EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.32
This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the “Agreement”), dated
as of December 10, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), is between
GoFish Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
(“Executive”).
I.
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POSITION
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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A. Term. Company shall
continue to employ Executive until Executive’s employment is terminated in
accordance with Sections IV, V or VI below (the “Term”).
B. Position. Upon the
Effective Date, the Company shall employ Executive to render services to the
Company in the position of Executive Chairman of the
Company. Executive shall perform such duties and responsibilities as
are normally related to such position in accordance with the standards of the
industry and any additional duties now or hereafter reasonably assigned to
Executive by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”)
consistent with this position and the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. Executive shall report to the Board of
Directors. Executive shall abide by the rules, regulations, and
practices as adopted or modified from time to time by the Board of Directors
that apply generally to directors and executives of the
Company. Executive shall also serve as an officer and director on
behalf of any of the Company’s affiliated entities as reasonably requested by
the Company and accepted by Executive without any additional
compensation. Executive also will serve as a member of the Board of
Directors. On a quarterly basis, Executive shall devote at least an
average of thirty (30) hours per week to his work for the
Company. Executive shall be located in Los Angeles and shall be
expected to travel if reasonably necessary and to be available for special calls
and teleconference meetings to meet the obligations of his
position. Travel time shall count towards Executive’s
30-hour-per-week commitment to Company.
C. Other
Activities. By executing this Agreement, Executive agrees to
serve in such position and to devote his time (as defined in Section I.B, above), attention, loyalty and efforts to
the performance of Executive’s duties. Executive may, during the term
of this Agreement, serve as an advisor, consultant, employee to or be on the
Board of Directors of other companies as long as those companies are not
primarily in the Business of the Company, which shall be defined as aggregating
websites and selling advertising targeting youth under the age of
18.
D. No
Conflict. Executive represents and warrants that his execution
of this Agreement, his employment with the Company, and the performance of his
proposed duties under this Agreement shall not violate any obligations he may
have to any other employer, person or entity, including any obligations with
respect to proprietary or confidential information of any other person or
entity.
II.
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COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS
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A. Base Salary. In
consideration of the services to be rendered under this Agreement, the Company
shall pay Executive a salary at the monthly rate of TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($20,000), less standard payroll deductions and tax withholdings (“Base Salary”). The
Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
procedures and practice. Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed
annually and may be adjusted upwards (but not down) in the sole discretion of
the Company.
B. Performance
Bonus. The Company shall recommend to the Board of Directors
that Executive be eligible to receive a
performance bonus equal to ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000) per
year, contingent upon attainment of performance targets to be mutually agreed
upon by Executive and the Board of Directors, as part of the Company’s annual
operating plan. However, the performance bonus under this provision
shall be deemed payable in cash only on the occurrence of the earlier of (i) within 30 days of the Company’s possession of
cash and cash equivalents calculated on a U.S. GAAP basis equal to or greater
than $4,000,000, or (ii) a Change of
Control as defined in Section III.C
below (which is also a “change in
ownership or effective control” of the Company or
a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the
assets” of the Company, in each case as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that should
neither event occur before the end of the year for which such performance
bonus is earned, Executive shall be entitled to any earned bonus in the
form of fully-vested shares of common
stock of the Company, valued on the date of
the end of such year. The
Company agrees to make a reasonable effort to ensure that the common stock of the
Company is registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). If Executive’s employment is
terminated prior to December 31 of the applicable performance bonus year for any reason other than
Section V.A below, and the performance targets mutually agreed upon are met for
that bonus year, Executive shall be entitled to a pro rata portion of the performance bonus consistent with the length of
time he was engaged by the Company during
that bonus year. Payments of the
performance bonus under this Section
II.B shall be made no later than January 31
of the calendar year following the calendar year to which the performance bonus relates (subject to the next
succeeding sentence). The
Company agrees that such shares shall not be granted during any period in
which Executive is prohibited from trading its
common stock under any Company policy or applicable law; provided, however,
that in any event any earned stock award
shall be issued not later than two and one-half months after the end of the
applicable fiscal year.
C. Incentive
Compensation. The Company shall recommend to the Board of
Directors that Executive shall be eligible to participate in an incentive
compensation plan to be established by the Board of Directors, under which
Executive shall be eligible to receive up to ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND
(150,000) fully vested shares of the
Company’s common stock per year, contingent upon
attainment of performance targets to be mutually agreed upon by Executive and
the Board of Directors, as part of the Company’s annual operating plan. The shares of common stock will be granted as soon as
administratively practicable following the date on which the Board of Directors
certifies that such performance targets have been achieved but in no event
later than the fifteenth day of the third
month of the calendar year following the calendar year for which the incentive
compensation relates. If Executive’s employment is terminated
prior to December 31 of the applicable incentive
compensation year for any reason other than Section V.A below, and the
performance targets mutually agreed upon are met for that incentive compensation year, Executive shall be
entitled to a pro rata portion of the compensation consistent with the length of time
he was engaged by the Company during that compensation year. Executive’s
entitlement to any shares of common stock
that may be approved by the Board of Directors shall be conditioned upon
Executive’s signing of, and shall be subject to and in accordance with the terms
of, an applicable stock award agreement or
other similar Company plan document. Company agrees to make a
reasonable effort to ensure that the shares of
common stock are registered with the
SEC. Company agrees that such shares shall not be granted during any
period in which Executive is prohibited from trading under any Company policy or
applicable law; provided, however, that in any event any earned award shall be
issued not later than two and one-half months after the end of the applicable
fiscal year.
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D. Benefits. Executive
shall be eligible to participate in the benefits made generally available by the
Company to the Company’s to similarly-situated employees, in accordance with the
benefit plans established by the Company, and as may be amended from time to
time in the Company’s sole discretion.
E. Expenses. Executive
shall be reimbursed for all reasonable business-related travel and other
expenses incurred by Executive. Executive shall be entitled to incur
expenses for accommodations and travel at the same standard as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. When traveling, Executive shall be
provided with private hotel accommodations and will not be required to share a
room with other executives.
F. Vacation. During
the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to accrue, on a pro rata basis, fifteen (15)
vacation days per year in accordance with the Company’s standard vacation
policy.
G. Indemnity
Agreement. The Company and Executive shall enter into an
Indemnity Agreement with the Company in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the “Indemnity
Agreement”). The Company shall also promptly submit the form
of the Indemnity Agreement, along with the revised charter (the “Revised Charter”) attached
hereto as Exhibit B, to its shareholders for approval, along with a written
recommendation from the Board of Directors to the shareholders to approve the
form of Indemnity Agreement and Revised Charter.
H. Stock Ownership
Guidelines. During the Term, Executive will comply with the
corporate officer stock ownership guidelines approved by the Board of Directors,
as may be amended from time to time; provided that such guidelines as they
relate to Executive shall not be more restrictive on Executive than, or
otherwise conflict with, the provisions of this Agreement. The
parties understand and agree that in light of the capital that Executive
previously invested in the Company, 25% of any stock awarded to Executive will
immediately vest on the grant date.
III.
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AT-WILL
EMPLOYMENT; TERMINATION BY COMPANY
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A. At-Will Termination by
Company. Executive’s employment with the Company shall be
“at-will” at all times. The Company may terminate Executive’s
employment with the Company at any time, without any advance notice, for any
reason or no reason at all, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in or arising from any statements, policies or practices of the Company relating
to the employment, discipline or termination of its employees. Upon
and after such termination, all obligations of the Company and Executive under
this Agreement shall cease, except as otherwise provided herein. Upon
a termination for any reason under this Agreement, the Company shall promptly
pay to Executive all compensation to which Executive is entitled to receive up
through the date of termination, as well as reimbursement of expenses incurred
through the date of termination in accordance with Section II.E (the “Accrued
Obligations”).
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X. Xxxxxxxxx. Except
in situations where the employment of Executive is terminated For Cause, By
Death or By Disability (as defined in Section IV below), in the event that the
Executive has a “separation from
service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) due to
termination by the Company at any time, (1) Executive will receive
severance payable in the form of a lump sum payment of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($120,000) (the “Severance”), (2) Executive
will receive an additional six (6) months of vesting (calculated as of the
effective date of his separation from service) on all options, restricted stock
or restricted stock unit awards granted to Executive as of the time of such
separation from service (except that the options with respect to 1,500,000
shares granted on December 18, 2007 shall vest by an additional twelve (12)
months) and (3) for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of such
separation from service, the Company will cover Executive’s costs of coverage
under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, provided
that Executive timely elects coverage under same. Executive’s eligibility
for Severance is conditioned on Executive having first signed a mutual release
in a form mutually satisfactory to the parties (for which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld) (the “Mutual Release
Agreement”). The Severance shall be paid to Executive within
ten (10) business days after Executive executes and delivers to the Company the
Mutual Release Agreement, provided that no payments shall be made until the
Mutual Release Agreement has become effective, the Executive has returned all
Company property in his possession in accordance with Section VI.A below, and
(to the extent applicable) the Executive has resigned as a member of the Boards
of Directors of the Company and all of its subsidiaries, no later than the
deadline for returning the Mutual Release Agreement. Executive shall
not be entitled to any Severance payments if Executive’s employment is
terminated For Cause, By Death or By Disability (as defined in Section I.V below). Except as set forth in
this Section III, upon such separation from
service, all unvested options,
restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards
granted to Executive shall immediately expire effective as of the date of
such separation from service and (ii) any options that are vested and unexercised as
of the date of such separation shall expire
upon the earlier of three (3) years after such separation from service or the expiration date set forth
in the applicable stock option
agreement.
C. “Change of
Control.” In the event of a Change of Control, any options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted to Executive
that vest solely upon length of service will become immediately
vested. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall
mean a “Change in Control” as defined on the date hereof in the Company’s 2007
Non-Qualified Option Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change
of Control” shall not include any changes on or prior to the date of this
Agreement. Executive shall not be entitled to any accelerated vesting
under this Section III.C if Executive’s
employment is terminated prior to a Change of Control (a) For Cause, By Death or
By Disability (as defined in Section IV below); (b) by Executive without Good
Reason (as defined in Section V below); or (c) by expiration or non-renewal of
the Term.
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IV.
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OTHER
TERMINATIONS BY COMPANY
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A. Termination for
Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean: (i)
Executive’s conviction of, or plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony or a
misdemeanor, under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof,
involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or intentional physical harm to any
person; (ii) Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and
materially injurious to the Company, including but not limited to,
misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement; (iii) Executive
commits a material breach of any agreement between Executive and the Company;
(iv) Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or
directive of the Company, or demonstrates a pattern of failure to perform job
duties diligently and professionally in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement; or (v) Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s
trade secrets. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment For
Cause at any time, without any advance notice, except that the Company shall not
be entitled to terminate Executive’s Employment for Cause with respect to
Sections IV.A (iii) or (iv) unless the Company provides written notice to
Executive of the alleged facts underlying the breach of Sections IV.A(iii)
or (iv) , within thirty (30) days of the date that the Company learns
of such alleged breach, which Executive fails to cure within twenty (20) days after receiving such written
notice. The Company shall pay to Executive all Accrued Obligations
earned or incurred through the date of separation
from service, subject to any other rights or remedies of Executive or the
Company under law; and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall cease. Upon such separation from service, the unvested options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted to Executive
shall immediately expire effective as of the date of such separation from service and (ii) any options that are vested and unexercised as
of the date of such separation from service shall expire upon the earlier of one hudred twenty (120) days
after such separation from service or
the expiration date set forth in the
applicable stock option agreement,.
B. By Death. Executive
shall have a “separation from
service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code)
automatically upon Executive’s death. The Company shall pay to
Executive’s beneficiaries or estate, as appropriate, all Accrued Obligations
earned or incurred through the date of such
separation from service. Thereafter, all obligations of the
Company under this Agreement shall cease. Upon such separation from service, (i) the unvested options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted to Executive
shall immediately expire effective as of the date of such termination and (ii)
any options that are vested and unexercised as
of the date of such separation shall expire upon the earlier of two (2) years after such
separation from service or the expiration date set
forth in the applicable stock option agreement, and (iii) Executive’s
heirs may sell all shares, including those acquired upon exercise of options and
shares underlying restricted stock units, subject to the
restrictions imposed in II.H
above.
C. By Disability. If,
in the sole reasonable opinion of the Company, Executive is unable to carry out
the responsibilities and functions of the position held by Executive by reason
of any physical or mental impairment, taking into account any reasonable
accommodations, for more than ninety (90)
consecutive days or more than one hundred and twenty days in any
twelve-month period, then, to the extent permitted by law, the Company may cause Executive to
have a “separation from service” (within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code). The
Company shall pay to Executive all Accrued Obligations through the date of such separation from service, and thereafter all
obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease. Upon
such separation from service, (i) the
unvested options, restricted stock and
restricted stock unit awards granted to
Executive shall immediately expire effective as of the date of such separation from service, (ii) any options that are vested and
unexercised as of the date of such
separation shall expire upon the earlier of
two (2) years after such separation from
service or the expiration date set forth in the applicable stock option
agreement, and (iii) Executive may sell all
shares, including those acquired upon
exercise of options and shares underlying restricted stock units, subject to the
restrictions imposed in II.H
above.
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V.
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TERMINATION
BY EXECUTIVE
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A. At-Will Termination by
Executive. Executive may terminate employment with the Company
at any time for any reason or no reason at all, upon no less than four (4)
weeks’ advance written notice. During such notice period Executive
shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties
hereunder. The Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion,
to make Executive’s termination effective at any time prior to the end of such
notice period as long as the Company pays Executive all compensation to which
Executive is entitled through the end of such notice period, and allows
Executive’s options, restricted stock and
restricted stock unit awards to continue
vesting, up through the last day of the four week notice period in accordance with the applicable award
agreement. Thereafter all obligations of the Company shall
cease. Upon such termination of employment, (i) the unvested options, restricted stock and restricted stock units granted to Executive shall
immediately expire effective as of the end of such notice period and (ii) any options that are vested and
unexercised as of the date of such
separation shall expire upon the earlier of
ninety (90) days after such termination or
the expiration date set forth in the applicable stock option
agreement.
B. Termination for Good
Reason. Executive’s termination shall be for “Good Reason” if
Executive resigns within 12 months of an event constituting Good
Reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an event shall not be
considered Good Reason unless the Executive provides written notice to the
Company of the Good Reason within sixty (60) days of the date that Executive
learns of the event constituting Good Reason and provides the Company with a
period of thirty (30) days to cure the event constituting Good Reason and the
Company fails to cure the Good Reason within that period. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of
the following events if the event is effected by the Company without the written
consent of Executive and a “separation from service” (within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code) occurs: (A) a change in Executive’s position
with the Company which materially reduces Executive’s level of responsibility;
(B) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary; or (C) a material breach of
this Agreement by the Company. In such event Executive may separate from service for Good Reason, in which
case (1) Executive will receive a lump sum payment of the Severance and (2) all
options, restricted stock and restricted stock units granted to Executive will
vest by an additional 6 months calculated as of the effective date of
Executive’s separation from service (except that the options with respect to 1,500,000
shares granted on December 18, 2007 shall vest by an additional 12
months); and (3) the Company shall pay to Executive all Accrued
Obligations earned or incurred through the date of separation from service, provided, however, that no payments shall be
made until the Mutual Release Agreement has become effective, the Executive has
returned all Company property in his possession in accordance with Section VI.A
below, and (to the extent applicable) the Executive has resigned as a member of
the Boards of Directors of the Company and all of its subsidiaries, no later
than the deadline for returning the Mutual Release Agreement. The
Severance shall be paid to Executive within ten (10) business days after
Executive executes and delivers to the Company the Mutual Release Agreement,
provided that the Mutual Release Agreement has become
effective. Thereafter all obligations of the Company or its successor
and the Executive under this Agreement shall cease. Except as set
forth in this Section V.B, upon such separation of service, all unvested options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted to Executive
shall immediately expire effective as of the date of such separation from service and (ii) any options that are vested and unexercised as
of the date of such separation shall expire upon the earlier of three (3) years after such
separation from service or the expiration date set
forth in the applicable stock option
agreement and (iii) Executive may sell all
shares, including those acquired upon
exercise of options and shares
underlying restricted stock units, subject
to the restrictions imposed in II.H
above.
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VI.
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TERMINATION
OBLIGATIONS
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A. Return of
Property. Executive agrees that all property (including
without limitation all equipment, tangible proprietary information, documents,
records, notes, contracts and computer-generated materials, and any copies
thereof) furnished to or created or prepared by Executive incident to
Executive’s employment belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to
the Company upon termination of Executive’s employment’ provided, however, that
Executive shall be entitled to maintain possession of documents and
correspondence that Executive received or maintained as a member of the Board of
Directors for record keeping purposes only.
B. Resignation and
Cooperation. Upon termination of Executive’s employment for
any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and
directorships then held with the Company or its affiliates. Following
any termination of employment, Executive shall cooperate with the Company in the
winding up of pending work on behalf of the Company and the orderly transfer of
work to other employees. Executive shall also cooperate with the
Company in the defense of any action brought by any third party against the
Company, or the prosecution of any action brought by the Company against a third
party, that relates to Executive’s employment. The Company shall
promptly reimburse Executive or directly pay for all legal, travel and
out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company in the defense or prosecution of any
such legal action at an hourly rate of pay consistent with
his payment under this Agreement.
C. Continuing
Obligations. Executive understands and agrees that Executive’s
obligations under Sections VI, VII, VIII and IX herein shall survive the
termination of Executive’s employment for any reason and the termination of this
Agreement.
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VII.
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INVENTIONS
AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; PROHIBITION ON THIRD PARTY
INFORMATION
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A. Confidential
Information.
1. Executive
expressly acknowledges that, in the performance of his duties and
responsibilities with the Company, he has been exposed since prior to the
Effective Date, and will be exposed, to the trade secrets, business and/or
financial secrets and confidential and proprietary information of the Company,
its affiliates and/or its clients, business partners or customers (“Confidential
Information”). The term “Confidential Information” includes
information or material that has actual or potential commercial value to the
Company, its affiliates and/or its clients, business partners or customers and
is not generally known to and is not readily ascertainable by proper means to
persons outside the Company, its affiliates and/or its clients or customers
providing that the information is not required to be divulged as a result of a
subpoena or other such legal requirements and rules.
2. Except
as authorized in writing by the Board of Directors, during the performance of
Executive’s duties and responsibilities for the Company and until such time as
any such Confidential Information becomes generally known to and readily
ascertainable by proper means to persons outside the Company, its affiliates
and/or its clients, business partners or customers, Executive agrees to keep
strictly confidential and not use for his personal benefit or the benefit to any
other person or entity (other than the Company) the Confidential Information.
“Confidential Information” includes the following, whether or not expressed in a
document or medium, regardless of the form in which it is communicated, and
whether or not marked “trade secret” or “confidential” or any similar legend:
(i) lists of and/or information concerning (including identities of) customers,
prospective customers, suppliers, employees, consultants, co-venturers and/or
joint venture candidates of the Company, its affiliates or its clients or
customers; (ii) information submitted by customers, prospective customers,
suppliers, employees, consultants and/or co-venturers of the Company, its
affiliates and/or its clients or customers; (iii) non-public information
proprietary to the Company, its affiliates and/or its clients or customers,
including, without limitation, cost information, profits, sales information,
prices, accounting, unpublished financial information, business plans or
proposals, expansion plans (for current and proposed facilities), markets and
marketing methods, advertising and marketing strategies, administrative
procedures and manuals, the terms and conditions of the Company’s contracts and
trademarks and patents under consideration, distribution channels, franchises,
investors, sponsors and advertisers; (iv) proprietary technical information
concerning products and services of the Company, its affiliates and/or its
clients, business partners or customers, including, without limitation, product
data and specifications, diagrams, flow charts, know how, processes, designs,
formulae, inventions and product development; (v) lists of and/or information
concerning applicants, candidates or other prospects for employment, independent
contractor or consultant positions at or with any actual or prospective customer
or client of Company and/or its affiliates, any and all confidential processes,
inventions or methods of conducting business of the Company, its affiliates
and/or its clients, business partners or customers; (vi) acquisition or merger
targets; (vii) business plans or strategies, data, records, financial
information or other trade secrets concerning the actual or contemplated
business, strategic alliances, policies or operations of the Company or its
affiliates; or (viii) any and all versions of proprietary computer software
(including source and object code), hardware, firmware, code, discs, tapes, data
listings and documentation of the Company; or (ix) any other confidential
information disclosed to Executive by, or which Executive obligated under a duty
of confidence from, the Company, its affiliates, and/or its clients, business
partners or customers providing that the information is not required to be
divulged as a result of a subpoena or other such legal requirements and
rules.
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3. Executive
affirms that he does not possess and will not rely upon the protected trade
secrets or confidential or proprietary information of his prior employer(s) in
providing services to the Company.
4. In
the event that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any
reason, Executive shall deliver forthwith to the Company any and all originals
and copies of Confidential Information, except Executive shall be entitled to
retain a copy of his Board Materials for recordkeeping purposes.
B. Non-Solicitation.
1. For
a period of one year following the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s
employment with the Company for any reason, in the Geographic Boundary,
Executive shall not:
a. Directly
or indirectly through another person recruit, solicit or interfere with, or
attempt to recruit, solicit, or interfere with, any employee, or independent
contractor of the Company, who was employed by or working at the Company a the
time of Executive’s termination, to leave the employment (or independent
contractor relationship) thereof, whether or not any such employee or
independent contractor is party to an employment agreement. The Company
acknowledges that this Section will not be violated by general advertising or
general solicitations that are not targeted or directed specifically to
employees of the Company, nor by the consideration or acceptance of unsolicited
applications for employment by such individuals.
b. Use
the Company’s Confidential Information or trade secrets or any other means that
would amount to unfair competition to interfere with any relationship,
contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any other party, including;
without limitation, any supplier, co-venturer or joint venturer of the Company
with the intent of causing such party to discontinue or reduce its business with
the Company. The “Business of the Company” shall
be defined as a business the primary focus of which is the aggregation of
websites and selling advertising targeted to youth under the age of
18.
2. Executive
further agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, he will not, directly or
indirectly, engage, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by, consult for,
participate in, render services for or be connected in any manner with the
ownership, management, operation or control of any business in direct
competition with the Business of the Company as defined above; provided,
however, Executive may own, directly or indirectly, solely as a passive
investment, securities of any entity if (x) Executive is not a controlling
person of, or a member of a group which controls, such entity and does not,
directly or indirectly, own more than 5% of any class of securities of such
entity, and (y) either (A) such entity is traded on any national securities
exchange, or (B) such interest is held indirectly by virtue of Executive’s
limited partnership interest or other passive investment in an investment fund
in which Executive has no investment discretion.
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3. Executive
agrees and acknowledges that by virtue of his position in the Company, he is
familiar with and in possession of the Company’s trade secrets, customer
information and other Confidential Information which are valuable to the Company
and that their goodwill, protection and maintenance constitute a legitimate
business interest of the Company, to be protected by the non-competition
restrictions set forth above. Executive agrees and acknowledges that
the non-competition restrictions set forth herein are reasonable and necessary
and do not impose undue hardship or burdens on Executive. Executive
also acknowledges that the products and services developed or provided by the
Company, its affiliates and/or its clients or customers are or are intended to
be sold, provided, licensed and/or distributed to customers and clients in and
throughout the United States (the “Geographic Boundary”), and
that the Geographic Boundary, scope of prohibited competition, and time duration
set forth in the non-competition restrictions set forth above are reasonable and
necessary to maintain the value of the Confidential Information of, and to
protect the goodwill and other legitimate business interests of, the Company,
its affiliates and/or its clients or customers.
VIII.
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ARBITRATION
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Any
dispute, controversy, or claim arising under, out of, in connection with, or in
relation to this Agreement, or the breach termination, validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement (“Arbitrable Claims”), will be
settled by final and binding arbitration conducted in accordance with and
subject to the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service’s (“JAMS”) then-current JAMS
Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (the “JAMS Rules”), or such other
alternative dispute resolution provider or process agreed by the
parties. Unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the parties, the
arbitration hearings shall be conducted in San Francisco,
California. A single arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with
the JAMS Rules (the “Arbitrator”) and the
Arbitrator shall allow such discovery as is appropriate, consistent with the
purposes of arbitration in accomplishing fair, speedy and cost effective
resolution of disputes. Judgment upon the award rendered in any such arbitration
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof, or application may be
made to such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an enforcement of
such award, as the law of such jurisdiction may require or allow. Other than
those matters involving injunctive relief as a remedy that cannot, as a matter
of law, be awarded by the Arbitration, or any action necessary to enforce the
award of the Arbitrator, the parties agree that the provisions of this Section
VIII are a complete defense to any suit, action, or other proceeding instituted
in any court or before any administrative tribunal with respect to any dispute,
controversy or claim arising under or in connection with this
Agreement. The Company shall pay all costs of the arbitration that
would not otherwise be incurred if the action were filed in court, including but
not limited to any filing fees, case administration fees, arbitrator fees and
the arbitration forum costs. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT
THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO THE ARBITRABLE
CLAIMS.
10
IX.
|
AMENDMENTS;
WAIVERS; REMEDIES
|
This
Agreement may not be amended or waived except by a writing signed by Executive
and by a duly authorized representative of the Company other than
Executive. Failure to exercise any right under this Agreement shall
not constitute a waiver of such right. Any waiver of any breach of
this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any subsequent
breaches. All rights or remedies specified for a party herein shall
be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies of the party
hereunder or under applicable law.
X.
|
ASSIGNMENT;
BINDING EFFECT
|
A. Assignment. The
performance of Executive is personal hereunder, and Executive agrees that
Executive shall have no right to assign and shall not assign or purport to
assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement
may be assigned or transferred by the Company; and nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent the consolidation, merger or sale of the Company or a sale of any
or all or substantially all of its assets.
B. Binding
Effect. Subject to the foregoing restriction on assignment by
Executive, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each
of the parties; the affiliates, officers, directors, agents, successors and
assigns of the Company; and the heirs, devisees, spouses, legal representatives
and successors of Executive.
XI.
|
NOTICES
|
All
notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be made in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered: (a)
by hand; (b) by a nationally recognized overnight courier service; or (c) by
United States first class registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the principal address of the other party, as set forth
below. The date of notice shall be deemed to be the earlier of (i)
actual receipt of notice by any permitted means, or (ii) five business days
following dispatch by overnight delivery service or the United States
Mail. Executive shall be obligated to notify the Company in writing
of any change in Executive’s address. Notice of change of address
shall be effective only when done in accordance with this
paragraph.
Company’s
Notice Address:
GoFish
Corporation
700
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Executive’s
Notice Address:
[Omitted]
11
XII.
|
SEVERABILITY
|
If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held by a court or arbitrator to be
invalid, unenforceable, or void, such provision shall be enforced to the fullest
extent permitted by law, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect. In the event that the time period or scope of
any provision is declared by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction to
exceed the maximum time period or scope that such court or arbitrator deems
enforceable, then such court or arbitrator shall reduce the time period or scope
to the maximum time period or scope permitted by law.
XIII.
|
TAXES
|
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, if Executive is a “specified
employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the related guidance (“Section 409A”) at the time of
Executive’s separation from service, then only that portion of the
severance benefits provided hereunder, together with any other severance
payments or benefits, that may be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A, which (when considered
together) do not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) and which
qualify as separation pay under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii),
may be paid within the first six (6) months following
Executive’s separation from service in accordance with applicable
payment schedule set forth herein or, for payments or benefits not provided
under this Agreement, with the payment schedule applicable to each such other
payment or benefit. Otherwise,
the portion of the severance benefits provided herein, together with any other
severance payments or benefits that may be considered deferred compensation
under Section 409A, that would otherwise be payable within the six (6) month
period following Executive’s separation from service will be paid in a lump sum on
the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of
Executive’s separation from service (or the next business day if
such date is not business day). For purposes of this Agreement,
“Section 409A Limit” means the lesser
of two (2) times: (i) the sum of Executive’s annualized
compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the
Company for the taxable year preceding the taxable year of Executive’s separation from
service from the Company as determined
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any
related Internal Revenue Service guidance;
or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan
pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code
for the year in which such separation from service occurs.
XIV.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of California.
12
XV.
|
INTERPRETATION
|
This
Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not
in favor of or against any party. Sections and section headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not
affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the context requires, references to the singular
shall include the plural and the plural the singular.
XVI.
|
COUNTERPARTS
|
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original of this Agreement, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
XVII.
|
AUTHORITY
|
Each
party represents and warrants that such party has the right, power and authority
to enter into and execute this Agreement and to perform and discharge all of the
obligations hereunder; and that this Agreement constitutes the valid and legally
binding agreement and obligation of such party and is enforceable in accordance
with its terms.
XVIII.
|
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT
|
This
Agreement is intended to be the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the
terms of Executive’s employment by the Company, except for agreements
specifically referenced herein (including the Indemnity Agreement, the Lock-Up
Agreement and any applicable stock option agreement, applicable restricted stock
unit agreement or other similar Company plan document), and may not be
contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or
agreements. To the extent that the practices, policies or procedures
of the Company, now or in the future, apply to Executive, and to the extent that
any applicable stock option agreement, applicable restricted stock unit
agreement or similar Company plan document, are inconsistent with the terms of
this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Any
subsequent change in Executive’s duties, position, or compensation will not
affect the validity or scope of this Agreement. This Agreement supercedes the
Consulting Agreement by and between the parties, dated on or about December 19,
2007. The parties hereby agree to terminate the Consulting Agreement as of
November 2, 2008, except that the Company’s outstanding obligations under the
Consulting Agreement shall survive the termination thereof.
XIX.
|
EXECUTIVE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
|
EXECUTIVE
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL CONCERNING
THIS AGREEMENT, THAT HE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE AGREEMENT, THAT HE IS FULLY
AWARE OF ITS LEGAL EFFECT, AND THAT HE HAS ENTERED INTO IT FREELY BASED ON HIS
OWN JUDGMENT AND NOT ON ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR PROMISES OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
GOFISH CORPORATION | XXXXX XXXXXXXX | ||||
By: |
/s/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Name | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx |
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Title
|
President |