened to be made a party to,
or
called as a witness or asked to submit information in, any action or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, judicial, legislative, administrative or investigative,
including an action by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment
in
its favor, and including an action by or in the right of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise
of
any type or kind, domestic or foreign, which any Member or officer of the
Company is or was serving in any capacity at the request of the Company, by
reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was a Member,
employee, representative or agent of the Company, or is or was serving such
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or
other enterprise in any capacity, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in
settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in
connection with such action or proceeding, or in connection with an appeal
therein; provided, however, that no such indemnification shall be made to such
Member, employee, representative or agent if a judgment or other final
adjudication adverse to the Member, employee, representative or agent
establishes that (i) the acts of such Person were committed in bad faith or
were
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in either case, were
material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (ii) such Person personally
gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which such Person was
not legally entitled; and provided further that no such indemnification shall
be
required with respect to any settlement or other nonadjudicated disposition
of
any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given
its
prior consent to such settlement or other disposition.
(b)
The
Company may indemnify any other Person to whom the Company is permitted to
provide indemnification or the advancement of expenses by applicable law,
whether pursuant to rights granted pursuant to, or provided by, the LLC Law
or
other rights created by (i) a resolution of Members, or (ii) an agreement
providing for such indemnification, it being expressly intended that this
Section 11.3 authorizes the creation of other rights in any such
manner.
(c)
The
Company shall upon request advance to any Person entitled to indemnification
under this Section 11.3, or promptly reimburse any such Person for, all
expenses, including attorneys, fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action
or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding
upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such Person to repay
such amount as, and to the extent that, the Person receiving such advancement
is
ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification
is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed by the Company
exceed the indemnification to which such Person is entitled; provided, however,
that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company
that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who
are similarly situated unless to do so
16
would
be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between or among
such parties.
(d)
The
indemnification of any Person provided by this Section 11.3 shall continue
after
such Person has ceased to be a Member, employee, representative or agent of
the
Company and shall inure to the benefit of such Person's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives.
(e)
For
purposes of this Section 11.3, the term "Company" shall include any legal
successor to the Company, including any company which acquires all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in one or more
transactions.
(f)
The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to,
this Section 11.3 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any statute, rule, regulation, by-law, agreement, vote of Members or otherwise,
both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office.
(g)
GN
shall indemnify and hold harmless VQT and VQT's Affiliates licensees,
representatives, successors and assigns, and the employees, officers, directors,
agents and representatives of each of them (collectively, the "VQT Indemnitees")
from and against any and all losses, damages, costs (including, without
limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses), liabilities or judgments
sustained, paid or incurred by the VQT Indemnitees, as a result of or in
connection with any breach or alleged breach of any of GN's representations
and
warranties set forth herein; provided, however, that GN shall have the right
to
control the defense of any claim or proceeding.
(h)
VQT
shall indemnify and hold harmless GN and GN's Affiliates licensees,
representatives, successors and assigns, and the employees, officers, directors,
agents and representatives of each of them (collectively, the "GN Indemnitees")
from and against any and all losses, damages, costs (including, without
limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses), liabilities or judgments
sustained, paid or incurred by the GN Indemnitees, as a result of or in
connection with (i) any breach or alleged breach of any of VQT's
representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and/or (ii) the
formulation of the Products and/or the distribution of the Products by Windmill.
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11.4 Insurance.
The
Company shall purchase insurance as required pursuant to the Trademark License
and Services Agreement, and also may purchase and maintain insurance or another
arrangement on behalf of any Person who is or was a Member, employee, agent
or
other Person identified in Section 11.3 against any liability asserted against
such Person or incurred by such Person in such a capacity or arising out of
the
status of such a Person, whether or not the Company would have the power to
indemnify such Person against that liability under Section 11.3 or otherwise.
The Company shall name GN, VQT, Celebrity and GFPI (including their respective
parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, employees, agents and
representatives) as additional insureds under any and all applicable insurance
policies.
ARTICLE
XII
DISSOLUTION
AND WINDING UP
12.1 Events
Causing Dissolution.
The
Company shall be dissolved upon the first of the following events to
occur:
(a)
(i)
The unanimous consent of Members at any time to dissolve and wind up the affairs
of the Company, (ii) twelve (12) months after notice is given by a Member of
its
intention to dissolve and wind up the affairs of the Company, (iii) the
determination of GN pursuant to Section 8.1(c) or (iv) the determination of
the
non-breaching Member to dissolve and wind up the affairs of the Company
following a material breach by the other Member (or the Affiliates of such
other
Member) of its obligations hereunder, which breach, if curable, is not cured
within thirty (30) days following notice;
(b)
The
bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member; or
(c)
The
occurrence of any other event that causes the dissolution of a limited liability
company under the LLC Law.
(d)
A
Member may not withdraw from the Company prior to its dissolution and winding
up. A Member which withdraws in violation of the terms hereof shall not be
entitled to receive a distribution of Distributable Funds and shall not
otherwise be entitled to received the fair value of its Membership Interest.
If
a Member's wrongful acts (including, without limitation, withdrawal in violation
of the terms hereof) precipitate the dissolution and winding up of the Company,
nothing herein will be deemed to relieve such Member of its liability to the
Company and/or the other Member for damages resulting therefrom.
12.2 Winding
Up.
If the
Company is dissolved pursuant to Section 12.1, the Company's affairs shall
be
wound up as soon as reasonably practicable in the manner set forth
below.
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(a)
The
winding up of the Company's affairs shall be supervised by a liquidator (the
"Liquidator"). The Liquidator shall be both Members unless they otherwise agree;
provided, however, that if dissolution (i) results from a Member's breach of
its
obligations hereunder, the Liquidator will be the non-breaching Member or (ii)
takes place pursuant to Section 8.1(c) above, the Liquidator will be
GN.
(b)
In
winding up the affairs of the Company, the Liquidator shall have full right
and
unlimited discretion, in the name of and for and on behalf of the Company
to:
(i)
Prosecute and defend civil, criminal or administrative suits;
(ii)
Collect Company assets, including obligations owed to the Company;
(iii)
Settle and close the Company's business;
(iv)
Dispose of and convey all Company property;
(v)
Pay
all reasonable selling costs and other expenses incurred in connection with
the
winding up of the proceeds of the disposition of Company property;
(vi)
Discharge the Company's known liabilities and, if necessary, to set up, for
a
period not to exceed five (5) years after the date of dissolution, such cash
reserves as the Liquidator may deem reasonably necessary for any contingent
or
unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company;
(vii)
Distribute any remaining proceeds from the sale of Company Property to the
Members;
(viii)
Prepare, execute, acknowledge and file articles of dissolution under the LLC
Law
and any other certificates, tax returns or instruments necessary or advisable
under any applicable law to effect the winding up and termination of the
Company; and
(ix)
Exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto
or their legal representatives or successors in interest, all of the powers
conferred upon the Members under the terms of this Agreement to the extent
necessary or desirable in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to perform
its duties and functions. While acting in such capacity on behalf of the
Company, the Liquidator shall be entitled to the indemnification rights set
forth in the Certificate of Formation and in Article XI.
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12.3 Compensation
of Liquidator.
The
Liquidator appointed as provided herein, if a party other than the Members
or
their Affiliates, shall be entitled to receive such reasonable compensation
for
its services as shall be agreed upon by the Liquidator and the
Members.
12.4
|
Distribution
of Company Property and Proceeds of Sale Thereof.
|
(a)
Upon
completion of all desired sales of the Company's property, and after payment
of
all selling costs and expenses, the Liquidator shall distribute the proceeds
of
such sales, and any Company property that is to be distributed in kind, to
the
following groups in the following order of priority:
(i)
to
satisfy Company liabilities to creditors, including Members who are creditors,
to the extent otherwise permitted by law (other than for past due Company
distributions), whether by payment or establishment of reserves;
(ii)
to
satisfy Company obligations to Members and former Members to pay past due
Company distributions; and
(iii)
then, to the Members, in accordance with the positive balances in their
respective Capital Accounts.
All
distributions required under this Section 12.4 shall be made to the Members
by
the end of the taxable year in which the liquidation occurs or, if later, within
90 days after the date of such liquidation.
(b)
The
claims of each priority group specified above shall be satisfied in full before
satisfying any claims of a lower priority group. If the assets available for
disposition are insufficient to dispose of all of the claims of a priority
group, the available assets shall be distributed in proportion to the amounts
owed to each creditor or the respective Membership Interests of each Member
in
such group.
12.5 Specified
Assets.
Notwithstanding any contrary implication herein, in the event of dissolution,
Product formulations shall be retained by VQT and shall not be considered
Company property, and all rights in and to the Xxxxxxx Indicia and the Brand
shall be retained by GN and shall not be considered Company
property.
12.6 Final
Audit.
Within
a reasonable time following the completion of the liquidation, the Liquidator
shall supply to each of the Members a statement that shall set forth the assets
and the liabilities of the Company as of the date of complete liquidation and
each Member's pro rata portion of distributions pursuant to Section
12.4.
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ARTICLE
XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
13.1 Notice.
All
notices permitted or required to be given to any Person hereunder must be given
in writing and will be deemed to be duly given on the date of delivery if
delivered in person or sent by facsimile transmission or on the earlier of
actual receipt or three (3) business days after the date of mailing if mailed
by
registered or certified mail, first class postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, to such Person, at the last known address of such Person on the
Company records. Copies of all notices to GN shall simultaneously be sent to
Franklin, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, P.C., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX
00000, Facsimile Number (000) 000-0000, Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
Esq.
13.2 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed
an original but all of which will constitute one and the same.
13.3 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and contain all of the agreements between such parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement (including the Exhibits
hereto) supersedes
any and all other agreements, either oral or written, between such parties
with
respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no representations, warranties
or covenants by GN other than those set forth in this Agreement and the
Trademark License and Services Agreement.
13.4 Partial
Invalidity.
Wherever possible, each provision hereof shall be interpreted in such manner
as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but in case any one or more
of
the provisions contained herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be ineffective
to
the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such invalid, illegal
or
unenforceable provision or provisions or any other provisions hereof, unless
such a construction would be unreasonable.
13.5 Amendment.
This
Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement executed by all
Members.
13.6 Binding
Effect.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement relating to transferability, this Agreement
will be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties, and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
13.7 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed
therein. Subject to Section 13.10 below, the parties hereto hereby consent
to
21
the
venue
and personal jurisdiction in the Supreme Court of the State of New York or
any
United States District Court within the State of New York and courts with
appellate jurisdiction therefrom. In the event of a direct conflict between
the
provisions of this Agreement and the mandatory provisions of the LLC Law or
any
provision of the Certificate of Formation, the LLC Law and the Certificate
of
Formation, in that order of priority, will control.
13.8 Further
Assurances.
In
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each
Member shall (and shall cause its Affiliates to) execute and deliver any
additional documents and instruments and perform such acts as may be necessary
or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement.
No
Member shall withhold its signature or fail to attend meetings of Members for
purposes of frustrating the implementation of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
13.9 Construction.
In
resolving any dispute or construing any provision in this Agreement, there
shall
be no presumption made or inference drawn (a) because the attorneys for one
of
the parties drafted this Agreement, (b) because of the drafting history of
this
Agreement, or (c) because of the inclusion of a provision not contained in
a
prior draft or the deletion of a provision contained in a prior
draft.
13.10
Arbitration.
Any
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach
thereof shall be settled by arbitration in New York City administered by the
American Arbitration Association in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration
Rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered
in
any court having jurisdiction thereof.
13.11 Miscellaneous.
The
failure of either party hereto to exercise in any respect any right provided
for
herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any right hereunder. The headings of
sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenient reference
only, and shall not be used in any way to govern, limit, modify or construe
this
Agreement or otherwise be given any legal effect. VQT's remedies shall be
limited to the right, if any, to obtain damages at law in the event of a breach
hereunder by GN, and VQT shall not have the right in such event to equitable
relief or to enjoin or restrain the use and exploitation of the Xxxxxxx Indicia
or the services of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx. It is understood and agreed that in the
event
an act of government, war, fire, flood, an Act of God or labor trouble, or
any
other similar or dissimilar reasons beyond the control of a party to this
Agreement prevents the performance by such party of the provisions of this
Agreement, then such nonperformance shall not be considered a breach of this
Agreement and such nonperformance shall be excused while the conditions
described herein prevail.
22
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the dates set below their names,
to be effective on the date first above written.
G-NUTRITIONAL,
LLC
BY:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Ventures, LLC, Managing Member
By:
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
VITAQUEST
INTERNATIONAL LLC
By:
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
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EXHIBIT
4.1
[Initial
Capital Contributions and Cash Flow Schedule]
Initial
Capital Contributions
1)
GN -
$175,350 (i.e., 50.1%) payable promptly following execution of this
Agreement.
2)
VQT -
$174,650 (i.e., 49.9%) payable promptly following execution of this
Agreement.
Cash
Flow Schedule and Initial Budget
To
be
provided by VQT to GN within thirty (30) days of the complete execution of
this
Agreement.
24